Universal reveals new parade, lagoon show, DreamWorks Land’s opening date

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel
·1 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Universal Orlando has set an opening day for its DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios theme park and unveiled summertime plans for a new parade, new nighttime lagoon show and new castle projection show at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade.

DreamWorks Land is scheduled to debut June 14, Universal announced Monday. The area will feature activities based on movies such as “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.” It will also feature a “multisensory live show” titled “DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.” The new land, which includes a ride called Trollercoaster, has been built on part of the former Woody’s KidZone, which closed in January 2023.

June 14 will also mark the first performance of “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,” a nighttime show with 600 drones, 228 fountains and 4K projection mapping. Universal said the show will use music and scenes from films that have “inspired Universal Orlando’s past, present and future attractions.” It listed “Jaws,” “Ghostbusters,” “Back to the Future,” “King Kong,” “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Fantastic Beasts,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and others.

Disney sets August start date for Epcot Food & Wine fest

That evening, “Hogwarts Always” will debut next door at Islands of Adventure theme park. The show will feature “iconic moments of a school year” at Hogwarts, Universal said.

The new Universal Mega Movie Parade will roll into Universal Studios on July 3. It will be the park’s largest daytime parade to date, the resort said, with 13 new floats, almost 100 performers and a 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on the “Ghostbusters” float. A “Jurassic Park” unit will bring up the rear of the parade.

Icon Park introduces fresh eats, more live music

Universal has not shared a daily schedule for the new presentations, although its website lists the parade, castle show and lagoon show as being presented on “select days.”

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

Cirque du Soleil adds behind-the-scenes option at Disney Springs