Nostalgia, nighttime shows star in cinematic summer at Universal Orlando Resort

Summer lineup includes opening of DreamWorks Land

The Summer Tribute Store at Universal Studios. (Haley Coomes, Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando guests can cap off their day with new entertainment.

News 6 got a preview of the new experiences coming to Universal Orlando Resort. Friday marks the debut of a nighttime lagoon show at Universal Studios and a nighttime projection show at Islands of Adventure. It’s also the grand opening for DreamWorks Land.

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It’s a cinematic journey through scores and scenes of films. This next-level lagoon show features 228 fountains that reach heights up to 131 feet, incredible 4K projection mapping, an original composition featuring newly arranged scores meticulously crafted for each scene, and more than 600 drones.

Watch a clip of the show below.

Hogwarts Always

Hogwarts Always at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade, Islands of Adventure (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

On select nights, a new projection show on the Hogwarts castle will take Hogsmeade guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year as if they were a student at Hogwarts.

DreamWorks Land

Meet Donkey in Shrek's Swamp at DreamWorks Land. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

A charming new land is open at Universal Studios as the former Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone children’s area has been transformed into DreamWorks Land.

Guests will first step into Shrek’s Swamp where they can interact with Princess Fiona, Donkey, and the titular character in the “Shrek” franchise. Families will want to plan for playtime at Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres and strike up (or in this case step on) the chords at King Harold’s Swamp Symphony.

You can also feast on Swamp Snacks like a Shrekzel, Far Far A Waffle, and a Frozen Ogre. Executive Chef Ron Cope, the Culinary Director at Universal Orlando Resort, gave News 6 a walk-through in the video below.

There are also plenty of pops of color in the Trolls area which includes the main attraction, the Trolls Trollercoaster. Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp and Po Live! will also please fans of “Kung Fu Panda.”

To get a true DreamWorks experience, guests will want to grab a seat at the all-new DreamWorks Theater for the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.

Kung Fu Panda area at DreamWorks Land (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
Trollercoaster at DreamWorks Land (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Universal Orlando Summer Tribute Store

The Summer Tribute Store at Universal Studios. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

There’s more in store for guests looking to do some souvenir shopping.

Located in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida, the limited-time store will transport guests to “The Tribute Store Plaza” — a 1980s shopping mall featuring three highly immersive “mega” rooms — the nostalgic Mega Video Rental video store, a retro Mega Castle Arcade, and the majestic Tribute Theatre.

Apparel, accessories, and home goods are themed to iconic films “Ghostbusters,” “Back to the Future,” “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” “Jaws” and “Shrek.”

The arcade at the Universal Studios Summer Tribute Store. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

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About the Author

Haley is a digital content producer for ClickOrlando.com and first started as a News 6 producer in October 2014. She's a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in journalism. She specializes in theme parks and lifestyle writing.

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