I was in need of another Harry Potter filled day at Universal Studios Hollywood! And I sure wasn’t the only one, as some of the heaviest weekday crowds (since the opening of the new land) joined me. There’s not too much to update on when it comes to the park in general, so there’s a sweet short update ahead, which includes a look at a FULL Forbidden Journey queue through the dark forest!
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Let’s start at the front of the park. Where we find a mystery small construction site over at Hollywood Grill. Speaking of which, all menus and signage on the windows of the refurbished restaurant have been placed. 
Over at New York Street on the Upper Lot, a new directory has been placed in the theme of well… New York. The Studio Tour, Springfield, Transformers, Jurassic Park, and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem are on the directory. No Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Mummy. This sign may just be placed to actually direct people in more directions than just Potter… and regarding Mummy, we’re indeed hearing again that it may be leaving. 
In Springfield, in front of the Simpsons Ride, and in the center between the Upper Lot, Star Way to the Lower Lot, and the Studio Tour entrance, the concrete plaza is getting a touch up. This could just be painting of the huge star in the center, as these fences seem purely there to make sure no one walks on it. 
On our way to the Lower Lot, you get a good view of the new Soundstages that are being constructed next to the Metro sets on the Back Lot. Current work focuses mainly on the foundations of the Soundstages. Once they’re complete, productions will move there and it should eventually leave room for expansion of the Theme Park’s Lower Lot. 
Speaking of the Lower Lot… Jurassic Park’s Jeep is failing to drop again. In addition to which, the first Velociraptor on the lift hill has yet to be returned and is still out for refurbishment. Perhaps we will not see the return of it at all, may the ride indeed get the an eventual Jurassic World Upgrade. 
Back to the Upper Lot, where the new Walking Dead Attraction is currently being constructed. Not much change on the exterior of the building, of course.
Though this attraction is quickly becoming reality, as auditions for the Walking Dead Attraction are May 5th and May 6th, this upcoming week! 
Let us now go to a world so different of our own… The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! 
Where crowds were more than present today. And after a rough and quiet start for the new 1.6 Billion Dollar attraction, it was refreshing to see the entirety of the Dark Forest section of the outside queue filled for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey throughout the afternoon!
Though the line was well over 90 minutes, we all know the line moves very quickly. Additionally, I actually didn’t mind waiting through this section of the line, as I have never actually waited through the entirety of it. They sure managed to hide a LOT of switchbacks and additional queue space in there! 
The reason I included a bunch of pictures of the queue this full is, besides the update being short to begin with, the fact that it’s been rare to see the line this full so far. But I’m confident this will become a regular occurrence this summer!
Let’s finish this quick update with a shot of the park’s newest coaster, the Flight of the Hippogriff and Hogwarts in the background! I do have a video of myself riding this family coaster during one of the Potter Media Events, this video will eventually be uploaded. 🙂
Thank you for checking out this short Universal Studios Hollywood Update! Make sure to check out one of the many new updates we just recently went live with:
- The New Revolution Opening
- The Joker Tour!
- California’s Great America Update
- Knott’s Berry Farm Update!
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