It's time to take a look around Universal Studios Florida and see how some of the big construction projects are doing and what's new in the park! As soon as I got there I noticed a lot of new merchandise added to the main studio store for the upcoming film The Secret Life of Pets. There have been rumors of this property getting its own ride in the parks if the film is a success, (and I have a feeling the film will do just fine). One of the mugs caught my attention as it's actually branded with 'Universal Studios' on it! Over at Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon lots of work continues at a breakneck pace as facades get built, roofing gets laid, walls go up, and lots of interior work gets done. It looks like another rounded (screen-like) wall on the inside is being constructed too. See images below for more details. Not much is happening at Fast & Furious Supercharged. They took down the potted plants in front of the work walls. That's about it. And finally in City Walk, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (formerly 'Chocolate Factory') is coming together nicely with new brickwork on the front. See the video along with lots of images with more information about these projects below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
The Secret Life of Pets Merchandise
Arriving at the arch...Visiting the Universal Studios Store just inside the parkThe Secret Life of Pets (SLoP) merch added right in the front entranceShirt!tervis!Look at me. Look at me. I'm the alpha now.I really like this mug. If I like the film (which I'm thinking I will) I will definitely be picking this upThe bunny is hilarious in the trailerSports bottlesNot sure who this little guy is, but he appears to be lostMax and Duke Pop! figuresGidget and Chloe Pop! figuresBuying wall decals at a theme park? Sure, why not?"First to arrive... Last to leave" sippy cupNew Hello Kitty King Kong poster added across the street
Jimmy Fallon Construction
Now that Kong walls are down, Jimmy Fallon wins the award for best looking work walls on propertyFacades in the front's framework all looks done nowLook at the side of the building. Work is focused on roof nowRoof being weatherproofedRoof panels ready to be laidExtended building near RockitPerhaps this extended area will be bathrooms again? We need some in this area, especially when concerts are going onLook at the facade steel on this sidePipes leading to (probably) bathroomsPipes and conduit being installed insideView of the other side of steel for facadesHard to tell in the image, but there appears to be a rounded wall here, perhaps the back of a large screenRounded screen?Stairs added near ride entrance areaLooks like this may remain the main ride entrance when it opensMany believe these stairs will be temporary, but maybe they will be used for team members after ride opens?View from down the streetWalls closing in buildingBack wall being walled upStill working on closing it upStairwell in corner still exposedSeveral levels of stairs in back corner for workersLots of panels of some sort ready to be installedAll of the flat facades have been refreshed now and look amazingAt a time when Disney is removing their NY facades Universal has repainted theirs to brand new statusThese were the last to be updated and now they really pop!
Fast & Furious Update
A look at construction (or lack thereof) at the old Beetlejuice courtyardOne little forklift/crane thing was in opertion at the timeThis painted wall is all we have to remind us of Disaster, you're welcomeBig pile of rubble has been carted off, but the view is still weird with Hogwarts Express in backgroundSet Enhancements in slow motion in progressFountain and Graveyard Snacks remains untouchedNot much going on near former Disaster entrance, however the potted plants in front of walls have now been removed. Strange. Wonder why they were placed there in the first place.Wondering if they will need to update the walls and remove "2017" if this doesn't speed up. Although, I did hear drills being used in the area while I was there, so work is being done insideNo offense to the artists, but these work walls really clash with the surrounding area and are somewhat of an eyesore, at least in my opinion. Would much rather see framed concept art like they had at Mako or the current Toy Story Land wallsNo change at the former Disaster exit... Oh, and, Amity Island lives on!
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Update
Toothsome's factory front is really coming along quicklyLots of brickwork being done on frontBricks appear to be fake and are applied in prefab sections. I wonder if they will be painted after installedWork continues extending building on left-side and adding smokestack to tower as wellThe name has been updated on work wallsI love the new name, glad they are distancing themselves from the Wonka stereotype. Makes this its own thing and more specialThat's all for this update! Check out some of our previous updates for Kong and Hulk!
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It's time to take a look around Universal Studios Florida and see how some of the big construction projects are doing and what's new in the park! As soon as I got there I noticed a lot of new merchandise added to the main studio store for the upcoming film The Secret Life of Pets. There have been rumors of this property getting its own ride in the parks if the film is a success, (and I have a feeling the film will do just fine). One of the mugs caught my attention as it's actually branded with 'Universal Studios' on it! Over at Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon lots of work continues at a breakneck pace as facades get built, roofing gets laid, walls go up, and lots of interior work gets done. It looks like another rounded (screen-like) wall on the inside is being constructed too. See images below for more details. Not much is happening at Fast & Furious Supercharged. They took down the potted plants in front of the work walls. That's about it. And finally in City Walk, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (formerly 'Chocolate Factory') is coming together nicely with new brickwork on the front. See the video along with lots of images with more information about these projects below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
That's all for this update. See all USF updates here and subscribe to the feed for more continual updates!