Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort are bringing more blockbuster movie action to your summer vacations before next year’s Epic Universe opening. Things kicked off at Universal Studios Hollywood with the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary and Ryan Gosling making a surprise appearance for a new, limited time pre-show based on his new movie The Fall Guy—which we have video of below!
Meanwhile, Universal Orlando is preparing to bring back some of the theme park’s legendary icons from attractions past with new ways to experience Jaws, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, and more in new daytime and nighttime entertainment offerings beginning June 4. Additionally, DreamWorks Land is set to open on June 14, which means you can soon take up space in Shrek’s beloved swamp across from the blessedly saved-from-being-demolished E.T. Adventure.
Here’s what you need to know:
Summer at Universal Studios Hollywood
Over the weekend io9 was invited to Universal Studios Hollywood to watch the premiere performance of The Fall Guy Stuntacular Pre-Show, performed ahead of the park’s cult fave Waterworld experience. What we weren’t aware of was that we were in for a stunt marketing surprise as Gosling—the film’s star, and a noted theme park fan—showed up to introduce it. It was a-unique-to-the-premiere stunt show, with the actor getting in some some of the action alongside director David Leitch; the performance was both meta and an homage to the stunts behind Hollywood blockbusters. It was a blast to see how the filmmakers and the theme park crew of stunt actors who work at Universal played off each other; it’s a small industry so it was really cool to see the collaboration in person. For a taste of The Fall Guy (sans Gosling, unfortunately) you can catch the pre-show all summer long before Waterworld.
Elsewhere in the park you can experience the celebration of the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary, with new stops in the backlot. Now you can see Doc Brown and the DeLorean in Back to the Future’s Court House Square, experience a new Earthquake section, see a T-rex, and get up close to classic red glamor tram cars with new photo ops.
Summer at Universal Studios Orlando
More blockbuster love comes to Universal Studios Orlando with new experiences that bring back iconic films. Debuting July 3 at Universal Studios Florida, The Universal Mega Movie Parade will see the return of Back to the Future, Jaws, and Ghostbusters to the parks alongside the Jurassic Park franchise, E.T., Illumination’s Minions, and DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. It’s set to be Universal Orlando’s biggest daytime parade with 13 brand new floats celebrating beloved Universal Pictures releases. “Guests will watch in awe as they see the massive 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man atop the Ghostbusters float,” according to a press release; and there’s also going to be a “live marching drum line perform the iconic movie score of Jaws alongside a float themed to the film.” Fingers crossed for a Beetlejuice float too.
For fans of drone light shows, no less than 600 will be used during Universal Orlando’s nighttime Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular. Starting June 14, the new nighttime show will bring the waters of the Universal Studios Florida lagoon to life with iconic scores and scenes from blockbuster films. It will encompass Universal Orlando’s past, present, and future attractions and will feature movies like Jurassic World, Jaws, Shrek, Ghostbusters, Trolls, Back to the Future, the Universal Monsters films, Transformers, How to Train Your Dragon, E.T., Fast and Furious, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, The Mummy ,and King Kong (but also please, give us more Beetlejuice). Through the use of projection, water screens, and buildings guests will be immersed in some of the most breathtaking moments of cinema, which is what we love about the parks.
DreamWorks Land
Welcome to Shrek’s swamp and beyond! DreamWorks Land will officially open on June 14 at Universal Studios Florida. You’ll be able to visit popular DreamWorks Animation locales, including Shrek’s swamp for a meet and greet, or ride attractions based on hit films like Trolls with the family-friendly Trollercoaster. There will also be a new show, DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, that will give families an opportunity to enjoy a multi-sensory live stage performance with some of their favorite characters.
For more information, check out Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Studios Orlando Resort to plan your next trip.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.