Universal plans new daily parade, nighttime show

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - From the Blue Man Group to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Universal Orlando Resort announced several new entertainment options for 2012, but some of them will cost you extra. Universal officials say the changes are the greatest number of entertainment venues and attractions they've ever debuted in a single year.

"It's the year to be here, and through out the spring, there's a whole new lineup of attractions coming," said Jim Timon of Universal Orlando Resort.

There's new upgrades to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride, including digital high def animation with new audio, set and lighting. "4K digital upgrade projection methodology in Spiderman that will make it all new like never seen it before, really our first major upgrade to Spiderman since its opened.

Photo Gallery: The Amazing Adventures of SpiderMan at Universal Orlando

They're also rolling out a Superstar parade beginning daily, starring characters like Spongebob and Dora, The Blue Man Group adds new music and technology, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem creates a 3D adventure for the kids.  "Everything's new, everything's fresh," Timon said.

Photo Gallery: Despicable Me attraction at Universal Orlando

A 36 hole mini golf course is also set to open, but that will cost you a separate admission as does The Blue Man Group. Visitors can also expect to see new night show along the lagoon celebrating Universal Picture Films centennial anniversary.

"You can check our website, UniversalOrlando.com, and it has all the information the specifies all of our pricing packages," Timon said.

The Blue Man Group show starts in February, most of the other new attractions will start in spring and summer. Officials at Universal wouldn't reveal how much the new upgrades cost, but call it a significant investment.

Blue Man Group 

Universal Orlando’s Blue Man Group show is taking their unique and captivating mash-up of high energy music, comedy, audience participation and collective exhilaration to another level. Featuring a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences, the show will allow audiences to join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology. Signature Blue Man Group moments combine with breathtakingly fun new pieces for an explosive evening of entertainment. New show elements include the curious Blue Men interacting with enormous “GiPads,” a funny and insightful look at contemporary communication vehicles, and a pulsating new finale with an original Blue Man Group music score that will have guests jumping to their feet. Look closely – you may even see the Blue Men take a spin on one of Universal Orlando's most popular attractions.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 

Universal Orlando is transforming what is already one of the most amazing attraction experiences ever created into what will feel like an all-new adventure. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man will soon feature all-new, 4K digital high-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems. The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee.

Universal’s Superstar Parade

Some of today’s most beloved characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of Universal Studios during Universal’s Superstar Parade – an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular

Narrated by award-winning actor and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The experience will take guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good vs. evil and triumph. The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Universal Orlando’s newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film – Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that