Universal Studios Florida has introduced its Mega Movie Parade to theme park visitors, an event that salutes films tied to the park, past and present.
Gray clouds, literally and figuratively, loomed above its first outing Wednesday evening. Spectators exchanged knowing, cautious glances as thunder rumbled in the distance, and the threat of inclement weather eventually pushed back the start of Mega Movie by about 15 minutes.
Rain fell before the units looped back to backstage. It wasn’t a downpour, but it was enough for umbrellas to pop out. The show went on.
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But another gloomy pre-parade element was the shift from “opening night” status to “technical rehearsal,” what parks once called “soft opening” and still a warning that all may not be as planned. Sandwich boards briefed spectators: “Not all elements of the parade may be functioning,” they read. “Parade may stop or be canceled without notice.”
But here’s what we saw on Night One, which technically we cannot call a dry run.
Flotilla of floats
The parade has a familiar format: Big floats with themed dancers and some stilt walkers traveling between the units. Music associated with each film accompanies them.
It stepped off with a unit dedicated to “Back to the Future.” On board are Doc Brown and Marty McFly (the actor looked pretty Michael J. Foxy), who interact with each other including a hug. Marty plays air guitar. The performers on the street are outfitted with hoverboards of sorts. Behind Marty and Doc, the DeLorean busts into the clock – cogs are flying – to go back in time.
The crowd’s first very enthusiastic response was to the “Ghostbusters” float and its 16-feet tall Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. That kept energy high through the “Jaws” unit, the pine-tree-lined float for “E.T.” and the “Jurassic World” finale topped by a very animated T. rex.
First-night watchers saw “Despicable Me,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “Sing” and “Trolls.” If Plan A were for more movies and floats, it would not be evident to everyday guests. All films listed in the initial press releases were represented.
Universal Orlando’s original press release about Mega Movie said there would 13 all-new floats, and on Wednesday there were nine or 10, if you count the opening title unit, which has video screens with film clips but could just be considered furniture/ window dressing.
Since we’re calling it technical rehearsal, anything and everything, including that float count could change.
High and low
The floats each have dominant elements – a mouth-wide-open shark, Mr. Ping’s Noodle Cart for “Kung Fu Panda,” the colorful caterpus for “Trolls.” The natural inclination is to look up.
But staring at the skies — Look! E.T. and Elliott! — will divert you from details on street level. There’s the oversized 1955 settings on the “Future” float, backstage props for “Sing,” Slimer as hot-dog vendor with “Ghostbusters” and tiny, winged dinosaurs on “Jurassic World.”
The back side of the floats are designed to be looked at, too. That’s where you’ll see the Hill Valley courthouse.
The units are not symmetrical, so action on the right side may be different than the left. Visitors can see both by looming at the entrance/exit
Character count
Each float sports a handful of onboard movie characters, some costumed, some constructed.
But there’s more fun on the ground. Actors portraying Chief Brody and Mayor Vaughn worked the streets alongside the “Jaws” float. (Bonus points to the audience members chanting “close the beaches!”)
On “Ghostbusters” float, Venkman and Stantz are on the float (battling Zuul-possessed Dana), while Spengler and Zeddmore are on the ground. Also walking around: Janine, the Annie Potts character.
“Jurassic World” has familiar-ish faces on ground level, including a couple inside the gyroscope.
Target audience
Universal has gone all-in on iconic movies this summer. Two nearby examples include the new “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular” nighttime show (prancing fountains, projections, drones) and the Tribute Store Plaza store, which is like visiting a video store and an arcade.
Despite the presence of “Sing” and “Trolls,” the parade feels made for 1970s and ‘80s babies.
Further evidence: Teens and tweens sprawled on the sidewalk, entered into screen time mode. (“Mom, I want to go home.”) Although that could be attributed to end of day, July 3 meltdown season.
What’s next?
Universal says the parade will occur on “select nights” through Nov. 14. Wednesday’s start time was 6 p.m., but the park hasn’t posted future times. That time makes sense as far as connecting day activities with end-of-night “CineSational” and (possibly) dodging the afternoon thunderstorm.
But what about Halloween Horror Nights days?
Universal’s advice: Check the app.
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