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August 23, 2012
The first steel is going up fast on the new project taking over the former Amity area.	The back of what is theoretically going to be the Gringott's Bank coaster show building will be right up against the apartment complex.	It's hard to tell, but the wall sections look to be about forty feet tall.
It's interesting to see all this construction taking place when no official announcement has been made yet, and how fast it seems to be happening compared to Disney's Fantasyland expansion which seems to be dragging on  very slowly.
The scope of the project is really huge, and they seem to be making good progress.
The new wall along the lagoon seems to be nearly complete. I have a feeling the pathway will be relocated to the lagoon edge before the end of the year, allowing more construction to take place.
The details of the new wall look great.		With so many construction projects, the skyline is full of cranes.
The big crane has been joined by two smaller ones and a concrete pumper truck.
The construction site walls have been pushed back further.	The concrete pumper is parked in the streets of New York and reaches into the middle of the construction site.
Throughout the day truck loads of concrete are coming and going through the park, adding real traffic to the city streets.		The amphitheater looks bare without the signage and lighting.
Work continues on the new game facades in front of the Simpson's ride.
The train and Delorean look great in their new location by the lagoon.
Fear Factor is closed for the season and to prepare for Bill & Ted.	I'm not sure if these light towers are the beginning of prep for HHN or for some other event. With less than a month until HHN starts I would guess we'll see things coming in soon.	Great to see Cafe La Bamba open and hosting the character breakfast.
Out on City Walk one of the new food stands is selling beignets and donuts!
Still working on this new store.	Over at Islands, construction still continues on what may be the new Hogwarts Express station if rumors are true.
This game is being rehabbed...	...and the rotunda of Treasures of Poseidon is being rehabbed as well.
	Universal really seems to be on a roll with new projects and improvements happening all around the property. With the new construction happening in two places in Studios, plus the section in Islands and the construction of the new resort, Universal is really poised to keep growing attendance (and revenues) for the future and really offering serious competition in Orlando.
The dome in Port of Entry continues to get repainted with what looks like a primer coat.		Portofino Bay is getting some much needed TLC on the exterior of the building.
August 6, 2012
The new decks are looking really good along City Walk.	Lots of new food and drink options at the new stands including more breakfast options.	The decks are really filling in nicely along the lagoon.
They're still hard at work on the details of the decks.	Really nice seating areas to relax and enjoy the view of the boats and parks along the water.	I was afraid the trees would all be gone with the new decks, but they are planting all around them.
The huge summer crowds mean the middle gates are open at both parks with portable ticket scanners.	The dome in Port of Entry is getting some work.	The days of the tent are numbered as construction approaches.
Construction is in full swing at Studios on the rumored new Transformers ride building.	Looking through the fence, the foundation is about a fifteen foot deep pit right now with a sea of rebar awaiting concrete.
More rebar on the way!	More of the retaining wall is in place each day.
July 2, 2012
Despicable Me had its grand opening this morning!		Crowds for Shrek were re-routed to get in through the side.
The line for Minion Mayhem was pretty long after the opening ceremonies.	Plaque inside the Despicable Me shop.	The shop is really cute.
Soundstage 44 is just a pile of rubble at this point. The last bits of concrete are being removed.
Very different view with the building gone.	Part of the outdoor patio for Monsters Cafe is closed for construction.	With the festivities this morning, the parade floats were out in the park.
That's a BIG pile of dirt behind the wall now.	Work continues along the lagoon's retaining wall in the former Amity area.
I'm guessing the steel frame in the water is where a new retaining wall will be going in.
Universal has done some cool theming on the projectors for the lagoon show.		Pay no attention to the wall, just the tourists that hang out there!
It does appear that on one side of the Simpsons ride the former queue area is being turned into actual games. It will be interesting to see how much of the original theme elements stay in place.		This stand was moved over to the kids area from next to Mel's with the construction taking place.
May 21, 2012
Minion Mayhem is looking really good and like it will open soon!	Love those minions!	A sneak peek inside the queue area of the attraction.
They've added more minions to the big posters on the front of the soundstage.	The Super Silly Stuff shop is now open every day.	Lots of Despicable Me stuff available inside the store.
More of the carnival theme elements are now in place around the store.
Over in the Amity area the pathway has been moved. The new concrete pathway is about 30 feet further in from the lagoon, and features temporary new lighting and speakers.
Back behind the fence the old light posts are all down and the old walkway has been torn up. It looks like pallets of pavers are on site like the walkway will be repositioned again closer to the lagoon edge.
The "tourist" street performers are stationed along the long walkway.	The restroom is the only Amity building left.	Access to the bridge from the restrooms has been blocked, forcing guests to walk around them.
The temporary games and drink stand have moved down to the front of the Fear Factor stadium.
This is where those game had been.	The drink stand was here.	View of the construction area from the other side.
There are still Jaws pennies, mugs, postcards and magnets available for anyone looking for memorabilia.
The finish work is coming along on the new Nick/Spongebob store exterior.
Shouldn't be much longer before this project is finished.	The "new" gates are up, with the name "Esoteric Pictures" on them.
There's a Snow White & The Huntsman backdrop up for photos.		It's great to see Cafe La Bamba open for business!
The parade has its own merchandise.	Saw these really cool Converse in Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 & Thing 2 designs over in Islands of Adventure
A little project going on in Seuss Landing	It looks like they've added an additional support for the Trolley tracks. Quite a bit of welding going on.
	The first of the new Citywalk decks looks nearly complete including a new bar with a frozen drink machine. The second set of decks look like they have all the footings now in place and the first steel support beams as well.
May 8, 2012
For the premier of the Superstar Parade and the Cinematic Spectacular all of Universal's stars were out!
The park rolled out the red carpet, though the weather didn't cooperate very well.
Tons of new merchandise in the Studio Store!
Minion and other Despicable Me stuff everywhere.		Love the speakers in the queue for the Minion Mayhem attraction.
All kinds of fun details added to the attraction area
Minions are EVERYWHERE!
These giant posters on the soundstage are great.		Looks good after dark too
They changed out the marquee for the media event.	They're applying panels to the Nick/Spongebob store	In case you missed it, Howard is coming to AGT!!!
April 18, 2012
The monkey sign has the dice back up after a couple of months rehab.	I'm guessing this is some kind of sign  for Grad Fest	They're now selling these really expensive Harry Potter costumes in the main gift shop
They're really elaborate costumes and really expensive!
The wooden shingles are being replaced on the roof of Confisco's		They're aggressively seeking preview audiences at IOA
Stuff is getting setup all around the park for the upcoming Grad Bash
Lots of these light towers in place for the event
This stand is under rehab right now	This was what the light tower (in Popeye's place) just a day before.	At the base of the lighthouse the trees are growing some kind of pods or nuts
Gru's house facade is coming along nicely
There's a stylized Air Stream inside the house	There's some kind of design inside the widows of the house	They're hard at work adding the brick facing to the house
New banners on the construction walls	More of the window design	Looks like things are progressing nicely
The facade will look good for Halloween Horror Nights as well	At the back of the soundstage the shop is making progress
With the construction wall down, the windows show hints of what's to come.
It looks cute	Over at the lagoon final preparations are going on for the new show	It looks like it will be one big splash zone
Screens are going onto the base of the barges. Here you can see one with and one without the screening		The rest of the boards have been replaced around Lombards
The new boardwalks are ready for the show crowds	They're setting up for Grad Bash in Studios as well as IOA	All signs of Mardi Gras are gone
Over at Amity, clearing is nearly complete. It's amazing how visible the apartment complex is now the island has been cleared		Work is continuing in the corner of Amity closest to Fear Factor
About 80% of the former Jaws area is now cleared and flat, with demolition still continuing in the front corner. It will be interesting to see if new construction begins before an announcement or after.
Work continues on the Nickelodeon store, with the stars being painted out on the facade.
The interior is still a work in progress along with new entrances.
The gate is down over on Hollywood Boulevard. Maybe some kind of preparation for the new parade. Looks like they broke some of the iron scrolls on the light fixture during the removal.
There's TNA Wrestling being taped in the Studios	A little ghost has been added to the window of the house	The golf course looks really good, and it will look even better as the plantings fill in.
The second construction wall for the new decks has gone up
It's a HUGE area that's closed off	The first deck construction area is coming along nicely	Lots of footings in place
This seems like a lot of footings for a simple deck structure
Can't wait to see what the finished decks look like. They've already started planting around them.
Go to the Winter-Spring 2012 News & Notes Page

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