In case you haven’t noticed, Universal Orlando Resort has been BUSY with a capital ‘B’ over the past few years. While all eyes are on the opening of Universal Epic Universe taking place next year, 2024 is also shaping up to be a memorable year as well.
Here are some of the major highlights I want to point out if you’re planning on a trip to Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood this spring and summer.
DreamWorks Land Coming to Universal Studios Florida
The big ticket item arriving this year at Universal Orlando Resort is DreamWorks Land. The all-new, family-friendly land will open at Universal Studios Florida this summer. Attractions, live entertainment, and character meet-and-greets will be at the center of DreamWorks Land, and the youngest visitors will have a new place to play. DreamWorks Land will officially open at Universal Studios Florida on June 14, 2024.
DreamWorks Land will include a brand-new, family-friendly, Trolls-inspired roller coaster called Trolls Trollercoaster. Other Trolls-inspired finds include Poppy’s Playground, a retail location called High Five Hideaway, and Trolls Treats, where guests can enjoy frozen snacks like a pink lemonade-flavored Poppy-licious Pink and huckleberry-flavored BroZone Berry.
The land will be themed to classic DreamWorks animated films, including Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda. For Shrek fans, this is your opportunity to meet the ogre himself, along with Princess Fiona and Donkey. There will also be play areas, an interactive video experience called Mama Luna Feline Fiesta, and Swamp Snacks, a new dining kiosk featuring Shrek-inspired treats like Shrekzel, Far Far A Waffle, Frozen Ogre and more.
Kung Fu Panda fans can explore Po’s world in Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp. Inspired by the films, this part of the land includes interactive wet and dry play areas and Po Live!, a digital, interactive meet-and-greet experience.
Three New Entertainment Offerings at Universal Orlando
Looking for brand-new entertainment? Universal Orlando has the lion’s share this summer! The resort will debut not one, not two, but THREE new pieces of entertainment, including daytime parades and nighttime shows. During the day, head to Universal Studios Florida for Mega Movie Parade (debuting July 3), the largest daytime parade to date at Universal Orlando. The parade will feature nearly 100 performers across 13 new floats depicting films such as Jaws, E.T., Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, and more. Universal’s Tribute Store will also take a new form this summer to compliment the Mega Movie Parade.
At night, guests will have two opportunities to take in the sights and sounds of brand-new shows. CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular will perform on select nights around Universal Studios Florida Lagoon. This nighttime show will have over 600 drones, 228 fountains that reach heights up to 131 feet, and 4K video projections. A slew of films will make appearances in this show, including the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, How to Train Your Dragon, Minions, and more. CineSational debuts on June 14.
At Islands of Adventure, Hogwarts Always will come alive at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmede. This projection show show will take us through a year at Hogwarts, including memorable moments like shopping along Diagon Alley, a train ride to Hogwarts, and participating in a Sorting Hat ceremony. There are four possible endings each night, as all four houses are eligible to win the house cup! Hogwarts Always debuts on June 14.
Mega Movie Parade, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, and Hogwarts Always will perform on select days and nights this summer at Universal Orlando.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour Celebrates 60 Years
The highlight of Universal Studios Hollywood is its famous Studio Tour, the tram ride that brings guests through the working backlot at Universal, along with famed sets from TV and film history along with a few memorable interactive elements. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Studio Tour, and Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating in a big way!
From April 26 through August 11, 2024, guests can enjoy a limited-time 60th anniversary version of the tour. The tram vehicles will be decked out in a retro red and white candy-striped ‘Glamor Tram’ design, and guests will actually be able to step off the tram during their journey for photo opportunities with a fully restored 1964 vintage tram. The tram ride will also include the return of “Earthquake—The Big One,” fully restored from top to bottom. Other nostalgic moments will be added to the Studio Tour, along with props, set pieces, and other throwbacks to Studio Tour eras of the past 60 years.
Along with the temporary ride layover, guests can also commemorate the anniversary with limited-time treats and souvenirs. Stop by Hollywood & Dine, Mel’s Diner, Studio Scoops, and City Snack Shop for some exclusive food items.
Collectors will want to stock up on a specialty popcorn bucket designed to look like a ‘Glamor Tram,’ as well as apparel, accessories, and more.
Butterbeer Season
One of the biggest foodie draws to Universal Orland and Universal Hollywood is Butterbeer. The butterscotch-flavored beverage, a named item in the Harry Potter universe, is available for purchase at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on both coasts. Butterbeer is so popular that Universal will host an entire season devoted to the drink this year.
Butterbeer Season kicks off today, March 15, and will continue through April 30. The festival will be at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests will be able to enjoy the famed Butterbeer in new ways, including as a popsicle, caramel, and more. There will even be a limited-edition silver stein available for purchase.
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Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood
Butterbeer Season is not the only Harry Potter-centric event fans are anxious for this year. It was also announced that on March 29, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour will arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood. The ice cream will be available in Honeydukes at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Once open, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream will feature ten soft-serve flavors, including Butterbeer. This is a very popular frozen treat spot in Orlando, so expect excited crowds eager to try all of the flavors once it arrives in Hollywood this spring.
Halloween Horror Nights Returns to Universal Orlando August 30
It wouldn’t be a discussion about summer at Universal without talking briefly about Halloween Horror Nights. The fall and Halloween seasons seem to start earlier and earlier each year, and Universal will kick off its fan-favorite, fright-filled festival on August 30 and run through November 3 — that’s a record 48 select nights of thrills!
This year’s lineup will include 10 all-new movie-quality haunted houses and five scare zones found throughout Universal Studios Florida. You can check out my article on Family Vacationist that outlines 2023’s offerings to get an idea of what Halloween Horror Nights is all about, at least at Universal Orlando. Even though Halloween Horror Nights does not begin until late summer, expect a lot of exciting announcements in the months to come. Single-night event tickets and Express Passes for Halloween Horror Nights are available for purchase now.
Ticket Offers and Ways to Save
Of course, if you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood this spring and summer, you’re probably looking for ways to save. Here are a few of the discounts currently available
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
Save 25% on a 3-Park, 5-Night Vacation Package
- Book a 3-Park, 5-Night getaway at participating hotels and save!
- Travel: Jan 7, 2024-Mar 21, 2024 or Apr 7, 2024-Jul 31, 2024
Save 20% on 4-Nights at a Universal Orlando Hotel
- Stay at a Universal Orlando hotel for four or more nights and save 20%.
- Book By: Dec. 15, 2024
- Travel: Apr. 7-May 23, May 27-Nov. 26, Dec. 1-19, 2024
Play 4 Days From $74 Per Day, Plus Tax
- Enjoy four days of thrills at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure when you purchase a 2-Park Play 4 Days Promo Base Ticket.
- Visit one Park per Day
- Upgrade to a Park-to-Park ticket to visit multiple parks in the same day
- Upgrade to a 3-Park ticket to visit Volcano Bay
- Ticket price determined by first date of your visit; check price calendar
Stay, Scream & Save up to $200
This convenient package offers the best way to experience all three Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and Halloween Horror Nights. This package includes:
- 5-Night Hotel Accommodations
- 3-Park Play 4 Days Park-to-Park Promo Ticket to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay on the same day (Valid for select travel dates 03/14/24 – 12/18/24. Restrictions apply.)
- 1-Night Admission to Halloween Horror Nights
- $75 Stay, Scream & Save Discount
- Early Park Admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando and Universal Volcano Bay up to one hour before the parks open (valid theme park admission required; select attractions.)
On a 2 night or longer hotel stay with a 3-Park Ticket and admission to Halloween Horror Nights:
- SAVE $10 When you stay 2 nights
- SAVE $25 When you stay 3 nights
- SAVE $50 When you stay 4 nights
- SAVE $75 When you stay 5 nights
- SAVE $125 When you stay 6 nights
- SAVE $200 When you stay 7 nights or more
For more current discounts, visit Universal Orlando’s website.