Welcome back to another edition of Around the Universe, your photo update bring you the latest news and construction for the Universal Orlando Resort!  We’ll start this week’s update with a look at the rapidly rising Sapphire Falls, and the ever-growing mound of dirt where the recently announced Volcano Bay water park will be located. Moving into the parks, we’ll check out the recently unveiled 25th Anniversary windows outside the Studio Store, as well as the nearly completed exterior of the Garden of Allah.  Over at Islands, more scaffolding is down from the facade of Reign of Kong.  All that and much more this week, as we go, Around the Universe!

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Sapphire Falls construction is the next project to kick into Universal’s patented overdrive.
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One of the main buildings along Hollywood Way has gone vertical.
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Work very recently begun on a new parking garage that will most likely be used for Sapphire Falls, as well as Volcano Bay guests.
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Not only is Universal working on an entirely new resort and a new parking garage, but they’re still chugging along with the new convention space at the Royal Pacific Resort.
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On the other side of the building, lots of site work is happening in preparation for the 2017 opening of the recently announced Volcano Bay waterpark.
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The “volcano” of dirt continues to grow every week.
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Heading into the parks, park hours have been hovering right around 9-9 lately, with crowds just starting to pick up for summer.
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Just this past week, Universal unveiled some new themed window decor outside the Studio Store. Each window is themed to a classic Universal Studios Florida attraction.
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Over at the Film Vault store, Jurassic World has taken over.
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They’ve also added a line of marshmallow launchers, themed to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters
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Mr. Fusion will set you back some serious change.
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Freedom Fighters standing by.
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We’re halfway through the 25th Anniversary Summer Concert Series. Kellie Pickler performs this weekend.
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New America’s Got Talent billboards on the side of the Shrek show building.
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Exterior work is nearly complete on the Garden of Allah Villa. The new walls have been painted and green awnings have gone up.
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The Blues Brothers stage is complete, though the boys are still performing on Park Ave.
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There’s a small set of construction walls up in New York. No word yet on what’s coming.
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New Jurassic World poster on the side of the New York bus stop.
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The windows that held the Purge Anarchy TV screens have been decorated to match the rest of the Macy’s store facade.
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Now let’s hop to Islands of Adventure for a quick look at the new Raptor exhibit and King Kong.
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Just last week, Universal opened a new raptor meet and greet in anticipation of this month’s release of Jurassic World.
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Guests meet and pose for photos with a very realistic raptor puppet
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Cheesin!
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And now, let’s take a quick peek at Kong. Not a ton new to see this week, but more concrete has gone up, while more scaffolding has come down.
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And that’ll do it for this weeks Around the Universe! Be sure to get in touch with us @Triggernel, @Orlando_United, and on our forums!

 

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