Welcome back to another photo update around the Universal Orlando Resort. This week’s update will start with a look at Universal’s next onsite resort, Sapphire Falls, as well as Volcano Bay water theme park, expected in 2017. Inside CityWalk, we’ll take a look at the next location to open: NBC Sports Grille Brew. Over at Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights construction is in full swing. Last but certainly not least, we will be taking a look at Islands of Adventure, Skull Island: Reign of Kong as it continues to climb to the sky. Without further ado, lets get going!
Work continues on Universal’s newest resort, Sapphire Falls.The new parking garage for Sapphire Falls guests continues to have finishing touches added.
An overview of the under construction resort......On the other side of Cabana Bay, construction on Universal’s new water theme park, Volcano Bay, is starting to ramp........Let’s head into CityWalk.CityWalk’s next addition, NBC Sports Grille Brew is just weeks away from its grand opening.Patio tables and chairs have been placed out front of the restaurant.The patio is covered by a clear plastic roof.Lights and television mounts have also been added to the outdoor terrace.The giant jumbotrons should be added soon now that the electronics have been installed.The awning over the front entrance of the restaurant.They’ve pushed the construction walls out to accommodate a new crane, leaving the walkway very narrow out front..Now lets head into Universal Studios Florida.Wait times were pretty moderate during the rain.....Our first look at Halloween Horror Nights brings us to Hollywood, where new lighting rigs have been set up in the street..There are four of them set up in the street.Directly across from Mel’s diner, a new stage has been set up. In the past this location has been used for Universal’s upcoming Christian concert event, Rock the Universe; though the rigging on stage looks more in the style Halloween Horror Nights...There’s a large screen at the back of the stage.There’s a wrapped mystery item underneath the screen.Across the street is a tech booth topped with an additional lighting rig.Always a great sight to see!The second themed scare zone is located on the walkway in front of the new NBC Media Center, and has a theme of Pumpkins and Scarecrows...........Soon these pumpkins will glow in the dim fall air, beckoning guests into the terrors ahead.Between Men In Black and Springfield, the facade for the Horror Nights house based on the Insidious film franchise is under construction.There a few cars parked nearby that fans of the event should recognize. The station wagon was used in a scare zone based on The Walking Dead TV show.The blue tow truck in the back was part of last years themed scare zone based on The Purge Anarchy film.More props.The facade here for the house based on The Purge films is under construction as well.This black scrim means it won’t be long now until the sign for the crowd-favorite Horror Night show, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure is hung.This covered sign will also advertise the Horror Nights show.The show parodies the past year’s major pop culture headlines and happenings, and is always a highlight of the event.Heading over into New York, they’re doing some minor facade work.More Halloween Horror Nights scare zone construction. This zone will feature crazed asylum inmates terrorizing an urban neighborhood on Halloween night.This crashed bus will likely have been carrying the escaped inmates.The shops and homes of New York have been decorated in classic Halloween style.....The busted gazebo is right in the middle of New York.The pipes inside of the structure, and the fact that it’s completely made of metal, point to the whole thing being on fire, which should provide a great centerpiece for the event.A small stage is set up across the street.Lighting for the event is up on the roofs around the area..An Italian food truck set up in the scare zone.....A small area of construction walls near the exit of the park. No sign of any work going on behind them.A new directional sign has been added near the walkway to the Blue Man Group theater..Longtime CityWalk location, NBA City Restaurant closed its doors recently. No word yet on what will replace the venue here at CityWalk. It is confirmed, however, that guests will soon be able live the NBA experience at Disney Springs.....Heading on over to Islands of Adventure.It’s time to live the Adventure.Infamous “liquid Florida sunshine” continues to keep lines down....Make sure you get your last rides in on the Incredible Hulk before it closes September 8 for a refurbishment lasting until next summer..Elsewhere in Marvel Super Hero Island, the meteor strike has had more of its paint removed. The project has been going on for months, with no sign of a finish in sight.And we’ll close out this week’s update, with a look at construction on Skull Island: Reign of Kong................And that’ll do it for this week’s update of the Universal Orlando Resort. Leave a question or comment below and get in touch with me on Twitter @Triggernel. Thanks for reading!
Tryg is a new resident Florida after moving from Minnesota at the end of 2013. You'll find him at all of the parks quite often, as he puts his annual passes to all the major Orlando theme parks to good use. Most comfortable with a camera in his hand, he's been a huge theme park fan ever since finding the ValleyfairZone fan forums back in 2006. His love of theme parks grew through many trips to parks all throughout the Midwest, with occasional trips to Orlando. In the past he’s worked as a scareactor and grown an appreciation for the Halloween season.
