Universal Studios Hollywood will expand the StarWay with a fourth escalator bank, Inside Universal has learned. In addition, Mummy Treats and the adjacent lockers will be closed and possibly demolished as Universal clears the StarWay’s Lower Lot entrance for the planned expansion. Universal’s expansion calls for a rebuilt canopy alongside the widening of the StarWay’s primary thoroughfares to accommodate additional guest traffic. Construction for the expansion will most likely begin in November, and continue until summer 2017. Mummy Treats – the Lower Lot’s go-to snack shack – and the adjacent lockers will be also closed and possibly rebuilt to accommodate…
Author: Jon Fu
Edit: Cartooniversal officially closed on November 1. Cartooniversal will be replaced by a two-story multi-use space that will house retail, park services and a number of guest amenities including restrooms and a family center, Inside Universal has learned. A centralized location for lost children will also be housed inside the new structure. Cartooniversal, meanwhile, will close at the beginning of November. The new building is expected to be a part of Universal Boulevard, which debuted earlier this year as a multi-use venue for retail, dining and entertainment. Adopting the same theme initiated by the debut of Universal Plaza and continued…
We’re back with a relatively short update – this time detailing work occurring in CityWalk Hollywood, the Universal backlot and more! So without further ado, let’s take a look at the latest construction projects occurring at Universal Studios Hollywood. Park Update Index » Lankershim Entrance » CityWalk Hollywood » Park Entrance » Universal’s 5-Year Plan Lankershim Entrance Since our last update, the former Fung Lum restaurant location has been re-purposed into a parking lot, signaling no immediate plans to transform the plot of land into a hotel as noted in the NBCUniversal Evolution Plan. Also in the same vein, the…
In this episode, the Inside Universal editorial team discusses the departure of Universal Studios Hollywood President and COO Larry Kurzweil, the new California Neighbor Pass, Universal’s new mobile application, Knott’s Scary Farm and more! Agenda » Larry Kurzweil departs; Karen Irwin becomes Universal’s new President and COO – 0:00 » Are Stumptown Coffee and Menchies coming to CityWalk? – 24:00 » Universal introduces the new California Neighbor Pass – 31:00 » Universal releases a new mobile application – 54:00 » Knott’s Scary Farm – 59:30 » Listener questions – 1:53:00 Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly…
Larry Kurzweil is out at Universal Studios Hollywood according to a press release from NBCUniversal. Karen Irwin, who previously served as Executive Vice President of Global Merchandise and Partnership Development for Universal Parks & Resorts, will succeed him as Universal Studios Hollywood’s new President and COO. Who is Karen Irwin? A veteran of Universal Parks and Resorts, Irwin holds considerable experience in the theme park industry. According to the presser, she served as part of Universal Studios Florida’s opening team in 1990, and has served as Director of Operations and Director of Support Services for Food and Beverages, Vice President…
According to a job posting on NBCUniversal’s job board, CityWalk Hollywood is currently looking for a supervisor to oversee “the operation of the Voodoo branded restaurant, Stumptown Coffee and Menchies.” While we’ve already detailed Voodoo’s impending opening on Inside Universal, the potential opening of Stumptown Coffee and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt does come as a surprise. Like Voodoo Doughnut, Stumptown Coffee originates from Portland, Oregon, and is known for their line of gourmet coffee served in a select number of retailers across the United States. Menchie’s, meanwhile, is a San Fernando based frozen yogurt retailer known for their wide assortment of…
While we’ve exclusively covered Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood for the last decade, Knott’s Berry Farm was gracious enough to invite us to their annual Halloween event. Known as the birthplace of the modern day haunt, Knott’s Scary Farm pioneered the framework of a Halloween maze, scare zone and nighttime show that could be incorporated as an overlay to the park’s existing infrastructure. It’s this lineage that allows Knott’s to command a fan base that remains uniquely committed to the park, as we’ve noted time and time again. These fans don’t simply just follow the park – they…
Universal has just released a new California Neighbor Pass with 219 select days of admission for an online price of $119, Inside Universal has learned. Targeting California residents, Universal’s new 9-month pass offers unfettered access to the theme park in January and March 2017 in addition to valid dates in October, November, December, March, April, May and June 2017. The new California Neighbor Pass also includes discounts for General Admission and Halloween Horror Nights tickets, alongside 10-20% discounts at select CityWalk locations. However, the pass does not include in-park food or merchandise discounts compared to the more expensive Gold and…
Billed as one of the top dance groups in America, Jabbawockeez makes their second appearance at Halloween Horror Nights – this time serving as the singular show on this year’s roster. Featuring spectacular lighting, music and – of course – dance, Jabbawockeez gained critical acclaim as Halloween Horror Nights’ highest rated attraction of 2015. Now the question remains: can they deliver the same level of spectacle again for 2016? Review Housed in the Castle Theater, Jabbawockeez – you would assume – focuses on one thing: dance. And while they certainly do, their productions have also garnered a reputation for high-caliber…
As we reported earlier this week, Universal has added several new characters from The Simpsons to Springfield USA! Acting on the promise originally made by Springfield’s Project Director Jon Corfino that the land would evolve with time, Universal has added Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz and Lisa Simpson to the “Welcome to Springfield” community sign. Observers can also see Snake Jailbird escaping from the Springfield Police Station – a scene that was originally included in the Springfield USA concept art but notably absent when the land debuted in 2015. In addition, Chief Wiggum and the Simpsons family have also received a…