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    Home»Universal Orlando»Photo Updates»Around the Universe – March 15th, 2015

    Around the Universe – March 15th, 2015

    March 15, 2015 Photo Updates By Tryg Nelson
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    Welcome back to another edition of Around the Universe, your photo trip through the Universal Orlando parks and resorts.  This week we’ll start with a quick CityWalk update before moving into the parks for a look at Mardi Gras and some more Kongstruction.  We’ll also check out Cabana Bay where plenty of construction is happening on Universal Orlando resort hotel #5.  All that and much more this week as we go, Around the Universe!

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    Let’s get going!

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    The new concierge desk in CityWalk has been joined by a refreshed Guest Services window.
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    Over at the former Nascar Grille, the facade continues to be demolished.
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    Nearly the entire front wall has been removed.
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    Let’s start our trip through the parks with USF.
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    Universal is giving away 1.6 million beads this year during Mardi Gras, but you’ll have to shell out for the premium ones.
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    In New York, the Blues Brothers stage has been removed for a refurbishment. The boys are performing on the temporary Mardi Gras stage set up adjacent to the new Studios Christmas store.
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    King’s Cross continues to pull in major crowds as guests eagerly jump back and forth between the two parks.
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    There was a camera crew out filming something in front of the London facades as I was touring.
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    Inside Diagon, Jake stands guard over Gringotts.
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    The ride itself continues to post massive waits.
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    A peculiar move at the stand near the London bathrooms; the Coke Freestyle machines have been rotated 90 degrees.
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    Over near Animal Actors, Doctor Emmett Brown was out meeting guests.
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    The E.T. Adventure stands as one of the last pieces of original USF.
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    Over at the Garden of Allah, visible construction is still pretty minimal.
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    The movie posters that once adorned the walls outside the London facades have been added.
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    This weekend was packed with Mardi Gras excitement, as three acts performed at the Music Plaza Stage.
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    Off to Islands next.
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    Guests cool off on the recently refurbed, Ripsaw Falls.
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    Finally, we’re on to Kong. Lots of new rockwork up this time around. The building itself has a long ways to go, but they are wasting no time starting on the details.
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    The pathway outside the ride was recently widened, right around the spot where the old Jurassic Park arch was found.
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    Jurassic Park River Adventure was the next ride to go down for its yearly refurbishment. The ride has since reopened.
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    Over at Cabana Bay, plenty of work has happened at the Sapphire Falls site.
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    New convention space at the Royal Pacific Resort is being added, with the building already topped off.

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    Expect walls to come next on the next expansion to the RPR. Thanks so much for reading this week! Check us out on Twitter @Triggernel  & @Orlando_United. We’ve also recently added a new forum specifically for the Around the Universe updates, check it out here!

     

    around the universe Islands of Adventure King Kong Kongstruction mardi gras 2015 sapphire falls resort Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida
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    Tryg Nelson

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