All aboard for the Orlando Parkhopper’s Universal Studios Orlando Update.  Today, we have the first pictures of what appears to be initial work on the Hogwart’s Express Train.  The long rumored attraction will connect the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure with the new Harry Potter themed land at Universal Studios next door. There’s also more progress to observe at the Transformers construction site inside the studios park.

HOGWART’S EXPRESS
We have it on good authority that the long rumored Hogwart’s Express is beginning construction inside Islands of Adventure’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Walls have sprung up recently along the border between Wizarding World and Lost Continent, hiding the clearing of land for the new attraction which will connect the two Universal Orlando Resort theme parks.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

 universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE REFURBISHMENTS
Speaking of the Lost Continent, Universal has begun to refurbish one of the domes in the land.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

Over in Toon Lagoon, more work is happening as some of the rubberized pathways are being replaced.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

TRANSFORMERS
The progress continues as the new Transformers ride begins initial excavation work in the former space of soundstage 44.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

HARRY POTTER 2.0
The monstrous expansion in the far corner of the park continues.  Harry Potter’s London expansion is rolling along as the lagoon side of the work is getting first attention

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

THE SIMPSON’S
We also spy some work occurring in front of the Simpsons ride in the “Midway” tents.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

UNIVERSAL CITY WALK
Finishing the column, we seek out the ongoing projects in Citywalk to look at their progress.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between ParksPYQ is really dragging here.  No real change visible.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

The last of the City Walk deck work has been finished.  Looks purdy.

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

They are still working on the Pink Cadillac that normally adorns the entrance to the Hard Rock Cafe

universal Studios orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Begins Construction on Hogwarts Express Between Parks

MICECHAT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHT EVENT SEPTEMBER 28th – Save the date. MiceChat, is planning a meet up at Universal Halloween Horror nights in both Florida AND Los Angeles this year.  The Florida event will be on Friday, September 28th, and the Los Angeles meet up will be on Saturday October 6th.  Information on tickets will be posted soon.

There you have it!  Hogwart’s Express will connect both parks in a magical way, while Transformers will change the face of the Studios park.  Check back next week as we look deeper into the Halloween Horror Nights event coming in September to Universal Studios Orlando!

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Eric Davis
By day, Eric is in Marketing and Social Media. But on the weekends, he's a theme park addict. Eric is a frequent contributor to MiceChat's Orlando Parkhopper columns and tends to focus his efforts on what's new and what's news at Universal Studios and SeaWorld.