Universal Studios Hollywood held their first weekend of Annual Passholder previews this past weekend after a pretty successful "Technical Rehearsal" period over the last week or so. The Super Silly Funland area is still not ready however and the official opening date for the new ride has been moved from April 10th to April 12th. 
We'll also have some updates on the fast moving Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the return of a classic segment of the Tram tour. 

If you saw our pictures and review from last week (and if you didn't, why not ... you can see that update here) then you saw everything we were able to see during the AP Previews. 

Having already seen the attraction I was able to enjoy the entire thing with my family.  
I was a bit disappointed that during our ride we completely bypassed the first pre-show room due to a ride breakdown in the time we were in the outside queue.
While I get the need to have everybody go through the attraction and keep waits down, the pre-show is just as big a part of the ride experience as anything else. 

Below are a few pictures from our update last week. But you all saw that update already right? =)

The biggest update this week is going to be from Wizarding World which continues to move at lightning speed. 

First you build a box ... then you put a hole in the box. 

What will likely be the future wizards village of Hogsmeade. 

As seen from the end of the tram. 

Jaws is back from it's refurb on the tram tour. Nothing really different from what we could tell. Not sure if there is any change in script as our tour guide had to be silent during the segment due to nearby filming.

Even though nothing has been announced yet, it looks like the new attraction for the tram tour is going to be called "Fast and Furious: Supercharged". Obviously at this point we have no idea what it is going to be or when it is going to be open. If we had to guess this is likely going to be ready for the 2015 season with Wizarding World coming in 2016. 

Last, a quick look at Springfield construction. Not really much to report other than some steel coming out of the ground. But it looks like some buildings will likely start taking shape soon. 

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This past Thursday the new for 2014 attraction, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem opened for Technical Rehearsals. So of course we had to head over to the park to share with you some pictures and our review. 

We'll also have some pictures from the VERY fast moving Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

Below is our walk-through and review of Minion Mayhem. 

The queue line entrance. Word must have spread quickly because when I got to the ride it was only a 10 minute wait and it stretched to 55 about 25-30 minutes later. The rides pre-show is probably about 15 minutes total and the ride another 5 or so minutes. 

As soon as you enter the queue you are greeted with a life-size version of Gru's living room. 

Lots of great jokes and pictures throughout the queue that will probably take a few rides to touch on all of them. 

The extended queue. I don't really mind that it's not heavily themed, but some shade would be nice as they already had to use the queue over the weekend. It can get into the 100's at Universal Studios during the busy summer season. 

The engine for Gru's car as seen from the queue. 

Symbol O' Gru. 

The gist of the ride is that you are in training to become a Minion. I mean, who doesn't want to be a Minion? Some recruiting posters are placed throughout the queue. 

I seriously want one of these for my dining room. Can anybody hook that up? =)

Of course, in order to be a Minion you need to have your Minion Goggle's. These appear to be the same goggles that are used on Transformers: The Ride. 

As you enter the first pre-show room more decorations that have been featured in the movies are on display. 

Minions in Training are situated into 6 rows. There is PLENTY to look at in this room. 

The Gru Family Tree

To quote another Universal Attraction character ... "layers"

After everybody is situated, Gru and the Girls begin to walk you through your Minion Training. 

I really want this for my porch to scare people away. =)

Minion Family Picture

Every Dad needs to have his favorite chair

Once you leave the first pre-show room you are directed into another pre-show room. We were asked not to take pictures in this second room so I of course did not. 

Below is the theater where the actual ride takes place. 

Overall I give the attraction a SOLID B. The queue is great (minus the outside part) and the pre-show is hilarious. I do think the pre-show is actually slightly better than the ride (Shrek 4D suffers the same fate) but overall the entire attraction is very well done. 
One thing I think the park missed out on was that the West Coast version is not an actual dark ride instead of another simulator attraction. I think a dark ride with the Minions would be AMAZING. 

Of course, unlike the Orlando Version, the party doesn't end with just Minion Mayhem. As soon as you exit the ride you are greeted with a Minion Dance Party!!! 

This is a fun room that I'm sure the entire family will enjoy. 

Once you exit the dance party you are of course magically transported into the Minion Store. It does contain some nice murals of Super Silly FunLand. 

An overview of the store

Minions pretty much dominate the store, which isn't a bad thing at all. 

Easter Minions. I actually look forward to collecting these for all seasons!!! 

Slippers

Shirts ... huh? 

CARL!!! 

GRRRRRRR

Once you exit the ride you can have a bite at Gru's Lab Cafe

The inside is the standard layout of most of Universal's Quick Service Restaurants

I tried the Vector's Grilled Cheese with Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce. And I must say, everything on the plate was absolutely delicious. The chips were fresh, the sauce was great and the sandwich itself was everything you'd want from a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Melty and Juicy. I'm a huge fan of Cole Slaw and and not a fan of gross Cole Slaw. This one was tangy and went well with the food. 
I do think the name could use a change though, I told the staff that it should be called a "Gru'd Cheese Sandwich", especially since it has the Gru symbol on it. Maybe I'll try one of those petition things. =)

There is also a dessert/beverage walk-up counter. I didn't try any of these but I'll be sure to when I return with my family this weekend for the Season Pass Preview. 

A look at the rest of the building facade that we were unable to see during our previous updates. 

The rest of the neighborhood, be sure to ring the doorbells on the houses when you visit!!! 

The other part of the Despicable Me addition is Super Silly Fun Land. It wasn't quite ready for prime-time yet but we were able to see more than we have before. 

Coming Soon!!! Hopefully by this weekend? 

The new spinner ride in the area is called "Silly Swirly". 

It really does look like the amusement park from the first Despicable Me movie. 

One of the new games is going to be located between the ride exit and the quick service restaurant. 

The back of the Super Silly Fun Land gate. 

Keep in mind that during "Technical Rehearsals" Minion Mayhem could close at any time. Also keep in mind that during the next 2 weekends the ride will be open for Season Pass Previews so it may not be available to the general public during that time. 

The ride officially opens on April 10th. 

Just a brief update from Wizarding World. 

This is what the area looked like on Friday March 21st, by Sunday March 23rd there was already quite a bit more added. They are really moving fast. 

The show building for Forbidden Journey is really starting to take shape. Once they put Hogwarts on top of this you'll be able to see it from all around the area. 

Super Extreme Close-Up

Not a whole lot going on elsewhere. 

Tram Production Schedule for Friday March 21st. 

Jaws is still closed. They are doing a LOT of work on the attraction. 

Our face character of the week, one of the guards. 

There is also still the construction going on near the old site of the Mummy's Curse Tunnel. Nothing has been announced by the park but all rumors point to this being a new Fast and Furious segment for the tram titled "Fast and Furious: Supercharged. We'll make sure to get some current construction pictures of the area when we are at the park this weekend. 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. Have you ridden Minion Mayhem yet? Give us your review below!!! 

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