Universal’s Superstar Parade and Cinematic Spectacular:UPDATE

[JessicaR]

We have spectacular news for you, fans!

Universal’s Superstar Parade and Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories will officially grand open May 8! These two BRAND NEW entertainment experiences are the next chapter in our ‘Year to Be Here’ and we can’t wait for you to experience them at Universal Studios!

I saw the fireworks while we were there last week - they are great!

 

[kamcgrory]

May 8th is a Tuesday. Kinda weird they would have the initial show then, but, I'll take it! We will be there on May 21 and 22 and definately want to see these. Woohoo!!

 

[jkshel]

Here's some info I found:
+ The floats for are all-new and self-propelled. Translation: No trucks hauling them as in the Mardi Gras parade.

+ Worried about that sharp turn in the parade route? I always do. Never fear, says Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment. The floats “can rotate and spin on their own axis, which gives us an incredible degree of maneuverability,” he says.

+ The parade will mark the debut of several costumed characters, including Gru and the girls from “Despicable Me” and friends of SpongeBob.

+ The sound system at the park has been revamped. The new floats will have customized soundtracks (theme songs, character voices) that go with them as they go through the park.

+ The floats will be used as mobile backdrops for character meet-and-greets during the day.

+ The parade is equipped to go night or day. And the plan is for there to be days when the park will feature run both the “Superstar Parade” and its Mardi Gras parade.

+ In addition to characters, there will be dancers and more. Stilts, right? “You will absolutely see stilts in this parade, and a couple of new street-performance, ground-talent experiences that you haven’t seen before,” Timon says.
Here's some artists renderings I found:

'Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Moments' is a salute to Universal Pictures' history, projected on both sides of a series of water walls. That is supplemented by fountains, pyrotechnics, lasers and narration by actor Morgan Freeman. It will be presented on the park's lagoon.

 

[carlos.del002]

This would be fantastic news if I wasn't returning from Universal on May 3rd lol

 

[AnjieNet]

Anyone know if these are "sesaonal" or are expected to run throughout the year? Sure would love to see them in October.

 

[Metro West]

Anyone know if these are "sesaonal" or are expected to run throughout the year? Sure would love to see them in October.

From what I've heard, the parade is daily but the lagoon show is seasonal. It's supposed to run nightly through the summer but then on "select days" in the fall and nightly at Christmas and other heavy travel times.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

For the fireworks show, will guests be able to see it from both US and from IOA? We will be at IOA on May 17 and would plan to stick around to see it. Thanks for this info and TIA for the answer to my question.

 

[damo]

For the fireworks show, will guests be able to see it from both US and from IOA? We will be at IOA on May 17 and would plan to stick around to see it. Thanks for this info and TIA for the answer to my question.

The night-time show will have fireworks as well as a lagoon show with projections on water screens on the lagoon in USF. You'll be able to see the fireworks from IOA but you won't be able to hear the narration and see the screens.

 

[AnjieNet]

From what I've heard, the parade is daily but the lagoon show is seasonal. It's supposed to run nightly through the summer but then on "select days" in the fall and nightly at Christmas and other heavy travel times.

I guess one out of two isn't too bad. Hopefully they'll "select" one of my dates.

 

[Sweettears]

Sounds interesting. Sounds like Disney. Should provide some ammo against those that claim Disney is playing catch up with Universal.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

The night-time show will have fireworks as well as a lagoon show with projections on water screens on the lagoon in USF. You'll be able to see the fireworks from IOA but you won't be able to hear the narration and see the screens.

Thanks...we won't plan for it...if we still happen to be there that late then we'll enjoy the fireworks as we finish up.

 

[schumigirl]

We are so looking forward to seeing this

 

[canadiankim]

Thats great news, we arrive May 30 and will be heading to IOA on the 31st and US on June 4.

 

[Metro West]

I guess one out of two isn't too bad. Hopefully they'll "select" one of my dates.

I'm guessing they will run the lagoon show on the weekends during off peak times so if you are going in the fall, you might get lucky. However...since Halloween Horror Nights is in late September and throughout October, they won't show it since the park is cleared of day guests before HHN begins.

 

[JessicaR]

Although you can't hear the narration - the fireworks are viewed from hard Rock room #6124 to PERFECTION!

 

[Planogirl]

I'm looking forward to this. I always thought that Universal should do some kind of parade. Even our state fair has daily parades!

 

[BLTLDZ]

We were planning on being at Universal on 5/8, so this will work out handsomely

Anyone have any idea on the time of the nighttime show??

 

[MinniesDi]

I'm so excited by the new parade, I feel Uni has been lack lustre over the last few years. Will be there in Sept!

 

[Badge]

According to Screamscape, "test runs" of the nighttime show might start happening as early as THIS weekend (4/7/12) at 9pm.

They have been doing a lot of test runs of the new show after hours, but this test will be the first time they allow guests to view it. Mostly likely to get feedback from guests before the show offically goes live next month. This will give them roughly a month to tweak things based on guest reaction.

I doubt they will make any sort of announcement about the show starting. According the Screamscapes sources, they have started warning the staff that the show will start having these tests run at 9pm randomly starting anytime this week. You could also ask some of the team members but they might not even be told what days it will happen. You might just want to hang around the waterfront in the evening and hope for the best! And please, bring a camera so you can film it and put it on Youtube! I can't wait to see the show, but I am not sure if I am going to be able to make it out to Universal Orlando this year so a video will be the next best thing!

 

[JessicaR]

According to Screamscape, "test runs" of the nighttime show might start happening as early as THIS weekend (4/7/12) at 9pm.

They have been doing a lot of test runs of the new show after hours, but this test will be the first time they allow guests to view it. Mostly likely to get feedback from guests before the show offically goes live next month. This will give them roughly a month to tweak things based on guest reaction.

I doubt they will make any sort of announcement about the show starting. According the Screamscapes sources, they have started warning the staff that the show will start having these tests run at 9pm randomly starting anytime this week. You could also ask some of the team members but they might not even be told what days it will happen. You might just want to hang around the waterfront in the evening and hope for the best! And please, bring a camera so you can film it and put it on Youtube! I can't wait to see the show, but I am not sure if I am going to be able to make it out to Universal Orlando this year so a video will be the next best thing!

Test runs started already, we were there last week and every night had a test run.