Dream to become reality in Florida
New land and other goodies debuting soon at Universal Orlando
If it seems like I’ve been writing about the Universal parks a lot lately, that’s because I have been. With Epic Universe reveals and announcements about new parks and attractions, the busy company has been overloading my inbox and generating plenty of buzz. Scheduled to open in 2025, Epic Universe is especially grabbing a ton of attention–and for good reason. But Universal Orlando isn’t ignoring its original campus. The theme park resort recently lifted the curtain on a bunch of new experiences that visitors will be able to enjoy this summer at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Trolling for fun
The previously announced DreamWorks Land is set to welcome kiddos on June 14. The reimagined land, which previously featured Feivel, Curious George, and Woody Woodpecker, will now focus on the movie studio’s stable of characters. Shrek may have lost his 4D theater around the corner at the Studios park. But, the green ogre (along with Fiona and Donkey) will take up residence in the new land where guests will be able to meet the trio and get wet in his swamp.
Po, the titular Kung Fu Panda, will appear on a digital animated screen in his training camp and interact with budding martial artists. On the former Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, trains that look like the caterpillar Caterbus will take kids for a ride on the gentle Trollercoaster. Universal says the land will also offer the indoor live show, “DreamWorks Imagination Celebration,” as well as meetups with Gabby from “Gabby’s Dollhouse” and other DreamWorks animated celebs come to life.
A King Kong-sized show
Also on June 14, Universal Studios will debut its latest nighttime lagoon show, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular. (You gotta love the alliteration.) Disney’s presentations such as World of Color and Luminous The Symphony of Us get a lot of well-deserved love. Universal has been plugging away with its own kiss-goodnight spectaculars, but they’ve largely gone unheralded. That’s a shame. I’ve been mighty impressed by them and anticipate that CineSational will likewise dazzle.
It will focus on many of the movies that have inspired the parks’ lands and attractions (including, in some cases, ones that will be showcased in the new Epic Universe) such as “Jurassic World,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “E.T.,” and “King Kong.” Like Universal’s past shows, there will be colorful fountains, scenes projected on the facades surrounding the lagoon, lights, lasers, and other effects. CineSational will also incorporate over 600 drones. Will E.T. and the kids soar over the moon in a drone-fashioned bicycle? I sure hope so.
Harry returns to Hogwarts
Likewise, the castle projection shows at the Wizarding World’s Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure have been wonderful. Starting June 14, the park will present the latest iteration of the nighttime presentation, Hogwarts Always. The Potterverse will loom large as scenes depicting the Sorting Ceremony, Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, and more will animate the arches and turrets of the hallowed Hogwarts school. Expect a pyrotechnics-filled finale. According to Universal, the show will have four different endings that will tip the Sorting Hat to each Hogwarts house. (Go Gryffindor!)
He’s a big marshmallow. No really
Rounding out this summer’s trove of new experiences will be the Universal Mega Movie Parade. Set to step off beginning July 3 at the Studios park, the daytime procession will include floats representing films such as “Minions,” “Back to the Future,” and “Jaws.” The Universal folks say that this will be their largest parade yet with 13 floats and almost 100 performers such as stilt walkers and skaters. A 16-foot-tall Stay Puft Marshmallow Man aboard the “Ghostbusters” float is bound to turn some heads. And that’s not even the finale. A “Jurassic World” float with raptors and a T. Rex will bring the parade to a close.
With Epic Universe set to open next year, will the new offerings this summer be enough to get you to visit Universal Orlando this year? Have you seen Universal’s previous nighttime lagoon spectaculars? Do you agree they are pretty, well, spectacular?
I agree the lagoon shows are fantastic. I was particularly impressed with the horror-themed one they did for Halloween Horror Nights when we visited a couple of years ago.
The revamp of the kids' section was long overdue. I can't imagine any kid these days knows who Woody Woodpecker is (though my kids did love his little Nuthouse kiddie coaster). Good to hear Universal is continuing to freshen things up in the old parks.
Really can't wait for Epic Universe though, I'm already trip planning!