Highlights
- Universal Orlando Resort introduces the Mega Movie Parade, celebrating iconic films and franchises.
- Upcoming Epic Universe park to feature How To Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World, and Universal Classic Monsters areas.
- Universal Orlando Resort continues to expand with new experiences, light displays, and themed areas, leveraging nostalgia and fan favorites.
Universal Orlando Resort debuted its latest offering earlier this week, just ahead of the July 4 holiday. The Universal Mega Movie Parade is a true nostalgia fest for Universal Orlando guests and an ode to some of Universal’s greatest films.
The Universal Orlando Resort has been working hard on its upcoming park, Epic Universe, which is expected to open sometime next summer. Epic Universe will bring some of Universal’s most iconic franchises to life, with How To Train Your Dragon, the Super Mario Bros. inspired Super Nintendo World, and the Universal Classic Monsters all getting their own areas in the new park. The most recent update from Epic Universe showed fans what they can expect from the Universal Monsters Dark Universe area. Excitement and expectations are high for the upcoming park, and while Epic Universe proves Universal is looking towards the future, it hasn’t forgotten its current parks or past successes either.
The park's newest addition, the Mega Movie Parade, debuted on July 3, and it is an incredible homage to movie magic and some of Universal’s classic films and recent animated hits. The Mega Movie Parade features approximately nine different franchises, including Back to the Future, Despicable Me, Trolls, Sing, Kung Fu Panda, Ghostbusters, E.T., Jaws, and Jurassic Park/World. Each float brings to life some iconic characters, scenes, and elements from each franchise. Examples include
- Doc Brown, Marty, and the clock tower from Back to the Future
- Gozer, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and the whole crew from Ghostbusters
- Mayor Vaughn, Sheriff Brody, and Captain Quint from Jaws
- Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda
Universal Leaning Into Nostalgia With New Experiences
The parade, which debuted in a technical rehearsal earlier this week, drew a massive crowd on its opening day and so far has received highly positive feedback on social media. The parade is great for kids wanting to see some of their favorite animated characters as well as adults wanting to re-live some of their favorite films from the past. The Mega Movie Parade is just the latest of several new offerings to come to the Universal Orlando Resort, which also includes the recent opening of the newly reimagined Kid Zone, now themed after several popular DreamWorks properties, including Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda.
A dazzling new light display on the Hogwarts Castle and a brand-new lagoon show also recently debuted at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, respectively. Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have also recently faced rumors that areas inspired by various popular video game franchises could be coming to the parks within the next ten years, including areas inspired by Legend of Zelda and Pokemon.
Universal has continued to find success with its nostalgic focus recently, especially with franchises like Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda continuing to release films for newer audiences. By creating an offering that appeals to such a wide fan base, Universal has all but guaranteed itself a hit parade and a selection of new experiences that will continue to bring guests back time and time again.
