We'll start our update on the upper lot and a look at the Springfield and Hogsmeade construction area. Now that the buildings are taking shape, it's a bit easier to get an idea where both Springfield and Hogsmeade will be, even though they'll be opening a year apart. 

The pole is pretty much the dividing line between the two area's. Springfield will be on the left, Hogsmeade on the right. 

Pointy roof = Hogsmeade. Square roof = Springfield. 

Disregard the Flintstones BBQ ... 

An aerial view. The buildings are HUGE when you are close to them. 

Moving beyond Springsmeade (I think we'll call it that) we see the HUGE show building for Forbidden Journey. 

Every time I see this I'm amazed that just 9 months ago (on September 6) the last show was held at the Universal Amphitheater. 

Once the building is closed in we'll start seeing Hogsmeade construction spread to this area. 

Extreme Close-Up ... wooaaaahhhh!!! 

From the other side on the Tram Tour

A few more up-close shots

From the parking structure you can see the other side of the building. It's massive. And remember, Hogwarts Castle still needs to be built. 

First wooden frame for Hogsmeade or something else? 

Since it was announced, construction on Fast and Furious: Supercharged has started moving along pretty quickly as well. 

The best spot to get pictures of Fast and Furious isn't in the parks. 

It seems like it's taken forever to finally show you all of the parts of Super Silly Fun Land, but here it is. The water-play area is now open. 

Rules are good MmmKay 

Even the trash cans are Super and Silly and Fun (and Land?)

BAAAARRRRRFFFF!!! 

The Super Awesome Despicable Me characters were all out and were very popular. 

Just a couple of quick Studio Tour notes including some set-dressing for Halloween Horror Nights for the Terror Tram

Production Schedule

The Collapsing Bridge is back open

♪ I bless the rains down in Africa ♪ ...err Mexico (talk about a reference that ages me)

On the War of the Worlds set, we noticed a couple of new set pieces that weren't really "War of the Worlds" but could be for some event this fall. =)

Car ... not War of the Worlds

Fence ... not War of the Worlds

Thunderbird Motel (Rooms by the Hour) ... DEFINITELY not War of the Worlds. Anybody know what this could be in reference to? I Googled it but nothing came up. 

Also don't forget, voting for the new Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zone starts today (June 6). Click the link for all of the details. It could be the most important vote you cast this year!!! 

Just a couple of minor notes from the rest of the park. 

Krusty's tongue is getting a refurb (insert your own joke here)

Whoever said they don't like no parfait? 

Probably my favorite picture of the day (along with the one of Agnes)

That's going to wrap it up for this update, hope you enjoyed it. 

We didn't head down to the lower lot but I assume the construction of the Starbucks is progressing nicely. We'll make a point to head down there next time. 

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The parks entry. They are using the new finger scanners and they seemed to work better here than at the other parks I've visited. 

The "Great America" entrance. I love walking around this park and seeing the similarities with this park and it's former CA Companion Park that is new California's Great America. 

Coming soon!! When this was taken the ride was already supposed to be open by this point. We are still waiting for an opening date although testing has begun. 

I had visited the park in 2011 so there were a few new things for me, mainly X-Flight. 

Below are some X-Flight pictures from angles that you've never seen before ... ;)

Original Shots I tell you!!! =)

Nobody has ever taken a picture of the train going through the keyhole in the history of taking pictures. 

But seriously, I thought the ride was great. I know the wingriders have gotten crapped on but I rode in the front and back on both sides and enjoyed each ride. Very smooth, very re-rideable. Hoping one of these comes to the west coast soon. 

Test Seat! 

Takis have infiltrated this park too. 

I really liked this open seating area where non-riders can sit and enjoy the ride, have a snack, etc. 

Obligatory X Flight store. 

Moving beyond X-Flight, the only other "credits" I needed in the park was one side of The American Eagle (oddly enough I'd only ridden the backwards side in 2011) and Little Dipper since it didn't have FlashPass during my last visit. 

American Eagle has the longest queue line in history. History I say!! 

Little Dipper is a fun little ride. 

Even though it doesn't look like this anymore, I had to include a Goliath picture. 

The Mardi Gras area of the park seems a little bare now that Ragin' Cajun is gone. Hopefully something new will be in this area soon. 

I know these rides get a lot of crap, but for what they are I really enjoy them. 

Superman Ultimate Flight, still one of my favorites. 

Unfortunately Condor was closed the day we were there. :(

As much as I loved X-Flight I still think Whizzer is my favorite ride in the park. 

My favorite flat ride and I take any opportunity I can to ride one. 

Raging Bull!!! Fun ride, but probably my least favorite B&M Hyper. 

Full Throttle ... I mean JB's Barbeque (Barbecue?) and Sports Bar!! 

Another picture that nobody has ever taken in the history of picture taking. 

Lets take an aerial look of the park courtesy of the Sky Trek Tower

Viper and Hurricane Harbor. Next time I'm at the park I'm definitely going to set aside some time to visit the waterpark. 

Raging Bull!

A couple of Goliath shots

Whizzer ... drooooool

That's going to wrap it up for today. As soon as we get some word on Goliath opening we'll be passing it along. Look for a media day report whenever that is. 

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Universal City, California — For the first time in the history of “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, fans of the award-winning horror event will seal their own fate as they are called upon to vote for the most fear-provoking Scare Zone in the “Choose Your Scare” online voting competition. The winning Scare Zone concept will materialize in disturbingly real detail at Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Halloween Horror Nights” in Fall 2014.

“From June 4 to 18, 2014, “Halloween Horror Nights” fans will be invited to cast their vote via the Halloween Horror Night’s Official Facebook Page to select one of three possible Scare Zone themes: Corps, Mask-a-Raid or Ghoulz. The winning Scare Zone, which will be located on French Street, will be announced on June 19.

 “For years, ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ fans have shared their thoughts on what they would like to see at the event. This year, we’re giving them a chance to participate in the creative process by voting for what they believe will be the scariest Scare Zone,” said John Murdy, Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “Our goal is to produce the most terrifying, most intense horror experience anywhere. The more scared the fans are, the louder they scream and the happier they are, so, to have them join us in this process is very rewarding.”

Fans can recruit friends to help amp up the vote count for a favorite Scare Zone choice by “sharing” their vote via their social media platforms using #UniversalHHN.

Fans can vote for one of the following three Scare Zone concepts:

Scare Zone, Option 1: Corps

“The War to End All Wars” has left a swathe of destruction through battle-torn France, and on French Street at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, World War I-era soldiers have returned from the dead. The constant artillery bombardment has turned the twisted network of trenches into a sprawling graveyard, and now “The Lost Generation” is rising from their muddy graves and coming home to haunt the streets of “old Paris.”

Scare Zone, Option 2: Mask-a-Raid

Masquerade Balls were a staple of the social calendar in pre-Revolutionary War France; a time for the members of the French aristocracy to misbehave behind the cover of elaborate, jeweled masks. But “mask-a-raiding” among the powdered and perfumed party-goers are members of a blood thirsty cannibal cult. Bon appétit!

Scare Zone, Option 3: Ghoulz

In 19th century France, restrictive laws and social norms prevented medical colleges from acquiring the one asset they need most – human cadavers. To solve this “body shortage crisis,” universities employed “unsavory characters” to do their dirty work and steal corpses from cemeteries in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, the grave robbers on Universal Studios Hollywood’s French Street have developed a morbid fascination with the dead – and a taste for human flesh.



“Halloween Horror Nights” 2014 at Universal Studios Hollywood will bring together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. “Halloween Horror Nights” will feature a slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, terror-filled Scare Zones and “Terror Tram” experienceuniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.  World-class rides and attractions include the all new 3D Ultra-HD movie motion-simulator adventure, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land,” the intense, award-winning ride, “King Kong 360 3D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D,” “The Simpsons RideTM,” “Revenge of the MummySM—The Ride,” and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride.”

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As we entered the park, I was glad to see that the Gold Pass Early Entry was back for 2014. Truly a great benefit. Allows you to get in, get your spot by the wave pool and ride a few rides before the bulk of the crowd gets in. 

Entering the park, it was a perfect Southern California Day. 

Let's start off with a look at the new Bonzai Pipelines. If you missed our coverage of the rides opening you can find that here. 

Great new signs. Unfortunately the Black Snake Summit tube slides that share a tower with the Bonzai Pipelines aren't currently open due to some water pressure issues. It is being worked on and they should be open soon. 

A look at the two new slides. From this angle it almost looks like one big slide complex. 

I first did the blue slide, if you squint you can see me in the "capsule" getting ready to launch. This was the scariest part for me, the anticipation. 
There is also audio and they play a "heartbeat" and there is a 3, 2, 1 countdown. 

And here I am flying down the slide. Such a thrill. 

As you can see, by the time I went down the slide and was getting up, the person riding the yellow slide was just reaching the bottom. That's how fast the blue slide is. 

I did the yellow slide next and I honestly can't rank them as I enjoyed them both for very different reasons. Incredibly smooth and incredibly fun. I can't wait to ride them more this summer. 

Just like with the old Venom Drop, the best views of the new slides is from the tram road. 

The slides are truly great and you should go ride them. 

But the Bonzai Pipelines aren't the only changes this year at the park. Many of the parks splashdown pools, the lazy river and the wave pool have been completely redone. 

I can't remember the last time the lazy river looked this blue. 

I also have to warn you, I was using a waterproof camera so some of these pictures may have water on the lens. 

Underwater Selfie!! 

The kids are also looks like it had some freshening up over the "winter". 

Lost Temple Rapids also had some off-season work done if you recall they were doing some work on it a few updates ago. All of the platforms on the stairway have been redone. 

The platform provides the best views in the park. 

As you can see, the splashdown pool has been completely redone. 

Tornado, always a favorite. 

The sign for Tornado was missing, I'm assuming it's getting some TLC as some of the parks signs were re-done this off-season, like this one for Tiki Falls. 

The restrooms near Tiki Falls and the wave pool have also been re-done this offseason. 

More redone signs and new paint jobs. Great to see the park getting some TLC. 

Even the directional signs got some love. 

Tube rentals are the same price as last summer. I REALLY wish they'd offer some kind of "Tube Pass" to add on to your Season Pass. We'd be all over that. 

The Paradise Pan Band is back this year and they sounded great. 

A look at the wave pool where they will be doing all of the Dive-In Movies this summer. 

Lastly, the Lockers are now the electronic lockers with the kiosks, so no more long lines to get your lockers in the morning. I can't recall if these were in use last year or not, but another great change. 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. We are really looking forward to spending our summer at the waterpark this year. Great improvements made during the offseason and the park is looking better than ever. 
The two new great slides are just the icing on the cake!! Hope to see you in the waves!! 

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Before we get inside the gates, this picture was taken at about 10:15am, so it looks like they are once again doing some kind of "rope drop". Wondering if this has to do with the new finger scanners. Either way, we hope this continues!! 

Fast forward to a few hours later, it looks like they've installed some new shade for the employees at the front gates. 

Just a few pics from Magic Mountain today. As you'll see they are still working on Bugs Bunny World. Plants are starting to grow in but there is no new sign yet. 

"Vertical Construction" has started on the new coaster, it's not too often you see coaster track being installed by hand. 

You can also get an idea of the themeing for the new ride, it fits Speedy Gonzales. 

I'd anticipate construction being complete sometime this week. 

I know a lot of people have been critical of the park for not having this open already, but remember this isn't just 1 new ride, they are totally redoing the entire Bugs Bunny World area. 

Elsewhere, Pepe Le Pews is back open. 

Merrie Melodies Carousel still needs some work. 

Looks like the stage is finished and shows could start at any time. 

Moving beyond Bugs Bunny World, starting to wonder if the park has forgotten they have a ride called the Swashbuckler. No, these aren't pictures from January, February, March, April or May ... but June 1. 

Revolution is back open, and I have to be 100% honest ... EASILY the best ride I've had on this since the OTSR's were installed. I only found myself having to "brace for impact" once during the entire ride. While it's NOWHERE near where it was, it's obvious some work went into the trains during it's recent closure. 

As a point of reference, I did ride the train with the ad on it, not sure if you'll have the same ride I did on the other train. 

I encourage everybody to ride it to see for yourselves. It didn't feel like I just got "lucky" because of my seat or something, everybody on the train seemed to enjoy it. 
Maybe if ridership of this goes up the park will finally invest in new lap-bar-only trains one of these years. 

Not too much going on in the rest of the park. 

Walking Dead shirts now for sale at theme park prices!! 

Looks like they are replacing a sign ... at 1:00pm on a Sunday? 

The Full Throttle stage is back, showtimes are below. 

And lastly, we'll have a HUGE Hurricane Harbor update for you tomorrow including lots of pictures and my review of the new Bonzai Pipelines. But in the meantime, how about some different angle SFMM pictures taken from the waterpark? 

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