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    Around the Universe – October 6th, 2014 Photo Report

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    Welcome back to Around the Universe, your weekly Universal Orlando photo update.  This week we’ll take our usual look at the progress on Cowfish and check up on the start of vertical KongStruction.  Then we’ll hop on the Hogwarts Express over to the Studios, where it’s all about Horror Nights.  We’ll check out some the characters from each scare zone and take a look at some the facades for this years event.
    All that and much more this week, as we go “Around the Universe”!

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    Let’s start things off with Cowfish, where the elevator is very close to completion.
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    Tarps were still up on the patio as of Saturday 10/4
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    The tarps came down late last night (10/5), though no furniture or detailing has been added to the patio.
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    A look at the front door.
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    Across the walkway, the signs for Burger King, Panda Express, and Moe’s seem to be missing.
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    They were getting a bit faded.  No word on if they will return.
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    These three signs remain, for now.
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    The backside of Cowfish is pretty much done, just waiting for the walls to come down.
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    Lots of work going on inside.
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    A couple of chairs visible through the window.
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    Some fish scale details.
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    The stage covering has returned between Vivo and the Studios Store.
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    Cowfish signage!
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    The tarps above Vivo are down, but no sign of any furniture just yet.
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    The Harry Potter merchandise kiosk in CityWalk has recently started selling Samsung Galaxy cases. Only the S4 though, no S5s or even any iPhone 6 or 6+s.
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    Deathly Hallows case.
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    Hogwarts Crest
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    Stepping into Islands, Potter is featured on this week’s maps, once again.
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    Waits have been very manageable, even on the weekends.
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    And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for: #Kongstruction is vertical folks! And it’s already almost as tall as Ripsaw Falls.
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    Lots of site work going on. They are definitely kicking construction into that trademark Universal gear.
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    Lots more steel onsite, ready to go up!
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    Over in Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express was posting a moderate wait.
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    Things were a different story over at Kings Cross. Guests were flooding out of the park, as it closed at five all weekend for Horror Nights.
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    When Despicable Me is under an hour, and Rockit is less than half, it’s a great day at the park.
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    Hogwarts Express had the longest posted wait in the park.
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    More good news! The Ministry of Magic phone booth is once again in working order!
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    On the other side of the park, at the main Horror Nights merchandise kiosk, there are still plenty of Chucky vinyls left. They haven’t quite been flying off the shelfs like the Jack vinyls did last year.
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    Who knows how many days we have left with this classic attraction.  It seems like there are always rumors of its closing.
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    I’ll be sad to see it go, but excited for what comes next!
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    Not that I know anything about its future, but it is one of the few remaining classics at the resort.
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    And the gift shop. One of the best in the park.
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    Right next door is one of the better Horror Nights dining options. The chicken tenders and sweet potato fries are prepared fresh in the kiosk, and are oh so delicious!
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    And rounding out the daytime portion of this report, we have the ongoing street repaving in New York. Should be finished in about two weeks.
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    Let’s start the Horror Nights portion of today’s update with a walk through of the MASKerade scare zone and a look its great characters.
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    The zone uses a combination of masks and make up.
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    The characters present themselves in a very regal manor.
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    Some of the masks are very ornate, including this jester girl.
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    I absolutely love it when scareactors interact with each other, like these two, who danced up and down the street.
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    Though the immersion might be minimal, the lighting in the zone is absolutely fantastic at night!
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    The Face Off: In the Flesh scare zone features some of the best make up and prosthetic pieces of the whole event.
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    The creatures all stand on individual stages, while their “minions” prowl the surrounding area, scaring guests.
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    The Axe Girlfriend is one of my favorite makes ever done on the show.
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    She couldn’t wait to show me the heart she had ripped out of her last lover.
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    The icon for the zone, The Pumpkin Eater’s Wife. This make up is the judge’s all time favorite on the show.
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    This guy is just simply menacing!
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    Though the zone may not be the scariest, it looks fantastic at night with a great light package.
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    Over in The Purge, the icon for the zone trolls the streets of New York, looking for his next victim.
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    Fox Face fires up his chainsaw!
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    The crowds are riled up for the Purge auction, by this WASPy scareactor.
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    The stage on top of the bus is back lit by plumes of fire.
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    The woman in blue calls out to the crowd, urging guests to bid more and more for the chance to purge.
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    Moving on to the houses, near Men In Black, the facade of the Myers’ house for Halloween is really well done.
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    The projectors that cast shadows in the upstairs windows, and put the logo onto the front of the house.
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    With the projections and the awesome lighting effects, the facade looks even better at night.
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    A single Jack O Lantern sits on the porch, exactly as it does in the film.
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    The other really impressive facade this year, is for Giggles and Gore.
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    The amount of detailing on the factory walls is unreal.
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    Simply gorgeous!
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    And we’re going to finish this weeks update with a few shots from Bayou of Blood. This was taken opening weekend at the voodoo sacrifice show, which has now been cut.
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    There have been multiple reasons given for cutting the show, but none seem to add up.
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    Losing the show has left the gorgeously done voodoo shack, sitting empty.
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    The zone itself is probably the most immersive this year, with the tall trees creating a canopy over the walkway, though I wish they would fog up the street just a little bit more.
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    And an obligatory shot of Mel’s to close us out! Thanks for following along this week. We’ll be back next time with updates on Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Cowfish and more Horror Nights. Be sure to leave a comment on the forums or get in touch with us on Twitter: @Orlando_United & @triggernel and we’ll see you guys next week!
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