April 6, 2014 – In this month’s episode, Jon, Jonathan and Chris talk with Nick and Joe from April 5, 2014 Podcast about Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Audio Direct download: April 5, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (008) April 5, 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 Resort,…
Author: Jon Fu
April 2, 2014 – Spring has finally sprung, and the crowds are pouring in from around the country to see what Southern California has to offer – including our own Universal Studios Hollywood. Spring Break also marks the prelude to the tourist-heavy peak season of summer, and there are many moves being made at the park to prepare. How Universal handles this mini peak season rush will give locals an indication of what to expect in coming months as construction continues around our land-locked park. So what exactly is going on in the park right now as the tourist season…
April 1, 2014 – The Lower Lot arcade has closed and will likely transform into a Starbucks Coffee location, Inside Universal has learned. Nestled between Transformers: The Ride – 3D and Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, the arcade housed a small collection of video games, coin operated rides and prize machines for guests to enjoy. Most notably, guests could win an Angry Bird or a Grumpy Cat stuffed animal through the clever maneuvering of an E-Claw machine. While the arcade received a light sprinkling of guests, the entire facility will likely turn into a much more lucrative Starbucks Coffee…
March 31, 2014 – Universal has updated the NBCUniversal Experience with props and memorabilia commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Studio Tour and the theme park, Inside Universal has learned. Sitting alongside props from Smash, Dallas, The Box Trolls and The Birds, the 50th anniversary exhibit features photographs and press images from Universal’s storied past. Most notably, an animatronic figure from E.T. Adventure, old tour uniforms, the grenade and gun from Terminator 2:3D, and a Flux Capacitor from Back to the Future: The Ride. We’ve included photos of the exhibit below. Inside Universal will also begin a series of articles…
March 24, 2014 – The site of the former Fung Lum Chinese restaurant is now slated for demolition, Inside Universal has learned. Constructed in 1982, Fung Lum was primarily known for its unique architecture and stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. At one point, guests would drive through Lankershim Boulevard and enter through an expansive restaurant that housed over 400 patrons. Unfortunately, while the restaurant’s location was in the heart of Universal City, Fung Lum would close in 1998. The structure has since been left in an abandoned state – with filming occurring on an irregular basis While the…
March 20, 2014 – Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem is currently undergoing intermittent technical rehearsals, Inside Universal has learned. As is the norm with most attractions, Despicable Me is currently cycling through guests in preparation for official annual pass previews held between March 29 and April 6. During this period, Despicable Me will be operating on an intermittent basis as operational and technical issues are resolved. The ride’s official opening is tentatively listed as April 10. Modeled after Universal Studios Florida’s own Minion Mayhem attraction, Hollywood’s port features an elaborate facade, an expanded queue, two preshow/show rooms and a miniature themed…
March 19, 2014 – First on Inside Universal – Universal has recently filed a trademark application for the name Fast & Furious: Supercharged. Listed as a brand pertaining to amusement park ride and amusement park attractions, this recent application could hint that a new tour animation may be in the pipeline for the Studio Tour. While entertainment companies regularly file trademark applications as a preemptive measure to protect themselves from any potential litigation, Universal’s new entry collaborates with the rumored Fast & Furious tour animation on the former site of the Mummy’s Tomb. While Universal has yet to officially announce…
March 16, 2014 – In this month’s episode, Jonathan, Bruce and Adriana answer your questions. Audio Direct download: March 15, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (007) March 15, 2014 Podcast Jonathan Green Jonathan Green is an editor for 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
March 16, 2014 – Hi everyone, we’re back with yet another photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood, this time detailing the ongoing work occurring at Despicable Me, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and at Simpsons Plaza. It’s a whirlwind adventure filled with magic, confetti, loud music and more! So are you pumped for this photo update spectacular? Of course you are. Let’s get started. Park Update Index » Park Entrance / WaterWorld » Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem / Super Silly Fun Land » The Wizarding World of Harry Potter / Forbidden Journey » Simpsons Plaza » Studio Tour »…
March 9, 2014 – With construction for the Wizarding World in full swing, here’s a quick update on the construction site thus far. » Wizarding World Construction Continues As you can probably tell, portions of the Forbidden Journey ride building have finally emerged as construction crews continue to build up the structure’s steel framing. Nothing necessarily groundbreaking, but it’s nice seeing seeing some semblance of the building finally emerging. That does it for this relatively quick and short update. We’ll resume our normal photo updates later this month. For now, thanks for reading! Jonathan Green Jonathan Green is an editor…