Last evening, the Chip and Co team had the extraordinary opportunity to witness a sneak preview of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest nighttime extravaganza, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular. Officially debuting tonight, June 14, this spectacular show transforms the waters of the Universal Studios Florida lagoon into a mesmerizing symphony of sights and sounds.
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CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular celebrates the emotional power of music, leveraging iconic scores and scenes from blockbuster films that have shaped Universal Orlando’s past, present, and future attractions. The show features unforgettable moments from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, Jurassic World, Jaws, Shrek, Ghostbusters, Trolls, Back to the Future, Universal Monsters, Transformers, How to Train Your Dragon, E.T., Fast and Furious, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, The Mummy, and King Kong. This marks Universal’s first lagoon show since a hurricane in 2022 devastated the previous tech setup.
What makes CineSational truly awe-inspiring is its impressive blend of advanced technologies and special effects. The show features 228 fountains that soar up to 131 feet, incredible 4K projection mapping, an original score meticulously arranged for each scene, and more than 600 drones. Together, these elements create a breathtaking display of cinematic moments that envelop guests in a visual and audio feast.
Our first impressions of the show can be summed up in one word: masterpiece. Universal has seamlessly crafted a visual and auditory symphony that delights both the eyes and ears. The water projections are executed with remarkable precision and clarity, while the fireworks and drones add stunning visuals without being distracting. As an 80’s kid, the sense of nostalgia when both the ECTO 1 and Doc Brown’s Delorian zoom across the water hit me right in the feels! Since the drones provide some extra ambiance to the show and are not the centerpiece of the show itself, the show can still function even if weather conditions prevent the use of them.
Before the show, Mike Aiello, Senior Director of Entertainment Creative Development at Universal Destinations and Experiences, shared that CineSational focuses on the past, present, and future of what makes Universal, well, Universal. He couldn’t have been more accurate. The show beautifully weaves scenes from classic Universal Monsters films, 80s hits like Ghostbusters and Back to the Future, and modern favorites such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie. (And yes, I found myself humming the “Peaches” song all night after the show—thanks, Mike and team!)
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Overall, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular is a must-see during your next trip to Universal Studios Florida. It’s a brilliant tribute to the movies that have defined generations and a testament to Universal’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of entertainment. Don’t miss this exhilarating nighttime show—it’s a symphonic spectacular you won’t soon forget!
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