Universal Orlando launches new movie-themed parade, nighttime shows and more for the 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.

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.

‘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.”

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