When considering what attractions you most want to visit during your Universal Orlando Resort vacation, most people think roller coasters like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, or family-friendly rides like The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man. These high-thrill rides are some of the most popular options for guests visiting the theme parks – and for good reason! There’s never any shortage of fun or excitement on the headliner attractions at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure – but they’re not the only options. Often times, guests looking to maximize their thrills can overlook some of the best attractions the theme parks have to offer. While they may not always be the first choice of the adrenaline junkie in your travel party, there are plenty of shows offered at Universal Orlando Resort, and these five are more than worth a look.
Shows can help break up an exhausting day, often offering seating for the duration of the show, giving guests an air-conditioned sit down for twenty minutes or more without wasting time; and more to the point, the shows offered at Universal Orlando Resort are just plain fun!
To see a full list of the shows offered at Universal Orlando Resort, guests can use their official Universal app to filter attractions, find shows close by, and figure out show times that will help them maximize their time in-park while also giving them a well-deserved break from the lines and the famous Florida heat! But here is a list of five shows absolutely worth making time for at Universal Orlando Resort:
The Tales of Beedle the Bard at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida
A talented group of four students from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts (W.A.D.A.) periodically perform a set of tales from ‘Tales of Beedle the Bard.‘”
This show, set on the steps next to The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley, is a beautiful adaptation of one of the Wizarding World’s most famous classic fairy tales. It runs just about every hour, and official show times can be found daily in your Universal Studios app depending on when you visit. Featuring classics such as The Tale of the Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune, this troupe of talented puppeteers will immerse you in the wizarding stories that have persisted through the generations.
Offering retellings of the official stories penned in the Tales of Beedle the Bard book that was released to the muggle public in 2008, this show is full of puppetry, drama, and a fair bit of that signature Universal humor and flair. While this show is standing room only, you may be lucky enough to catch it while sitting down one of the tables set in front of The Hopping Pot – hopefully, with a nice cold Butterbeer in hand!
The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular! at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure
“Your heart might grow three sizes as you delight in the hilarious hijinks of this live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch™, featuring music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.”
While, admittedly, a seasonal show, The Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular is among the best shows at Universal Orlando Resort! Held in a backstage theater nearby the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous, this roughly thirty minute show perfectly captures the spirit of the original 1966 animated film How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, blended flawlessly with the humor and design of the 2000 film starring Jim Carey. It truly is the best of both worlds, borrowing the best from each and compromising on neither as guests are transported to Whoville just days before their biggest celebration of the year: Christmas!
With dazzling sets and magnificent music composed by Chip Davis and performed by some of Universal’s most talented Whos, the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular is a must see during the Christmas season!
Universal Orlando’s Horror Makeup Show at Hollywood Boulevard in Universal Studios Florida
“Take a close-up look at what goes into – and oozes out of – some of Hollywood’s strangest creatures.”
While not presented in its original incarnation today – as the Horror Movie industry is always evolving, and new effects, techniques, and trends are born every year in an ever-changing landscape of chills and frights – the original Horror Makeup Show opened in 1990 along with the park.
While the show we have today is very different from the version that opened in the park, it remains an homage to the films that make up Universal Studios’ roots: Monster films, horror flicks, and the artistry of blood and gore that goes into fueling our nightmares. But if you go into this show expending a Halloween Horror Nights level of fright, you may be sorely mistaken. This show, against all odds, is a comedy show!
Presented by two performers- Alex, your host, and Marty, a “creature creator” and makeup artist from Hollywood invited to show you the tricks of the trade – the Horror Makeup Show is both an educational attraction that showcases the real history of the evolution of Horror Makeup in Hollywood over the last near-century, as well as an interactive comedy show that encourages guest participation on- and off-stage. Participation can vary from a guest in the audience becoming a running gag throughout the show, to being brought on stage to demonstrate how the movie industry uses props and special effects to create the horror we all know and love (or loathe).
This show runs approximately 45 minutes and showtimes can be found on the Universal Orlando Resort app daily.
The Bourne Stuntacular at Hollywood Boulevard in Universal Studios Florida
“Through a cutting-edge fusion of stagecraft and film, you follow our hero Jason Bourne across three continents sinister characters pursue him, hoping to bring him in.”
The Bourne Stuntacular was a point of contention for many fans when it opened in 2020. Replacing the long-standing and much-beloved Terminator 2-3D: Battle Across Time attraction, many fans were up in arms about another Universal Studios Florida classic being sent to the great theme park in the sky. Especially amid a pandemic where local lockdowns, business closures, and international travel restrictions may have prevented them from visiting a beloved attraction one last time before it was retired for good.
And while Terminator 2-3D: Battle Across Time was certainly an impressive show in its own right – featuring what’s reported to be the most expensive film, minute-for-minute, ever shot – the Bourne Stuntacular is a worthy successor, employing many of the same attraction elements that made Battle Across Time as loved as it was.
Featuring a combination of screen environment and physical sets, this attraction sees live actors interact with both in a thrilling and action-packed demonstration of one of the US Government’s most dangerous weapons: A man known as Jason Bourne, a defective superspy set on outwitting those who ‘created’ him and uncovering a national conspiracy.
While Battle Across Time was nothing to shake a stick at – especially for its time, when it opened in 1996 – The Bourne Stuntacular employs some of the most jaw-dropping special effects seen on stage at Universal Orlando Resort to date. With huge, moving set pieces that make you feel like you’re moving through grand physical sets from the comfort of your auditorium seats, expertly choreographed hand-to-hand combat, and prop weaponry and vehicles creating a stunning sense of immersion throughout this roughly twenty-minute show (not including the preshow time), The Bourne Stuntacular is a show that has guests on the edge of their seat from start to finish!
Raptor Encounter at Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure
“With a reputation as the most intelligent dinosaur on Isla Nublar, raptors are also one of the most dangerous. Those brave enough to visit the Raptor Encounter will have a chance to see either Blue, Bravo, or the baby raptors Sierra and Tango up close. Your experience begins with one of our experts trained in raptor behavior. Here you’ll learn some interesting facts about these clever carnivores and their natural habitat and have the opportunity to snap a selfie with them.”
Raptor Encounter is really a one-of-a-kind meet and greet. Featuring an expert from Jurassic Park there to make sure no one becomes a quick raptor snack, guests are treated to one of Universal Orlando Resort’s most impressive uses of puppetry in the park, allowing those brave enough to get up close and personal with a live Velociraptor. Not only does this show allow for some impressive thrills and creative admiration, but it also doubles as a photo op! Those looking to impress their Instagram followers can snap a selfie with a Raptor, if they’re brave (or maybe reckless!) enough to get close to those killer jaws.
This show lasts around ten minutes, which is then immediately followed by the photo op at the end. While a unique experience and a great opportunity to make some memories with your traveling party, this show does take place entirely outdoors and is standing room only. For such a short show, though, this attraction is a great hit in between some of the bigger rides you may find yourself rushing towards on your day in the parks – especially if you need some time to dry off after visiting the Jurassic Park River Adventure!
Guests are allowed to use their own phones to take selfies, or hand their phones off to the official Universal Studios photographers that are there to help make those memories! If guests have purchased any photo packages from Universal Orlando Resort for their visit, this photographer on-site can also take pictures that are included in the offerings of your package, which often come with interesting overlays and digital photo frames that enhance the theming of the image itself. But for those not interested in a photo package, one isn’t necessary to participate in the photo op that this show offers, which makes it versatile and enjoyable for all, no matter what your in-park price point may be!
With all of these options and more at Universal Orlando Resort, it’s clear that the big thrill rides aren’t the only attractions worth visiting. These five shows are some of our favorited at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but for a complete list of shows offered at Universal Orlando Resort, information on individual shows, and showtimes for the particular day of your visit, check out the official Universal Orlando Resort app available for download on the Google Play store and the Apple store. It’s an invaluable tool that will help you navigate parks, show times, wait times, dining, and more!
Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to report on all the incredible things you can do at Universal Orlando Resort. In the meantime, check out Theme Park Shark on your favorite social media platform, like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
