Universal Orlando is on the verge of one of the largest expansions in their history. The resort is opening an all new 1,800 room hotel at the end of this month, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley in the summer, and eight all new venues at it’s Citywalk district over the course of the next few months. While crowds are invading for the Spring Break season, walls are continuously being erected, changed and all in the name of progress. We take a look this week at the ever changing Diagon Alley, and more!
Diagon Alley continues to spring to life, with more and more little details happening every day. The new area, that is currently visible to guests, will be themed to London and will be complete with some of the iconic landmarks from the film and books, as well as actual London Landmarks.
Leicester Square Station looms over the walls from across the lake, and gives guests a look at one of the facades that they can expect to see before disappearing behind The Leaky Cauldron and seeing Diagon Alley. Also walls have been put up close to the bridge area, creating a narrow walkway.
Closer to the actual entrance of Diagon Alley, the peaks of roofs are starting to pop up over the fences and give a good look at what we can expect from the actual Wizarding World. While the walls are merely temporary, they do give a feeling of being in a tunnel, and will make this area one to try and avoid with the heavy crowds of Spring Break.
We are not exactly sure what this will be, but two huge supports have popped up in the middle of all the construction. The one support pole actually looks to be in the walkway itself, and could be a sign holder or gateway of some sort. We’ll have to keep an eye out to see how it develops.
More structures have been added in the background by Kings Cross Station, as guests can see through the atrium for the first time. The windows in the area are also being selectively blocked out as it looks like some of the final touches are being put on the London Facade. The area has been completely transformed over the past few weeks, and that transformation looks to continue.
New Video-Take a walk through Diagon Alley and get a glimpse of the construction at Universal Orlando
Over in CityWalk, major construction has started on both Vivo Italian Restaurant and The Cowfish. This is due in large part to the closing of the Starbucks on the upper level of CityWalk. Recently Starbucks opened an all new spot on the lower level of CityWalk. Starbucks joins Red Oven Pizza, Antojitos Authentic Mexican and ColdStone Creamery as the newest additions to CityWalk. Click here to get a tour of the new Starbucks and a look at the new area.
Hall of Fame Hot Dogs, an all new Universal Store, Menchies Yogurt, Bread Box sandwhiches, Vivo Italian, and The Cowfish are all expected to open sometime before this summer ends.
In just a few short weeks, the first phase of Cabana Bay Beach is set to open directly across the street from Universal Orlando Resort. It is the newest Loews Hotel property to come online, and will open for guests on March 31st. The hotel will feature 1,800 rooms when it is fully completed in May and will also feature a lazy river, a huge pool, ten lane bowling alley and the first ever Jack LaLane Fitness Center.
While work is expected to be completed on the first phase of construction, the park is still working with the city to get an all new walkway in place from the hotel to CityWalk. Cabana Bay Beach will not feature water taxis like the other hotels, but will instead rely on buses to take guests from the hotel to CityWalk. Guests will also have the option of walking, but at the moment, the walkways leading directly in and out of the parks are not accessible. They are expected to be completed when the hotel is fully completed.
Slideshow-Check out even more from around Universal Orlando!
Click here if you can’t view the slideshow
So much is happening at Universal Orlando Resort, be sure to follow along with us for the latest, and make sure to follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills for the latest updates.
