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Universal's 'Cinesphere' spectacle delivers at its premiere

By Gareth H
Published: July 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM
Well, what can I say? There was hype. Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular at Universal Studios Florida was to be a first of its kind -- world's biggest show, one that combined floating spheres, movie footage, lasers, projections and fireworks.

Did it prove to be what they said it would?

Heck, yeah!

In a nutshell, Universal 360 delivered at its public premiere last night just what Universal Orlando said it would. The spheres were the centerpiece upon which fireworks were used in split-second timing. Projectors cleverly used surrounding buildings to maximise the clips that were being shown on the spheres. And lasers were added to fully utilise the whole lagoon area upon which a show for the senses was put on.

Seventeen minutes of memories, literraly projected into your mind. Who remembered that Universal Studios had made so many top movies, including the less obvious ones, Like Babe, Bourne Identity, Erin Brockovich & so many more.?

This feast for the ears & eyes is a must see.

I took video footage, which will be uploaded soon. Just remember that there is much more to see than the footage I took. I couldn't capture it all!

Readers' Opinions

From Erik Yates on July 3, 2006 at 2:33 PM
And already the disney lovers have come out in FORCE on other boards, saying that it was "too much like Fantasmic". In which of course I say "Pixie dust has clouded your judgement". It is amazing to behold the effects they project on Back to the Future and MIB....simply amazing.
From Gareth H on July 3, 2006 at 2:49 PM
The fact that Disney don't use spheres doesn't mean much??
Fantasmic to me was similar to the show that SeaWorld did a couple of years ago (Last time I went :-( ) with the water effects, which in turn is very similar to Poiseidons Fury over at IOA. Now who did it first??

Trying to upload the video of Universal 360 for you, just having a few issues with you tube. Ince done I'll post the links here. Not the greatest of video but considering I was using a basic camera (OK, cell phone, but a good one) and I had no idea what was going to happen, I think you can get the general idea.!

From Robert Niles on July 3, 2006 at 4:10 PM
And what would be wrong with something that was like Fantasmic!? I'd love to see parks do more to, ahem, borrow each others' good ideas. *And* to keep them fresh. Disney hasn't done much with the Fantasmic concept (which, in turn, struck a lot of people when it debuted as similar to Illuminations...) lately. I say, let Universal have a turn.
From Gareth H on July 4, 2006 at 8:27 AM
VIDEO IS NOW ONLINE

Copy and paste this link into your browser for clip 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-sqJMUgs1A

Copy and paste this link into your browser for link 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GkwcKLio1s


Not the greatest quality but you should get a good idea how the show goes.... Remember, there is more to see thatn could be captured..

From Chris Walton on July 5, 2006 at 9:11 AM
I was present for the show on July 2nd and it was spectacular. The best pyro show yet, the use of projected images on the surrounding buildings really adds to the show. A must see, THE reason to stay to closing time!

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