Universal Studios Hollywood Update – January 29th 2016

I was craving a ride on the Studio Tour and couldn’t wait to take another look at the magical new expansion called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter… So here was I again, back at Universal Studios Hollywood! In this update we’ll be looking at the progress made on Jurassic Park- The Ride, Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the new dining/retail complex. In addition there are some other noteworthy things going on at Universal Studios Hollywood, I made sure to include some more ‘trip-report’-ness in this update as well.

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Let’s start with the sharpened security. Though it’s sharpened it’s still not as great, if you don’t have a bag on you they don’t check you whatsoever. Nonetheless, it seemed as if the park wasn’t expecting the crowds around opening time, as the lines for security were backed up all the way to the priority parking lots.  Eventually, once inside, I passed by the Universal Plaza where they were setting up the Chinese Lunar New Year festivities. I actually really liked it last year, it was visually stunning and actually very interesting as there was traditional food, and lots of educational information provided.   Look at these crowds the park had all day! Well, the Lower Lot remained pretty empty, though the Upper Lot and Studio Tour were very busy. I did make sure to get a bunch of rides on Mummy in today, because I hardly find any wait tolerable for this rather short coaster. In addition, when you don’t have to wait whatsoever, you immediately walk in and board, giving your eyes no time to dilate, making the ride a whole lot darker and better!   As I mentioned the Upper Lot was quite busy all day. Even to the point of a 65 minute Studio Tour wait. It seemed as if the park really didn’t expect these crowds as there were hardly any trams running, and it would take more than 10 minutes for the next Studio Tour tram to pull in, pretty annoying honestly. Now is also the time to appreciate how awesome and completed this part of the Upper Lot finally feels since Springfield opened, on to the next themed area; THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER! Mel’s diner is still under construction, though I did finally see people actually working on it! Still curious what we’ll see there next.  On the Lower Lot the (re)construction of the old NBCUniversal Experience building continues, revealing more and more each time, but still not enough for me to point out what it actually is. 😛 Back to the Upper Lot preparation to soon open the new retail and dining complex continues! The park placed a bunch of new palm trees a long the complex. Love it! The touch-ups of the details on the buildings continue. As I mentioned in previous updates, though I’d rather see a new attraction come to the park that food and retail, this complex does look spectacular!   Back down to Jurassic Park, there’s still a BUNCH of work going on.   The splash-down Lagoon is receiving major upgrades. Besides the upgraded track that they’re still installing, the old vegetation is being taken out and new vegetation is being put in. In addition the rock wall is receiving a major repaint. Currently very light brown, I’m unsure if this is primer for the rocks to then be painted dark brown again.   There’s also a boat in the lagoon. I can imagine it being used to check if the replaced track is positioned correctly. Other than that it’s a bit of a mystery as of why it’s there.  Here’s an overall shot of the lagoon work being done. NOTE: I didn’t get a good picture (so I’m not including the bad one I took in here), but the first turn after the first lift-hill, where the gates to ‘Jurassic Park’ open is also receiving quite an upgrade. There’s a bunch of mechanisms and material in there. We’ll have to see what this large refurbishment has in store, but I’m hoping major upgrades because this ride is aging incredibly fast!  Let’s now finally move to Wizarding World of Harry Potter that is expected to soft open within a month. I’m quite literally dying to go in. Having binge watched all the HP movies (AGAIN), I’m pretty dang ready for it to open.  OMG THEY’RE TESTING CHIMNEY PYRO EFFECTS!  There was also a bunch of touch-up work going on, a lot of the structures are receiving additional detail.   Look it’s Hogwarts! Only about 3 months ’til it’s officially opened. Of course the Flight of the Hippogriff was heavily being tested again today!  The green-house (which stores the line for the Forbidden Journey) was testing its lights today. More on that topic ahead… First let’s appreciate how amazing the buildings in the area look. I just took a couple of random angles rather than focusing on what I usually focus on.   More progress in Potterland! The area has a bunch of new lighting structures installed, here’s the one next to the Shrek 4D line that’s in between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  Here’s the lights (next to the Shrek 4D forest line), that will highlight the larger ‘church-esque’ building here.  It was the first time that I saw all the lights (thematic area lights that is) turned on in the area. Due to it being like 5PM when I took this picture it may be a bit hard to spot.  Even the lamp posts and lights throughout the area have that magical feel to it.  Here’s the entrance to Hogsmeade, where you’ll also find a bunch of lights when you peak in. Notice the train, it’s been testing its steam effects too!   As we see more lights and stare off in the distance at Hogwarts be aware that the area has been playing the Harry Potter theme music the entire day and I was VERY EXCITED. Dang, I really, really, can’t wait. Don’t forget the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is officially opening April 7th! And last but not least, I always visit Waterworld when I visit the park, I just happen to absolutely love that show. All shows were jam -packed today, so they added another showing right before park closing, making me believe that Universal indeed didn’t expect the crowds. Do you also like Waterworld? Let us know below!

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Thanks for checking out this Universal Studios Hollywood Update!

For those who joined in our Q&A we had a lot of participants and very much enjoyed it, we’ll have more in the near future! Meanwhile, check out all the following awesomeness:

 

 

• NEW Six Flags Magic Mountain and NEW REVOLUTION UPDATE!
• Our BACKSTAGE Joker Tour Report (BEST ONE OUT THERE!)
• The last Universal Studios Hollywood Update! (Lots of interesting Jurassic Park and Potter construction). 
• Legacy of Arrow Documentary is showing at Six Flags Magic Mountain tomorrow, learn more! 

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