Universal Studios currently has the best entertainment ever! We know that is a bold claim, but we don’t think we’ve ever seen Universal put on such a great parade and nighttime spectaculars. Here are all our best tips for catching the entertainment.
Universal Mega Movie Parade
Universal Mega Movie Parade is a daytime parade, and likely the biggest one Universal Studios Florida has ever produced. Favorite characters and movies are featured, and we absolutely love how many there were!
You will see the following movies represented on 13 floats: Back to the Future, Sing, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, Ghostbusters, E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park.
Each float is elaborate with props and plenty of performers. It seamlessly meshes newer characters/movies with older ones combining nostalgia with familiar faces younger Guests will recognize. My son and I both loved this parade so much.
The parade debuted on July 3 and will run through November 14. The app says “select days” but it will run every day unless there is inclement weather. Mega Movie Parade has a showtime at 6:00 pm, but it is our understanding that during Halloween Horror Nights it will have a showtime of 2:00 pm. We have also seen it randomly start at 5:45 pm, so be sure to keep an eye on the app on the day of your visit.
The parade begins over by Horror Makeup show, turns towards Hollywood, makes its way through Illumination Avenue and New York, and then finishes where it starts. The best places to watch are really anywhere but where it first starts. I have always found that space to be the most crowded.
Floats
The parade kicks off with performers and the lead float. The screen on the side shows various characters.
Back to the Future is the first movie float. Doc and Marty stand in front of the DeLorean Time Machine. The side of the float features important dates, of course!
Sing follows Back to the Future with performers in brightly colored jumpsuits and Johnny, Rosita, and Gunter dancing on the float. Buster Moon hangs from the moon at the top of the float, and some other friends hang out on the sides.
My personal favorite float is next: Despicable Me! Several dressed up Minions hang out on this float, including Napoleon, Otto, and one more I can’t figure out the name of (please let me know in the comments if you know!). The side of the float reads: Minions Through History. It’s a cute float.
Then, Kung Fu Panda performers show off their best kung fu moves in front of the massive float. Tigress and Po hang out on the top float and wave to the crowd as they pass by.
Trolls is next with some performers decked out in funky outfits! Poppy and Branch follow in probably the most colorful float of the entire parade!
Ghostbusters follow up Trolls with a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow man on the float. This one has some scary characters, so just a heads up for anyone who has a sensitive kiddo in their travel party.
E.T.: This is another favorite float of mine! I love the cyclists doing cool tricks in the street in front of the float. They are really talented! Then, Elliott and Zrek (E.T.) follow on the front of the float in their bicycle with more friends.
Jaws is the second to last float and it features the mayor, Larry Vaughn, and the sheriff, Martin Brody. The float features a giant shark, as it should!
Jurassic Park is the very last float of the parade with more performers and a huge T-Rex and a flipped over vehicle.
Enjoy this video with highlights of the parade:
CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
Much like the parade, Universal movies and characters will come to life in this nighttime spectacular that has it all: music, lighting, and fireworks, water, and drones.
Most of the movies represented in the Mega Movie Parade are also part of the CineSational show.
The show will run through August 25 due to Halloween Horror Nights beginning August 30. The app says “select nights” but it will run every night unless there is inclement weather. It begins at 9:00 pm and runs for 22 minutes.
The show can be viewed around the lagoon. However, the “official” dedicated viewing area is in Central Park. This area is the most crowded but it provides the best viewing. You’ll be able to see the water effects and drone effects from this area. We recommend finding a good spot about 30-45 minutes before the show starts.
If you want a less crowded spot or maybe you don’t want to wait for a long time, you can view the show from across the lagoon over in New York. You will have to look in front of you to see the water effects and behind you to see the drone effects, but this is a decent alternative.
Hogwarts Always
Hogwarts Always is the fan-favorite nighttime entertainment for Potterheads. Who doesn’t love a Harry Potter themed show?!
It takes you on a magical journey through a school year at Hogwarts with incredible music and moments of wizardry!
The show runs every night until August 25. It begins at dusk and runs on a 20 minute schedule until the park closes. Showtimes are 8:55, 9:15, 9:35, and 10:00. Later showtimes will be less crowded than the first couple.
You may be wondering if it is possible to see both CineSational and Hogwarts Always. The answer is yes! I was able to see both shows in one evening. I watched CineSational from New York and started making my way out of the park a few minutes before the show ended.
Note that since Universal Studios Florida closes at 9:00 you cannot take Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade! It is a bit of trek, but I walked it at a quick pace in about 20 minutes from New York to Hogsmeade.
Here is a video with both nighttime shows (CineSational and Hogwarts Always) so you know what to expect:
We love the entertainment Universal has been putting out this summer! Have you been able to see any of these shows? Let us know in the comments below, and share this post with your Universal-loving friends!
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