Pyro at CineSational. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
At 10:00 pm is CineSational, Universal Studios Florida’s nighttime spectacular featuring fountains, fireworks, and lasers to the iconic scores of Universal’s films and theme park attractions. On July 4th a special July 4th tag is added to this show. We advise arriving an hour before show time in the Central Park viewing area. Good spots are available around the lagoon up till showtime, but don’t bother waiting in Simpsons or by Men in Black as you will not see the show.
Over in Islands of Adventure is Hogwarts Always. Starting at dusk (around 8:00 pm) the show performs at Hogwarts Castle and features projection mapping and light fireworks. It’s a good show for Harry Potter fans and children who might be scared by louder fireworks. The show runs continuously till the park closes, so catch one of the last shows in the evening for the lowest crowds.
Universal has confirmed there will be a special “celebratory moment” a 9:00 pm for the holiday. We expect a fireworks display over the Helios Grand Hotel featuring the fountains and lights in Celestial Park.
Hot Dog Hall of Fame, a baseball-themed, quick-service dining location in CityWalk features hot dog combinations from all over the country plus a specially curated mustard bar if you like to keep this simple. The old school Jumbo Tron above the restaurant shows sports highlights or live sports programming.
It’s hot and sunny out, what better way to cool off than with some ice cream? Ice cream is available all across the Universal theme parks but here are some of our favorites:
Florean Fortescues Ice Cream Parlor in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida leaps off the book pages and into the real world with fanciful hard-packed ice cream flavors like chocolate chili, lavender, Earl Grey tea, and sticky toffy pudding. Soft-serve vanilla, chocolate, and Butterbeer are also available.
Schwab’s Pharmacy is a replica of the iconic Hollywood pharmacy in Universal Studios Florida. Inside is an old fashioned soda hop with vintage signage and a bar to sit and order your malts. The menu includes ice cream from Häagen-Dazs ice creams, sundaes, malts, shakes, and floats.
Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream serves the popular high end ice cream in cup, cones, sundaes, shakes, smoothies, and coffee frappe drinks.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in CityWalk is the restaurant that desserts built. While the menu is chock-full of items and an all-day brunch, the big showpiece items are the outrageous milkshakes.
Jurassic Park themed carnival games. (Photo by Hedgehogs Corner)
Universal upgrades the games of skill found at carnivals and festivals with themed games and prizes run by friendly Team Members, not carnies hawking dingy off-brand posters and plush. Games range from games-of-skill like milk bottles, to races like the water shooter, and games for younger kids like fishing for plastic eggs. Prizes are high quality and related to the properties in the parks. Carnival games are found in three places in the Universal parks: Krustyland in Universal Studios Florida, between Marvel Super Hero Island and Toon Lagoon, and in Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure.
If I wasn’t at a family party eating burgers on the 4th of July, I wished I was at our local pool. Guests staying at Universal’s hotels have access to amazing pools that are well-maintained, clean, and safe – pools are gated and are staffed with Team Member lifeguards. Guests staying at Prime Value level hotels and higher can “pool hop” between the different hotel pools, a great perk for those who want to try the massive pools at Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay. If your kids are into water slides, book a stay at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, Sapphire Falls, or Cabana Bay. And after you’ve racked up an appetite (or thirst) roll on over to the pool bar and grill for snacks and delicious cocktails
Aerial photo of Waturi Beach in Volcano Bay. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
If the hotel pool becomes a little too boring then roll on out to Volcano Bay. Universal’s tropically themed water park is known for its wave pool, lazy river, slides, wading pools, and water play areas.
Do you have a favorite July 4th tradition or activity at Universal Orlando? Leave them in the comments below!
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