We’re back with July’s photo update around Universal Studios Hollywood! This month, we focus on the many current projects throughout the park now that Jurassic World: The Ride has officially grand opened to the public.
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
CityWalk continues to be touched up with minor paint jobs and redone tile work in miscellaneous areas, including the outside of Dongpo Kitchen as well as a few feet away from the water fountains near Walter’s Gate. The tile work outside of the previous location of Sublime Gifts & Finds now appears to be complete, though the exterior of the closed store remains mostly the same without any hints of an imminent future replacement.
IT’SUGAR remains covered by a black tarp as its exterior continues its refurbishment, though not much appears to have changed since our most recent update.
The tarp hiding much of the construction on the future location of Antojitos has been taken down, revealing bright red signage at the entrance to the restaurant as well as a mural painted under the stairwell as the location approaches its opening in the near future.
The previous location of ANGL has been stripped of nearly all signage, while the former Element Apparel Store remains equally bare and awaiting a future replacement just the same.
In honor of the recent grand opening of Jurassic World: The Ride, the Universal Studio Store has received a new Jurassic World exterior advertising that the attraction is “now open”.
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
Much of the scaffolding on the sides of the attraction’s new show building has been removed, revealing a tan paint job nearly all around, as well as a good idea of its final shape and size. Though the ride’s main entrance facing Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and the portion of the building facing Baker Street still remain hidden, it is evident that construction is still rapidly progressing behind the green tarp as the attraction prepares for its 2020 opening.
Jurassic World
After only one week of undergoing technical rehearsals, Jurassic World: The Ride officially grand opened on July 12, 2019 without any warning or reception. Merchandise celebrating the grand opening of the attraction can be found in the Feature Presentation store and the Universal Studio Store on the Upper Lot, and in Jurassic Outfitters on the Lower Lot. In addition, in-park events are taking place on the mobile Jurassic World Alive game in honor of the grand opening.
The iconic arch marking the entrance to Jurassic World: The Ride now has four flames ignited, drawing guests toward the ride with its captivating appearance.
Jurassic Café has received additional signage briefly describing the type of food served there for unknowing guests.
Following the initial soft opening of the ride, Dino Play in addition to the Jurassic World upper seating area have reopened. Dino Play now features additional structures expanding the playground vertically as well as introducing new displays of dinosaur and paleontology related tools and facts to make the experience more interactive for children to enjoy. The upper seating area remains mostly the same aside from the new color scheme matching the greys and blues of the Jurassic World aesthetic.
Setup for an upcoming special event surrounding Jurassic World: The Ride is now underway in the area, featuring a mini stage just in front of the arch in addition to lighting rigs placed around.
Though minor changes and adjustments are sure to come in the future, now that Jurassic World: The Ride operates on a regular schedule, the entire area sports a budding sense of completeness.
Lower Lot
The former location of Soundstages 22-25, and 28 continues to grow and develop as construction progresses. Though no structures are clearly discernible at this point of progress, the outlines of what appear to be various buildings are gradually taking shape.
The new extended queue for Transformers: The Ride 3D appears to be complete as queue footage plays on the monitors evenly spaced throughout.
Halloween Horror Nights 2019
As the opening night of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights draws nearer, all mazes for this year’s event appear to be under construction, despite only five out of the ten mazes having been announced at the time of this update.
Walls have gone up around the WaterWorld queue as construction begins on one of the unannounced mazes at this year’s event.
The facade for the Holidayz in Hell maze located in the Parisian Courtyard continues to take shape, reportedly aiming for the look of a postcard.
Though it is difficult to see even in person, construction has begun in Soundstage 29 for the upcoming Stranger Things maze, based on both seasons 2 and 3 of the popular Netflix show.
Tents have also gone up for the three mazes located in the Metro sets of the Universal backlot. All three of the mazes will occupy the same spots utilized at last year’s event, with Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman located where The First Purge was, and the recently-announced Ghostbusters taking the spot where Poltergeist was located. The third maze on the lot has yet to be announced, though appears to already have its facade under construction.
Two mazes also appear to be taking shape just outside of the Studio Tour tram garage, though neither has been announced as of now.
The maze located in the extended queue of Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride continues to progress significantly, as construction on this maze was the first to begin out of all ten mazes to be featured at this year’s event.
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
Characters from DreamWorks’ Trolls now meet and greet with guests in the location across from the DreamWorks Theatre. The newest to arrive is Guy Diamond, who initially debuted at Universal Studios Florida and is known for farting glitter.
A new structure is under construction on the Universal front lot, sporting a vague “coming soon” sign on the fence surrounding the area.
That’ll do it for this month’s photo update. Be sure to follow Inside Universal for continuing coverage of Universal Parks and Resorts.
