Universal Orlando has been on their social media game with a teaser campaign giving retro vibes, and we finally have all the details! These announcements have me so excited for this summer as new shows and experiences await!

We have not seen a daytime parade or a nighttime lagoon show in nearly 2 years, and the Hogwarts projection show has been missing for nearly a year! So, with nighttime entertainment seriously lacking lately, I am ready for the return of these spectaculars.
Hogwarts, Always!
“Hogwarts, Always!” is the replacement for “Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.” I love the Castle projection shows and cannot wait to see this one. I am hoping for drones like Hollywood’s version. I am also going to need to be sure to see all FOUR different endings…*adds to to-do list.*
On select nights, we will get to experience a school year at Hogwarts. From shopping in Diagon Alley and riding The Hogwarts Express to getting sorted and celebrating the House Cup winner. Four different endings will celebrate each Hogwarts house and, of course, end with the pyrotechnics we all love!


Dreamworks Land



Dreamworks Land is the newly made-over kids’ area at Universal Studios Florida that opened June 14! This highly anticipated new land is finally giving the appropriate attention to some favorite characters we have been dying to see in the parks: Trolls, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda.
Since the closing of Shrek 4D we have missed our favorite ogre. Now we get to explore his swamp! Trolls have been intermittently available for meet and greets, but an attraction has definitely been long overdue. The family-friendly coaster, previously Woody Woodpecker themed, got upgraded and dubbed “The Troller-coaster.” Po and friends have taken over the former home of Curious George, and your kids will still get wet! I am particularly interested to see what the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration multisensory live show and interactive experiences include!
Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular
You can also add the brand new lagoon show “Cinesational” to your list! After the lagoon show mechanics sustained hurricane damage in 2022, the Halloween Horror Nights show there had to be canceled, and soon after came the announcement that the Cinematic Celebration show would not be returning. I have seen work being done on the lagoon and on the nearby Chez Alcatraz, as well! The new water and projection spectacular will feature the Universal classics that we all love and (of course) leave us in awe with the pyrotechnic ending we hope for when leaving the parks for the night!
CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular features 228 fountains, 4K projections, and more than 600 drones. The original soundtrack will also feature iconic songs from classic movies, including Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Jurassic World, Jaws, Shrek, Ghostbusters, Trolls, Back to the Future, How to Train Your Dragon, E.T., Minions, The Mummy and more.
The Mega Movie Parade

Last but not least, the parade! The parade will debut on July 3! I love seeing the characters in the parades, and it looks like we’ll be seeing the classics yet again featured in the parade alongside some more recent faves. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man! (childhood memories anyone?)
The Mega Movie Parade will feature 13 floats repping our favorite Universal movies including: E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, Illumination’s Minions, Sing, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda.
What are YOU most excited to see this summer??
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