Today Universal Orlando announced a night time parade with pyrotechnics and character interaction along with a new night time show.

The theme park and TV giant is looking to some of it's biggest characters to build their attendance. The parade will feature Dora & Diego, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Despicable Me and EB from the animated movie Hop with each float having it's own entertainment system for audio and other effects which could be featured on it's own in other locations of the park while not in a parade.

The night time show will be an end of day attraction narrated by Morgan Freeman with Universal movie clips shown on giant water falls.

Also coming to Universal Studios this year:

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, featuring the the voice of Steve Carell. Riders will be transformed into minions before embarking on the 3-D adventure and get to participate in a dance party at the end of the ride.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man which has been a fan favroite for 10 years now gets a makeover with new high defition technology scheduled to open in March. The updaet is being called "mind-boggling" with video resolution unheard of in the industry.

All this probably has you thinking about a Universal Studios Package or maybe an Orlando Vacation Package so book your package now and save some money before the prices go up at the usual time.

See the exciting new attractions and improvements coming to Universal Studios in 2012, watch the video here.