Alright folks, it is 2014, and we have a busy year ahead of us! With projects big and small at Universal Orlando Resort, it is going to be an exciting year ahead. We will soon welcome more Harry Potter, a revamped CityWalk, a new hotel and much more coming to the Universal Orlando Resort. So we are going to kick off the first update of the year looking forward to the projects that are going to have you booking your next trip to the Universal Orlando Resort.
Holidays End with Big Crowds
Before we get going, this past week marked the end of the holiday season here in Orlando. With massive crowds and another successful year, it is time to say goodbye to the residents of Whoville and the balloon handlers for another year.
London and Diagon Alley and Auditions
The project that everyone is looking forward to at Universal Orlando is the opening of the Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. This new land has come a long way since January 2012. When Jaws closed last January, fans around the globe said whatever was going to replace Amity had better to be darn good. And with the current status of the London facade, what we see so far is that this addition is worthy of it’s predecessor. With most of the facades now painted, and the sculpting taking shape, London is looking beautiful.
Starting January 27th, Universal Orlando will be doing internal auditions for team members to try out their best British Dialect when interacting with guests when this new land opens.
Beetle Juice Getting Revamped
Over in the San Francisco area of the Studios is the Beetle Juice Graveyard Review, which is a show that has been running for 18 years with a few revisions. This past Saturday the Beetle Juice Graveyard Review held their last show, the theater will be closed for the next few weeks, and will be returning with an all new and updated show. This is a welcome change since the Paris Hilton jokes haven’t been relevant since 2008.
So let us take a moment to remember this campy and fun pop culture show.
Hogsmeade Station for the Hogwarts Express
Over at Islands of Adventure, the massive Hogwarts Express Station is coming together beautifully. We will hopefully get a better look at this addition soon.
CityWalk Update
Antojitos
The new Mexican Restaurant, Antojitos, is moving along with most of the interior now entering the final stretch, and with hiring underway we should see this eatery open in a few weeks. While the paint job is a bit controversial with people online, I believe that it will help to draw people to this corner of CityWalk, and at night will look exciting and full of energy.
Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery
The Starbucks and Coldstone Creamery on the first floor has finally seen walls framing up, and the cement floors have finally been poured. Like all projects at Universal, this one is moving fast, so in no time we will see Starbucks relocated downstairs and Coldstone open.
That wraps up this week’s update. It will be a busy 2014, and we are excited to bring you all the news this year!
Continue learning about Universal Orlando by listening to the latest Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast with your hosts Lee, Tracey, Darren and Hunter as they talk about Universal Orlando and all the Universal Parks around the world.
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