March 10, 2015 – Hello, we’re back with another update from Universal Studios Hollywood – this time detailing the Lankershim projects, Victoria Station, Shrek 4D, Springfield, Wizarding World West and more!
Let’s get started.
» Lankershim Projects
» Victoria Station
» Shrek 4D
» Springfield
» The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
» Psycho House
» Nighttime Studio Tour
With a large bulk of the Lankershim intersection walled off, crews continue to work on the Universal City pedestrian bridge while crowds are diverted from 10 Universal City Tower’s entrance plaza. Meanwhile, as we head up the hill, Universal’s planned 500 room hotel shows little signs of progressing. In contrast, Universal’s lane-widening project seems to be progressing along, albeit somewhat slowly compared to the in-park projects.
The parking structures – on the other hand – appear to be progressing along at a brisk pace, with additional levels rising each and every month.
So while both the pedestrian bridge, the lane-widening project and the parking structures will both be completed by mid 2016, the planned hotels show little signs of completion before the opening of Wizarding World West.
As you enter into the park, you’ll see the site of the former Victoria Station receiving some extensive work, with crews continuing to move and develop the current mound of dirt.
While Inside Universal has been able to confirm that the new venue will house dining, shopping and entertainment options, we have not been able to confirm the specifics of Victoria Station’s replacement. Regardless, the park’s recent move towards a centralized art-deco theme – coupled with the recent trademark of the name “Hollywood & Dine” – may give us a hint of what’s to come.
Meanwhile, Shrek’s new entrance and queue continue to receive some much needed enhancements.
A new, forest themed queue has appeared in front of the show building, with the familiar Shrek 4D sign (though reversed from the previous design) appearing at the show’s entrance.
For the most part, crews continue to integrate the look of Shrek 4D within the larger Wizarding World complex – softening the juxtaposition of two otherwise unrelated franchises.
As Springfield gears up to open in the next few weeks, the Springfield food plaza facade continues to receive some last minute adjustments and enhancements.
While most of the facades have been fleshed out, crews continue to paint and add last minute adjustments. By this time, Moe’s, Krusty Burger, Krustylu Studios, Lard Lad Donus, the Aztec Theater, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, the Springfield Police Station, and the Springfield DMV facades have largely been completed, with work still occurring on the adjacent Duff Brewery and Stu’s Disco.
Similarly, the food court’s interior has also progressed at a rapid rate, with Universal Studios Hollywood pursing a cohesive and themed experience unlike Fast Food Boulevard in Universal Studios Florida.
With the addition of lighting fixtures on Wizarding World West’s entrance, construction crews continue to hammer away at Universal’s largest recent expansion to date.
While there’s nothing major yet to report, crews have added the Great Hall structure on top of the Forbidden Journey show building. This, of course, is a faux structure unrelated to any potential restaurant you may have heard about.
In preparation for the new nighttime tours and the theme park’s 50th anniversary, Universal has continued to restore the famous Psycho House with crews continuing to replace and reinforce deteriorated pieces of wood.
Finally, construction related to Universal’s nighttime tours continues to appear around the backlot, with some curious fixtures appearing on top of some of the buildings for Courthouse Square.
Anyway, that does it for this update. Please continue to follow Inside Universal for the most comprehensive coverage of Universal Studios Hollywood in the industry, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more information from the park. Thanks for reading!
Chris Glass is an editor for Inside Universal.
Chris is a Los Angeles native who grew up visiting the best theme parks in the world, but that wasn’t enough. Whenever he has the chance, he flees the comfort of Southern California to see what the rest of the world has to offer, and is always happy to return home.
You may contact Chris at chrisglass@insideuniversal.net.
