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    Around the Universe May 12, 2015

    Photo Updates By

    Welcome back to another edition of Around the Universe, your weekly photo update looking at Universal Orlando Resort.  This week we’ll spend our time at Islands of Adventure taking an up-close look at the recently announced Skull Island: Reign of Kong construction site.  Over at Universal Studios, we take a peek at the work going on with the Garden of Allah site, as well as the set up for the filming of American Ninja Warrior in the New York section of the park.  All that and much more this week as we go, Around the Universe!

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    Local 6 News was on site this week for the announcement of “Skull Island: Reign of Kong”, the new King Kong attraction coming to Islands of Adventure.

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    They were doing some filming outside the park for the six o’clock news.
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    The Incredible Hulk reaching over the Port of Entry shops.
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    Just recently, the Fantasticar found its way back into Marvel Super Hero Island. It sits right outside the arcade.
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    Still no sign of the character cutouts returning to the meteor crash site across from Spider-Man.
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    Hulk soars high over the walkway of MSHI.
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    Sapphire Falls cranes towering over the shops of Toon Lagoon.
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    Just this past week, more scaffolding came down off the Skull Island facade, revealing more of the beautiful and intricate rockwork.
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    Universal also announced this week that guests would be able to meet Raptors from the upcoming Jurassic World at IOA starting in June. It would make sense that the construction we’ve been following at the former Triceratops Encounter would be for the meet and greet.
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    Just in front of that spot, TMs brought out a baby Triceratops to meet with guests. There was a pretty large crowd gathered, forcing me to stick my camera high up in the air for a shot.
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    Now lets hop over to the Studios.
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    Heading towards the Garden of Allah, it appears they’ve finished construction on the new exterior walls. All that looks to be left is for them to be painted.
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    Couldn’t resist snapping a shot of the Diagon Alley dragon from across the lagoon.
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    Over in New York, the popular American version of Ninja Warrior has set up shop.
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    They’ve built the obstacle course for one of their rounds right in the middle of the park.
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    Here’s a list of the obstacles the competitors will have to make it through to advance to the next round.
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    Not only are most of the New York streets blocked off, but so are both pathways through Sting Alley.
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    The final obstacle, a race to the top to push the button that stops the timer.
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    Elsewhere in New York, the Blues Brothers stage is coming along. Shouldn’t be much longer now.
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    Meanwhile, the boys are still set up on the French Courtyard Stage.
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    Just recently the very-faded posters on the front side of the Shrek 4D soundstage were removed. The new ones are much more vibrant than the sun bleached ones they replaced.
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    And that’ll do it from inside the parks this week.
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    On my way out into CityWalk, I caught these old timers having a great time!
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    Finishing this weeks update, let’s take a look at the rumored NBC Sports Grill location. They’ve added framing for an awning that’ll extend out past the rest of the covering.
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    This should be the entrance to the new restaurant, essentially in the same spot as the former NASCAR Grille’s.
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    And that’ll do it for this week’s update! Be sure to get in touch with us on Twitter, @Triggernel and @Orlando_United, with any questions or comments, and make the jump to our Forums to join the discussion. We’ll see you guys next week!

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