Hi everyone, we’re back with yet another photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood, this time focusing on the ongoing construction occurring on Universal Hollywood Drive, CityWalk, the in-park Universal Studios Store, The Walking Dead Attraction, Halloween Horror Nights and more!

We have a jam-packed photo update for you, so let’s get started.

Park Update Index

» Universal Hollywood Drive
» CityWalk
» Universal Studios Store
» Starbucks
» The Walking Dead Attraction
» Springfield
» Halloween Horror Nights
» Soundstage 28
» Backlot
» Aerostat Balloon


Universal Hollywood Drive

While the bulk of work on Universal Hollywood Drive has been completed, construction crews continue to work on the underground tunnel to connect 10 Universal City Plaza to the Universal backlot. Construction appears to be extensive, with mounds of dirt still occupying the side of the hill next to the NBCUniversal tower.

However, while crews focus on the tunnel project, other areas of Universal Hollywood Drive still remain incomplete. An old pathway leading directly to the Universal City Shuttle appears to be obstructed by a palm tree, with a portion completely removed. Meanwhile, the entryway in front of the Universal Sheraton features a crosswalk button that’s installed beyond the reach of the cement sidewalk. Crews appear of be aware of this small oversight, since a hole has appeared in front of the existing installation which will presumably be the location of the new crosswalk button.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
The old pathway leading to the Universal City Shuttle is incomplete, obstructed by a palm tree
Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Perhaps the pathway will be removed entirely?
Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Work on the underground tunnel continues in front of the NBCUniversal tower

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
As it stands, the crosswalk button remains slightly out of reach to pedestrians looking to cross

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


CityWalk

Moving inside the property, CityWalk Hollywood continues to undergo a slew of new construction projects aimed at revitalizing the open-air entertainment district.

The former location of Jillian’s Hi-Life continues to undergo interior renovations as the up-coming home of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, while crews continue to work on Dongpo Kitchen’s new exterior. Voodoo Doughnut’s up-coming location has also been confirmed, with decals advertising a variety of doughnuts posted on the facade of the former Quicksilver store.

Finally, construction continues around CityWalk’s nightlife district, with a slew of work occurring near Howl at the Moon and the former location of the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Work on the new Margaritaville has largely been internal thus far
Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Margaritaville’s opening date has yet to be announced

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Meanwhile, Voodoo Doughnut is slated to open this fall near the 5 Towers performance stage

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Work on Dongpo Kitchen continues, with crews focusing on the restaurant’s exterior

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Heading to CityLoft, crews have largely finished laying down new flooring in front of the now defunct Infusion Lounge
Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Meanwhile, crews have begun work in front of Howl at the Moon

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Construction walls have also been erected in front of the former Jon Lovitz Comedy Club

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


Universal Studio Store

Moving just beyond the turnstiles of the park, the front half of the Universal Studio Store is now open and unlike initial guess concerning The Walking Dead Attraction, the store has largely remained the same. Universal’s interior art deco theme – which began when the new Universal Studios Store debuted – now runs along the entirety of Universal Boulevard.

With that in mind, there is now a slight discrepancy between the old and new portions of Universal Boulevard. The existing store retains the Universal Studio Store branding, while the new retail section features Universal Studios Store branding. While the park map still represents the area as the Universal Studio Store, the CityWalk equivalent has been rebranded as the Universal Studios Store. Will Universal stick to two store names, or is this a slight oversight?

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
The front-half of the Universal Studio Store is now open!

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Slight oversight? The older portion of Universal Boulevard still retains the Studio Store branding…
Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
…while the new adjoining reflect the Universal Studios Store insignia

Starbucks

A minor change has also occurred in the new Starbucks occupying the backhalf of Universal Boulevard. Signage for the coffee-maker has finally appeared in front of the entrance and on the side of the building.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


The Walking Dead Attraction

With its opening just a month away, crews have continued to work on The Walking Dead Attraction.

Unlike our previous guess, the entrance of the new year-round maze experience will actually be nestled between Universal Boulevard and the Baker Street facades. The exit, on the other hand, will be located near the Baker Street Music Hall. With that in mind, crews have already begun adding LED fixtures that will illuminate the pathway into the attraction on top of the new structure. Crews have also worked on the support structure that will likely host the attraction’s new signage.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
LED fixtures have been installed on top of the show building

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Crews have also been theming the existing Baker Street facade, aging the area surrounding the building’s piping

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


Springfield

Moving onto Springfield, Universal has continued to tinker with the restaurant exteriors, adding additional references to the famed television series.

On the side of Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop, Universal has added a decal for Radioactive Man facing the outdoor dining patio. On the opposite side of the street, Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta has a new facade mural featuring a larger logo and Luigi himself. The canopy – which previously hosted Luigi’s logo – now reads “Since 1989” to eliminate the two competing logos.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


Halloween Horror Nights

Despite being June, construction on this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event has already started in the Jurassic Park: The Ride extended queue. The current structure occupies the outdoor queue, with plenty of wood on hand.

With The Exorcist as the only formally announced maze thus far, one has to wonder what John Murdy and crew have in store for the Jurassic Park queue (given that one long-standing maze location has already been taken away).

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Any guesses for what this will be?

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


Soundstage 28

Heading over to the Lower Lot, Universal has prepared the former site of Soundstage 28 for the new and up-and-coming Secret Life of Pets attraction. Markers and project trailers – as we’ve reported earlier – have lined the area as crews have removed the gate that once separated the theme park and the studio.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
The gate separating the studio and the theme park has now been removed

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood
Since Soundstage 28 hosted restrooms for this portion of the backlot, new luxurious portable restrooms have been brought in for studio employees

Backlot

Meanwhile, on the Universal backlot, construction on the new soundstages continue with crews preparing the foundation for new structures that will presumably take the place of a few existing soundstages on the Universal lot.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


Aerostat Balloon

Finally, to conclude, aerostat balloons were spotted at Universal this Saturday as crews took photos of crowds navigating the theme park. These photos will be used to study crowd flow and crowd control.

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Update: May 28, 2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood


That’s it for this update.

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