Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular — Former Show · History & Timeline

Former Show · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · Sep 2011operated 5 years · 2006–2011

↩ On the former site of Dynamite Nights Stunt SpectacularReplaced by Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories →

This show is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Show history

the lifetime record

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2012

◆ Latest milestone

UpdateMay 8, 2012#

The lagoon returned to use with a different show, Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories, which projected films onto large waterfall screens with narration by Morgan Freeman instead of using the floating spheres.

Wikipedia gives the successor's May 8, 2012 opening (it ran to October 10, 2017) and states it succeeded Universal 360 in the central lagoon.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2011

RefurbishmentSep 2011#

Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular played its final performance and the cinespheres were removed from the lagoon permanently, ending a run of a little over five years.

Wikipedia's infobox and former-attractions list give September 9, 2011; Inside the Magic and the Universal Studios Florida article corroborate only September 2011 / a 2006-2011 run, so the date is held at month precision.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2006

NewJul 1, 2006#

Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular debuted in the central lagoon at Universal Studios Florida, projecting clips from Universal Pictures films onto four inflatable spheres measuring 30 feet tall and 36 feet wide, alongside projections on surrounding buildings, lasers, water effects and pyrotechnics.

CBS News (July 2006) confirms the July 1, 2006 debut, the four 30ft x 36ft floating spheres, the building-mapped projections, lasers and pyrotechnics; Wikipedia adds the water effects. The central lagoon is not a named land; filed to hollywood, the land our live CineSational row uses for the same venue.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Update2006#

The show played at park close on a seasonal basis, running mainly during peak seasons and major holidays including Easter, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve, with the spheres typically removed from the lagoon during off-peak periods for maintenance.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Update2006#

Director John Landis served as creative consultant, selecting and editing the 15-minute montage of roughly 100 Universal film clips, with Brad Kelley directing the show's music.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular open?

Per the documented record, Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular at Universal Studios opened on Jul 1, 2006.

When did Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular is dated Sep 2011: Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular played its final performance and the cinespheres were removed from the lagoon permanently, ending a run of a little over five years.

What changed recently on Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular?

The latest documented change (documented May 8, 2012): The lagoon returned to use with a different show, Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories, which projected films onto large waterfall screens with narration by Morgan Freeman instead of using the floating spheres.

How many changes are on record for Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular?

5 documented changes, dating back to 2006 — the fan-kept show changelog nobody else keeps.

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