Universal Orlando Announces Many New Experiences
Here's what we have been waiting for. Universal Orlando has finally revealed all the fantastic new additions that the park will welcome in 2012! Here's the official press release, containing more information:
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2012 IS THE YEAR TO BE AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!
We are speechless. We are absolutely looking forward to see each and every single show and attraction listed in this press release! And all of these experiences will open before most of the attractions of the new Fantasyland will. Universal has really stepped up its game. Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Busch Gardens certainly need a way to respond effectively to all these fantastic novelties that will debut at Universal Orlando if they don't want to lose thousands of potential visitors.
All the artworks are subject to the copyright of © 2012 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
Universal Orlando Resort to Offer More New Entertainment Experiences Across the Entire Destination than During Any Other Year in its History
Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2012) – This year, Universal Orlando Resort will debut more adventure, excitement, laughter and awe-inspiring moments than ever before – making 2012 an extraordinary year to be here. There will be something for everyone and every family. From a new Blue Man Group show and newly re-created experience inside one of Universal Orlando’s most popular attractions to a stunning parade, spectacular nighttime show and brand-new blockbuster attraction based on an incredibly popular film – Universal Orlando Resort is bringing guests more new entertainment across our entire destination in 2012 than during any other year in our history.
The new experiences will begin debuting in February. Guests will discover the exhilarating entertainment of a new Blue Man Group show; marvel at breathtaking new animation and effects in The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man; dance and celebrate with their favorite animated characters during Universal’s Superstar Parade and relive memorable moments from Universal Pictures most powerful and beloved films during the nighttime show Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular – 100 Years of Movie Memories. And coming this summer – families will laugh together as they are transformed into minions for an incredible adventure inside the new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction.
Universal Orlando will also be marking the Universal Pictures Centennial Anniversary Celebration during 2012 with a series of events to be announced throughout the year.
“We are about to offer our guests a historic range of incredible new entertainment experiences,” said Alice Norsworthy, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Universal Orlando Resort. “This year will be filled with excitement and entertainment for the entire family.”
The new 2012 experiences at Universal Orlando Resort include:
Blue Man Group ~ Opening February 2012 at Universal CityWalk
Universal Orlando’s Blue Man Group show is taking their unique and captivating mash-up of high energy music, comedy, audience participation and collective exhilaration to another level. Featuring a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences, the show will allow audiences to join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology. Signature Blue Man Group moments combine with breathtakingly fun new pieces for an explosive evening of entertainment. New show elements include the curious Blue Men interacting with enormous “GiPads,” a funny and insightful look at contemporary communication vehicles, and a pulsating new finale with an original Blue Man Group music score that will have guests jumping to their feet. Look closely – you may even see the Blue Men take a spin on one of Universal Orlando's most popular attractions.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ~ Experience March 2012 at Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando is transforming what is already one of the most amazing attraction experiences ever created into what will feel like an all-new adventure. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man will soon feature all-new, 4K digital high-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems. The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee.
Universal’s Superstar Parade ~ Opening Spring 2012 at Universal Studios Florida
Some of today’s most beloved characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of Universal Studios during Universal’s Superstar Parade – an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories ~ Opening Spring 2012 at Universal Studios Florida
Narrated by award-winning actor and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The experience will take guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments. The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ~ Opening Summer 2012 at Universal Studios Florida
Universal Orlando’s newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film – Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that they’re being recruited to become minions and undergo “minion training.” Things don’t go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters. Once guests make it through training, they join an interactive, minion-inspired dance party where they can show off their best moves.
Universal’s Creative team is working closely with Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment to bring this all-new adventure to life in the most authentic way possible. In fact, the beloved characters in the attraction will be voiced by the film’s original cast: Steve Carell (Gru), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith) and Elsie Fisher (Agnes). The ride’s experience is being developed by the same creative team that brought you the award-winning film, Despicable Me. The motion-picture event Despicable Me 2 arrives in theaters on July 3, 2013.
Other New Experiences Opening this Year
- Hollywood Drive-In Golf, a unique 36-hole miniature golf experience inspired by the classic drive-in movie era, will open in February at Universal CityWalk.
- A great, new immersive retail entertainment experience that will become home to SpongeBob SquarePants and other characters from the number one kids animated TV series, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants. It will open inside Universal Studios this year.
- Minutes away from Universal Orlando, the popular Wet ‘n Wild water park will open its first interactive family water play area, this summer – allowing everyone in the family to splash and swim together. Amidst lush, tropical landscaping, the new area will feature 15 water slides and more than 100 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons - making it the largest interactive water play experience in Florida.
For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com.
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We are speechless. We are absolutely looking forward to see each and every single show and attraction listed in this press release! And all of these experiences will open before most of the attractions of the new Fantasyland will. Universal has really stepped up its game. Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Busch Gardens certainly need a way to respond effectively to all these fantastic novelties that will debut at Universal Orlando if they don't want to lose thousands of potential visitors.
All the artworks are subject to the copyright of © 2012 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
Disney needs to wake up, seriously.
ReplyDeleteUpdating one park at a time just doesn't do it. Epcot and DHS need attention immediately
Universal's Cinematic Spectacular looks simply stunning. I'm interested to see the waterfall screens.
ReplyDeleteGreat site BTW!!!!!!! I come here at least twice a week and love every post!
This is all stuff that we've known for a while, just with some more details fleshed out. They need to address the big question which is what's replacing JAWS and the details of the Harry Potter expansion. We all know of the rumor of the expansion going into JAWS but I heard from a inside source that isn't true. It's going to take over the rest of the Lost Continent. They should just do the Transformers ride in the JAWS spot. It still sticks with the original mantra of "Ride the Movies." Plus it could be relatively "cheap" since there wont be any new R&D for the attraction.
ReplyDeleteOh, come on. Let it go. Universal have made some fantastic announcements today. They do not have to "address the big question" as you put it regarding the former Jaws ride. It's their park.!!
DeleteI'm sure Universal will inform us of their intentions with the former Jaws site in due course.
Awesome update guys! Hope this is all up and running for my trip across the pond in june!
ReplyDeleteOn the matter of JAWS, these seem to all be 2012 updates and additions. It's entirely likely we won't see anything "new" on the JAWS site until 2013 a the earliest and perhaps even 2014 which seems more likely.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a Harry Potter expansion either. I suspect that will take over the rest of Lost Continent as many here suggest. I don't think we'll see HP moving into Studios.
I'm geeked up about the Sponge bob store. A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!!!
ReplyDelete@Grumpy Dougie. You are right sir in saying it's their park yatta yatta yatta. But the problem with this announcement is that with the hype that surrounded it, it was a let down. Like I said earlier, it was everything we (theme park enthusiasts) have known about for a while. I'm sorry if I made you grumpy. If that's the case then you can always work at the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster :)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised, as a "Theme Park Enthusiast", you would have shown a little bit more support for the announcements today. To suggest it is a "let down" given the amount of money spent on these new attractions in this current financial climate.
DeleteAlso, Universal were clear at an early stage to make clear that they would not be making any comment regarding the Jaws site.
As for being Grumpy, na. I always tpwtm see the silver lining in life...... Try it.
Two sides to every coin Dougie. We can agree to disagree and no longer muddy up this great site. Cheers mate. But I must ask, what does "tpwtm" stand for? I admit, I'm not that savvy with internet acronyms...
ReplyDeletei guess this latest news of a wet n wild expansion pretty much kills the rumours that were doing the rounds a while back that universal were going to sell off w&w and build a new water park within the universal orlando resort.
ReplyDeletealthough wet n wild has got to be getting close to capacity attraction wise - do they have any more room for any future additions?
and i must say there new nighttime show sounds a bit of a disappointment imo - surely it'll be nothing more than an advert for universal's back catalogue
ReplyDeletei may be harshly prejudging a future attraction but does it really offer anything groundbreakingly new? Fantasmic has been doing something similar for years - and at least that has a storyline!
at least universal have woke up to the fact that the parades are popular entertainment in disney and finally put one into u.s. And i expect it to be a corker!
@fatdonut: Yes, you're right... With the new kids' water area, it looks like we will not see Wondersea Island anytime soon. Such a shame. Even with the new Kids' Park, Wet 'n' Wild will continue to remain the least attractive water park in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed that my brain is going to explode. Disney needs to get some Avatar concept art on the table pronto!
ReplyDelete