Hello, and welcome to Dateline Universal Resort. This week, we’re taking a look at the whole resort, with lots of projects happening and the holidays arriving. Let’s go!

Welcome to Universal!
Welcome to Universal!
No more Horror Nights signage :(
No more Horror Nights signage 🙁
Holiday merchandise featuring the Minions has arrived.
Holiday merchandise featuring the Minions has arrived.
Work going on at the old Lucy/Betty Boop shop to make way for the Hello Kitty shopping attraction.
Work going on at the old Lucy/Betty Boop shop to make way for the Hello Kitty shopping attraction.
Big concerts at the Studios stage this month!
Big concerts at the Studios stage this month!
Twister is now closed, and walls are up to get ready for the Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York attraction.
Twister is now closed, and walls are up to get ready for the Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York attraction.
The Aftermath gift shop is also gone.
The Aftermath gift shop is also gone.

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This back section is scrimmed off, but we don't know if it has to do with Fallon or not.
This back section is scrimmed off, is this also for the Fallon attraction?
The holidays have arrived in the New York area!
The holidays have arrived in the New York area!
The big Macy's tree is always beautiful.
The big Macy’s tree is always beautiful.

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There was some promotional recording happening in the park this week.
There was some promotional recording happening in the park this week.

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Light November crowds are wonderful.
Light November crowds are wonderful.
Beetlejuice closes early next month, so see it now if you want to catch it one last time!
Beetlejuice closes early next month, so see it now if you want to catch it one last time!

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Some fresh paint in San Francisco.
Some fresh paint in San Francisco.
Speaking of fresh paint, there is some fun graffiti being used as construction walls for the new Fast and Furious: Supercharged attraction that is coming in 2017.
Speaking of fresh paint, there is some fun graffiti being used as construction walls for the new Fast and Furious: Supercharged attraction that is coming in 2017.  Clever!

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It features some quotes from the movies.
It features some quotes from the movies.

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Diagon Alley update: still awesome.
Diagon Alley update: still awesome.
Shutterbuttons is now on the main alley...
Shutterbuttons is now on the main alley…
...and Sugar Plum's Sweet Shop is where Shutterbuttons used to be.
…and Sugar Plum’s Sweet Shop is where Shutterbuttons used to be.
It has a very bright facade.
It has a very bright facade.
I believe these signs are new as part of the change.
I believe these signs are new as part of the change.

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Fear Factor is back now that HHN is over and Bill and Ted are retired until next fall.
Fear Factor is back now that HHN is over and Bill and Ted are retired until next fall.

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Don't you think KidZone would be a perfect place for some Nintendo themed attractions?
Don’t you think KidZone would be a perfect place for some Nintendo themed attractions?
There are some light tubes here for a nighttime holiday display.
There are some light tubes here for a nighttime holiday display.

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Jack's stage is gone :(
Jack’s stage is gone 🙁
Hollywood is all dolled up for the holidays.
Hollywood is all dolled up for the holidays.

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Don’t you just love this gold ball Christmas tree?!

 

Another look at the old Lucy building.
Another look at the old Lucy building.
NBC Grill Brew has been pretty successful and is now serving for lunch as well as dinner.
NBC Grill Brew has been pretty successful and is now serving for lunch as well as dinner.
This boat is new to the fleet and is named Isla Nublar, based off of Jurassic Park.
This boat is new to the fleet and is named Isla Nublar, inspired by Jurassic Park of course.
NBA restaurant is still coming down to make way for something new.
NBA restaurant is still coming down to make way for something new.
Welcome to Islands of Adventure!
Welcome to Islands of Adventure!

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The launch tube is all that is currently left of the Hulk. It is jarring to see, but also exciting knowing that big change is coming.
The launch tube is all that is currently left of the Hulk. It is jarring to see, but also exciting knowing that big change is coming.
Seuss Landing is all ready for Grinchmas!
Seuss Landing is all ready for Grinchmas!

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I love this part of the park during this season.
I love this part of the park during the holidays.

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Grinch was out doing meet and greets.
Grinch was out doing meet and greets.

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Just to emphasize how odd it looks without the Hulk there.
Just to emphasize how odd it looks without the Hulk there.

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Lastly, the lighthouse is getting some paint work.
Lastly, the lighthouse is getting some paint work.

That’s all we had time for this week. We’ll be back soon to catch you up on the Kong construction. There is a ton of change happening at Universal, and it is almost hard to keep up with all of it. But that makes it rather exciting. If you are in the area, NOW is a great time to visit with great weather and low crowd levels. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.