Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Friday, May 23
    Trending
    • Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests
    • What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025
    • Universal Orlando announces 2025 Summer offerings; including limited-time experiences & entertainment
    • Universal Orlando to celebrate Jaws 50th Anniversary with limited-time Amity area
    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»January 11, 2014 Photo Update – Simpsons, Parking, Wizarding World and Despicable Me

    January 11, 2014 Photo Update – Simpsons, Parking, Wizarding World and Despicable Me

    January 12, 2014 Photo Updates By Jon Fu
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    January 11, 2014 – What a difference a month makes. In less than thirty days, we’ve seen the closure of Doc Brown’s Chicken/Hollywood Cantina and the rise of construction walls in and around Simpsons Plaza. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter also appears to be continuing at a healthy pace while crews work feverishly on Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land in preparation for the ride’s April 10 opening.

    So with all this in mind, let’s get started.

    Park Update Index

    » Parking Lot
    » The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
    » Simpsons Plaza
    » Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem / Super Silly Fun Land

    Parking Lots

    As Comcast continues its heavy investment in Universal Parks & Resorts, Universal Studios Hollywood has been preparing its infrastructure in anticipation of the Wizarding World. With the relatively quick rise of the Jurassic Park parking expansion already in use, Universal has already begun preparing the E.T. flat parking lot in lieu of a larger, multi-storey structure (“P-3“).

    We have also learned that Freeway park (which is across from E.T.) is currently being cleared in favor of additional parking space, as noted by the Evolution Plan as “P-9.”

    IMG_5756

    But for now, here’s a bit of steel for Harry Potter.

    IMG_5761

    IMG_5762

    IMG_5769

    IMG_5781

    I’m sure this means something…

    IMG_5797

    IMG_5837

    Remains from Doc Brown’s Chicken scattered about.

    IMG_5876

    Meanwhile, they’ve already started prep work for E.T.’s expansion.

    IMG_6273

    IMG_5880

    Jurassic Parking looking alive and well.

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    While the parking lot expansions are chugging away, construction work on the Wizarding World has shown some strong external progress since our visit last December. Construction crews are now audible throughout the park as machines dig away at the former site of the Gibson Amphitheater/Curious George playground.

    IMG_6261

    IMG_6241

    IMG_6019

    IMG_6026

    IMG_6031

    IMG_6038

    IMG_6091

    IMG_6098

    IMG_6107

    IMG_6116

    IMG_6130

    Simpsons Plaza

    With Doc Brown’s Chicken/Hollywood Cantina having closed earlier this month, the park has wasted no time walling off both establishments from guest access.

    Perhaps more surprising is the work currently being performed in front and within the Simpsons Ride’s queue. Walls now stretch from the StarWay to the far right hand side of the ride’s entrance. While the exterior work appears to suggest a carnival-esque facade similar to Florida’s installation of the same ride, the internal queue work is perhaps a bit perplexing. If I had to guess, I’d say the work is being done to prepare additional infrastructure for the carnival games…but again, just a guess.

    IMG_5992

    IMG_5952

    Bye Doc…

    IMG_5951

    IMG_6011

    IMG_6159

    Doesn’t this remind you of 2008?

    IMG_6200

    “Welcome to a magical journey through my mouth!”

    IMG_5985

    IMG_6192

    IMG_5975

    IMG_5963

    IMG_5970

    IMG_5964

    IMG_5979

    Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem / Super Silly Fun Land

    Finally, facade work for Despicable Me appears to be nearing its final state. Universal’s park map has now been updated with a stylized representation of Despicable Me and a note on Super Fun Stuff, the attraction’s new gift shop.

    In the meantime, Inside Universal has confirmed that Super Silly Fun Land will have a spinner and a dry and wet playground for young kids. Nothing groundbreaking there, but there had been speculation that the spinner could have been scrapped due to engineering challenges. While anything could occur between now and the ride’s opening, it doesn’t appear as if any major changes are in store that could compromise the mini-land.

    IMG_5894

    IMG_5895

    IMG_6249

    IMG_5903

    IMG_5899

    IMG_5907

    IMG_6233

    IMG_6220

    IMG_6225

    IMG_6213

    IMG_5923

    IMG_5916

    That’s a wrap! Please stay with Inside Universal for continuing coverage of these projects and more originating from Universal Studios Hollywood

    Photos by Jonathan Green. Captions by Jon Fu.

    Despicable Me e.t. parking harry potter minions Parking Simpsons Ride springfield super fun stuff super silly fun land Wizarding World of Harry Potter
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWorld-Renowned Tequila Expert Trains Staff of Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal CityWalk
    Next Article The Hollywood Minute – January 2014 – Jaws, Parking, and Collapsing Bridge
    Jon Fu

    Related Posts

    Epic Universe

    Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests

    May 19, 2025
    Features

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025

    May 19, 2025
    CityWalk Orlando

    Expanded Universal Studios Store opens in Universal CityWalk; feautring Super Nintendo World & Butterbeer Counter

    May 8, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    Universal Orlando shares Grand Opening Day hours and details for Guests

    May 19, 2025

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of May 19, 2025

    May 19, 2025

    Universal Orlando announces 2025 Summer offerings; including limited-time experiences & entertainment

    May 16, 2025

    Universal Orlando to celebrate Jaws 50th Anniversary with limited-time Amity area

    May 16, 2025

    Universal Orlando changes smoking policy; removes smoking areas within theme parks

    May 15, 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