Close Menu
    Tuesday, January 21
    Trending

    Around the Universe – October 6th, 2014 Photo Report

    Updated:7 Mins Read Photo Updates

    Welcome back to Around the Universe, your weekly Universal Orlando photo update.  This week we’ll take our usual look at the progress on Cowfish and check up on the start of vertical KongStruction.  Then we’ll hop on the Hogwarts Express over to the Studios, where it’s all about Horror Nights.  We’ll check out some the characters from each scare zone and take a look at some the facades for this years event.
    All that and much more this week, as we go “Around the Universe”!

    DSC01652
    Let’s start things off with Cowfish, where the elevator is very close to completion.
    DSC01654
    Tarps were still up on the patio as of Saturday 10/4
    DSC01658
    The tarps came down late last night (10/5), though no furniture or detailing has been added to the patio.
    DSC01660
    A look at the front door.
    DSC01663
    Across the walkway, the signs for Burger King, Panda Express, and Moe’s seem to be missing.
    DSC01661
    They were getting a bit faded.  No word on if they will return.
    DSC01664
    These three signs remain, for now.
    DSC01670
    The backside of Cowfish is pretty much done, just waiting for the walls to come down.
    DSC01672
    Lots of work going on inside.
    DSC01674
    A couple of chairs visible through the window.
    DSC01676
    Some fish scale details.
    DSC01680
    The stage covering has returned between Vivo and the Studios Store.
    DSC01681
    Cowfish signage!
    DSC01685
    The tarps above Vivo are down, but no sign of any furniture just yet.
    DSC01647
    The Harry Potter merchandise kiosk in CityWalk has recently started selling Samsung Galaxy cases. Only the S4 though, no S5s or even any iPhone 6 or 6+s.
    DSC01649
    Deathly Hallows case.
    DSC01650
    Hogwarts Crest
    DSC01690
    Stepping into Islands, Potter is featured on this week’s maps, once again.
    DSC01692
    Waits have been very manageable, even on the weekends.
    DSC01693
    .
    DSC01694
    .
    DSC01709
    And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for: #Kongstruction is vertical folks! And it’s already almost as tall as Ripsaw Falls.
    DSC01705
    Lots of site work going on. They are definitely kicking construction into that trademark Universal gear.
    DSC01707
    Lots more steel onsite, ready to go up!
    DSC01712
    Over in Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express was posting a moderate wait.
    DSC01824
    Things were a different story over at Kings Cross. Guests were flooding out of the park, as it closed at five all weekend for Horror Nights.
    DSC01816
    When Despicable Me is under an hour, and Rockit is less than half, it’s a great day at the park.
    DSC01817
    Hogwarts Express had the longest posted wait in the park.
    DSC01819
    .
    DSC01826
    More good news! The Ministry of Magic phone booth is once again in working order!
    DSC01788
    On the other side of the park, at the main Horror Nights merchandise kiosk, there are still plenty of Chucky vinyls left. They haven’t quite been flying off the shelfs like the Jack vinyls did last year.
    DSC01791
    Who knows how many days we have left with this classic attraction.  It seems like there are always rumors of its closing.
    DSC01795
    I’ll be sad to see it go, but excited for what comes next!
    DSC01793
    Not that I know anything about its future, but it is one of the few remaining classics at the resort.
    DSC01789
    And the gift shop. One of the best in the park.
    DSC01797
    Right next door is one of the better Horror Nights dining options. The chicken tenders and sweet potato fries are prepared fresh in the kiosk, and are oh so delicious!
    DSC01801
    And rounding out the daytime portion of this report, we have the ongoing street repaving in New York. Should be finished in about two weeks.
    DSC00916
    Let’s start the Horror Nights portion of today’s update with a walk through of the MASKerade scare zone and a look its great characters.
    DSC00911
    The zone uses a combination of masks and make up.
    DSC00914
    The characters present themselves in a very regal manor.
    DSC00987
    Some of the masks are very ornate, including this jester girl.
    DSC00996
    I absolutely love it when scareactors interact with each other, like these two, who danced up and down the street.
    DSC02321
    Though the immersion might be minimal, the lighting in the zone is absolutely fantastic at night!
    DSC01011
    The Face Off: In the Flesh scare zone features some of the best make up and prosthetic pieces of the whole event.
    DSC01020
    The creatures all stand on individual stages, while their “minions” prowl the surrounding area, scaring guests.
    DSC01031
    The Axe Girlfriend is one of my favorite makes ever done on the show.
    DSC01094
    She couldn’t wait to show me the heart she had ripped out of her last lover.
    DSC01043
    The icon for the zone, The Pumpkin Eater’s Wife. This make up is the judge’s all time favorite on the show.
    DSC01089
    This guy is just simply menacing!
    DSC02265
    Though the zone may not be the scariest, it looks fantastic at night with a great light package.
    DSC02262
    .
    DSC02259
    .
    DSC01221
    Over in The Purge, the icon for the zone trolls the streets of New York, looking for his next victim.
    DSC01241
    Fox Face fires up his chainsaw!
    DSC01191
    The crowds are riled up for the Purge auction, by this WASPy scareactor.
    DSC01286
    The stage on top of the bus is back lit by plumes of fire.
    DSC01290
    The woman in blue calls out to the crowd, urging guests to bid more and more for the chance to purge.
    DSC01830
    Moving on to the houses, near Men In Black, the facade of the Myers’ house for Halloween is really well done.
    DSC01834
    The projectors that cast shadows in the upstairs windows, and put the logo onto the front of the house.
    DSC01401
    With the projections and the awesome lighting effects, the facade looks even better at night.
    DSC01409
    A single Jack O Lantern sits on the porch, exactly as it does in the film.
    DSC01838
    The other really impressive facade this year, is for Giggles and Gore.
    DSC01840
    The amount of detailing on the factory walls is unreal.
    DSC01841
    Simply gorgeous!
    DSC01138
    And we’re going to finish this weeks update with a few shots from Bayou of Blood. This was taken opening weekend at the voodoo sacrifice show, which has now been cut.
    DSC01146
    There have been multiple reasons given for cutting the show, but none seem to add up.
    DSC02275
    Losing the show has left the gorgeously done voodoo shack, sitting empty.
    DSC02313
    The zone itself is probably the most immersive this year, with the tall trees creating a canopy over the walkway, though I wish they would fog up the street just a little bit more.
    DSC02305
    And an obligatory shot of Mel’s to close us out! Thanks for following along this week. We’ll be back next time with updates on Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Cowfish and more Horror Nights. Be sure to leave a comment on the forums or get in touch with us on Twitter: @Orlando_United & @triggernel and we’ll see you guys next week!
    Share.

    Related Posts