Universal's Superstar Parade: Difference between revisions

Universal's Superstar Parade
Universal's Superstar Parade
Universal Studios Florida
Status	Removed
Opening date	May 8, 2012; 12 years ago
Closing date	June 4, 2022; 2 years ago
Replaced by	Universal Mega Movie Parade
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Parade
Designer	Universal Orlando's Entertainment Division
Theme	Despicable Me; Hop; The Secret Life of Pets; SpongeBob SquarePants; Dora the Explorer; Go, Diego, Go!

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Universal's Superstar Parade was a parade at Universal Studios Florida. It was first announced at a live webcast on January 25, 2012. The parade included characters, floats, and themed-vehicles based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's Despicable Me and Hop films, as well as Paramount and Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Go, Diego, Go! television series. Each section of the parade had a unique mix of performers, from aerialists to drummers to acrobatics. The parade was notable for having “show stops” in the New York and Hollywood sections of the park where an elaborate choreographed dance routine would take place. Leading up to the parade, each individual unit would make appearances throughout the day for smaller shows and meet-n-greets.^[4] The parade debuted on May 8, 2012, as part of Universal Orlando's "Year To Be Here".^[1]^[2]^[5]

In November 2016, Universal announced that the Hop unit would be replaced by Illumination Entertainment's The Secret Life of Pets-themed floats. This unit introduced break dancers performing stunts, bicyclists, and puppets of the film’s main characters.^[6]

Characters featured in the parade

Despicable Me (2012-2022)

Gru
Margo
Edith
Agnes
Vector
The Minions

SpongeBob SquarePants (2012-2022)

SpongeBob SquarePants
Patrick Star
Squidward Tentacles
The Bikini Bottomites

Hop (2012-2016)

E.B.
Mr. Bunny
Carlos
Phil
The Pink Berets

The Secret Life of Pets (2016-2022)

Max
Duke
Gidget
Snowball

Dora the Explorer (2012-2022)

Dora the Explorer
Boots
Diego
Baby Jaguar

Closure

Following a week of rumors, Universal officially announced the parade's ending date on May 18, 2022.^[7] The parade ended its 10-year run with its last performance on June 4, 2022. The final performance utilized an additional float from the theme park's Mardi Gras parade, to allow additional Universal team-members to participate in the festivities.

The individual parade units continued to do meet-n-greets and shows in the park after the parade closure, with The Secret Life of Pets’ last bow on August 13th, 2022, and Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and Despicable Me units closing on September 10, 2022.

Universal's Superstar Parade's replacement, Universal Mega Movie Parade, debuted on July 3, 2024.

Legacy

A performance of this parade in January 2016 led to the "Dabbing Squidward" meme. The original Vine video of a Universal team-member dabbing inside a Squidward Tentacles mascot costume garnered 22 million views within a week.^[8] The video led to widespread virality, and even officially-licensed merchandise of the meme by Nickelodeon.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b "Universal Releases First-Ever Looks at All-New Experiences, Including Upcoming Despicable Me Attraction, New Interactive Parade and Spectacular Nighttime Show". Universal Orlando Resort. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Universal Orlando set to open two new guest experiences May 8". Central Florida News 13. April 3, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "New DreamWorks Land is just the beginning. Universal Orlando shares big summer plans". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
^ "Cast of Universal Studios Florida's new Superstar Parade spent weeks rehearsing by starlight". May 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
^ MacDonald, Brady (January 25, 2012). "Universal Orlando adding new nighttime water show this spring". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
^ Bevil, Dewayne (November 21, 2016). "Universal: 'Secret Life of Pets' joins parade". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
^ Francis, Katie (May 18, 2022). "Universal's Superstar Parade Ending on June 4". WDWNewsToday. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
^ Leunig, Maximilian (March 19, 2022). "10 Most Memeable SpongeBob Moments & The Best SpongeBob Memes". Collider. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
^ Anderson, Robert (April 8, 2021). "New SpongeBob Collectables Meme Toys Are Now Available". IGN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.

External links

Press Release

This article about an amusement ride or roller coaster is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[universalorlando1-1] "Universal Releases First-Ever Looks at All-New Experiences, Including Upcoming Despicable Me Attraction, New Interactive Parade and Spectacular Nighttime Show". Universal Orlando Resort. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.

[cfnews2-2] "Universal Orlando set to open two new guest experiences May 8". Central Florida News 13. April 3, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[USA_Today-3] "New DreamWorks Land is just the beginning. Universal Orlando shares big summer plans". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.

[4] "Cast of Universal Studios Florida's new Superstar Parade spent weeks rehearsing by starlight". May 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

[5] MacDonald, Brady (January 25, 2012). "Universal Orlando adding new nighttime water show this spring". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.

[6] Bevil, Dewayne (November 21, 2016). "Universal: 'Secret Life of Pets' joins parade". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.

[7] Francis, Katie (May 18, 2022). "Universal's Superstar Parade Ending on June 4". WDWNewsToday. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.

[8] Leunig, Maximilian (March 19, 2022). "10 Most Memeable SpongeBob Moments & The Best SpongeBob Memes". Collider. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.

[9] Anderson, Robert (April 8, 2021). "New SpongeBob Collectables Meme Toys Are Now Available". IGN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.

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@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 | cost                =
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-| opened              = {{start date and age|May 8, 2012}}<ref name="universalorlando1">{{cite web|url=http://media.universalorlando.com/PressRelease/detail.aspx?id=1105 |title=Universal Releases First-Ever Looks at All-New Experiences, Including Upcoming Despicable Me Attraction, New Interactive Parade and Spectacular Nighttime Show |publisher=Universal Orlando Resort |access-date=January 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201083613/http://media.universalorlando.com/PressRelease/detail.aspx?ID=1105 |archive-date=February 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="cfnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/4/3/universal_to_open_2_ |title=Universal Orlando set to open two new guest experiences May 8 |publisher=Central Florida News 13 |date=2012-04-03 |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>
+| opened              = {{start date and age|May 8, 2012}}<ref name="universalorlando1">{{cite web|url=http://media.universalorlando.com/PressRelease/detail.aspx?id=1105 |title=Universal Releases First-Ever Looks at All-New Experiences, Including Upcoming Despicable Me Attraction, New Interactive Parade and Spectacular Nighttime Show |publisher=Universal Orlando Resort |access-date=January 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201083613/http://media.universalorlando.com/PressRelease/detail.aspx?ID=1105 |archive-date=February 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="cfnews2">{{cite web |url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/4/3/universal_to_open_2_ |title=Universal Orlando set to open two new guest experiences May 8 |publisher=Central Florida News 13 |date=2012-04-03 |access-date=2012-08-04 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 | closed              = {{end date and age|June 4, 2022}}
 | previousattraction  = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
+| replacement         = Universal Mega Movie Parade<ref name="USA Today">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/04/30/universal-orlando-dreamworks-land-hogwarts/73510767007/ |title=New DreamWorks Land is just the beginning. Universal Orlando shares big summer plans. |publisher=USA Today |access-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509162503/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/04/30/universal-orlando-dreamworks-land-hogwarts/73510767007/ |archive-date=May 9, 2024 }}</ref>
-| replacement         = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
 | coordinates         = <!--Use ONLY if attraction is at one park. Use {{coord}}-->
 | type                = <!--Should be linked.-->[[Parade]]
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 | designer            = <!--Should be linked.--> Universal Orlando's Entertainment Division
 | model               =
-| theme               = ''[[Despicable Me]]''<br>''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]''<br>''[[The Secret Life of Pets]]''<br>''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''<br>''[[Dora the Explorer]]''<br>''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]''
+| theme               = ''[[Despicable Me]]''<br>''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]''<br>''[[The Secret Life of Pets]]''<br>''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''<br>''[[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]]''<br>''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]''
 | height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
 | height_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 | cc                  =
 }}
+'''Universal's Superstar Parade''' was a [[parade]] at [[Universal Studios Florida]]. It was first announced at a live webcast on January 25, 2012. The parade included characters, floats, and themed-vehicles based on [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Illumination (company)|Illumination Entertainment]]'s ''[[Despicable Me]]'' and ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'' films, as well as [[Paramount Global|Paramount]] and [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', ''[[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]]'', and ''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]'' television series. Each section of the parade had a unique mix of performers, from aerialists to drummers to acrobatics. The parade was notable for having “show stops” in the New York and Hollywood sections of the park where an elaborate choreographed dance routine would take place. Leading up to the parade, each individual unit would make appearances throughout the day for smaller shows and meet-n-greets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jimhillmedia.com/cast-of-universal-studios-floridas-new-superstar-parade-spent-weeks-rehearsing-by-starlight/ | title=Cast of Universal Studios Florida's new Superstar Parade spent weeks rehearsing by starlight | date=May 7, 2012 | access-date=February 5, 2023 | archive-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202001642/https://jimhillmedia.com/cast-of-universal-studios-floridas-new-superstar-parade-spent-weeks-rehearsing-by-starlight/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The parade debuted on May 8, 2012, as part of Universal Orlando's "Year To Be Here".<ref name="universalorlando1"/><ref name="cfnews2"/><ref>{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Universal Orlando adding new nighttime water show this spring|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-orlando-cinematic-spectacular-01201225,0,7286562.story|access-date=17 February 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=25 January 2012|archive-date=January 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127165456/http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-orlando-cinematic-spectacular-01201225,0,7286562.story|url-status=live}}</ref>
-==History==
-'''Universal's Superstar Parade''' was a [[parade]] at [[Universal Studios Florida]]. It was first announced at a live webcast on January 25, 2012. The parade included characters, floats, and themed-vehicles based on [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Illumination (company)|Illumination Entertainment]]'s ''[[Despicable Me]]'' and ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'' films, as well as [[Paramount Global|Paramount]] and [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'', and ''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]'' television series. Each section of the parade had a unique mix of performers, from aerialists to drummers to acrobatics. The parade was notable for having “show stops” in the New York and Hollywood sections of the park where an elaborate choreographed dance routine would take place. Leading up to the parade, each individual unit would make appearances throughout the day for smaller shows and meet-n-greets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jimhillmedia.com/cast-of-universal-studios-floridas-new-superstar-parade-spent-weeks-rehearsing-by-starlight/ | title=Cast of Universal Studios Florida's new Superstar Parade spent weeks rehearsing by starlight | date=May 7, 2012 | access-date=February 5, 2023 | archive-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202001642/https://jimhillmedia.com/cast-of-universal-studios-floridas-new-superstar-parade-spent-weeks-rehearsing-by-starlight/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The parade debuted on May 8, 2012, as part of Universal Orlando's "Year To Be Here".<ref name="universalorlando1"/><ref name="cfnews2"/><ref>{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Universal Orlando adding new nighttime water show this spring|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-orlando-cinematic-spectacular-01201225,0,7286562.story|access-date=17 February 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=25 January 2012|archive-date=January 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127165456/http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-universal-orlando-cinematic-spectacular-01201225,0,7286562.story|url-status=live}}</ref>
 In November 2016, Universal announced that the ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'' unit would be replaced by Illumination Entertainment's ''[[The Secret Life of Pets]]''-themed floats. This unit introduced break dancers performing stunts, bicyclists, and puppets of the film’s main characters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Universal: 'Secret Life of Pets' joins parade|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-secret-life-pets-parade-20161121-story.html|access-date=22 November 2016|work=OrlandoSentinel.com|date=21 November 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122190923/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-secret-life-pets-parade-20161121-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
+==Characters featured in the parade==
-===Closure===
+===[[Despicable Me]] (2012-2022)===
-Following a week of rumors, Universal officially announced the parade's ending date on May 18, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Francis |first1=Katie |title=Universal's Superstar Parade Ending on June 4 |url=https://wdwnt.com/2022/05/confirmed-universals-superstar-parade-ending-on-june-4/ |website=WDWNewsToday |access-date=2 October 2022 |date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006222147/https://wdwnt.com/2022/05/confirmed-universals-superstar-parade-ending-on-june-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The parade ended its 10-year run with its last performance on June 4, 2022. The final performance utilized an additional float from the theme park's Mardi Gras parade, to allow additional Universal team-members to participate in the festivities.
+*Gru
+*Margo
+*Edith
+*Agnes
+*Vector
+*The Minions
+===[[SpongeBob SquarePants]] (2012-2022)===
+*SpongeBob SquarePants
+*Patrick Star
+*Squidward Tentacles
+*The Bikini Bottomites
+===[[Hop (film)|Hop]] (2012-2016)===
+*E.B.
+*Mr. Bunny
+*Carlos
+*Phil
+*The Pink Berets
+===[[The Secret Life of Pets]] (2016-2022)===
+*Max
+*Duke
+*Gidget
+*Snowball
+===[[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]] (2012-2022)===
+*Dora the Explorer
+*Boots
+*Diego
+*Baby Jaguar
+==Closure==
+Following a week of rumors, Universal officially announced the parade's ending date on May 18, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Francis |first1=Katie |title=Universal's Superstar Parade Ending on June 4 |url=https://wdwnt.com/2022/05/confirmed-universals-superstar-parade-ending-on-june-4/ |website=WDWNewsToday |access-date=2 October 2022 |date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006222147/https://wdwnt.com/2022/05/confirmed-universals-superstar-parade-ending-on-june-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The parade ended its 10-year run with its last performance on June 4, 2022. The final performance utilized an additional float from the theme park's Mardi Gras parade, to allow additional Universal team-members to participate in the festivities.
+The individual parade units continued to do meet-n-greets and shows in the park after the parade closure, with The Secret Life of Pets’ last bow on August 13th, 2022, and Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and Despicable Me units closing on September 10, 2022.
+Universal's Superstar Parade's replacement, Universal Mega Movie Parade, debuted on July 3, 2024.
 ==Legacy==
@@ Line 97: / Line 133: @@
 [[Category:Parades in the United States]]
-[[Category:Universal Parks & Resorts attractions by name]]
+[[Category:Universal Destinations & Experiences attractions by name]]
 [[Category:Universal Studios Florida]]
 [[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2012]]
-[[Category:SpongeBob SquarePants]]
+[[Category:SpongeBob SquarePants in amusement parks]]
 [[Category:Nickelodeon in amusement parks]]
-[[Category:Licensed properties at Universal Parks & Resorts]]
+[[Category:Licensed properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences]]
 [[Category:2012 establishments in Florida]]
+[[Category:Former Universal Studios Florida attractions]]

v t e Former attractions at Universal Studios Florida
Production Central	Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast Nickelodeon Studios Shrek 4-D
New York	Kongfrontation Twister...Ride It Out
San Francisco	Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!
Amity	Jaws
World Expo	Back to the Future: The Ride Fear Factor Live
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone	Curious George Goes to Town A Day in the Park with Barney Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
Hollywood	Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time How to Make a Mega Movie Deal
Lagoon	Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories
Events	A Celebration of Harry Potter
Category