Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular


Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular was a fireworks show attraction located at Universal Studios Florida. It replaced the Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular, and featured famous scenes from Universal Pictures' films projected onto four large inflated domes in a lagoon located in the center of the park. The show generally took place at the hour of the park's closing. Director John Landis, best known for films like The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London, served as a creative consultant on the project.
The show operated during major events and holidays including Easter, The 4th of July, Labor Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve. The spheres in the lagoon are usually removed for refurbishment during off-peak seasons.

History

Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular opened with the park on June 7, 1990. The live stunt show was located on the Lagoon in the center of Universal Studios Florida. The show was themed around Miami Vice and featured a variety of pyrotechnics mixed with explosions and live actors on jet skis. Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular was discontinued on February 10, 2000. Many of the props and sets in the show still remained in place until July 1, 2006, when the show was replaced by Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular.

Summary

Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular was a live fireworks experience, which took place at night during peak seasons only. It featured famous scenes from Universal Pictures films projected onto four large inflated domes in the middle of a lagoon, while various fireworks, flame effects, lasers, lights and water effects are set off. There are at least three viewing areas around the lake in which it is displayed. Projectors were located in a small boathouse facade on the lake, on the sound Stage 44 building, and on the side of The Simpsons Ride building. During major summer holidays, such as the Fourth of July, at least two or three shows were displayed.
The show's score was a combination of other various Universal Pictures' films, including Back to the Future, Apollo 13, Jaws, Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The score was directed and composed by Brad Kelley.
In an homage to the previous Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular attraction which it replaced, scenes showcasing the attraction were seen projected onto the spheres. The Cinespheres have the same air control found in a small house.

Movie montage set of films

Man on the MoonBack to the FutureJurassic ParkJawsMonkey BusinessRear WindowAll Quiet on the Western FrontPillow TalkPsychoThe BirdsBuck PrivatesTouch of EvilVertigoHigh Plains DrifterThe SpoilersMy Little ChickadeeBrokeback MountainSaboteurDragonheartHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasSmokey and the BanditRay8 MileSeabiscuitThe Mummy (1999)King KongThe Blues BrothersThe Fast and the FuriousThe Bourne IdentityThe Bourne SupremacyWantedDuelHot FuzzThe War WagonThe Eiger SanctionPublic EnemiesScarfaceU-571BackdraftDante's PeakMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the WorldWaterworldApollo 13Born on the Fourth of JulyOn Golden PondGladiatorScent of a WomanTo Kill a MockingbirdErin BrockovichThe HurricaneThe Deer HunterA Beautiful MindIt Came from Outer SpaceThe Incredible Shrinking ManThe Mole PeopleThis Island EarthTerminator 2: Judgment DayVan HelsingCape FearThe ThingAn American Werewolf in LondonBride of ChuckyRed DragonHalloween IIPsycho IIThe Phantom of the OperaThe Hunchback of Notre DameDraculaFrankensteinThe Mummy (1932)Creature from the Black LagoonAbbott and Costello Meet FrankensteinBruce AlmightyHarry and the HendersonsThe FlintstonesAmerican GraffitiAmerican PieFast Times at Ridgemont HighAnimal HouseThe Nutty ProfessorSixteen CandlesThe Breakfast ClubAlong Came PollyBeethovenBaby MamaThe Money PitMamma Mia!Sweet CharityLeatherheadsMallratsThoroughly Modern MillieBilly ElliotNutty Professor II: The KlumpsThe 40-Year-Old VirginOut of AfricaE.T. the Extra-TerrestrialSomewhere in TimeNotting HillBridget Jones's DiaryShakespeare in LoveThe JerkWeird ScienceThe StingBurn After ReadingCar WashThey LiveRooster CogburnField of DreamsFrost/NixonLiar LiarFriday Night LightsSpartacusBend of the RiverThe Incredible Hulk

Former movie montage set of films

The Invisible ManShrekPeter PanThe Deadly MantisLand of the DeadDawn of the DeadMeet the ParentsHappy GilmoreThe Great OutdoorsHulkMiami ViceOut of SightSpy Game1941Cinderella ManBabe

In popular culture

The year the show opened, that year's Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure at Halloween Horror Nights contained a storyline in which Lex Luthor planned to use the Cinespheres and smash them into the park, destroying it. The resulting ruins would allow Lex to build Luthorversal, a Universal Studios knock-off featuring attractions based on what was, at the time, current events.