Lumos Maxima! While the casting of light certainly helped Harry and his friends throughout their adventures, it also proved to be an undeniable ally in Alan Gilmore’s quest to recreate the fanciful world of Hogsmeade in the middle of the San Fernando Valley. Why you may ask? Well, despite the fact that Hogsmeade has been faithfully recreated in over three locations across the world – both at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Japan – Hollywood’s iteration has proven to be both eerily similar and remarkably different at the same time. Though this may seem like an inherent contradiction in…
Author: Jon Fu
With The Wizarding World of Harry Potter now undergoing technical rehearsals, we thought it’d be useful to take a closer look at what Universal’s newest blockbuster land has to offer. With several shops, a restaurant, and two attractions, Wizarding World West – as we’ve coined it – is Universal’s largest update to date in the last decade, dramatically altering the face of the Upper Lot and the park as a whole. With clones already in place at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida and Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood’s iteration will be the third incarnation of this land. ……
We’re back with another photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood, this time focusing on CityWalk Hollywood, the entrance of the park, the revelation of Universal Boulevard, the continuing refurbishment of Mel’s Diner and Jurassic Park: The Ride, the work occurring on the former NBCUniversal Experience structure, Universal’s world famous backlot and the rear of Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. Let’s begin. Park Update Index » Lankershim Project » CityWalk Hollywood » Universal Studio Store / Park Entrance » Entryway / Universal Boulevard » Mel’s Diner » Jurassic Park: The Ride Refurbishment » Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride »…
The Lower Lot Character Shop has returned as the new Studio Store, Inside Universal has learned. Once featuring an array of clothing and toys from Despicable Me, The Simpsons and Dr. Seuss, the new Studio Store is now solely dedicated to Universal’s new blockbuster property, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (set to open on April 7). Featuring wands, robes, shirts, notepads and items from the Harry Potter series, the new Studio Store marks the third Universal Studio Store on property and also the third non-Potter branded store to sell Harry Potter merchandise. Internally, much of the internal layout and…
We’re back with another photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood, this time focusing on the park’s ongoing refurbishment of its entrance plaza, some developments occurring in CityWalk, the Lankershim projects, the ongoing refurbishment occurring at Jurassic Park: The Ride and some projects happening on Universal’s Lower Lot. This is a jam packed update, so let’s begin. Park Update Index » Lankershim Project » CityWalk Hollywood » Universal Studio Store / Park Entrance » New Retail/Dining/Entertainment Complex » Mel’s Diner » Jurassic Park: The Ride Refurbishment » Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride » NBCUniversal Replacement Project » Studio Backlot Lankershim…
Universal Studios has introduced a new ticket reservation system that will allow guests to purchase their tickets online with discounts and early-entry to the park. Designed as a means for Universal to anticipate attendance and to incentivize advanced ticket sales, the EZ Rez system will allow guests to enter the park one hour before opening. This early-entry feature is applicable to tickets and passes purchased online using this system. Annual Passes and Season Passes are eligible for early-entry even during revisits to the park. In addition, users of the EZ Rez system may benefit from savings. The EZ Rez system…
“How do we redevelop what is essentially the same show, but really get it to where it should be?” That’s the question Universal sought to accomplish when they went into development for the new Special Effects Show nearly a year ago. While the Upper Lot’s iteration of the Special Effects Stage premiered in 2010 to somewhat positive – if not overly cautious – reviews, it had never achieved the same spirit as the original Special Effects Stages that was famously housed in the Lower Lot years ago. The Creative Director of the new Special Effects Show and the Senior Vice…
This year, Inside Universal will turn ten years old. To commemorate our tenth anniversary, we’ve rolled out a new design aimed at providing you – our reader – with the best possible browsing experience across a multitude of devices. Not only will you be able to browse Inside Universal on your desktop computer with greater speed and efficiency, but you’ll also be able to read our website on your smartphone or tablet with ease. The new Inside Universal website responds natively to whichever platform you choose. However, while aesthetic and functional changes are important, we believe content is king. Over…
Following its successful debut in 2014, Universal’s Lunar New Year celebration will return to the park from January 30 to February 14 in the park’s central courtyard. Running just over two weeks and included in the price of admission, Universal Plaza will be redecorated to celebrate the Year of the Monkey with special Asian-dishes, decor, a Curious George meet-and-greet, and a Mandarin-speaking Megatron. “The Five Continents Arts Troupe from Shenzhen province will also be featured on February 13 for an exclusive engagement with Universal. In addition to these special festivities, Universal will also be emphasizing its Mandarin Studio Tour which…
Universal has introduced the 2016 Season Pass, Inside Universal has learned. Now one of four tiers, the $109 2016 Season Pass includes 140 days of valid admission until December 15, 2016. No food or merchandise discounts are given, and while “friends and family” save on general admission, no specific percentage or monetary discount is given. In contrast, the Gold Annual Pass, the CA Resident Plus Annual Pass, and the CA Resident Annual Pass provide a $12 discount on general admission regardless of date. Finally, 2016 Season Pass holders will not receive invitations to Annual Pass preview events. Existing pass holders…