Universal 360 status

[OhioTony]

Park tickets.

We purchased with our Mastercard but got our tickets online

 

[MamaKate]

I must be the only person that's not overly impressed with Illuminations. IMHO, Fantasmic is much better. I like the nighttime entertainment at MK & SW better also. I've seen Illuminations quite a few times, which could be one reason I'm not so crazy about it. I really wasn't that impressed the 1st time I saw it though.

Your not the only one. I've seen Illuminations several times, but I just don't love it. The music doesn't get me emotionally and although the globe is technically fasinating, I have a hard time seeing the clips on them and it's not very interesting to watch.

 

[David R]

Your not the only one. I've seen Illuminations several times, but I just don't love it. The music doesn't get me emotionally and although the globe is technically fasinating, I have a hard time seeing the clips on them and it's not very interesting to watch.

The video on the globes at Universal is very high quality and, well, huge!

 

[phamton]

I gotta say that I was extremely underwhelmed.

The technical rehearsals were just that--technical rehearsals. The show on the 1st was much better than all the tech rehearsals. Tech rehearsals had less fireworks and the lasers and projections were not as spectacular. I didn't expect to see a change from the tech rehearsals and the real show but there were plenty of changes. For those expecting a fireworks show, it is not intended to be that. There are fireworks but only to enhance the show. If you're looking for fireworks, head over to MK for Wishes.

There are projections on both NY area and also MIB so stand where you can see them. The ones at MIB are easier to see. It is not like Illuminations. I do love Illuminations but it always reminds me of the old toy called "Lite Bright." but I do love the music and firewroks there. The projections on Cinesphere are wonderfully clear. I think a better comparison would be the great movie ride as it is the history of Universal films not a feel good, warm and fuzzy, save the world type show.

 

[David R]

Phantom, I'm not arguing that the show doesn't have its merit, the screen quality is good and the projection on the buildings is well done and effective most of the time. I saw the show on June 30th, the day before it officially opened. Surely it was pretty darn close to the full show, if not the actual show. The clips were there, the fireworks were there, the lasers, the projections.

What I was trying to get to is that here we have Universal, a leader in entertainment who has created things like the Mummy ride, Spiderman, the beautiful IOA, effects shows such as Twister and its sister show, Backdraft, so I expected something flashier out of them. Fantasmic is not a fireworks show, yet look at how amazing it is.

Do you remember those Universal pomotional clips that they used to include on DVDs a while back? Those 5 minute long collection of clips? That's what it felt I was watching, paired with the occasional firework. I was expecting something more emotional and showy.

I was hoping that Universal would give Disney a run for its money. Something that would make people go wow. I don't feel they gave us that.

 

[MamaKate]

The video on the globes at Universal is very high quality and, well, huge!

That's great to hear. I can never see the scenes on the globe at Epcot & It does remind me of "Lite Brite" pegs like Phamton mentioned.

I think my family will enjoy it if it's still running during Thanksgiving . My son loves watching movie montages and if it has fireworks and other special effects to accompany it, I think it will be enjoyable.

We have never stayed at USO until closing, because we always have FOTL and get everything done fairly early. So we just return to our hotel for a swim. This will definately make us stay at the park until closing just to check it out & I think this is what USO is trying to accomplish.

So does anyone know if it will be running during the weekend after Thanksgiving. They are open until 9pm & during this time of the year it gets dark around 7pm.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Your not the only one. I've seen Illuminations several times, but I just don't love it. The music doesn't get me emotionally and although the globe is technically fasinating, I have a hard time seeing the clips on them and it's not very interesting to watch.

Yeah, I don't get all teary eyed watching it either like some people say they do. I really think it gets kind of boring after awhile. Personally, I think the different countries all lit up at night are a much more fascinating sight.

I don't know, if US will have the show over Thanksgiving or not. I hope you get lucky & they show it. We don't normally stay until park closing either. Since we usually go in the summer, we plan one dinner in the parks & see the special show afterwards. When the nighttime show is at IOA, Mythos is a perfect place to have dinner then watch the show. Other than that one night, we have dinner reservations somewhere for 8 or 8:30pm every evening, so we head out of the parks fairly early.

 

[Zsa Zsa]

Made reservations at Lombards for dinner (6 pm is latest-after that is walk-in) for late July 407-224-3613. Was told that you can either wait to get patio seating to get VIP 360 Cinesphere viewing or show your receipt and get access to the lower level (where there is no dining) for the other VIP viewing area. However, guest services suggested instead going across from Mel's on the outskirts of Battery Park in New York for excellent viewing.

Hope this helps!