It's been a little while since we checked in on Universal Studios so I headed over there earlier today to catch up on the big construction projects currently under way. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is looking more and more complete every time I see it. It won't be long before we start seeing the exterior wall theming and paint show up, completely transforming the area into a mini Rockefeller Center by next year. Vertical construction has finally begun on the now delayed Fast and Furious Supercharged ride, slated to open sometime in 2018. The steel for a giant show building has risen up from the dirt in just the last few weeks. While I was there I also caught some glimpses of some of the Halloween Horror Nights scare zone decor that's been showing up around the park, along with the big temporary stage near Battery Park. Check out my video for more details as well as all the images below, and stay tuned for more theme park updates coming soon!
Construction Updates
Incredible Hulk Coaster Now Open at Islands of Adventure – With Video and Area Updates
The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure has been completely refreshed and is now open for guests! We've witnessed the entire track being replaced piece by piece, the queue building get new paint, signage, and storyline, the whole area receiving beautiful nighttime lighting effects, and a gorgeous new entrance created with a realistic full-size Hulk statue standing tall. But now we finally get to see what the queue looks like inside, how the launch tunnel has improved, and what the on-board music sounds like on the ride! It's wonderful to see such a classic attraction like the Hulk receive some much-needed TLC. I love the new area music around the Hulk courtyard, (hear it in the video below just after a minute in.) It has a military feel, and is very cinematic, perfectly punctuating the new area theming as a secret military base and scientific lab. Check out the video for your area update plus the images below of the updated ride, queue, and grand opening ceremony. Stay tuned for more theme park updates coming soon!
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Construction Update – Smokestacks and Steampunk Effects
All remnants of the old NBA City restaurant are gone as work looks be wrapping up on the exterior of the new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. This original steampunk themed restaurant should be opening soon at Universal CityWalk. I was there Friday evening and the immense size of those smokestacks is incredible. They can be seen from everywhere on property, including from inside the parks! Check out the video and photographs below for a look at the new smokestacks, steampunk decor, and even working gauges that really spin! No word yet on an opening date but tables, chairs, and everything else is starting to show up inside and on the outdoor patios, so it shouldn't be too much longer now! Stay tuned for more Toothsome news as it happens.
Incredible Hulk Coaster Construction Update: Roar Sounds Added and Nighttime Lighting Effects
The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure has been completely rebuilt from the ground up and it's looking like it's just about ready to re-open! Spectacular lighting effects and new roar sound effects have been added since my last visit, as well as some smaller details throughout the area. Everything looks truly incredible at night and I cannot wait to ride it with the new launch effects, sounds, and music! As I was leaving last night they were taking down the construction walls, so hopefully that means a soft opening is not too far away. See today's video and photographs below and stay tuned for more Hulk updates coming soon!
Incredible Hulk Coaster Construction Update: Walls Down, Statue Up, and Lockers Back
We're a few steps closer to the grand re-opening of the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure later this Summer. The brand new entrance and plaza are ready. Most of the work walls are now down throughout the area. A new life-size Hulk statue holding a piece of coaster train between two ripped pieces of track beckons you to enter. And the new locker station is complete, with a new system that utilizes your park ticket to reserve your free locker rather than your fingerprint which can be faulty at times (especially in the hot summer months). Other changes since my last update include some new safety nets, lots of nighttime lighting has been installed on the track supports, the lagoon is filled with water again, and the queue building looks nearly complete on the outside. Trains are now cycling empty for testing, so no more water dummies as far as I could tell. Check out the video as well as lots of images below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Update: Decorative Pipes Appear and Toothsome is Hiring
Recently Universal re-named the upcoming dessert-focused CityWalk addition to The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Gone is the word factory, (and hopefully any comparisons to a certain Wonka). Universal is making quick work of converting the old NBA City restaurant into their steampunk creation and we have an update to show off some of the new features added to the facade. Also, Universal started looking for team members for their opening team, and they even put out a casting call for two all-original walk-around characters:
- Penolope Toothsome - A female, 5'7" to 6' tall with a British accent, simply described as having traveling the globe to gain the knowledge of "all things chocolate".
- Jaques - A male, 5'8" to 6'1" tall, described as a robot companion to Penelope who will wear a costume that will cover their entire body, including face, but still will be able to speak.
I guess now the Toothsome name makes sense. It's a character's name! Things are really starting to sound interesting for this unique dining experience. For a look at some of the featured menu items, check out my previous post. See the photo report below of construction progress and stay tuned for more updates!
Volcano Bay Construction Update: Volcano Rises Higher – Plus Wave Pool, Lazy River and Water Slide Progress
Things have not slowed down over at construction for Universal's Volcano Bay, even after the minor fire last week. The centerpiece of the new park, the large volcano, is now nearly twice as large as it was during my last update. Many new water slides have showed up on property, including some that intertwine with the volcano. The wave pool, lazy river and more features are becoming more recognizable as well. Universal has said that the park will open with 18 different attractions! Hopefully they can keep this mighty pace and get this new water park open within a year, in time for summer 2017. Check out the video as well as complete photo report below. Plus, a new image of Volcano Bay and all its attractions for the new Universal Orlando map is also below. Stay tuned for more theme park updates coming soon!
Kongstruction Recap: Two Years in 2 Minutes – Skull Island: Reign of Kong Construction History
Check out the video below for two years of Kongstruction is 2-ish minutes. I've been documenting the progress of this project from the very beginning when the land was being cleared, to the ride's soft opening this month. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this photo-journey from start to finish of the new attraction Skull Island: Reign of Kong. And see below for a complete timeline all construction updates and news stories about Kong that we've posted in the previous two years, listed in order. Thanks for sticking with me through this incredible journey!
Islands of Adventure Update: More Secret Life of Pets Merchandise in the Parks, Camp Jurassic and Kongstruction
More Secret Life of Pets merchandise is showing up in the parks. This time we're taking a look at the new stuff showing up at Islands of Adventure, including plush toys and collectors pins, in addition to the many shirts, cups, and mugs we saw over at USF last time. We also take a look at some minor construction going on in Camp Jurassic, and some minor additions to the Skull Island: Reign of Kong area. The roof over the park exit turnstiles is missing while work continues over there as well. Check out the video and image updates below and stay tuned for more updates.
Universal Studios Florida Update: Jimmy Fallon Ride, Fast & Furious, Toothsome and Secret Life of Pets Merchandise
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!