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October 29, 2012
The progress being made on the "Transformers" building is amazing. The strapping on the walls  is going up and the roof of the building is going up quickly too.
Inside the crews are installing the mechanical systems at the same time. Pipes for the sprinkler system are going in as well as lots of HVAC ducts.		The building is really tall.
I would expect the frame will be completed before the end of the month at this pace.
The building is really going to change the look of the park from many angles.
The giant "Gringott's" show building is getting more strapping added to all sides.
The three roof structures in the Expo circle have the hardware for roll down "walls" on all four sides so they can be closed off. I have to wonder if these will be temporary food stands to make up for a closure of the International Food & Film Festival for remodeling?
The second row of benches was removed.	The center sign for Halloween Horror Nights has been removed. Not sure if that's because of the wind we've been having or because the event is almost over now.
On City Walk the cart that had been HHN merchandise is now all Grinch stuff.
As part of the facelift of the Blue Man Group theater, the sidewalk has been resurfaced with a mint green paint.		The body of the robot looks like it has been primed for new paint.
October 24, 2012
		Here's the stage that was setup the same time last year.
A lot of people have been buzzing about the permit for a stage being setup in Wizarding World, and there are no signs of anything happening yet. Of course this has caused speculation that the November 1st announcement will be the expansion of Harry Potter to both parks, but with the announcement that passholders can watch around the lagoon, it seemed like that diminished. But, there are other possibilities like it could be simulcast from Wizarding World on the water screens. Or it could be the stage is for another visit from an NBC show. This time last year they had a stage setup for a broadcast of the Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda.
Now a fourth tower crane is up for construction, this one working on the Wizarding World end of the site.
While not visible, from what I've heard from team members the supports for the viaduct that will carry the Hogwarts Express trains are going vertical backstage now.
This fourth crane will serve to build the station under and around the Dragon's Challenge, which seems to be completely leveled and ready to start construction now.
There are just cranes everywhere you look around the parks now!	The giant pile of dirt that used to be the island in the middle of Jaws seems to be getting redistributed slowly but surely.
The big show building seems to have reached its final size, with walls taking shape now on all four sides.
While we were there, Channel 9 was hovering over the site. I didn't see any story on the news last night so maybe they were getting some video for the November 1st announcement date.
The finished footprint of the building is HUGE!
The interior details are starting to come together, like the stairways connecting the floors.
So the "Transformers" is now almost confirmed!
Really impressive how fast they are making this happen!	They were filming in Studios today.
It looked like a Mercedes commercial or something.		New graphic up on the Blueman soundstage.
New graphics up on these signs along the path as well.
The robot has scaffolding around it and is getting some paint for some reason.
October 18, 2012
The "Transformers" building is continuing to make progress	They've put a net up along the construction wall	This is really going to change the landscape
The new building is going to be taller than almost everything else around it.
Amazing to see how quickly they bolt the beams into place.
View from Delancey Street	They've installed a catwalk suspended from the second floor beams	The HVAC systems are coming together quickly.
The elevator shafts are taking shape.	You can see the large openings where each of the towers are and I assume one will take vehicles up and one will take them down.
The Gringott's building from the employee lot side.	The second crane has been setup on the site so now work should go even faster!
Almost all of the roof is on the building.	Off to one side a pair of beams is now in place.
The newer of the two cranes is already lifting things. This almost looked like something from a Warner Brothers cartoon.		They seemed to be working on the crane
These guys have nerves of steel to be walking around up there.	View from the wall	I'm kind of surprised that they  haven't installed the streetlights on the columns.
I think this is a new projector. Now that the walkway is open, the projections will be seen from the other side as well.	So far no signs of work on the International Food & Film Festival. I'm hearing that it may become the Springfield Mall food court with Krusty Burger and the Frying Dutchman among other eateries mentioned on the Simpsons.
Some new shade structures are up around the plaza.
The Blueman Group building is now just blue.	Hard Rock is hosting an event tonight for Pinktober.	The new paint on the sidewalks of Seuss Landing looks great!
It's nice to see that it is a matte finish instead of glossy like the old finish on the pavement.	The sea griffon looks really great now that it's been touched up. The Lost Continent logo really stands out now.
The menu has been tweaked at Mythos.	The fence moved even further out and this is now just an exit from the Sinbad theater.	Work is still going on under Dragon's Challenge with the lake now drained for construction.
I think this cart is new or maybe it was moved? It's really big!		The wand cart is still over by the exit from Forbidden Journey and Hippogriff
I saw a film crew in Wizarding World then when I walked into the Port of Entry shop I realized it was Celebrity Apprentice filming.
Dee Snider, Penn Jillette and Gary Busey were buying hats.
Dee was loud, Penn was funny and Gary was just weird...I might have to watch the show now.
October 12, 2012
The "Transformers" building is growing by leaps and bounds.
If those lattice supports are for the elevator shafts, it appears there's one on each side of the building.
There are two "floors" taking shape in what appears to be the queue area for the ride.	The second floor looks like it will house the mechanical parts like air conditioning units. A couple have already been installed.	The crews are working around the clock and making progress each day.
The structure is already taller than the New York facades and much taller than Monsters Cafe.
The framing for the walls of the "Gringott's" building is going up quickly along the front.
More roof trusses are up and it keeps getting bigger each day.
Most of the roof has been installed as well at this point.
The construction boom has been moved closer to the wall as construction is nearly completed.
I've never seen this car out before.	There are bananas growing in Port of Entry.	The baby triceratops was out today.
The crew was doing some touchup work on the Sea Griffon statue.
October 4, 2012
Amazing to see the "second floor" of the building going up so quickly. This building is HUGE!
When you look at the worker up there you see how tall this is already.	Looking down the lagoon.	The view of what appears to be the "front" of the attraction.
The view down Delancey Street. This will be much taller than the surrounding buildings.
	The progress on the "Transformers" and "London" areas seems to be really going well. We can't wait for some official announcements to confirm what's coming.
View from the New York park.		View from next to Shrek.
Looking down the London waterfront towards San Francisco.	The new building is visible from down the lagoon.	The roof is going up quickly.
Its hard to get a sense of the size until you see the worker in the steel beams.
It's hard to see, but the building has an uneven front edge right now.
It looks so different than it did when Amity was here just a few short months ago.
The Simpsons games are all open now.	Strike 3 with the Springfield Isotopes mascot and "Wonderbat"
Thar She Throws with the Sea Captain. Even the prizes are themed.
Wild and Willie is the real version of "Knock Over The Fuzzy Guy" that they had the old sign for.
Sideshow You is a balloon pop, with Sideshow Bob prizes.
Help Santa's Little Helper is a water race game.		Basketball throw.
Whac-A-Rat is awesome with the custom Itchy figures that pop up and Itchy & Scratchy prizes.
If I'm not mistaken these are all names of Itchy & Scratchy episodes featured on the Simpsons.
Mr. Burns Radioactive Rings feature the glowing rods from the power plant.		It looks like the games are staying up here as well.
Looks like someone bought out the Hard Rock for dinner tonight.	I guess this is for some sort of Halloween Horror Nights after party in City Walk.	Fall mums alongside the succulents in Port of Entry.
	Not visible to most park guests (but visible from Dragon's Challenge), the land has been leveled beneath the coaster and where the Frozen Dessert and the fortune tellers tent were. Of course nothing has been announced yet, but rumor has it this will be the station for the Hogwarts Express.
The former Pearl Factory location  is now a covered dining area.		There's some digging happening in Lost Continent.
September 25, 2012
	The "London" waterfront pathway opened today.
New view		Very different looking path now.
The walls are really good looking and even up close look like real stone.
The tourists are still there keeping people entertained.	The replacement shingles blend right in now.	Looking towards San Francisco.
The new walls look really good and help the traffic flow.
There's a big new section of the building structure in place too.
September 22, 2012
It looks like demolition is just about finished over on the Islands side, with the old buildings gone and the front of this one removed.		The big building just keeps getting bigger!
Crews seem to be working 7 days a week.		The scaffolding and workers give a better idea of the scale of the structure.
The new pathway should be open soon, and the Amity restrooms seem to be getting some new shingles.		The worker gives a good idea of the height of the new walls.
More of the cross bracing has been installed on the new structure
New posters are up on the back side of the Shrek soundstage.	The Simpsons games are getting closer to completion.
The signs are up on the three on the left side of the ride entrance.
A basketball game has been installed now as well.	It's really looking good!	Reminder that HHN is now running
After last night's kickoff, the merchandise is now out in the park
Lots of great shirts and other HHN merchandise.
All kinds of great merchandise
It's amazing how much stuff they produce for a 25 night event.
All of the houses on one shirt	Universal's version of a Vinylmation is a great Disney tweak!	Fun candy for HHN.
Walking Dead seems to be the star attraction this year.	These Curious George plush nightlights are new (I think) and are really cute. The candle lights up.
September 18, 2012
Work is still going full tilt on the "Transformers" building
Crews have been working hard though they seem to have had the afternoon off
It will be interesting to see if Halloween Horror Nights slows things down
The dam is gone and the waterfront looks good!		More roof beams in place
The front part of the building is now going up.	The sidewalk looks like its done and if rumors are true it should be open by Friday for the first night of HHN.
There's a second boom crane tower base in place at this end of the construction site.	The games look close to complete at this point	They all have retractable awnings installed now.
Just needs counters and signs	Looks like the awnings will be getting trim.	Sneak peek at one of the new Simpsons themed games.
They're filming a new show on one of the soundstages.	The huge new gates for HHN	Nice details
The gates are really impressive.		All the HHN signs are getting setup.
The sign and queue for this maze are in place.
Almost all the tents have their signs up now.
Another maze entrance	Colored bulbs in the light fixtures.
Great details to make the tents look more substantial		Another HHN sign
The sign for the Walking Dead maze	Queue setup for Bill & Ted	Another food stand
Maze entrance	They added more pumpkins	Another maze entrance
And another!	More of the food & drink stands looking ready to go
Signs at either end of the walkway		Another food tent
PYQ (pronounced pick) is now open. The merchandise is fun and reminds me of some of the fun stuff that Urban Outfitters carries.		I don't know what these tents are for, but I assume they're for HHN.
September 14, 2012
The construction walls have moved once again, closing off this street.	So impressive to see the steel columns going up so fast!
Construction should be more visible as the building grows above the walls.		The wall of the building appears to be angled for the end of the street.
I'm guessing this will be the entrance with marquis drawing people down this street.		The entrance would be visible from Delancey Street as well.
The wall is done and the lagoon is filled back in. The dam should be coming down soon.
The end of the wall is still being painted with texture.	On the inside of the wall the new walkway is being paved with concrete. I would guess the construction walls will be moving soon.
The big new show building is really going up fast! Lots of roof beams in place.
The building looks like it will be huge when its finished!
View from the back side of the property.
If the rumors about the Simpsons expansion are true, they really need a Lard Lad Donuts shop! They already sell them in the Kwik-E-Mart.		The games look nearly complete now.
The actual game equipment looks like it's being installed now.
There's a huge set of light bars inside this one.	The counter looks like a shooting game coming in.	Very colorful and fun looking.
The entrance to Universal Studios is all set for Halloween Horror Nights!		I'm guessing there will be people in these ready to frighten
These little tents are now setup all over the park fro HHN.
It looks like just about everything is in place for opening night.
HHN stuff in front of Disaster
Looks good!	This set piece is at the end of the walkway	Bill & Ted sign in place.
Tributes to past attractions in some of the HHN props.
The games that were setup here have been moved...		... and are now in the plaza...
...at least until the new games open in front of the Simpsons!	Cool poster on the alley in New York.	Fall plantings are going in around the parks.
Over at IOA the demolition is in full swing in Lost Continent.
They're coming down quickly!		Big difference from just four days ago!
This building has had its fixtures stripped as well now...	The Psychic/Henna/Gypsy stuff is now in one of the old games locations.
This is where the old Pearl Factory sign was.  This was underneath.	The new Pearl Factory	Mums planted for fall.
More mums	Rainy day in Orlando	Its amazing how those new decks just blend in with the landscape
Mums are out on City Walk as well as in the parks.	The new PYQ shops is being setup	The merchandise up so far is kind of weird looking.
Great to see the beautiful Portofino Bay getting some much needed rehab!
The entire building seems to be getting repaired and repainted
It looks like some of the rooms are being remodeled as well.
They're working on the bay side and the courtyard at the same time.
It will be nice to see this done soon!		Looks so much better where the painting is done!
Such a beautiful hotel, it needed some TLC		They're doing some ground work over at the Cabana Bay site now!
September 10, 2012
More detail has been added to the HHN props on Hollywood Boulevard
	They put a cover over the coffin here
Over in the Streets of New York, the cemetery pieces look like they pushed up through the streets. It reminds me of the end of Poltergeist when the coffins started popping out of the ground.
I don't remember if these circus posters were always here or if they were added as part of the HHN decorations.		Another prop in New York
It looks like the decorations on the street will be minimal with all the construction traffic going through.	I'm not sure if these tents are staying here for HHN or if they are leftovers from Rock The Universe...maybe both?
Another of the tents	Halloween cookies!	Not sure if this is for HHN or leftover from Rock the Universe
All the posters are down from the Shrek soundstage.	A couple of quick glimpses into the (Transformers?) construction area where the foundation is really taking shape!
Thanks to Parkscope, we knew this building will be making some big changes!
Now Screamscape is reporting it will become more of the Simpsons world.
So all of this could become Krusty Burger and Moe's Tavern soon...and maybe more. I'd like to see them theme the lagoon side of the path as Springfield Squidport.
I want a Lard Lad Donuts as well!	These guys were apparently discussing the project	This will be like another "park within a park" concept when finished.
Work is going full steam ahead with the new games in front of the Simpsons.
Lights are going up soon	Should be ready before Christmas at this rate	It will be great to see this area even more fleshed out.
The wall looks nearly complete now, and the lining is being applied to the lagoon bottom.
I looks really good	More cranes on site as the dirt pile starts to go down...	...and it looks like the wall is being backfilled with the topsoil.
The progress being made on the new building is really impressive!
It's going to be big!	You've gotta love the September (lack of) crowds!!!
Over in Lost Continent the construction walls moved out around the buildings to be demolished
Signs and other details are being removed before demolition	The finial is off the tent	The wall stretches back to the Sinbad theater.
Big changes are coming!	Overview of the soon to be demolished buildings.	The Pearl Factory has opened in its new location.
Just noticed the Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook today.	Cool Seuss wall decals.	Time for a rehab at McElligot's Pool
I don't know what these tents around Hard Rock are/were for.
September 3, 2012
The remodeling at the Poseidon shop is apparently so the Pearl Factory store can move from down the way.	This is the current location for the Pearl Factory.	If I had to guess, the fortune tellers will be moving to the former Pearl Factory location when their tent is demolished in the coming weeks.
More details have been added to the HHN set pieces near the bridge.
The graveyard pieces look really good.		More set pieces are put out each day
More of the trees have been hung with Jack-O-Lanterns
Over on Hollywood Boulevard more cemetery set pieces are ready to go out into the park
I'm guessing these go with the other pieces near the bridge.	More of the stage is put together	The signs have gone onto the new store on City Walk
August 31, 2012
The sign has gone up for Rockin' the Universe	The lighting rigs are ready to go back up for the concerts	New Paranorman picture spot
Not sure if this stage is for HHN or for something else.	This scare zone is already looking good!
Great details	Lots of spooky trees
Amazing how good it looks already!
Lots of jack-o-lanterns near the Animal Theater.
Really cool scarecrows	The trees are full of them!
A couple of set pieces near the bridge
Very cool looking
Our friends at Parkscope found a permit for the demolition of part (or all) of this building which is the Kwik-E-Mart, International Food Festival and restrooms. No word on what's happening yet...
The new games area on the front of the Simpsons is really taking shape
The counters and the facade are coming together nicely
A couple of peaks through the fence at the mystery attraction construction. They seem to be working around the clock!		Watching the crane fly things in is really interesting
These two towers have gone up at either end of the former Amity area, and it looks like they are twins with access ladders inside. Can't wait to find out what they're building here officially and see a rendering!		No more progress on the other part of the framework going up.
The new lagoon wall has been given the look of stone and it is really impressive looking now!		The sign is now completely covered at Fear Factor/Bill & Ted
Over on Hollywood Boulevard there's a really cool Emmy display setup.
Little red carpets show which windows have the awards displayed
Each has a category and this year's nominees
It's neat how they made the displays fit in with the regular window props
Kind of surprising that this is at Universal when the awards will be on ABC and not NBC
It was a nice evening at the parks!	Construction walls came down  on this new City Walk shop	Sunday is going to be a BIG party on City Walk to end the summer!
Go to the Summer 2012 News & Notes Page

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