January 18, 2014 – In this episode, Chris, Jonathan, Adriana and Jon discuss potential changes at WaterWorld, construction over at Simpsons Plaza and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Audio Direct download: January 18, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (004) January 18, 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, Universal…
Author: Jon Fu
Defining Moments 2013 was a monumental year for Universal Studios Hollywood. In the span of just twelve months, we’ve seen the closure of three attractions and two stores, the announcement of two groundbreaking attractions, the introduction of a beautiful plaza space and the approval of a transformative plan aimed at redeveloping Universal City. Looking back, it’s fair to say that 2013 has been a year of change. But in many respects, 2013 has also been a year filled with transitions. Construction walls and detours have now become a common sight for park guests as the theme park attempts to redevelop…
January 14, 2014 – As of today, Doc Brown’s Chicken and the Hollywood Cantina have both become the stuff of Hollywood history. The two eateries, which took up an odd but beloved section of the Upper Lot, have both been demolished Inside Universal has learned. Hollywood Cantina started its demolition on the 12th, and by the 13th was completely leveled. The Cantina served what would be best called Tex-Mex style food (because it really doesn’t count as pure Mexican food), and offered great bang for the buck. Portions were rather generous, and the tostadas were always filled to the brim.…
January 12, 2014 – With construction in full swing, here’s a look at some of the smaller items making news at Universal this month. 1 » Simpsons prepares for Springfield Many venues around the Simpsons Plaza area have been walled off in preparation for Springfield. Doc Brown’s Chicken and Hollywood Cantina are expected to be demolished to make way for a Simpsons themed food court. Unexpectedly, much of the queue within the Simpsons Ride has also been walled off to build carnival style games into the area similar to the Springfield additions in Orlando. 2 » Jaws Refurbishment The famous…
January 11, 2014 – What a difference a month makes. In less than thirty days, we’ve seen the closure of Doc Brown’s Chicken/Hollywood Cantina and the rise of construction walls in and around Simpsons Plaza. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter also appears to be continuing at a healthy pace while crews work feverishly on Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land in preparation for the ride’s April 10 opening. So with all this in mind, let’s get started. Park Update Index » Parking Lot » The Wizarding World of Harry Potter » Simpsons Plaza » Despicable Me:…
Grinchmas 2013 Christmas time has come and gone – as has the annual Grinchmas celebration here at Universal Studios Hollywood. This year saw another successful event, and was different from past offerings in many ways, both for better and for worse. So what was so different about the 2013 holiday season, and why? As we prepare for a rebuilding year in the park, we first turn to the major moments of 2013, starting with the final big event of the year. For this retrospective, we’ll be discussing several areas of the event, from the decor to the delightful characters roaming…
January 5, 2013 – Doc Brown’s Chicken has closed. As the last remaining artifact of Back to the Future: The Ride, Doc Brown’s Chicken once served a wide variety of chicken platters. As we reported earlier, the closure of Doc Brown’s Chicken and the neighboring Hollywood Cantina likely coincide with the success of Fast Food Boulevard at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s attempt to bring a similar experience to the west coast, though no official statement has been issued for the closure. The building is expected to be demolished in the near future in an effort to expand the walkway…
January 5, 2014 – In this episode, Jon, Jonathan and Adriana discuss Despicable Me, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the proposed closure of Doc Brown and Cantina. Audio Direct download: January 5, 2014 PodcastiTunes link: (003) January 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, Universal…
January 5, 2013 – The Hollywood Cantina has closed. One of the oldest remaining structures on the Upper Lot, the Hollywood Cantina once served Mexican-inspired cuisine, including burritos, tacos, beans and rice and fajitas to park guests on a seasonal basis. The Hollywood Cantina was particularly known for its raining canopy, which used to flow into a moderately sized lagoon with a prop boat. The lagoon was eventually filled in favor of additional dining space in the early 2000s, while the raining canopy was retained up until September of last year. Since the closure, construction markers have appeared along the…
January 4, 2014 – Inside Universal has learned that Water Ski Shows Inc, the company that operates Waterworld at Universal Studios Hollywood, will no longer be in charge of the show starting this February. There will instead be a new company – Action Horizons – taking over the contracts and operation of the show at the start of the next month. Staff members from Water Ski Shows Inc were let go on January 31. The show is not closing. This is simply a change of management for the show. There has been no change in the number of performances or…