Universal’s Superstar Parade

[Thor]

HOP is the only questionable part of the parade for me.

I think a Seuss float would have been a better choice.

I would have liked to see a Seuss themed float as well.

I don't see it being a permanent part of the parade for long. It's a franchise with very little longevity and something that can easily be replaced once they are done trying to hype its DVD/Blu-Ray release.

As for the rest of the parade, it looks fairly impressive from the concept art and seems to be something that kids can enjoy. Hopefully, they can expand from here in the future and continue to enhance the parades to fit a wider age range eventually.

See, that is what I was thinking. Hop added to promote the DVD/Blu-Ray release as well has have some sort of Easter theme to the parade. Then, once Easter is over, or Spring for that matter, Hop is replaced with something else, and maybe only making returns yearly in the Spring for Easter.

Day parades aren't for adults...

I don't know. I catch the MK and DAK parades, even though they are old now. I'd catch this one too. Yes, I'm an adult.

 

[JungleSkip]

I don't know. I catch the MK and DAK parades, even though they are old now. I'd catch this one too. Yes, I'm an adult.

I'm pretty sure Justice meant the target audience isn't adults, not that adults can't enjoy them.

 

[TSSD]

Hop? Really? HOP??

 

[Splatter]

This makes it sound like the parade will only be featuring the characters mentioned. So that is all we are getting right? I was hoping for a longer parade with classic Universal characters in too. Universal has the 100 year film history. We could easily at least get a few floats representing some of those blockbusters with a few roaming character groups in between as well.

 

[Felipe]

From Orlando Sentinel:
Among Universal Orlando’s announcements Wednesday was news of its first-ever daily parade for Universal Studios. Here are nuggets about “Universal’s Superstar Parade,” which will debut sometime this spring and feature characters from “Hop,” “Despicable Me,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer.”

+ The floats for are all-new and self-propelled. Translation: No trucks hauling them as in the Mardi Gras parade.

+ Worried about that sharp turn in the parade route? I always do. Never fear, says Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment. The floats “can rotate and spin on their own axis, which gives us an incredible degree of maneuverability,” he says.

+ The parade will mark the debut of several costumed characters, including Gru and the girls from “Despicable Me” and friends of SpongeBob.

+ The sound system at the park has been revamped. The new floats will have customized soundtracks (theme songs, character voices) that go with them as they go through the park.

+ The floats will be used as mobile backdrops for character meet-and-greets during the day.

+ The parade is equipped to go night or day. And the plan is for there to be days when the park will feature run both the “Superstar Parade” and its Mardi Gras parade.

+ In addition to characters, there will be dancers and more. Stilts, right? “You will absolutely see stilts in this parade, and a couple of new street-performance, ground-talent experiences that you haven’t seen before,” Timon says.

Very interesting bits of info there! Thanks for sharing! :rep:
I think other than the themes, we're getting everything we wanted in these floats: Separate soundtracks, self-propelled, and how cool that they rotate on their own axis!
The best thing here, though, is that they will be used as photo ops around the park, which means more things to do, and less people in line for the other attractions! :thumbs:

 

[jtsalien]

This makes it sound like the parade will only be featuring the characters mentioned. So that is all we are getting right? I was hoping for a longer parade with classic Universal characters in too. Universal has the 100 year film history. We could easily at least get a few floats representing some of those blockbusters with a few roaming character groups in between as well.

Silly Splatter, Parades are for kids.



I totally agree. I understand the need for things that appeal to families, but why can't it appeal to the whole family more? Is it really asking to much to have some other Universal properties represented?

 

[Thor]

Can someone confirm that the floats are on property and parked behind the Simpsons show building under some sort of car port? Supposedly they are visible from the guest exit ramp of Simpsons and from backstage.

 

[Felipe]

Can someone confirm that the floats are on property and parked behind the Simpsons show building under some sort of car port? Supposedly they are visible from the guest exit ramp of Simpsons and from backstage.

:look: Well, I hope whoever gave you that idea got pics, because your mention might have just prompted Uni to hide them away... *Paranoia*
Seriously, though, someone run to go see and take pics!!

 

[Cwoolboy]

Honestly, I saw Hop and I liked it. Wasn't terrible by any means and it pretty much did what it set out to do: Create a new Easter film for families. While I'm not a big parade guy I think that Hop fits in nicely. Come on guys, kids LOVE The Easter Bunny and I'm sure they'll go ga ga when they get to meet him and his pals during the parade.

 

[Teknik_DC2]

I too think this is great and a move in the right direction. Universal needs more kid stuff. If thats in the form of a parade (which kids love) and additional Meet and Greets then great. I hope this is just the beginning with a Kidzone makeover and additional kid and family attractions coming soon over the next few years. Having a child of my own now its amazing how differently I look at the overall theme park experiance of our young family.

 

[kingeric]

Well I am looking forward to lots of parades at Universal. I love my Mardi Gras parade, and I can't wait for some more excitement and energy to fill the parks.

 

[jj3352]

i dont know how i feel about the floats being used as back drops for pictures during the day.

 

[Jakemeister]

i dont know how i feel about the floats being used as back drops for pictures during the day.

I think it's a great idea. They already do that with the vast majority of their characters, Simpsons, Madagascar, etc.. I imagine that what they plan on doing is parking the floats on the streets of NY by Twister or Delacey street for that matter and on Rodeo.

Here is my latest inquiry/concern. Is this parade only going to be four floats long....? Or are each IP's going to have 2 floats? And other characters we have in the parks, are they going to be in it? I.E. Simpsons Bus, Madagascar Penguins?

I'm thinking they don't have a parade contract with The Simpsons since they use a lot of other IP's in Macy's but not them. Just a thought though.

 

[kingeric]

^ They use the Simpson's in the Macy's Day Parade. They don't use it in Mardi Gras.

I am all for character Meet and Greets, but I would like the floats to be a surprise before the parade, but then after the parade, leave them out for photo ops!

 

[Felipe]

^ They use the Simpson's in the Macy's Day Parade. They don't use it in Mardi Gras.

I am all for character Meet and Greets, but I would like the floats to be a surprise before the parade, but then after the parade, leave them out for photo ops!

Yeah, I also saw the Simpsons van in the Macy's parade.

I agree that it would make the parade more special if the floats were a surprise and then they stayed out for photos, yet I'm still all for the floats and characters to be out and about as much as possible. It'll help disperse the crowds and keep lines shorter at the other attractions. Also, it might just be the four main floats that are out, and then we'll have the surprise of the smaller floats and all the performers in the parade.

 

[pat_naughty05]

I think my feelings echo those of everyone else. I'm excited that we're finally getting a parade, and the concept art for it looks great, but is that it? If so, this would be a really short experience... "Get ready for Universal Studios Superstar Parade!!!..... Thank you for watching, and enjoy the rest of your day at Universal Studios!"

And as much as I would love to see a Hollywood Dreams parade clone, I would honestly be more than happy with just the JP floats.

 

[figment1986]

I think my feelings echo those of everyone else. I'm excited that we're finally getting a parade, and the concept art for it looks great, but is that it? If so, this would be a really short experience... "Get ready for Universal Studios Superstar Parade!!!..... Thank you for watching, and enjoy the rest of your day at Universal Studios!"

And as much as I would love to see a Hollywood Dreams parade clone, I would honestly be more than happy with just the JP floats.

I doubt it will be like the Pixar Pals count Down to... oh it's over parade...

 

[Splatter]

It is already said that this will be more of a moving show than a parade. From the descriptions it sounds like a Move it Shake it kind of concept but a lot more fun to me with the Minion and Spongebob Dance party kind of concept. As random as it is to keep Nick in the parks with Dora and Spongebob, Universal must want to still make dough off of the rights they have to utilize those characters and make the coin off of the merch. At least it is another addition to the park.

Eventually I hope they keep these floats and add onto and around it with the Blues Brothers' Blues Mobile, The Delorean time machine if they get it spruced up again as well as roaming classic Universal Owned characters...that are well, more Universal instead of just Despicable Me.

 

[Brian G.]

[h=1]Universal Orlando Hiring Hundreds to Bring to Life Universal’s Superstar Parade

http://orlandounited.com/2012/01/27...to-bring-to-life-universals-superstar-parade/[/h]

 

[skeletonowl]

I think they could at least add the Mystery Machine to the parade to include Hanna-Barbera. Last time I checked Scooby-Doo was still popular with the kiddies! We will just have to wait and see whenever they add to it or not.