Sharknado Gets Ready to Take Bite Out of Universal Orlando

February 19, 2015, 10:39 AM · First it was Los Angeles. Then, New York. Now, the swirling, flying cheeseball that is the Sharknado franchise is attacking Orlando.

Here's more, from Universal Orlando:

The third installment of the film series, which stars Ian Ziering, Tara Reid and Cassie Scerbo, will follow the storm-surge of flying sharks as it rips, bites and tears across the Eastern Seaboard with its sights (and razor sharp teeth) set on Orlando. Set to premiere this July on Syfy, fans of the film series will see their favorite on-screen characters once again fight for their lives to avoid becoming shark bait, with a few iconic Universal Orlando landmarks becoming prey as well.

Keep in mind that Sharknado's home network, SyFy, is part of the NBCUniversal conglomerate, so SyFy is keeping it in the family by featuring the Universal Orlando Resort. So don't expect any visits to Disney in the show, either, though we are hoping for a few sarcastic jokes aimed at Universal's rivals.

And a Left Shark cameo, too. That needs to happen.

What Universal Orlando icons do you wish to see the flying sharks devour?

Replies (12)

February 19, 2015 at 11:23 AM · Haven't seen the other movies. Are they any good? I think I have the first one available in my local netflix but it only has like 1 out of 5 stars.
February 19, 2015 at 11:55 AM · Fear Factor. It would do everyone a big favor if this horrible show was devoured.
February 19, 2015 at 12:53 PM · The new Orlando Eye Ferris wheel. Sharknado3 can do for the Orlando Eye what King Kong did for the (then) new Empire State Building. Too bad Merlin is not affiliated with NBCUniversal.

But wouldn't it be great if the Diagon Alley dragon flamed a fireball which fried a flying shark that was about to land on Tara Reid?

February 19, 2015 at 1:30 PM · Get Tony a screenwriting credit for that one. Now that is product placement!
February 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM · Perhaps Universal can replace Twister with a Sharknado attraction!
February 19, 2015 at 3:40 PM · I said take all the sharks from jaws, put them in twister and it's shark nado.
February 19, 2015 at 5:41 PM · Robert, if Sharknado3 sends me a check and puts my name in the credits, it's all theirs!
February 19, 2015 at 7:44 PM · I believe I read an article that the new CEO was NOT going to continue to promulgate this type of programming and now this announcement. I am losing faith in the network.
February 20, 2015 at 4:27 AM · Embarrassing. Universal should just say, "no".
February 20, 2015 at 6:44 AM · OMG you are so right. Universal had a shot with Diagon Alley, but they didn't market the opening date right and blew a half billion dollar investment. Now they are giving away the place. They are selling tix plus hotel for 4 nights at $139/an adult. They are adding 3 months to the annual pass despite being on a record number of pass holders. They are trying to meet an aggressive budget and don't have a lot of options. Their near future is a Kong themed ride and a water park. Neither of these will move the needle much on attendance or revenue.
Creating synergy or "symphony" with their cable company parent by hosting productions from Telemundo or SyFy is just blatant sucking up. They could have been in the driver's seat and cherry picked the media that would best market their resort. Sharknado is more than campy, it is indeed embarrassing.
They have been knocked back to the second rate status in the industry and are no better now than FunSpot.
February 20, 2015 at 7:10 AM · Oh man, Tony, the poetic justice! Jaws get roasted by Diagon Alley AGAIN! Haven't seen the other flicks in the series, but featuring USF does encourage me to tune in.
Maybe animatronic King Kong saves the day AND introduces his new attraction? Nah, even a fake King Kong maintains a higher star profile than Ian Ziering.
February 22, 2015 at 9:05 PM · If someone thinks Universal Orlando "blew it with Diagon Alley" and is now on par with The Fun Spot, might i daresay that person has not been to UO and has no business sense at all. Pure rubbish statement.

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