This morning California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he is banning large gatherings of over 250 people in the state, but theme parks, casinos, and movie theaters were exempt. A few hours later, Disney announced that the Disneyland Resort would be closing due to coronavirus concerns for just the fourth time in its history.
A couple of hours later, Universal Studios Hollywood followed suit and announced that it too would be closing its doors from March 14th through the end of the month. This is particular bad for Universal fans as pass member previews were just getting ready to start this Saturday for the new Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash attraction.
UPDATE: Disney World has now closed effective Sunday March 15th temporarily.
I will update this story as more details become available, but make sure to ALWAYS wash your hands and stay safe and clean!
Welcome back to Theme Park Wizard where today we will take a look at some of the construction going on at Universal Studios Hollywood. I have been super busy the last few weeks and unfortunately was not able to the parks so I credit Dylan from Theme Park Obsession for these fantastic photos of the construction in the parks. I also invite you to watch his latest video! So let’s get started with the Secret Life of Pets project.
Secret Life of Pets from Theme Park Obsession
The Pets project is still under wraps, but as you can see here the facade work has been really making progress and the tarps look to be coming off sooner rather than later which is a great thing. This ride is supposed to open in Spring 2020 and believe it or not that is just a few short months away. Baker Street is still closed so to get to Minion Mayhem you must go around and use French Street.
Next up let’s take a look at the Nintendo project being built down in the lower lot.
Nintendo Land by Theme Park Obsession
Here is an overhead look at the Super Nintendo Project and you can see that the show building for Mario Kart is having its roof being installed. The second building to the left has gone more vertical and has had more steel beams installed along the site. The space is extremely tight so some people are wondering if the buildings housing the Studio Store and Panda Express will be demolished and rebuilt to allow for more breathing room and match the new themes of the Lower Lot.
What do you think of all the changes going on at the park? Are you excited for the Pets and Mario? Comment your thoughts down below and make sure to hit the follow button for constant theme park updates!
Hello all and welcome back for a quick Universal Studios Hollywood construction update. Today I will show you updates on the Secret Life of Pets, Super Nintendo World, and the Holidayz in Hell maze.
Secret Life Of Pets
First, let’s take a look at the Secret Life of Pets (SLOP) attraction being built next to the minions. Nothing really new has changed here since my last update as the building is still behind green scaffolding.
Secret Life Of Pets You can see some detail and arched windows through the scrimGrand Entrance
Super Nintendo World
Next up, I will show you some pictures of the under construction Super Nintendo World in the Lower Lot. You can see the Mario Kart foundations and track are really starting to come into focus and the layout should be completed in a couple of months. Some steel is going up near where the rumored Donkey Kong coaster is supposed to go (Side nearest to Jurassic World) so it will be very interesting to see how that area turns out.
The dirt curves represent the Mario Kart trackMario Kart track up top, rumored Donkey Kong on the dirt lot to the lower left Overview of Super Nintendo World
Holidaze in Hell Maze
I was with family and in a bit of a rush during this update so the only maze I was able to capture progress of was Holidaze in Hell. The only major progress I could see was they updated the facade to a really cool looking postcard like night time sky.
Holidaze in Hell Facade
Get Away Today
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Welcome to a brand new segment here on this blog and that’s right it features construction updates. Expect updates from mostly Disney and Universal as I have passes to those parks so I am able to go way more often than any other SoCal theme park. Today we are going to take a look at my Universal Studios Hollywood trip from last Friday where I went into the park to check out Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), Secret Life of Pets (SLOP), Super Nintendo, and Jurassic World construction, so let’s get right to it!
Halloween Horror Nights
There are two visible HHN sites under construction at this time. There is one on the upper lot by SLOP and there is another one hidden behind Mummy that you can see as you go down the Starway escalators.
Maze construction on the Upper Lot
Rumored Killer Clowns Maze being constructed next to Mummy
Closer View of Killer Clowns Maze
I have not seen any rumors online about what the Upper Lot maze will be, but it is highly rumored that the maze near Mummy will be Killer Clowns From Outer Space. This seems to be correct because the front of the maze looks like a Circus tent.
Secret Life Of Pets
This ride has seen tons of progress over the past few months with the entire show building just about enclosed and work is rapidly progressing on the front facades of the attraction.
Scaffolding is down on most of the buildingPeeking through the scrim, you can see work on the facades taking shapeMore facade work on what will be the grand entrance of the attraction
I think this will be a wonderful addition to the park as it is rumored to have little to no screens. It is rumored to be an omnimover or track based dark ride. It is hard to see through the scrim on camera, but in person you can see they are working on each show scene on the second level of the attraction.
Jurassic World
This area has really shaped up to be so beautiful and so much of an improvement from what was there previously. The remodeled Jurassic Cafe and Jurassic Outfitters fits a very modern vibe and the new Isla Nu-Bar is a great beverage option. Universal should be announcing an opening date any day now for this revamped attraction.
New Jurassic World LogoGreat beverage options at Isla Nu-Bar
New signage for Jurassic Cafe
Jurassic Cafe Menu
Jurassic Cafe Hours
New signage at Jurassic OutfittersJurassic World Ride and DinoPlay SignsBrand new Raptor Encounter
I also love the new grey and blue color tones painted around the area to match the aesthetic of the movies. If you would like to see a full walk around of the area plus Jurassic World testing and a close up of the boats, then click this link.
Super Nintendo World
Lastly, we come to Super Nintendo construction which is rapidly progressing, but the area and show building are so large it is hard to see the progress because there is just so much to be done.
View from the Starway, the crane is the site of Mario KartCloser view of Mario KartFoundation work for Mario Kart attractionMario Kart workYou can tell from the height of the stair case it will be a 5 story buildingLastly, here is the new extended queue for Transformers which should be opening soon
So that is it guys, I really hope you enjoyed my first photo update and want me to do more! Comment below what you think of all the Universal Studios construction and keep reading for some special offers on your next vacation!
Get Away Today
For all of your summer vacation needs contact Get Away Today via this link! If you happen to book a theme park package use the promo code: TPW for special discounts!
Theme Park Universe 