Universal Orlando launches new movie-themed parade, nighttime shows and more for the summer
As if Universal Orlando doesn't have enough excitement on the horizon with an entirely new theme park opening in 2025, it is planning a blockbuster summer of entertainment.
On Friday, Universal debuted a nighttime lagoon show and a projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and opened the all-new DreamWorks Land. There is also a new parade starting in July. Here's the "mega" movie fun you can experience this summer.
'Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular'
Universal Studios Florida debuted an all-new nighttime show Friday that brings the park's lagoon to life with music, fountains, projection mapping and drones. The show leans into Universal's legacy of blockbuster films that have inspired past, present and brand-new theme park attractions.
You'll experience music from iconic films like "Jurassic World," "Jaws," "Ghostbusters," "Back to the Future," "Harry Potter," "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Minions" and more. Favorite scenes and characters will be projected onto fountains over the lagoon. Meanwhile, more than 600 drones will fly overhead, making the show even more spectacular. If you have a favorite scene from one of the films mentioned above, you'll probably find it in this show.
"Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular" is scheduled to run through Aug. 25, but we are hopeful it will return after Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal Mega Movie Parade
In sticking with the theme of bringing cinematic masterpieces off the big screen and into its parks, the Universal Mega Movie Parade will debut July 3 at Universal Studios Florida. The parade will celebrate classic films like "E.T.," "Back to the Future," "Jaws" and "Ghostbusters," as well as recent blockbusters like "Jurassic World," "Minions," "Sing," "Trolls" and "Kung Fu Panda."
Universal Mega Movie Parade will feature 13 new floats, special effects and nearly 100 dancers, skaters, stilt walkers and other performers. You'll have to see it in person to see how "mega" this parade really is. However, Universal did share that there will be a 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on the "Ghostbusters" float, a Caterbus and rainbows on the "Trolls" float, and more than one massive dinosaur atop the "Jurassic World" float.
To celebrate the new parade, the park recently opened a limited-time Summer Tribute Store with themed rooms, merchandise and photo ops inspired by the films featured in the parade.
The Universal Mega Movie Parade is scheduled to run through Nov. 14, likely to make way for Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's.
'Hogwarts Always'
"Hogwarts Always" debuted Friday at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure. On select nights, guests can watch scenes from a school year at Hogwarts. Clips of characters shopping for supplies in Diagon Alley, riding the Hogwarts Express and participating in the sorting ceremony are projected onto the facade of Hogwarts Castle.
As an extra surprise, the show will have four different endings. Each one honors a different Hogwarts house, and you never know which house will come out on top. The show plays periodically throughout the evening, so you can stick around until your favorite wins the House Cup.
"Hogwarts Always" is scheduled to run through Aug. 25.
DreamWorks Land opening
Universal Orlando's newest land also opened Friday. DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida features attractions, play areas, meet-and-greets, snack kiosks and retail locations themed to popular DreamWorks films like "Shrek," "Trolls" and "Kung Fu Panda."
Related: Universal Orlando's new DreamWorks Land opening this June
In addition to fun-filled experiences — like taking a ride on the Trollercoaster and playing in Shrek's Swamp — guests can attend a multisensory live show called "DreamWorks Imagination Celebration" that brings these beloved films to life in all-new ways.
Bottom line
If you don't have your summer visit planned, now is the time to choose your favorite Universal hotel, read up on our favorite restaurants and scope out the best rides. Book your trip now because this summer will be a big hit at Universal Orlando.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month