Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Friday, July 11
    Trending
    • Terrifier is coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2025 in Orlando and Hollywood
    • Halloween Horror Nights 34 Frequent Fear Pass multi-night tickets now on Sale
    • Knott’s Scary Farm 2025 tickets go on sale July 25
    • What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of July 7, 2025
    Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • Home
    • News
      • Hollywood
        • Photo Updates
        • CityWalk Hollywood
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood
        • Events
      • Orlando
        • Photo Updates
        • Universal Studios Florida
        • Islands of Adventure
        • Epic Universe
        • Universal’s Volcano Bay
        • CityWalk Orlando
        • Universal Resorts
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Orlando
        • Events
      • Japan
        • Photo Updates
        • Events
      • Singapore
      • Beijing
      • Other Universal Destinations
      • Outside Universal
        • Walt Disney World
        • SeaWorld Orlando
        • Around Orlando
        • Disneyland Resort
        • Knott’s Berry Farm
        • Around California
    • Forums
    • Inside Universal Podcast
    • Features
    • Merchandise
    Inside Universal
    Home»Universal Studios Hollywood»Photo Updates»March 9, 2013 & March 11, 2013 Park Update – Despicable Me and the Backlot

    March 9, 2013 & March 11, 2013 Park Update – Despicable Me and the Backlot

    March 13, 2013 Photo Updates By Jon Fu
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    March 12, 2013 – Spring changes are here!

    As everyone continues to adjust to the time change, Universal Studios Hollywood is still making changes of its own. Following the long awaited official confirmation of Despicable Me and the pending completion of the Universal Plaza area, two Inside Universal members – Bruce and myself (Miss B) – have made trips to the park within the last 3 days. In addition to updates on the status of the Terminator demolition and mild construction on the backlot, we turned our cameras this week to Jurassic Park and a few other little details. Read on for a closer look!

    IMG_1538

    Tour groups and field trips make up most of the visitors to the park right during the week, while passholders are showing in droves on the weekends. Even early in the day, there’s a bit of a crowd at the Universal globe out front. Is there really going to be a hotel behind this park icon in the future like the evolution plan would have us believe?

    IMG_1539

    A bit more of a crowd developing at the main gates. With the kind of foot traffic that a hotel close by would bring, this could be the lightest crowd we would see in the front gates in the future.

    IMG_1542

    Studio first, theme park second – still holds true! A busy filming schedule on the backlot for a Saturday for sure.

    IMG_1540

    Another poster in the Universal 100 series, this time featuring Jaws. Universal seems intent on carrying on the 100th anniversary celebration a bit longer, as evidenced by the constant mentions of it throughout the park. Hopefully we continue to see more of those wonderful posters!

    100_2949

    And here we get to the sad part – the deconstruction of Terminator 2:3D in high gear. Since the time of this photo on the 9th, the metal roofing over the extended queue featured on the left hand side has been completely removed.

    100_2951

    A closer look at the roofing that was removed recently. Also note the Rowan Atkinson photo op in the lower right corner. The themed work walls are here to stay a good while it would seem.

    100_2950

    We can vaguely see under the tarps covering the majority of the removed portions of wall and roof in a few pictures, such as this one. The tarps were put into place to protect the building from damage in the rainy and windy weather we had a few weeks ago, and continue to keep the skeletal structure of the gutted extended queue areas and former snack shack / Cyber Grill areas safe from the high winds that are known to blow through sometimes.

    100_2952

    This was an interesting thing we noticed – a small hole in the wall near the top. No idea what this could be for. Ventilation? Getting supplies in and out to a certain position on a catwalk? If you have an idea, please let us know!

    100_2954

    A close up of the work being done above the food-related areas of the building.In the top right, we see the last remains of the backlit Terminator 2:3D sign.

    100_2956

    A bit of the structure is peeking through here, above the former entrance to the Cyber Grill. Still too early to tell how this building will be shaped – literally and figuratively – in the end.

    100_2957

    The chains holding this tarp in place clearly didn’t do their job! They’ve stripped this part of the wall down to the insulation, suggesting that this portion of the building will either be totally removed, or re-built and re-insulted in another manner.

    100_2959

    The lights and nails that once held the lettering of the sign still remain on the building. Fitting in a way that the skeletal sign currently resembles the building it advertised!



    IMG_1559

    Despite the rather strange pairing of Fast and the Furious cars with the themed walls in this area of the park, the photo ops seem very popular, as you can see.

    IMG_1558

    The item sticking out over the top of the dumpster here has us puzzled. Are they some sort of remains from the gift shop decor? They look strangely familiar…

    IMG_1564

    The crane and lifts are still here on the side of the building as the parking structure is worked on along with the surface structures.

    IMG_1566

    When we look closer, we can also see a ramp leading from the lift on the edge of the roof, as well as another dumpster off in the distance. They must be gutting out everything to need so many containers up here!

    IMG_1584

    On the other side of the upper lot, the Studio Tour boasts a short wait time, and something I never noticed before – a star on the top left of the sign that says “World Famous” across the middle.

    IMG_1586

    Construction to expand the bathrooms near the tour entrance continues – much to the dismay of people who had to go down to the tour bathrooms or across to the Animal Actors bathrooms.

    IMG_1589

    Look at the amount of rubble and rock tossed over here – what kind of construction is all that debris coming from?

    100_2995

    Speaking of construction – its still happening on the backlot too! This is rumored to be related to Potter, specifically related to plumbing and electricity, which will both need to be increased to this side of the park for Wizarding World before principle construction begins.

    100_2996

    The trenches that these plates are covering must be fairly deep – the tire tracks here seem to indicate that heavy machinery was used to dig them out. Perhaps for pipe laying?

    100_2999

    The machinery behind the truck in this photo adds a bit to that deep trench theory. Definitely some heavy lifting work going on here!

    100_2998

    More plating was being laid out of the camera’s range, so this particular project is going further into the hillside than we can see. We’ll continue to check back on this area.

    IMG_1557

    The weather is finally calm again, and you can really see the way that the theme park – especially on the lower lot – is carefully fitted together in the relatively small space. Plus it’s a great view!

    IMG_1591

    As we come closer to April, the park has ramped up advertising for Jurassic Park 3D, which hits theaters on April 5th for a week long engagement. These banners are featured along the Starway.

    IMG_1600

    And this billboard on the side of the Mummy building is visible from the Starway as well. Expect more mentions of it throughout the park as the day draws nearer.

    100_2981

    And while we’re talking about Jurassic Park – here’s a little photo feature on the River Adventure with the best shots from today’s ride through! Starting with this shot of the opening gates. From here you can see the enclosure around the first ultrasaur, which was being re-skinned again.

    100_2982

    A closer look at the enclosure, which thankfully managed to hide the skinless dinosaur – at least for the most part.

    100_2983

    This sign is one of three on the enclosure fence. It’s nice to see USH at least trying to keep some kind of theme going even with a dinosaur down. It helps riders stay immersed in the story of the ride.

    100_2984

    The dancing large stegosaurus looks pretty happy today!

    100_2986

    The real emergency exit and employee pathway is somewhat hidden here in the fake backstage rock structure scene. Forced perspective makes the top part of it look larger than it really is.


    100_2987

    The pump station entrance looks a little strange in reverse – especially with a dilo still up and looking around!

    100_2988

    A photo inside the pump station, showing a bit more of the themed details in the ride, such as the biohazard warning sign and the labeled chemical pipes.

    100_2989

    The surfing raptor as I like to call him, still dropping in on every raft.

    100_2990

    I think this is the closest I want to get to these teeth for awhile…

    100_2991

    The abandoned work station just before the final drop. Again, the details in this ride are really nice if you get the chance to see more of them.

    100_2968

    Back safely on the upper lot, we spotted this new photo op in place of Biff’s car near Mel’s. Where did that car get off to anyway…?

    IMG_1649

    After a long day, it seems some of our members found a good way to unwind! And got some pretty neat drinking glasses out of the deal too.

    That’s all for these two trips, but the month is barely half over, so stay tuned for more updates as they come in! If you would like to contribute photos to one of our reports, please contact us!

    How can you contact us? Easy! Find us on our forums over at USHForums.com, like our Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Thanks again for reading, and for making us your go-to source for all things Universal. Till next time!

    Photos and captions by Adriana Morgan. Additional photos provided by Bruce Babcock – thanks Bruce!

    2013 backlot construction construction Despicable Me despicable me construction jurassic park Jurassic Park... The Ride march 11 march 9 Park Update Photo Update Photos Studio Tour terminator construction
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleUniversal Studios Singapore – Day 7/8 – Madagascar & Far Far Away
    Next Article Video: The Collapsing Bridge on the Studio Tour
    Jon Fu

    Related Posts

    Events

    Universal Mega Movie Summer Arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood

    June 17, 2025
    Universal Orlando

    Jurassic World Rebirth merchandise arrives at Universal Orlando

    May 27, 2025
    Epic Universe

    Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests

    May 19, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    Terrifier is coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2025 in Orlando and Hollywood

    July 10, 2025

    Halloween Horror Nights 34 Frequent Fear Pass multi-night tickets now on Sale

    July 10, 2025

    Knott’s Scary Farm 2025 tickets go on sale July 25

    July 8, 2025

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of July 7, 2025

    July 7, 2025

    Johnny Rockets closes at CityWalk Hollywood

    July 2, 2025
    About Inside Universal

    Inside Universal is a website dedicated to covering Universal Parks & Resorts, specifically Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. Our team of editors is committed to providing fact-based, non-sensationalist content that educates and informs our readers while still focused on having fun.

    Inside Universal aims to maintain a rational perspective, allowing us to offer commentary, news, and analysis about Universal Parks. Our mission is to provide you, the reader, with accurate and in-depth reporting to the best of our ability. This is our goal - nothing more, nothing less.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR FORUMS
    If you’re looking to have your Universal-related question answered, or if you’d simply like to chat about the park’s future developments, Inside Universal's forums is the Internet’s leading unofficial forum dedicated to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. MEI Travel
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • About Us
    • Masthead
    • Contact
    • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved - Inside Universal is not affiliated with Comcast, NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, or Universal Destinations & Experiences. You may not copy, redistribute, publish, sell, or otherwise make the original contents of this website available to third parties unless you have received prior authorization from Inside Universal.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT