Universal Studios Hollywood to announce new development next week
Universal Studios Hollywood next week will announce the next step in its ongoing transformation. The park just sent out a press release announcing the announcement, which will happen next Tuesday, June 21, at 7:30am PT on its YouTube channel. (Although, if past practice is any indication of the future, the park will send a release to designated media outlets shortly before that.)
Stop the presses. On Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT, Universal Studios Hollywood will share exciting news as The Entertainment Capital of L.A. invites everyone to tune in for the latest happenings at the world-class theme park and adjacent Universal CityWalk.
What will the announcement reveal? We know from Universal's "Evolution" site development plans filed with local government that the park has planned a new hotel for near its entrance, as well as a new attraction on the site of its Waterworld show. There's a newly vacated lot next to Transformers on the Lower Lot, awaiting a new attraction installation. And Universal has been tipped to remove other old soundstages near the theme park for conversion to attraction space.
So it's not as if there's an obvious candidate for which of the many possibilities Universal would be announcing next week. Hit the comments for your best guesses.
Replies (18)
I hope some e-ticket Nintendo attractions are announced!
Turkey legs 1/2 off....
Maybe Diagon Alley? I know they do not have the space...
Probably Diagon Alley.
Most likely Secret Life of Pets. It would be awesome if they announced phase 2 of their transformation plan.
Secret Life of Pets is a film that still won't have come out by June 21st, and it's the start of summer. It makes zero sense to announce that yet.
My guess is a hotel and CityWalk expansion.
Universal Hollywood has space if it wants to take away a few sound stages.
I'm guessing this will be news of a new hotel, and/or Diagon Alley.
Probably new multi-year, multi-phase projects will be announced. I predict a hotel or two, more CityWalk replacements, a parking garage expansion, a new Tram Tour addition (or Kong 4K upgrade), a vague Nintendo timeline (opening 2021?), etc.
According to a friend somewhat in the know, it is supposed to be an announcement of the second phase of the expansion plan. Things that will reportedly be covered include:
-5 year Lower Lot redevelopment plan
-Revenge of the Mummy closure announcement (closure expected either following Halloween Horror Nights or following winter break)
-Announcement of Secret Life of Pets dark ride
-Possible details on Jurassic World attraction(s)
-Possible details on Nintendo Land (this one is unlikely)
-Modifications to previously announced plans for Upper Lot
-CityWalk expansion plan
-Full announcement of USH Resort Hotel
What will NOT be included in the announcement:
-Any information about Harry Potter Part 2 (these plans are not set in stone yet)
-Any specific information about new attractions for the Upper Lot (word on the street is that Waterworld and Shrek 4-D will be removed within the next few years, but their replacements are not finalized)
-Any Halloween Horror Nights details (this will be a separate announcement at a later time)
We'll see how close this ends up being, but I'm pretty confident we're looking at something along these lines.
"You thought we dumped the old Hulk track when we removed it in Orlando. Surprise! We really just moved it to Hollywood and are installing it here!"
No, not going to happen, but I'm enjoying imagining watching Twitter explode at such an announcement.
Considering that The Wizarding World attendance has under performed due to the messed up ticket and annual pass policies, I wonder if this has any bearing to future plans. The lower lot needs massive improvement.
I just read the #2 theme park operator is Merlin (owner of LEGOLAND). Universal actually came in #3 in revenue.
Merlin do own a lot, the Legoland franchise, three other major parks in the UK, I think another one or two on the continent, Sea Life, The Dungeons, Taussads, and a range of other attractions too, whereas Universal is just what, three parks, with a fourth on the way?
Hopefully they build a off the chart Rolla coater for adults, all disappointed with Harry Potter World roller coaster and a roller coaster that lasts longer than 20 seconds
-Update the Jurassic area to be more like the area from Jurassic World
-Hopefully not a ride based on S.L.O.P.
-Another land and attraction(one like Harry Potter)
-Shutting down a show/attraction something new
-If they shutdown any show or ride, it should be either the Special Effects show or Shrek 4D cuz no goes to that anymore
Universal actually has 4 parks not 3. With a 5th on the way. @Chad
I'm hoping for a Nintendo ride or land in the lower lot or a retheme of the current lower lot space to Jurassic Park/World. A Diagon Alley announcement would be sweet too but I think its too early for that. I'm surprised a lot of people thinks there's going to be a Secret Life of Pets ride as that movie still hasn't even come out yet.
Fingers or wands crossed it's Diagon Alley. While I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and that got me to visit USH for the first time in over 20 years to see WWoHP, I wasn't compelled to return. Having only 2 rides in WWoHP at USH is a huge mistake by USH. I thought they'd at least have the train ride, but no just a photo op. My fellow Potter super fan who went with me said the same thing I did - lets come back during Christmas to see the decorations. Until then, no reason go to back. Diagon Alley is a MUST.
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My best guess is:
2017: Secret Life of Pets
2018: 2nd flat ride near Transformers, turn that area into Transformers Land. Wishful thinking, but a Mack-Multi Launch also themed to Transformers
2019: Trackless Dark ride in the Mummy building themed to escaping the dinosaurs of Jurrasic World. Turn the area by the ride into Jurassic World land. If a third movie is being released in the franchise, heavily tie in the rides and theme.
2020: Nothing really, maybe a new show
2021: Diagon Alley
2022: Enjoy Diagon Alley and how popular it is