We’re back with June’s photo update around Universal Studios Hollywood! This month, we focus on Jurassic World: The Ride and its recently soft-opened surrounding area in addition to the other major projects throughout the park.
Let’s get started!
Park Update Index
» CityWalk Hollywood
» The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
» Jurassic World
» Lower Lot
» Halloween Horror Nights 2019
» A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
CityWalk Hollywood
The previous location of Flip Flop Shop has been replaced by Havianas – also a flip flop store selling similar products to its predecessor. Its building remains structurally the same, with few changes to both the exterior and interior of the shop.
IT’SUGAR continues its refurbishment on the outside of the candy store, though looks mostly the same as when we visited for our most recent update. Bright columns sporting advertisements for the store distract from the black scrim just above.
Construction on the future location of Antojitos continues to rapidly progress as the structural framework for the outside of the restaurant is put in place. As of this update, no opening day has been announced.
No changes visible to the public eye have occurred at the former locations of the Element apparel store, ANGL, and Sublime Gifts & Finds. The tilework is currently being redone just outside of Sublime, though the store itself appears to remain untouched.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
Though most of the show building remains covered by scaffolding and scrim, views from particular angles reveal its tan and grey sides, as well as an idea of just how quickly construction continues to progress on the ride opening in early 2020. Baker Street has been closed off once again – despite the growing summer crowds – due to scaffolding extending too far out into the walkway.
Jurassic World
Though the ride still remains closed as it undergoes testing, the rest of the Jurassic World area has officially soft opened to the public. We cover an overview of the mini-land’s atmosphere in another recent article, though new changes continue to appear as details are occasionally added in.
While the waterfall flows into the lagoon for Jurassic World: The Ride and breathes life into the area, the boats for the ride did, however, remain stationary during our most recent visit, granting us the opportunity to get our closest look yet at the ride vehicle. The boats are the same ones previously used in the former Jurassic Park: The Ride, though have been repainted with a light grey and black color scheme to better fit the aesthetic of Jurassic World.
Jurassic Outfitters looks mostly the same as when it was previously themed to Jurassic Park, though has adapted the grey color scheme found all throughout the rest of the mini-land. The faux dinosaur fossils decorating the outside of the store still remain along with the building’s structural framework, though a new mural has been placed on the side of the store facing Jurassic World: The Ride.
On the inside of the store, new tile work, as well as modern-looking shelves and registers, give Jurassic Outfitters a refreshing yet similar look to the days of Jurassic Park: The Ride. A handful of new merchandise specifically made for the new ride is available for purchase, though many of the previous Jurassic Park and Jurassic World items and displays still remain. The photo pick-up location has also been revamped, sporting a sleek style fitting with the rest of the Jurassic World theme.
Close to the entrance of the Jurassic World arch is the new Isla Nu-Bar selling a variety of tropical-themed alcoholic beverages.
Jurassic Café has returned with an all-new menu featuring a variety of Costa Rican-inspired offerings. Both the interior and the exterior of the counter service restaurant remain mostly the same, though with a new paint job and murals decorating the inside of the restaurant.
The upstairs patio still remains closed-off from public access, though guests can still get a great view of the lagoon and the rest of the area from all of the other angles available.
Views from the Studio Tour reveal that Jurassic World: The Ride is indeed nearing completion.
Lower Lot
Construction continues on the former location of Soundstages 22-25, and 28 designated for future theme park expansion. What appears to be the layout of a building continues to take shape alongside multiple other structures throughout the plot. Beyond that, Universal has still not formally announced any official plans for the location.
The new extended queue for Transformers: The Ride 3D continues to grow along the left side of the attraction’s show building.
Halloween Horror Nights 2019
Construction is gradually moving along on the maze locations of the Parisian Courtyard and the Mummy extended queue. A flat facade appears to be taking shape for the future Holidayz in Hell maze, while a circus tent appears to mark the entrance to the unannounced maze in the Mummy extended queue.
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
New Jurassic World merchandise has additionally appeared in the CityWalk Universal Studio Store, the Universal Studio Store just inside the park, and inside of the Feature Presentation store.
A hot dog stand has appeared just inside of the entrance to the Lower Lot escalators.
That’ll do it for this month’s photo update. Be sure to follow Inside Universal for continuing coverage of Universal Parks and Resorts.
