A Look Back on Universal’s Superstar Parade

As Universal Orlando’s first daily parade comes to a close, we take a look back on the history and the memories that Universal’s Superstar Parade will leave behind.

Universal’s Superstar Parade debuted at Universal Orlando Resort on May 8th, 2012. It contained four main floats, a dozen fully themed vehicles, multiple well-known animated characters, and numerous performers.

The four main sections of Universal’s Superstar Parade were Despicable Me, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hop, and Dora the Explorer combined with Go, Diego, Go!. Each unit contained different performers with a variety of skills.

Universal’s Superstar Parade was unique because it would make two stops along the parade route, one in Hollywood and one in New York. Each stop was an extended show and dance party with choreography performed by and themed to each unit. Another unique element was the pre-parade shows and meet & greets. Throughout the day, before the parade, each unit would come out individually and perform small dance shows. After the show, guests had some time to meet the characters and performers before that unit would pack up and another one would come out.

Despicable Me

The Despicable Me unit contained one main float, two themed vehicles, Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes, Vector, some minions, and dancers imitating the minions. The minion dancers lead the way performing different choreography to imitate minion personalities. Gru, Margo, Edith, and Agnes all rode on the float themed after Gru’s lab. Vector got to ride behind the float in his airship.

SpongeBob SquarePants

The SpongeBob SquarePants unit contained one main float, three themed vehicles, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, roller skating fish, coral dancers, and coral stilt performers. Patrick opened the unit by riding in a boat, followed by dancers and fish on roller skates. SpongeBob rode a float that contained his famous pineapple home. The float even blew bubbles throughout the parade! Squidward rounded out the unit on a coral-themed vehicle surrounded by coral stilt walkers. However, SpongeBob and Squidward were also both known to make appearances in the boats as well. In the parade’s early years, this unit also contained performers on scooters that held jellyfish.

Hop

The Hop unit contained one main float, two themed vehicles, E.B., Mr. Bunny, The Pink Berets, Carlos, Phil, dancers, and pogo stick performers. This unit opened with The Pink Berets riding on a teal truck followed by dancers who performed various kick-line routines. Next up, a float themed to the Easter Factory holding E.B., Mr. Bunny, Carlos, and Phil which was followed up by a small pedestal vehicle carrying drummers.

Dora the Explorer // Go, Diego, Go!

The Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! unit contained one main float, one themed vehicle, Dora, Diego, Boots, Jaguar, aerialist monkeys, explorer dancers, flower dancers, and flower stilt performers. Various dancers opened the unit followed by a tree house float containing Dora, Diego, Boots, Jaguar, and aerialist monkey performers. The aerialist performers did numerous tricks on ropes and trampolines. This unit also contained a Jeep vehicle that Jaguar often rode in. However, the Jeep was used more for the individual shows held throughout the day rather than in the parade. In the parade’s early years, the unit was led by performers riding on four-wheeled bicycles that held giant butterflies.

In November 2016, Universal announced that The Secret Life of Pets would be replacing the Hop unit. All of the drummers from the Hop unit would be moved and used to create a new atmospheric entertainment offering; the Beat Builders. The Beat Builders were placed on a corner building where New York and San Francisco meet. They were direct across from Fast & Furious: Supercharged and were originally meant to be a temporary entertainment offering while Fast & Furious: Supercharged was being built. However, the Beat Builders became so popular with guests that they are still around to this day in the exact same location.

The Secret Life of Pets

The Secret Life of Pets unit debuted in December 2016 with one main float, one themed vehicle, bicyclists, and dancers. The pets were brought to life through animatronics and puppets attached to the floats. Bicyclists opened the unit followed by the dog park-themed vehicle and dancers. Max and Duke could be seen hanging out in the dog park. More dancers followed behind the vehicle leading the float-themed to New York City apartment buildings. Gidget, Mel, Chloe, Buddy, Snowball, and other pet friends could be seen causing chaos inside the apartment building.

On May 18th, 2022, Universal announced that Universal’s Superstar Parade would be closing on June 4th, 2022 to make way for new entertainment offerings.

Universal’s Superstar Parade had an amazing and historic ten-year run! It will be deeply missed by so many. Congratulations to every team member that was ever a part of it!

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(header photo by @ethanhershaft)