Observations from Universal Orlando Resort: October 16-20, 2013
Over the past week, I logged over 18 hours and 40,000 steps (thank you, iPhone 5S motion sensor) exploring what’s new at the Universal Orlando Resort. To save you the shoeleather doing the same, here’s a super-sized photo essay of my observations from Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventures and Halloween Horror Nights between Wednesday, October 16, and Sunday, October 20, 2013.
I started the evening of 10/16 with a lap around Islands of Adventures to see what guests purchasing the Scream Early ticket option experience.
Here’s a look at the future Starbucks inside Islands of Adventure’s Port of Entry. This area is the equivalent of the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A., but I haven’t heard any controversy in the online community over this mermaid invasion…
Wait times on Thursday were light, typical of late-afternoon on an off-season weekday.
I’m sure everyone will be overjoyed to learn that Orange Coke and the 99+ other Freestyle flavors are now available inside the Captain America Diner.
Unseasonably warm weather made Ripsaw Falls a popular attraction this afternoon.
Want a cheap hotel room with an amazing view? A tiny number of rooms in the new Cabana Bay Beach Resort will apparently look right over the gate between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park.
Speaking of Jurassic Park, if certain rumors pan out, look for major changes to this transition area in the next year as room is made for the return of King Kong.
The first phase of Jurassic Park’s multi-year makeover is this row of carnival games, which will replace the ones that are closing shortly in the Lost Continent.
Next, a quick stroll over to Hogwarts:
I’ve been impressed to see the improvements being made to Forbidden Journey over recent months. The projection screens are noticeably brighter and sharper, vehicle movement is smoother, and all the physical effects seem to be in working order.
The new interactive Marauder’s Maps we recently reviewed are on sale at the ride exit.
Here’s the most exciting moment of this update: the ticket and stroller center for the Hogwarts Express station has gone vertical!
Shortly after 6pm, I began my Halloween Horror Nights crossover adventure.
The gate in Seuss Landing (between Circus McGurcus and One Fish, Two Fish) leads to a long, unglamorous backstage path that deposits HHN guests outside the Blue Man Group theater.
Thursday night was busier than anticipated for a Thursday night, as the following photos attest:
After disappearing a few weeks ago, Chief Wiggum’s cop cruiser reappeared with a new paint scheme.
Universal continues to “plus” the event with welcome attention to detail:
I spent several hours on 10/16 with some Baccanoid team members from the Legendary Truth alternate-reality game, trying to achieve our Bravo “badges” (due to some bugs, I’m still working on mine…).
When it’s time for a dinner break during HHN, I’ve been defaulting to the new Simpsons-themed Fast Food Boulevard. Tonight’s dining choice: the Basket of Bait!
The “walker bomb” trucks are one of my favorite additions to this year’s street entertainment. You never know when or where one will turn up with an undead cargo.
Despite some long house queues, ride waits remained short.
On the following night (Thursday 10/17) crowds were even thicker:
A special interactive event was held near the Jaws photo-op for Legendary Truth players, with art & design’s creative manager Rick Spencer playing the role of “Captain Lazy Bastard.”
Our final installment covers Sunday 10/20, which was also busier than expected, thanks in part to a special discount offered to UCF students.
My last HHN visit of the weekend was also largely spent playing Legendary Truth. Sunday’s mission was to experience as many houses as possible together in a tight group. Not easy on a night when wait times topped 120 minutes!
Nothing like ending your evening with a slice and salad at Louie’s, right? Unless…
Finally, we finish this report right where it began: with a Starbucks. In CityWalk, construction is going full-tilt on a new seating area next to the existing Starbucks (directly above the new pizza restaurant that is replacing Pastamore’s quick service counters).
Right next door, a new Starbucks is replacing the Endangered Species store.
Now if you’ll excuse me, for some reason I feel the need for a latte…
Anything official yet on what will be replacing Latin Quarter? (Maybe yet another Starbucks???)
And if so, is it likely to be open by January? (We arrive on the 9th, and had originally planned on a dinner at LQ that evening.)
Latin Quarter is becoming a Mexican restaurant tentatively named “Don Quixote”.
There is no official opening date. Based on its current condition I wouldn’t expect it to be open by Jan, but you never know — this is Universal, who built transformers in under a year!
I wish that the Starbucks in City Walk opened earlier, such as 7am. I need a place to get espresso BEFORE Harry Potter opens for resort guests.