Quiet on set; we’re ready to roll! We headed out to Universal Studios Hollywood today to check in on some construction projects and see what else is new. So come along to see everything we found at Universal Studios Hollywood in today’s photo report.
CityWalk
First things first — shopping. We found a new Halloween t-shirt and ornament for the recently-announced Halloween maze coming to Halloween Horror Nights.
We also spotted this super cool, highly detailed Gill-man action figure from “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
Speaking of HHN and monsters, we checked in on the construction happening in the Curious George overflow lot. We have a truck out front now, and the whole place is starting to look really put-together.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen has progressed about as far as we’re going to see for a while, with much of the activity taking place inside the currently gutted building.
But while new things are being built, some of the existing decorations and billboards are really starting to show their age.
The punishing Southern California sun takes its toll on everything.
At a certain point, however, can’t someone grab a bottle of spray glue and a big ladder to patch things up a bit?
In front of Universal Cinemas is a cool historical timeline for Pride Month. With the return of the annual Pride is Universal event coming in a week and Pride Month in full swing, this is great educational way to get in on the fun.
Upper Lot
Speaking of Pride, we found some more of the Love is Universal collection of rainbow apparel and accessories inside the park. The releases just get better and better each time, and this hat is the coolest one yet.
But honestly, this backpack is the showstopper. It’s durable, well made, and has several little upscale attributes like the lay-flat rainbow zipper and the side handle just to name a couple, which make this one of the nicest backpacks available in the park.
You can take a look at everything we found right here.
In other merchandise news, we finally got the Hagrid plush that Universal Orlando Resort got a few weeks ago.
We also got a Mrs. Norris plush, if you want something to scowl at you forever.
Better late than never, two magnets from Fantastic Beasts have finally arrived to the park. The rest of this collection came out to coincide with the movie in April, but these were delayed.
We also found two new wands — the 2022 Collector’s Edition wand, as seen above, and James Potter’s wand, as seen below.
And this cute little Hogwarts backpack debuted in the park, along with a Hogwarts keychain. Take a look at them both right here.
Another Biosyn shirt has come to the park, this time for kids.
And for any fans of those little yellow blobs of energy, the Minions, there is a new mug available at the park as well.
We also found some more E.T., Back to the Future, and Jaws merchandise as part of the retro films collection.
This Darth Vader action figure… uh, we mean Radiation Suit Marty action figure… is our favorite.
It’s a warm day at a theme park, and that means it’s time for a cold, sweet treat. These macarons from French Street Bistro are perfect in sweetness, size, and price.
Paired with an iced mocha, it’s a great walking-around snack to beat the heat.
Speaking of cold, sweet treats, these specialty cocktails that debuted on a seasonal menu at Cocina Mexicana have been moved to the standing menu now and are available for the foreseeable future. You can see our whole review of these cocktails and a sopes platter from Cocina Mexicana in our video review, right here:
Lower Lot
In Super Nintendo World, construction is speeding along faster than a blue shell on Rainbow Road.
Bowser’s castle is nearing completion and the Bowser crest shield is affixed to the center tower.
Outside the land, the construction wall has been updated to reflect the “Early 2023” date.
The HHN construction behind Revenge of the Mummy — the Ride looks to be nearing its visible completion on the façade.
And in other Lower Lot news, the once-temporary tables that were laid out for Grad Bash and then the USH Pass Member Park Takeover are still out for day guests.
We really hope these stay put, and maybe some umbrellas can join them. It’s a nice place to stand with your cocktail from Isla Nu-Bar or your ridiculous overpacked ice cream sundae from Studio Scoop.
In the Studio Store on the Lower Lot, we found a pair of new shirts featuring park icons including the Studio Tour tram.
Our Martini Shot of the day is from inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the snow and icicles belie the insane heat wave that is washing over Southern California right now. This is gonna be a long, hot summer.
Thanks for riding along with us on our photo report from Universal Studios Hollywood. That’s a wrap!
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