Universal Studios Hollywood is in middle of an exciting five-year transformation and expansion designed to position it as the “#1 tourist destination in Los Angeles.”
The makeover began in 2012 with the opening “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and will end in 2016 with the West Coast debut of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
“This is a pivotal time in the history of Universal Studios Hollywood as we build upon our extraordinary success and expand our vision for the future of our world-class destination,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood. “This broad investment in our five-year transformation will further strengthen Universal Studios Hollywood as an economic leader, significantly contributing to long-term employment opportunities and tourism throughout L.A.”
“This amazing investment by Universal Studios Hollywood represents a dramatic boost for Los Angeles tourism, creating new world class entertainment that will add new jobs, stimulate hospitality revenues and contribute to the economic prosperity of our city,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Let’s look at these five years of new attractions:
2012: Transformers: The Ride—3D
Setting the stage for the next five years, Transformers: The Ride—3D “raised the bar for immersive, technologically advanced entertainment offered at Universal Studios Hollywood or elsewhere.”
According to Universal Studios Hollywood, the dark ride “infused an adrenalized multi-level ride-track and visceral special effects with one of the most elaborate flight simulation ride systems ever created. Housed within a newly built 60,000 square foot structure, the ride utilized the highest, most sophisticated resolution of 3D-HD technology available to virtually launch guests into the dynamic, action-packed robotic world of the Transformers.”
2013: Universal Plaza
The 2013 season was marked by a less advanced, but just as monumental addition to the park’s landscape: Universal Plaza.
“In summer 2013, the interior focal point of the theme park profoundly changed with the installation of Universal Plaza, a visually aesthetic 37,000 square foot art deco styled piazza. This impressive and versatile polygon-shaped entertainment venue sits at the heart of the theme park as a welcoming open air courtyard, architecturally reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour.”
“Featuring a soaring 70 foot tall tower emblazoned with the word Universal, the venue is large in scope, yet provides a warm and inviting environment to host an array of special events and entertainment.”
2014: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Opening this Saturday, April 12, 2014, are two new attractions: “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land.” Based on the film franchise, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem will resonate with the same endearing qualities and characters that catapulted the franchise to international blockbuster fame.”
This addition is Universal Studios Hollywood’s “first foray into fully expansive themed environments aimed at immersing visitors from the moment they enter the space.”
In this new area, guests will be able to visit familiar Despicable Me landmarks like Gru’s neighborhood, Miss Hattie’s Home for Girls and the imaginative seaside carnival. It’s a “decisive departure from the park’s more commonly used vignette ride exteriors to create holistic experiences and transport guests to that imaginary place.”
2015: Springfield area and Fast & Furious—Supercharged
Universal Studios Hollywood will celebrate 50 years in 2015, and the park will debut two massive attractions to celebrate the anniversary.
“Springfield” an immersive land surrounding “The Simpsons Ride” will open in spring 2015. And in summer 2015, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged, based on the blockbuster film series, will be introduced as the grand finale to the celebrated Studio Tour.”
According to Universal Studios Hollywood, the park will become “unrecognizable” when Springfield debuts and “breathes new life to the sprawling and vibrant space surrounding The Simpsons Ride.”
“Springfield is being designed to make guests feel as if they are being propelled through their television sets into the accurately depicted city, complete with signature eateries from Krusty Burger to Luigi’s Pizza and Phineas Q. Butterfat’s 5600 Flavors Ice Cream Parlor to iconic watering holes like Moe’s Tavern and Duff’s Brewery.”
Fans of the Fast and Furious franchise will be very pleased with the other 2015 addition: “Fast & Furious—Supercharged will be a pulse-pounding, adrenaline-fueled finale to the world-famous Studio Tour. This technologically advanced thrill ride, will catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars where they’ll join the cast in a harrowing escapade. The ride will be situated within a newly constructed 50,000 square foot building on the legendary backlot and will reunite stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction.”
Supercharged will include special effects and state-of-the-art 3D-HD imagery projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen spanning nearly 400 feet in length to encircle Studio Tour guests in the Fast & Furious universe.
2016: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The theme park’s epic transformation becomes will be completed in 2016 with the highly-anticipated arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
Inspired by the magical world created by J.K. Rowling and brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood will be a fully immersive land designed for the entire family that brings the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and authenticity.
Like its counterpart at Universal Orlando, the Hollywood experience will be “faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle that will serve as the iconic focal point of the impressively themed environment.”
But that’s not all. This five-year investment also includes the addition of two new parking structures that, combined, will accommodate thousands of additional vehicles. Construction on the second parking structure will be completed in late 2015.
What are your thoughts on Universal Studios Hollywood’s ongoing transformation? What upcoming attraction are you most looking forward to? Discuss in the comments section below.
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