What is [Zoom Lens]? First off, before I get started with today’s subject, let me explain the purpose of [Zoom Lens]. While Inside Universal is primarily known as a guide and news source for fans of Universal Studios Hollywood, we also aim to uncover some of the hidden – and not so hidden – aspects of the park, shining a light on some of Universal’s best attributes. Whether they be hidden treats, odd facts, monuments or areas of the park, [Zoom Lens] seeks to share a unique aspect of Universal Studios Hollywood that may be overlooked by the average guest.…
Author: Jon Fu
July 12, 2014 – On Monday, Universal announced that the television series From Dusk Till Dawn will be making its way to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort in a brand new maze. Originally featured as a film, From Dusk Till Dawn was released in 1996 starring George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino and has recently been revamped earlier this year into a television series for the El Ray Network. Both the film and the series were created by Robert Rodriguez. From Dusk Till Dawn follows the story of two wanted thieves, the Gecko Brothers, as they make their way…
July 12, 2014 – First on Inside Universal – The StarWay escalator has received a new soundtrack, Inside Universal has learned. Using full excerpts from the upcoming Universal film Get On Up (James Brown – Get On Up) alongside Despicable Me (Pharrell – Happy) and Mamma Mia (Abba – Mamma Mia) among others, the new soundtrack replaces the second iteration of Access Hollywood on the Universal StarWay, featuring Billy Bush. In this instance, it appears as if Billy Bush’s narration has been removed with only the safety spiel remaining. Previously, the StarWay had been narrated by Billy Bush and Nancy…
July 10, 2014 – Why change what works? After all, when you’re looking to modify a show that has been in constant production for almost two decades (WaterWorld will be entering its nineteenth year of operation in 2014) well, you better have a compelling reason to do so. Indeed, after thousands of performances over the years, the folks at Action Horizons have done just that – bringing elements from Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore’s installation of WaterWorld back home in Hollywood. Gone is Hollywood’s unique (and original) narrative, and in its place, a new altered plot that seeks…
July 7, 2014 – In this episode, Chris Lord, Chris Glass and Jonathan Green discuss all the latest developments at Universal Studios Hollywood alongside’s Universal Orlando’s newest addition – Diagon Alley. Audio Direct download: July 6, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (012) July 6, 2014 Podcast Jon Fu Jon Fu is the editor-in-chief of Inside Universal. Jon originally founded InsideUniversal.net in 2006 as a summer hobby aimed at providing families and fans a resource for all things “Universal Studios Hollywood.” Since then, the website has taken him throughout the United States and around the world – including to places like Universal Orlando…
July 8, 2014 – On July 3rd, 2014, Universal Studios Florida allowed paying guests (outside of Harry Potter vacation packages holders) for the first time, entrance into their new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, Diagon Alley. On July 1st, Universal opened King’s Cross Station and allowed guests to board the Hogwarts express. The Hogwarts Express took guests from London to Hogsmeade. Up until around 4:00 pm on July 3rd, guests were only able to experience the London side of Diagon Alley from the other side of the fence. Some guests had been waiting at the gates for twenty-five days…
July 5, 2014 – As Inside Universal first noted back in April, International Cafe has been rebranded as French Street Bistro. Carrying a selection of salads, pastries, espressos and teas, French Street Bistro carries a similar menu with that of its predecessor, International Cafe, with an emphasis on healthy dining and easy grab-and-go selections from Theatre Cafe. Gone are International Cafe’s red canopies and wooden flooring, and in their place a lowered striped ceiling featuring hanging lights and frosted glass acting as a barrier between the kitchen and the common dining area. In similar fashion, International Cafe’s warm, rustic colors…
July 5, 2014 – As Inside Universal first noted back in April, the Lower Lot arcade has completed its transformation into a Starbucks venue. Once a small arcade, the area has since been transformed into a quick serve Starbucks, offering a variety of espressos, coffee, smoothies, refreshers, pastries and chocolate drinks. Similarly, the venue also offers a quick grab-and-go drink station filled with bottled water, smoothies and canned drinks. Snack baskets also line the small interior queue as guests gather to wait and order their drinks on the right hand side Internally, the room has been redecorated with wood accents…
July 2, 2014 – With the summer season in full swing, Universal Studios Hollywood is undergoing a swarm of construction projects. Indeed, this update includes coverage of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the construction of Springfield in Simpsons Plaza, Halloween Horror Nights maze construction in both Jurassic Park and Mummy’s queue, WaterWorld’s seating expansion, a brief look at Cinnabon, International Cafe and Starbucks, Fast and Furious: Supercharged on the Studio Tour, the refurnished New York Street and more. With all these bases to cover, let’s get started. Of course, for more in-depth information concerning these changes, be sure to…
June 30, 2014 – Cinnabon (replacing Finlays), French Bistro (replacing International Cafe) and Starbucks (replacing the Lower Lot arcade) will likely open later this week, Inside Universal has learned. Part of a comprehensive rearrangement of the park’s overall food offerings, these new venues represent a concentrated effort to overhaul and rebrand portions of the park in a more cohesive manner. While Starbucks and Cinnabon can be seen as convenient additions aimed at bolstering in-park food offerings, French Bistro can be portrayed as the last piece of Universal’s newly rethemed Moulin Rouge, which connects Universal Plaza to Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.…