Now that Springfield is completed (although still in Previews) and Fast and Furious is pretty much done (we'll still have opening festivities in June),most of our Universal Hollywood Updates will now be moving over to what's coming in 2016. And obviously this change is going to be huge. Words and Photo's by Gregg Condon From near Shrek, it appears the outsides of these buildings are almost complete A look through the Arch By the time the park opened at 9:00am, it was clear that they'd already been working for a couple of hours. Hogwarts is starting to receive it's rock-work. Looks like they are doing it in layers to give it that forced perspective look. The trees they planted a few weeks ago are already starting to come in nicely. A close up on the area of Hogsmeade they are working on most now. They are starting to work on Hippogriff as well. A look at Hogwarts from CityWalk. Just a couple of things going on around the park. Pinks has been closed and is now "Plaza Grill". Although some remnants of Pinks remain. =) Statue guy is the best. Not really much to report on here. Outside, work on the parking structure is continuing and they were planting some new palm trees around the new entrance area. Alright, that's going to wrap it up for this update. We'll have more from Universal Studios in a couple of weeks as the official opening of Springfield approaches. Have a great week everybody!! If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter and Instagram. Also, be sure to join our new Mailing List to receive our newsletter (will be sent out about every two weeks)
If you have any comments, please share them below. We were up at Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday for a closer look at Springfield, which we'll be sharing for you at a later date, but if you missed any of the pictures we posted be sure to check out our Facebook page. Today we'll mostly be looking at Wizarding World, which is starting to get more landscaping done in advance of it's opening next year. Trees have been added to the hill down towards the Studio Tour. This is going to be a nice natural barrier between Hogsmead/Hogwarts and the Studio Tour. These will fill in quite nicely over the next few years. More framing for Hogwarts has gone up since our last update. Should start seeing details very soon. Flying Hippogriff and Hagrids Hut will be in there somewhere. This really is going to be a nice view. Moving over to Hogsmeade, the buildings on this side look to be pretty much done, at least from the outside. But just to the left, more scaffolding and details being added. Not sure I'll ever get used to seeing a Springfield light post and Hogsmeade building in the same picture. Our look at the arch for this update. From outside the park, doesn't look much different. =) Lots of stuff ready to be moved over to Hogsmeade/Hogwarts. Moving on from Wizarding World, Fast and Furious Supercharged continues to get ready for it's June debut. Rumors are that Disaster at Universal Studios Orlando will be getting a Fast and Furious attraction, which makes sense. I'd imagine they'll use the same "tram" set-up although it'd be nice to see them get something unique. Shipping Containers have been added to the exit of the attraction. I've only seen the first two movies, is this related to one of them? Some great new merchandise has been added for the celebration of the Studio Tour's 50th. This has to be one of my favorite things ever. As a hat guy, I totally love this. Moving out side the park, the new parking structures are continuing to grow. Tommy's will now be a Smashburger They've FINALLY moved the crosswalk from the Red Line station which should make it easier for both cars and pedestrians until the bridge is completed. You now only have to cross one side of the street to get to the shuttle up the hill. They were moving some dirt around for the new hotel as well. Alright, that's going to wrap it up for this update, we won't have another USH update for a couple of weeks due to Star Wars Celebration next week. But we'll be running the Springfield stuff as soon as we get the ok to do so. Thanks for reading and for all the great support. If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter and Instagram. Also, be sure to join our new Mailing List to receive our newsletter (will be sent out about every two weeks)
If you have any comments, please share them below. Springfield at Universal Studios Hollywood had some soft openings beginning last Friday with one side of the new area being open and the Duff Brewery Side coming out from behind walls just in time for Spring Break Crowds in the park. Even though it was the first day of the area being open for guests (it had opened on Wednesday for park employees) it seemed like they had everything down to a science as far as serving, seating and keeping lines shorts is concerned. We have no idea when Springfield "officially" opens, but I'd guess as of now it's pretty much open for good. We haven't heard anything about it closing after Spring Break or anything. But we'll let you know if it does. Moving on, the new extended queue for Shrek 4-D is open and it looks awesome. I love the Shrek characters, so if this attraction is going to stay around, maybe they should try and get a new Shrek movie in here at some point? Moving on to Potter, more scaffolding has come down revealing much more of Hogsmeade. Lastly, as of last Thursday, Universal AP prices have gone up and the "Premium" option has been replaced by the "No Black-Out Season Pass". This means that there are currently no AP options at the park that offer parking. If you have the premium pass you can still obviously use the parking until your pass expires. We get that the expansion the park is receiving is absolutely unprecidented. It's unbelievable, and it's amazing. But you are pretty much alienating your most loyal guests here. Hopefully they'll reverse this trend that seems to be the norm at many parks of giving AP's the shaft. Having an AP doesn't (and shouldn't) give us any extra benefit, we just like to go and enjoy the park. I don't think that's too much to ask. Also, you'll notice they are no longer "Annual" passes, but "Season" passes, and employees have been instructed to use this new term. Even year long passes purchased at Costco have an expiration date of March 18, 2016. Now this doesn't mean that Potter is opening on March 19, 2016 or even that there will be no AP's next year. Remember when DCA tried to cut out AP's when they first opened? Granted, DCA had no Potter, but it didn't work out. We fully expect AP prices to go up next year it will just be interesting to see the true impact Potter has. For those of you visiting the park, we suggest taking the Metro Red Line and then the shuttle up to the park. Of course, finding parking at the metro lots is another article in itself. Alright, that's going to wrap it up for this update. Spring Break has descended on the park and it will be a very busy week at all parks, not just Universal. So bring your patience with you if you'll be heading to a park the next few weeks. |
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