Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Tuesday, June 24
    Trending
    • El Artista: A Spanish Haunting announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34 during Spooky Empire
    • What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of June 23, 2025
    • Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34
    • Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive
    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 Orlando»Photo Updates»Around the Universe May 4, 2015

    Around the Universe May 4, 2015

    May 4, 2015 Photo Updates By Tryg Nelson
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    Welcome back to a long overdue edition of Around the Universe!  This week we’ll take a look at vertical progress over at Sapphire Falls, and a mountain of dirt to the south end of Cabana Bay.  Inside the parks, Kong rockwork continues, while refurbs are happening at Marvel Super Hero Island.  Over at the Studios, Garden of Allah construction is speeding up, and we’ve got the return of the Blues Brothers stage.  There’s tons to see around Universal Orlando Resort this week, so let’s get to it!

    DSC07277
    Construction on Sapphire Falls and the new convention space at the Royal Pacific has kicked into Universal’s trademark overdrive!

    DSC07283
    One of the new buildings at the Royal Pacific already has a roof, while wall work continues on the other.
    DSC07286
    .
    DSC07290
    The second floor of the new Sapphire Falls has begun as well.
    DSC07299
    .
    DSC07301
    .
    DSC07304
    .
    DSC07323
    On the other side of the building, the pile of dirt in the corner of the construction site continues to grow.
    DSC07307
    .
    DSC07308
    .
    DSC07317
    .
    DSC07662
    Making the jump over to CityWalk, there’s a new steel structure along the front of the former NASCAR Grille building.
    DSC07649
    It wraps around and connects to the tall structure that’s near the old gift shop.
    DSC07330
    Let’s head over to Islands first.
    DSC07332
    .
    DSC07335
    .
    DSC07338
    .
    DSC07340
    .
    DSC07342
    Grad Bash decorations at the end of Port of Entry
    DSC07343
    Wait times were pretty manageable this week.
    DSC07345
    .
    DSC07346
    .
    DSC07347
    .
    DSC07348
    The controversial metal detectors that Universal has added to the front of some of their rides have made their way over to the Incredible Hulk.
    DSC07356
    Guests are being forced to completely empty their pockets before entering the queue for the coaster.
    DSC07366
    Across from Spider-Man, the meteor impact is missing it’s character cut-outs. These should return soon, perhaps featuring new character designs?
    DSC07368
    New character posters have gone up on the walls inside the Spider-Man gift shop.
    DSC07370
    .
    DSC07371
    .
    DSC07373
    .
    DSC07376
    .
    DSC07377
    Moving onto Toon Lagoon, the Popeye statue has been temporarily displaced by a lighting truss for Grad Bash.
    DSC07382
    The statue should return in a few weeks, when the event ends.
    DSC07396
    Time for our first major Kongstruction update in a while. Rockwork continues to fly up, while they also work to finish closing the building.
    DSC07398
    .
    DSC07403
    .
    DSC07406
    .
    DSC07407
    .
    DSC07409
    .
    DSC07411
    .
    DSC07416
    .
    DSC07417
    .
    DSC07420
    .
    DSC07423
    .
    DSC07427
    .
    DSC07437
    .
    DSC07444
    .
    DSC07448
    .
    DSC07450
    .
    DSC07454
    .
    DSC07457
    .
    DSC07468
    .
    DSC07469
    .
    DSC07472
    .
    DSC07474
    Moving along to Jurassic Park, the former Triceratops Encounter location is surrounded by construction walls.
    DSC07478
    No official word yet on what’s coming to the area, but you can check out the OU forums to find out the latest rumors!
    DSC07479
    .
    DSC07485
    The self-service photo kiosk has returned near the JP jeep.
    DSC07484
    Guests scan their Star Card and automatically receive their photo taken by the mounted cameras.
    DSC07482
    .
    DSC07487
    The Eight Voyage of SIndbad is presently under an extensive refurbishment through May 22nd. A revamped show is expected, along with new seating.
    DSC07491
    .
    DSC07493
    And that’ll do it for Islands.
    DSC07666
    Lets move onto the Studios!
    DSC07495
    .
    DSC07496
    .
    DSC07497
    .
    DSC07498
    .
    DSC07499
    .
    DSC07501
    Fred joined Shaggy and Scooby meeting guests in Hollywood.
    DSC07503
    The photo spot across from Mel’s Drive-In has been temporarily replaced by a Grad Bash karaoke stage.
    DSC07506
    Headed towards KidZone, construction is flying on the Garden of Allah area.
    DSC07509
    .
    DSC07510
    .
    DSC07511
    .
    DSC07513
    .
    DSC07518
    .
    DSC07521
    .
    DSC07522
    .
    DSC07531
    .
    DSC07525
    Optimus points to his favorite seat on Rockit.
    DSC07548
    Sapphire Falls cranes visible from inside the Studios.
    DSC07551
    .
    DSC07552
    .
    DSC07557
    .
    DSC07562
    .
    DSC07571
    .
    DSC07578
    .
    DSC07590
    .
    DSC07591
    .
    DSC07597
    .
    DSC07598
    More Grad Bash decor, this time in front of Disaster.
    DSC07603
    The facade refurbishment at Louie’s Restaurant has recently finished. The building looks nice and fresh.
    DSC07604
    The Blues Brothers stage is finally being rebuilt.
    DSC07606
    For now, the band is still performing on the French Courtyard Stage across from the Studios Christmas Store.
    DSC07614
    .
    DSC07617
    .
    DSC07642
    Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is another coaster where guests must pass through a metal detector prior to entering the queue.
    DSC07645
    .
    DSC07627
    Though the extra security has caused a lot of trouble and confusion, guests are still having a great time with that incredible first drop.
    DSC07648
    And we’ll close this week’s update with a shot of park icon Woody Woodpecker meeting guests just outside the front gate.

    Thanks for following along this week! Be sure to get in touch with us on Twitter, @Triggernel and @Orlando_United, as well as on the forums!

    around the universe King Kong Kongstruction News reign of kong sapphire falls resort skull island Universal Orlando
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMovie Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron
    Next Article Universal Presents 24th Annual ‘Christmas in Spring’ Charity Event
    Tryg Nelson

    Related Posts

    Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando

    El Artista: A Spanish Haunting announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34 during Spooky Empire

    June 23, 2025
    Features

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of June 23, 2025

    June 23, 2025
    Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando

    Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34

    June 23, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    El Artista: A Spanish Haunting announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34 during Spooky Empire

    June 23, 2025

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of June 23, 2025

    June 23, 2025

    Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34

    June 23, 2025

    Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive

    June 18, 2025

    Universal shares more details on the Universal Monsters coming to Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas

    June 18, 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