We’re back with May’s photo update around Universal Studios Hollywood! This month, we focus on the dramatic construction progress on Jurassic World: The Ride and its surrounding area in addition to the numerous other projects throughout the park.
Let’s get started!
Park Update Index
» CityWalk Hollywood
» The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
» Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
» Jurassic World Refurbishment
» Lower Lot
» Halloween Horror Nights 2019
» A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
CityWalk Hollywood
No visible changes have occurred at the previous locations of the Flip Flop Shop, Element apparel store, or at Sublime Gifts & Finds. Joining the list of shuttered shops is the ANGL clothing store found on the end of CityWalk closest to the park’s entrance, which recently closed quietly and unexpectedly. Announcements regarding the future of these locations have yet to come.
The IT’SUGAR candy store is currently undergoing refurbishment on the exterior of its building – most notedly a new paint job – though the store remains open as usual and completely unaffected just inside.
After spotting the first signs of visible progress on the future location of Antojitos on our most recent update, construction has rapidly continued with the sight of additional beams forming a possible new exterior for the restaurant.
The Universal Studio Store now sports a storefront themed to Illumination’s upcoming sequel, The Secret of Pets 2. New merchandise for the film can be found just inside of the main entrance to the store, in addition to an assortment of other various arrivals. Dinosaur plushies based off of the Jurassic World films, a cartoon-style EVAC plushy from Transformers: The Ride 3D, as well as merchandise from the famed American Ninja Warrior TV show are among the highlighted items available for purchase throughout the store.
Saddle Ranch’s former plot has recently been used as venue space without the availability of Universal Plaza due to the Grad Bash event, for no construction progress nor announcements regarding its future replacement have appeared as of this update.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
Fulfilling its trend of rapid progress, the towering show building for the future family-friendly ride continues to take shape, though with most changes hidden from guest view behind scaffolding and scrim. Construction walls now sport the new logo for the attraction taking after that of the films, as well as its scheduled year to open – 2020. Due to the building’s substantial indent on the width of Baker Street, the additional seating found on the street corner adjacent to the Palace Theatre Café has been removed to create more walking space.
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Following the recent removal of 3D from the attraction, the Minion goggle pick-up location has been sealed off with additional posters fitting in with those found throughout the queue. In addition, the first preshow video depicting proper and improper goggle usage has been replaced with the video from Universal Studios Japan’s iteration of the preshow.
Jurassic World Refurbishment
Construction on the transformation of Jurassic Park: The Ride and its respective area into Jurassic World has profoundly progressed. The blue and gray color scheme from the films continues to dominate with the disappearance of the previously red shades in favor of a bright blue, as well as the near-completion of the new aged gray arch marking the entrance to the ride. Additional rock formations surrounding the new planters and palm trees continue to appear throughout the mini land. The new Raptor Encounter building continues to take shape as well with the appearance of new fencing by its entrance and exit.
The opening scene of the ride just at the top of the lift hill has been revealed to feature a dinosaur fossil reminiscent of the Mosasaurus from the film. Dino Play also appears to be receiving a new addition with the framework for a small structure on the playground taking shape.
Lower Lot
Moderate progress continues on the leveled empty lot adjacent to the Jurassic themed area and Transformers: The Ride 3D. What seems to be the foundational curve of a track or building marks the most significant change on the unannounced location, though mild progress on other structures throughout the plot has occurred as well.
The new extended queue for Transformers: The Ride 3D appears to be moving along much more quickly as summertime approaches and the crowds only grow larger.
Halloween Horror Nights 2019
With opening night for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights approaching in less than four months, the first tent of the season has gone up in the Mummy extended queue featuring a bright yellow and red facade at the far end.
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
NBC appears to be filming a promo at the 5 Towers Stage in Universal CityWalk.
Setup for this year’s Grad Bash event celebrating the class of 2019 can be found at various locations throughout the park.
Universal’s Animal Actors now promotes The Secret Life of Pets 2 as the film approaches its release date.
The Plaza Grill quick service restaurant has been transformed into Cocina Mexicana, now serving a variety of Mexican-inspired offerings in favor of the previous hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches.
That’ll do it for this month’s photo update. Be sure to follow Inside Universal for continuing coverage of Universal Parks and Resorts.
