October 18, 2014 – This week brought more movement within the theme park, so let’s get moving on this epic photo update.
Construction continues at a feverish pace as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield, Fast and Furious: Supercharged, and more are being built simultaneously all within the same park. Universal Studios Hollywood is currently working on more construction sites at one time than any other period in the theme park’s 50 year history. So without further ado, let’s get started.
» Lankershim Boulevard
» Parking Lot Expansion
» Louie’s Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s
» The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
» Fast and Furious: Supercharged
» Springfield
» Park Photos
Lankershim Boulevard continues its transformation in preparation for more lanes and the proposed 500 room hotel that will be built on the former Fung Lum Restaurant location.
The most recent change has been the temporary walkway which extends from the bottom of Lankershim Boulevard up the hill to the West Gate entrance. Along with the temporary walkway, digging has begun behind the Universal Sheraton sign.
The new multi-level structure continues to grow on the former ET parking lot. The expected completion date is still on track for 2016 in conjunction with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
A few weeks ago, Inside Universal reported that Louie’s Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s would be undergoing some changes in preparation for the debut of Springfield – an all-new mini land that will bringing the Simpsons television show to life. This week saw construction walls extend in front of the venues along with the removal of the Starway Arch, suggesting a retheme is imminent.
The largest transformation for the theme park continues to be the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This project continues to progress at a seemingly rapid rate – with the basic frameworks of Hogsmead beginning to take form. Notice that concrete portions of the rock facade are being formed which will complete the Hogwarts castle display on the Forbidden Journey exterior of the building.
Fast and Furious: Supercharged is almost completely enclosed as work continues to occur within the interior of the building. Some of the final touches to the exterior seem to be a facade for the main entrance of the attraction.
The most interesting change in the park this week has been the adjustment of construction walls around the Kwik-E-Mart and the Studio Tour entrance area. While the Kwik-E-Mart continues to serve guests from only one door, major concrete work creates for a lot of noise during park operating hours. Look at the concept art released earlier this year by Universal Studios Hollywood and you can visualize that Springfield in California will be very unique compared to its Florida counterpart.
Finally, we will close out this update with some pictures from around the park.
That does it for this update. Please continue to follow Inside Universal’s coverage of all things Universal Studios Hollywood and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Jonathan Green is the managing editor of Inside Universal.
Jonathan has been going to Universal for over 25 years, developing a deep passion for the theme park and its historic films. His real passion involves Universal Studios Hollywood’s storied past and how it eventually transformed from a movie studio into a theme park.
You may contact Jonathan at jonathan@insideuniversal.net
