February 9, 2015 – Hello everyone, we’re back with another comprehensive update from Universal Studios Hollywood – this time detailing ongoing work for Springfield, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Studio Tour and more!

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get started.

Park Update Index

» Lankershim Projects
» CityWalk Hollywood – Things From Another World
» Victoria Station
» The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
» Springfield
» Fast and Furious: Supercharged
» Nighttime Studio Tour

Lankershim Projects

Since our last update, construction crews have begun digging in and around the office building across from 10 Universal City Plaza in preparation for the new pedestrian bridge that will line the pathway from the Universal City Metro Station to the base of the NBCUniversal tower. The project – at a cost of $19.5 million dollars – is expected to be completed in 2016.

In addition to the bridge project, Universal’s planned 500 room hotel and lane-widening project are also chugging along, though the former shows no signs of going vertical as of yet.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

Digging for the pedestrian bridge has begun across from the NBCUniversal tower.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

Meanwhile, dirt is all that still remains near the Metro station.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

An overview of the lane widening project and the upcoming 500-room hotel.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Lankershim

Not much progress happening here…

CityWalk Hollywood – Things From Another World

As we reported late last month, Things From Another World has completed its move from its original location to the former GameStop venue. The new location features a new robotic facade alongside a larger interior, featuring red and white decor.

With the space cleared out, Universal will now begin preparations to expand the Universal Studio Store – mimicking plans for the in-park Universal Studio Store, which is expected to expand later this year.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Studio Store

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Studio Store

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Studio Store

Victoria Station

Meanwhile, as we head into the park, construction crews have pushed out walls in the Victoria Station construction zone, as crews begin to prepare for the new shopping, entertainment and dining venue which is expected to open before the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Since our last update, construction crews have added another layer of snow atop Hogsmeade’s buildings – shifting the color from an off-yellow primer to snow-white. In addition, crews have also begun adding a layer of faux-brick to Forbidden Journey’s show building which can be spotted across the Studio Tour bridge.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Shrek 4D

Wizarding World West, as seen from Shrek 4D.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Additional structures are popping up…

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Snow-covered roofs.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Quite amazing how close one can get to Potter. Perhaps that’s why they’ve added those security cameras.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

An overhead shot of Hogsmeade’s entryway.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Here’s a look at the Forbidden Journey show building.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Crews have begun covering up the side facing the Studio Tour bridge with faux-bricks.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

HVAC ducts have also appeared on the side facing the Studio Tour exit.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Springfield

Heading over to Springfield, construction crews have already paved part of the road leading to food court. If you look closely, you can see paint for the pedestrian crosswalk just before the construction wall ends in the photos below.

In the meantime, guests are still routed between Special Effects Stage’s queue. With a rumored late March soft-opening, it’ll only be a few months until guests can wander the streets of Springfield.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

An overview of Springfield.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Notice the crosswalk?

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Krusty Burger, Herman’s Military Antiques and Lard Lad Donuts…

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

The Aztec Theater, Cletus’ Chicken Shack and the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck and the Duff Brewery.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

…and of course, the Springfield Department of Motor Vehicles.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Springfield

Fast and Furious: Supercharged

With the release of its Super Bowl advertisement last weekend, Fast and Furious: Supercharged’s opening draws near. However, despite the ad, not much has been revealed since Universal’s announcement last Spring – outside our original predictions.

For now, here’s a brief look at the animation’s facade.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Fast and Furious: Supercharged

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Fast and Furious: Supercharged

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Fast and Furious: Supercharged

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Fast and Furious: Supercharged

The exit for Fast and Furious appears to have been completely paved.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Fast and Furious: Supercharged

Nighttime Studio Tour

…and finally, LED fixtures have started to appear in Courthouse Square and near the Psycho House for the new nighttime Studio Tours, debuting this Summer. As Summer 2015 approaches, we’ll begin to see additional preparations for the nighttime Studio Tours.

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Studio Tour

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Studio Tour

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Studio Tour

Photo Update: February 8, 2015 - Universal Studios Hollywood - Studio Tour

That is it for this update. Please continue to follow Inside Universal’s leading coverage of Universal Studios Hollywood and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for reading!


Christopher Tillman

Christopher Tillman is an editor for Inside Universal.

Christopher is a California native who grew up visiting all of the Golden State’s theme parks. While studying theatre in college Christopher bounced around working at a few different attractions in Orange Country and Los Angeles. Now the father of a two year old, he is experiencing theme parks in a whole new way and has become the old man saying things like; “I remember when KITT and the A-Team van used to be here.”

You may contact Christopher at christophertillman@insideuniversal.net.