I am back at Universal Studios Hollywood for another weekly update and we have some major progress on the Fast and Furious coaster and Halloween Horror Nights, so let’s get started.
‘Fast and Furious’ Coaster Construction
Tree and land clearing has begun on the back of Stage 57 and the Team Member access road will be closed for a while to accommodate the demolition.
Update 5/25/2023: As of today, crews have begun tearing down the stage in the former Animal Actors Theater.
Over at the Special Effects Stage plaza area, the tarps for the queue are gone and the show times sign are being taken down as well. It is interesting that the construction walls are actually behind the sign.
There is scaffolding on the side of Stage 56 and that is likely how workers are accessing the roof for some demo that is starting up there.
The actual building demo is occurring on Stage 56. In the above images, you can see that part of the steel beams are being exposed from the structure. I expect demo of this structure to progress very rapidly from this point.
These awesome photos from our good friend Theme Park Obsession show workers taking measurements on the hillside and setting up some sort of sightline testing on the roof of Stage 56.
Here’s hoping that the iconic UNIVERSAL CITY sign is able to be saved and stay in its spot or be relocated somewhere else on the property.
Crews have begun building this mysterious structure on top of Stage 56. I am not really sure what this is for, although some people have speculated that maybe they are reusing the structure as the new station for the coaster.
Below the escalator, fencing has popped up as they are doing extensive drilling down there.
Halloween Horror Nights
Shifting to Halloween Horror Nights construction, the house near the Mummy has really picked up the pace in recent days. The beginning of the façade is starting to show as well as the exit to the attraction.
The Parisian Courtyard façade is just about complete and it looks drop-dead gorgeous. Besides Chucky, there have been no other house announcements yet for either coast. The announcements should start soon though as we make are way into June.
Miscellaneous Projects
Progress is moving very nicely for the NBCUniversal Creative Campus which is on track to open later this year for all the employees.
A small paving project looks to be wrapping up by Sound Stage 24. I am curious to see if the rest of the backlot will get paved as well.
That wraps up this week’s Universal Studios Hollywood update. Progress is going to be moving VERY fast with the Fast and Furious coaster and if you want to keep up with the rapid pace of construction with bi-weekly updates subscribe to my YouTube channel and click that notification bell!
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Ethan Becker is a columnist for the Boardwalk Times
