We’re back – this time with a look at construction for Universal’s up-and-coming experience, The Walking Dead Experience, Halloween Horror Nights, work on Universal Hollywood Drive, a new photo opportunity in Universal Plaza and much, much more.

Let’s dive in!

Park Update Index

» Universal Hollywood Drive
» CityWalk
» Universal Plaza
» The Secret Life of Pets
» The Walking Dead Attraction
» Halloween Horror Nights
» Soundstage 28
» Backlot


Universal Hollywood Drive

Work on Universal Hollywood Drive continues in the summer season, though most of the work has been focused on the underground tunnel that will connect 10 Universal City Plaza to the studio directly across the street. Construction appears to be extensive, with no near opening date in sight.

On the guest facing side, crews have finally removed the then-broken up walkway leading to the Universal City Shuttle, forcing guests to now walk around the planter. Moving further up the hill, greenery continues to be added to the former site of the Fung Lum restaurant (the proposed site of a future hotel) and the side of the hill. While the hill is mostly complete, crews continue to work on adding light fixtures that will illuminate the new palm trees that line up the street.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
Additional greenery and lighting fixtures have been installed along the Universal Hollywood Drive hill

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
The former site of Fung Lum – home to a new proposed hotel – has seen some activity in recent weeks

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
Will the proposed hotel finally be built?

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
That being said, the pedestrian walkway button is still out of reach from guests
Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
Will we see another walkway button installed in the near future that’s closer to the sidewalk?
Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
Construction crews are still working on infrastructure around Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
A driveway that once lead into Universal Hollywood Drive has been permanently blocked and barricaded
Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive
Work on the underground tunnel is still underway

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Hollywood Drive


CityWalk

Heading to CityWalk, the entertainment district continues to undergo a small transformation of its own, with multiple restaurants slated to open in the near future.

Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut continue to see very little exterior work while crews focus on renovating their interior. Work on the former Jon Lovitz Comedy Club also continues, with construction walls erected in front of the venue’s entrances. Dongpo Kitchen – on the other hand – has seen some steady exterior progress, with crews adding a glass divider that will separate the main pathway from the outdoor dining area.

Finally, the queue for the Universal City Shuttle has seen a few modifications – namely, a yellow line designed to keep guests behind the loading zone.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Shuttle Tram
Safety first – please stay behind the yellow line!

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Shuttle Tram

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Shuttle Tram

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Margaritaville
Margaritaville, meanwhile, has seen little exterior work

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Margaritaville

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Margaritaville

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Margaritaville

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Margaritaville

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen
Dongpo Kitchen has seen some major exterior work as the restaurant prepares to open

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen
Crews are erecting a glass divider to separate the main walkway and the outdoor dining patio

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut has seen little exterior progress since Universal’s announcement

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Voodoo Doughnut

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen
Work on the former Jon Lovitz Comedy Club has been ongoing, with both entrances blocked off

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Dongpo Kitchen


Universal Plaza

In a delightful surprise, Universal has installed a series of meet-and-greets and photo opportunities in Universal Plaza.

Featuring Transformers and Scooby-Doo and his friends (including Velma!), these photo opportunities will allow guests to meet with characters at regular intervals throughout the day.

Finally, there appears to be a third possible meet-and-greet location situated in Universal Plaza. We hear that a new film from Focus Features may be appearing soon.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza
New signage in Universal Plaza now encourages guests to gravitate towards the plaza’s new photo opportunities

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Photo Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza
Scooby-Doo, Shaggy (and even Velma) have been featured inside the plaza

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Universal Plaza


The Secret Life of Pets

The classic construction photo opportunity in New York Street has also been removed in favor of a new display featuring the characters from The Secret Life of Pets – Universal’s latest animated film set to debut this summer. The film’s stars – including Max, Mel, Duke, Gidget, and Buddy – are situated around a park bench located in Central Park.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Secret Life of Pets


The Walking Dead Attraction

Work on the The Walking Dead Attraction continues, with construction walls pulled back as July 4 approaches.

With a portion of the existing Baker Street already modified, crews have begun preparing the scene for a new helicopter crash site that will mark the cornerstone of the attraction’s facade. Burn marks have already been added to the new show building, with the new helicopter expected to be installed in the coming days. For now, some annual pass members have been receiving emails exempting blackout dates during the attraction’s initial opening week. You must RSVP to attend, so check your email for information.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - The Walking Dead Attraction


Halloween Horror Nights

Construction for Halloween Horror Nights is underway, with additional maze construction appearing near the Universal Metropolitan sets and behind the Revenge of the Mummy show building. Work in the Jurassic Park queue has also progressesed, with a facade now visibly forming. Are there any guesses for what it could be?

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Halloween Horror Nights


Soundstage 28

Work on The Secret Life of Pets attraction continues, with crews continuing to tour the area in preparation for construction. The fence blocking theme park access from the studio is still gone, with a faux soundstage construction wall extending across the Transformers extended queue.

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28

Phot Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Soundstage 28


Backlot

Finally, work on Universal’s new soundstages progresses at a brisk pace, with crews continuing to lay the foundation for the new structures.

Photo Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Backlot

Photo Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Backlot

Photo Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Backlot

Photo Update: June 13, 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood - Backlot

That does it for this update.

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