September 20, 2013 – Studio Souvenirs and the Nickelodeon Stuff gift shop have been demolished, Inside Universal has learned. The Adventures of Curious George water playground and ball room are also in the process of deconstruction in preparation for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All three attractions closed on September 3 as part of Universal’s ongoing redevelopment of the Upper Lot.
As a result of the recent closures, the pathway from New York street to the Studio Tour entrance has now been walled off, with guests entering the tour through an alternate route between the now-defunct Studio Souvenirs gift shop and Doc Brown’s Chicken.
Meanwhile, Shrek 4D received a new entrance positioned directly in front of the New York street pathway in an effort to accommodate ongoing construction.
Universal’s Upper Lot is currently undergoing major redevelopment in an effort to revitalize the park’s Entertainment Center.
We’ve included photos of the cleared out area below alongside a before and after shot of the park map.
Jon Fu is the editor-in-chief of Inside Universal.
Jon originally founded InsideUniversal.net in 2006 as a summer hobby aimed at providing families and fans a resource for all things “Universal Studios Hollywood.” Since then, the website has taken him throughout the United States and around the world – including to places like Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore.
Jon currently resides in Santa Cruz, California with his bamboo plant. You may reach him at jon@insideuniversal.net.
