It’s time for August’s photo update around Universal Studios Hollywood! This month, we take a look at the further progress of projects around the park.
Let’s get started!
Park Update Index
» CityWalk Hollywood
» Baker Street
» Globe Theater
» The Walking Dead Attraction
» Universal Plaza
» Lower Lot
» Halloween Horror Nights 2018
» A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
CityWalk Hollywood
A photo-op featuring a monster truck themed to the new film The Meg has appeared in front of the Universal Cinema, replacing the previous Skyscraper photo-op.
Walls have come down at Vivo, revealing an outdoor seating area; as well as a peek inside of the restaurant through its windows.
Not much has changed at the former location of Saddle Ranch. Through gaps among the black fences and shrubbery, the plot appears to remain empty and undeveloped.
Baker Street
Since our last update, the Baker Street facades previously in the middle of demolition are now entirely gone. Walls themed to Baker Street have replaced the tan walls formerly surrounding the demolition site, entirely encompassing the plot beginning just to the right of The Walking Dead Attraction and stretching all the way around the former location of the Globe Theatre.
Globe Theater
In addition to the Baker Street facades located just to the left of its plot, the Globe Theatre has also entirely been demolished, leaving empty skies above the construction walls surrounding its former location.
The Walking Dead Attraction
The crashed helicopter on the facade of The Walking Dead Attraction has been removed just after the demolition of the Baker Street facades formerly located next to the attraction’s entrance. Scaffolding continues to engulf the exterior queue, creating a claustrophobic feel for guests from the moment they walk through the arch at the entrance of the attraction.
Universal Plaza
Walls have recently sprung up in Universal Plaza due to Halloween Horror Nights construction for the unannounced maze located in the Parisian Courtyard. However, since we were there last for this update, all of Universal Plaza has been walled off for construction as the elaborate Mr. Ping meet & greet and noodle shop, as well as Po and Tigress’s meet & greets, are being taken down.
Lower Lot
Development continues to remain stagnant on the former plots of Soundstages 22-25, 28, and 31. Production vehicles have appeared on the plot listed as P168, though not much else has changed. However, Studio Tour trams appear to have been recently rerouted, possibly as a result of future development occurring on these plots. Rather than turning right towards the Jurassic Park extended queue at the bottom of the hill, trams now continue straightforward on Kirk Douglas Drive and instead turn right onto James Stewart Ave. at the far end of the P168 plot.
Halloween Horror Nights 2018
Construction continues as the opening weekend of Halloween Horror Nights quickly approaches. The unannounced maze located in the Parisian Courtyard continues to grow and develop as numerous details appear on the facade. In addition, construction walls pertaining to the maze have also gone up in Universal Plaza, indicating the presence of a gauntlet entrance similar to the Horrors of Blumhouse maze from last year’s event.
The Stranger Things maze located in Soundstage 29 is said to be very far along in construction, with a small peek inside through the doors of the Soundstage.
The Trick R’ Treat maze also appears to be significantly progressing in construction, with many of the previously open rooms in the non-covered section of the maze now having received ceilings.
Although we were not able to get a look at one of the mazes located in the Metro sets of the Universal backlot, the other two – the recently-announced Poltergeist as well as an unannounced maze – appear to be far along in construction.
Development for the recently announced Terror Tram – themed to Hollywood Harry’s Dreadtime Storiez, has appeared to begin near the War of the Worlds sets on the Universal backlot.
Although there are no visible details on the facade to the public eye, construction on the unannounced maze located in the WaterWorld queue seems to be progressing, with additional lighting being installed for the maze.
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
Since our last update, Spongebob and Patrick are now meeting and greeting guests in their summer wear.
In addition, a new t-shirt has been released across multiple stores in the park, as well as the Universal Studio Store in Universal CityWalk, in honor of the approaching closure of Jurassic Park: The Ride. Listing the opening and closing months and years of the ride, this shirt is currently available for purchase in multiple adult sizes at the price of $27.00.
The new Alohomora and Incendio wand effects have continued to operate off and on since their initial release. However, the Incendio spell appears to be working more often than the latter.
As a result of the closure of the Globe Theatre, The Walking Dead Attraction has replaced its spot on the New York street directions sign.
That’ll do it for this month’s photo update. Be sure to follow Inside Universal for continuing coverage of Universal Parks and Resorts.
