There are some neat new details to share about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley project today. Plus, we’ll take a look at the big CityWalk changes, and share a new episode of the Unofficial Universal Podcast.
Diagon Alley
We are beginning to see some amazing details pop up at Diagon Alley. In front of the London Facade, guests can now see the triple-decker “Knight Bus” from the world of Harry Potter. With it’s beautiful purple color, interior drapes and other details, this interactive addition to the Wizarding World will delight guests.
The eagled eyed visitor will also notice additional details like the iron railings, window treatments, signage, and more as we get ready for this incredible new land to open.
The berm that will obscure the backstage areas has reached a new height, and now has a tree on top of the berm that gives us an idea of just how this area will look when the berm is fully planted in a few weeks. As you can see from the height of the tree, the show buildings will be completely obscured.
Details are now being installed with the new street sign, and the iron railing.
Prototype Hogwarts Express Ticket Kiosk
This past weekend Universal was testing out a prototype ticket kiosk that guests will use at the Hogwarts Express stations. Since a Park-to-Park ticket will be required to ride the Hogwarts Express, Universal Creative is trying to ease the process. Guests will lay their tickets flat on the glass panel on the left, and then place their finger on the bio-metric scanner on the right. Once given the green green light, they will proceed.
This kiosk worked a lot faster than the current ticketing kiosk Universal uses. I am hopeful that if successful they will roll these out system wide.
Hogwarts Express Station at Islands of Adventure
Speaking of the Hogwarts Express, over at Islands of Adventure, more construction is happening to get that side of the Hogwarts Express experience open with Diagon Alley. Guests who need to upgrade their 1 Park ticket will be able to upgrade their tickets on the spot here, so that they can enjoy this duel park experience.
Cowfish at CityWalk
As we travel over to CityWalk, we see that CowFish is moving forward with a unique balcony set up above Red Over Pizza Bakery, and above what will be Vivo.
Bread Box and Menchies
Over at the location formerly known as Cigars, the entire facility has been stripped and cleared of the old cigar smell, as they get ready to install the new sandwich shop, Bred Box, with Menchies next door.
Margaritaville
The expansion of the porch at Margaritaville is nearing completion, as they have added capacity to this popular restaurant.
Universal Studio Store
The Universal Studio Store is moving forward along with it’s nextdoor neighbor the Hot Dog Hall of Fame.
Vivo
Next door to the Studio Store is Vivo, which will be opening sooner than these photos make you think!
Universal has announced that hiring has started for Vivo and for the Hot Dog Hall of Fame. So mark those two venues as the next venues to open at CityWalk.
Team Member Parking
The new Team Member parking garage is entering the final stretch. Now that construction is complete, and it has been painted, all the safety features are being added, and soon Team Members can begin parking backstage again, and not on the first floor of the guest lots.
That wraps up this week’s update. Now, we hope you’ll enjoy the latest episode of the Unofficial Universal Podcast as they interview Skip Sherman.
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