Welcome back to another edition of Around the Universe, your photo trip through the Universal Orlando parks and resorts.  This week we’ll start with a quick CityWalk update before moving into the parks for a look at Mardi Gras and some more Kongstruction.  We’ll also check out Cabana Bay where plenty of construction is happening on Universal Orlando resort hotel #5.  All that and much more this week as we go, Around the Universe!

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Let’s get going!

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The new concierge desk in CityWalk has been joined by a refreshed Guest Services window.
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Over at the former Nascar Grille, the facade continues to be demolished.
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Nearly the entire front wall has been removed.
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Let’s start our trip through the parks with USF.
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Universal is giving away 1.6 million beads this year during Mardi Gras, but you’ll have to shell out for the premium ones.
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In New York, the Blues Brothers stage has been removed for a refurbishment. The boys are performing on the temporary Mardi Gras stage set up adjacent to the new Studios Christmas store.
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King’s Cross continues to pull in major crowds as guests eagerly jump back and forth between the two parks.
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There was a camera crew out filming something in front of the London facades as I was touring.
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Inside Diagon, Jake stands guard over Gringotts.
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The ride itself continues to post massive waits.
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A peculiar move at the stand near the London bathrooms; the Coke Freestyle machines have been rotated 90 degrees.
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Over near Animal Actors, Doctor Emmett Brown was out meeting guests.
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The E.T. Adventure stands as one of the last pieces of original USF.
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Over at the Garden of Allah, visible construction is still pretty minimal.
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The movie posters that once adorned the walls outside the London facades have been added.
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This weekend was packed with Mardi Gras excitement, as three acts performed at the Music Plaza Stage.
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Off to Islands next.
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Guests cool off on the recently refurbed, Ripsaw Falls.
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Finally, we’re on to Kong. Lots of new rockwork up this time around. The building itself has a long ways to go, but they are wasting no time starting on the details.
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The pathway outside the ride was recently widened, right around the spot where the old Jurassic Park arch was found.
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Jurassic Park River Adventure was the next ride to go down for its yearly refurbishment. The ride has since reopened.
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Over at Cabana Bay, plenty of work has happened at the Sapphire Falls site.
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New convention space at the Royal Pacific Resort is being added, with the building already topped off.

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Expect walls to come next on the next expansion to the RPR. Thanks so much for reading this week! Check us out on Twitter @Triggernel  & @Orlando_United. We’ve also recently added a new forum specifically for the Around the Universe updates, check it out here!

 

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