January 12, 2014 – With construction in full swing, here’s a look at some of the smaller items making news at Universal this month.

1 » Simpsons prepares for Springfield
IMG_6000
Many venues around the Simpsons Plaza area have been walled off in preparation for Springfield. Doc Brown’s Chicken and Hollywood Cantina are expected to be demolished to make way for a Simpsons themed food court. Unexpectedly, much of the queue within the Simpsons Ride has also been walled off to build carnival style games into the area similar to the Springfield additions in Orlando.
2 » Jaws Refurbishment
IMG_6354
The famous “Jaws on Fire!” attraction on the Studio Tour has closed this week in an unexpected move to remove the leaning bridge effect which was welded into an inoperable state just few years ago. The bridge is in very poor condition and is expected to be completely removed and replaced by a concrete road. Jaws will return to terrorize the backlot of Amity in just a few months.
3 » Collapsing Bridge Returns
IMG_4307
Because of the lack of Studio Tour attractions currently in operation, the Collapsing Bridge has once again made a comeback on the Studio Tour. Though it’s not a guaranteed attraction visit by every tram, if you visit now during the slow season, you may be lucky enough to experience this classic attraction.
4 » Parking Structures Rise Up
IMG_6266
With the recent completion of the Jurassic Parking structure, the E.T. parking lot has now begun the initial phases needed to begin building one of the largest parking structures on Universal property. Expect more theme park guests to walk through CityWalk in 2015 alongside new ticketing booths for parking admission. Speaking of rising up, general parking admission has been raised to $16.
5 » Construction Central
IMG_6190
Universal Studios Hollywood has entered an era which it has never seen before in its 50 year history…and that means more construction walls than ever! Walls are currently in place for Despicable Me, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Simpsons Plaza.

That does it for this month’s edition of the Hollywood Minute. Please stay with Inside Universal for continuing coverage of Universal Studios. Thanks for reading!



Chris Lord

Chris Lord is a contributing editor for Inside Universal.

From his first visit to Universal in 1986 with the original attractions such as A-Team, Battlestar Galactica, and King Kong, Chris admired Universal for its experience of “Riding the Movies.” He eventually became an employee of Universal Studios Hollywood in 1998 for the second Halloween Horror Nights event and then went on to become an attraction host for show control and a ride operator for Back to the Future and Terminator 2:3D. Chris eventually left Universal to pursue a new career in commercial aviation.

You may reach him at chris@insideuniversal.net.


RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR