Since my last update the scaffolding has come down around the entry arch showing off a beautifully sculpted Kong face. It hasn't been painted yet, but definitely bares a striking resemblance to the big guy as seen in the concept art. In front of the giant temple gate we're getting our first glimpses of the shape of the outdoor portion of the ride path. A short rock wall wrapping around the path has sprung up, as well as structural I beams being placed below the track path in preparation for concrete being poured. The ride is being rumored as being "trackless," so what we're seeing now is the pathway being constructed where the vehicle will travel outside before entering the show building. See the new video as well as some images below and stay tuned for more updates!
Construction Updates
NBC Sports Grill & Brew Construction Update at Universal CityWalk
The NBC Sports Grill & Brew was first announced back in the beginning of June, seven months after the former NASCAR Cafe closed its doors for good. We're now finally seeing some big action on the site as the structure is starting to really resemble the concept art that's been released. They had hoped to have the new sports themed restaurant and bar open in time for Halloween Horror Nights, as drinking has become a big part of that event and the new venue could be a great gathering place before and after guests enter the park, but it looks like they may just miss it unless they push it into high gear. (The Halloween themed event begins in just a few short weeks.) The NBC Sports Grill & Brew is officially scheduled to open sometime in the Fall of this year.
The new venue will host 100 HD TV screens throughout the restaurant showing NBC sports programming of all types. There will be several extremely large screens outside of the building, which will be visible from many parts of CityWalk, beckoning customers in with their warm glow. The establishment will offer an extensive menu of more than 75 different items, with favorites like burgers and steaks to custom creations like crab scotch eggs. And, of course, no sports bar is complete without the perfect beer. You’ll be able to select from over 100 different beer varieties, including an exclusive draft you’ll only find there. Check out the construction progress pictures below and stay tuned for more updates! ...continue reading
NBA City Closed at Universal CityWalk
NBA City at Universal Orlando CityWalk has officially closed and as of this week crew was on site removing items from the interior. Plus, I saw someone from Universal Creative's wrecking crew checking out the site. While NBA may have left Universal, they are opening a brand new "experience" at Disney Springs (formally known as Downtown Disney) at Walt Disney World Resort. The new facility will be several times the size of their CityWalk location and will take over the building currently occupied by DisneyQuest. The indoor video game "theme park" will be closing next year to make way for The NBA Experience.
No word yet on what will be replacing their former CityWalk location. Rumors of its replacement have ranged everywhere from The Cheesecake Factory to Willy Wonka's Candy Factory. Stay tuned for news as it happens. See photos of the closed venue below as well as an official statement from NBA City.
Jurassic World Starting to Take Over Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure
With the blockbuster film Jurassic World stomping all over box office records, Universal Orlando is wasting no time slapping the film's logo all over the parks, especially in the Jurassic Park area at Islands of Adventure. So far you'll find Jurassic World banners and logos plastered all over the Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters gift shop. There's signage for all the different attractions you can experience at Jurassic World, such as the Gyrosphere ride seen in the film. Unfortunately though, there isn't (yet) an actual Gyrosphere ride here in Orlando. Maybe one day. There's also a few new pieces of merchandise for Jurassic World at the parks, including some exclusive items. Jurassic World theming has not yet made its way to the Discovery Center or River Adventure, perhaps to keep those attractions in line with the original film, but who knows how far they'll take the theming in the future. See the entire photo report below and stay tuned for more Jurassic sized updates!
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Kongstruction Update: Kong’s Face Appears in Entrance Arch as Work Continues
During my recent trip to Universal's Islands of Adventure I was able to get a bunch of new pictures of the construction progress of Skull Island: Reign of Kong, opening one year from now. The entry arch is starting to actually look like King Kong's head, which matches the previously released concept art (see below). Other work continues at a rapid pace including more facade paint work, walls going up around the queue building, and land being cleared around the front of the structure to prepare for an outdoor track. And who knows how much work is being done inside the building! Check out the full photo report below and stay tuned for more theme park news!
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NBC Media Center Now Open at Garden of Allah Villas in Universal Studios Florida
The Garden of Allah Villas construction is finally complete and we now have the brand new shiny NBC Media Center. What's the NBC Media Center you ask? Why it's the new home for fall TV previews and focus groups of course! I just happened to be walking by today while they were looking for volunteers, so I was able to be one of the first people to experience the new Media Center. They've been doing TV previews in the parks for years, but this is a new, more high-tech approach. And having a neat storefront building helps convince people to volunteer, as opposed to taking folks to the back of a dark alley somewhere off the path. Check out my report and lots and lots of photos below!
Garden of Allah Villas Construction Update – Exterior Work Nearing Completion
In the two months since my last update on the area they've just about wrapped up the exterior construction. The new wall connecting the two buildings looks like it's been there all the time. And there is a new entrance door in the middle of the wall, just as I was suspecting. It's nice to see that the Garden of Allah Villas sign has returned after being removed briefly while they did some concrete ground work. They're not quite finished with some window and door work on the outside, (and who knows how much more they have to do inside the buildings).
We've known for a while now that this building will house something called the "NBCUniversal Media Lab", which will probably be a place where employees can use and test new technologies, or allow businesses to use state-of-the-art teleconference technologies. It doesn't seem, at least at this point, that this will be something that will be open to the public. Learn more about that in my last post on the subject here. See all the new construction update photos below!
Jurassic World Merchandise Comes to The Film Vault at Universal Studios Florida and New Blues Brothers Stage Now Open
Jurassic World shirts, hats, toys, candy, and cups & mugs have arrived at Universal Studios Florida in The Film Vault store and the main Studios Store near the park entrance. You can find the most merchandise at the Film Vault store, located near the entrance for Transformers. They have just about all the same items you'll find in Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Also, after months of tearing it down and building it back up, the Blues Brothers stage is finally reopened in the New York area of USF. Let's hope that since they've taken the time to revamp their stage that the brothers won't be going away any time soon. The Hollywood park removed the Blues Brothers show earlier this year, but there's no plans as of yet to close it down in Orlando. Check out the entire photo update below!
LEGOLAND Florida’s Heartlake City Construction Update
We recently got a chance to visit LEGOLAND Florida and stay at the new LEGOLAND Hotel. It was a blast! I just love everything LEGO. While there we checked out the construction for the new Heartlake City area coming to the park. It will be based on the highly successful LEGO Friends line of toys and is scheduled to open later this summer. The signs on the construction walls say it will be opening June 26th, but I find that hard to believe based on their current construction progress. Still, it looks like the new spotlight attraction for area, Mia's Riding Adventure, a crazy looking disc coaster, is just about ready. (See this video of the ride already open in LEGOLAND Windsor.) Nothing else for the area seems ready as of yet though. Check out the construction pics below.
“When it opens in summer of 2015, Heartlake City will be a colorful and vibrant new land offering adventures for all ages,” said Jones. “The centerpieces will include a fantastic horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure and an interactive show, ‘Friends to the Rescue’ as well as new shops inside Heartlake Mall."
Kongstruction Update: Facade Work Continues and Something Taking Shape on the Ground
Work never seems to let up on the facade for Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal's Islands of Adventure. I was able to grab some photos on my recent visit this week and it's looking just as amazing as ever. There seems to be something being constructed on the ground near the left-most side of the area. Not sure if it's going to stay there or be moved into place later. Check it out and let me know what you think it is. This will be just a small photo update since my last big update with video. If you haven't yet, please check out the video from my last update as it explains some of the concept art by comparing it to the construction site. Check out today's photos below!
