Halloween Horror Nights preparations are quickly transforming Universal Studios Florida as scare zone installations spread throughout the park and themed food booths begin appearing ahead of the event’s opening. Beyond Halloween Horror Nights, this photo update also covers progress on the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster, new turf at the Music Plaza, and the complete demolition of the facade of Poseidon’s Fury in Islands of Adventure.
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Halloween Horror Nights Setup Accelerates
Halloween Horror Nights setup has accelerated since our last update just a few days ago, with a wave of new additions appearing throughout Universal Studios Florida. As scare zones continue taking shape, more props and themed elements are being installed around the park. The changes begin right at the entrance, where red and purple curtains have been put up at the truss supporting the neon Halloween Horror Nights sign.
In the New York area, the entrance signs for the Downtown Clowntown scare zone have been completed with the addition of “Clowntown,” now reading “Welcome 2 Downtown Clowntown.” Circus tents have also been placed on the large stage next to Gramercy Park, while the themed wagon has been relocated from in front of Sting Alley to beside the main entrance of Palace Arcade. In addition, a few new stages have been set up throughout the scare zone.
The Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store has received a new themed addition. A large clown face now sits beside the store entrance.
Additionally, food booths officially arrived last week, with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow-themed circus booths being placed next to Gramercy Park, along with two other booths.
In San Francisco, pumpkins and other thematic elements have been added to the stage, platforms, and trusses for the Club Horror street experience.
More food booths are set up near the bridge crossing the park’s lagoon, including a Meetz Meats booth and a Stranger Things-themed WSQK radio station booth.
Menus for Halloween Horror Nights are not yet available.
Moving over to the Central Park area, we haven’t noticed any new themed props for the Fortnitemares scare zone, but a new truss structure has appeared in front of the Central Park sign. This is likely being used for signage for the Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins nighttime show.
In the Hollywood area, where the Sideshow of Decay scare zone is expected to be located, several new props have been placed. Here’s a look at some of the latest additions taking shape in the scare zone.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Update
Track installation for the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster is now complete. The final section of the track layout, located near Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, was installed overnight with the completion of the coaster’s towering twist element. This follows the installation of an upside-down track segment above the walkway a few days earlier, bringing the entire track layout together ahead of the attraction’s scheduled opening next year.
Here are a few more photos highlighting the coaster’s track layout. The ride stretches across much of the south side of Universal Studios Florida, extending from beside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon to the large site next to the Hard Rock Cafe, where most of the layout is located.
Near the ride station, the opening in the firehouse facade that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit previously traveled through has now been sealed at the rear as part of restoration work. The firehouse may eventually return closer to its original appearance.
Of course, work on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is far from finished, and testing will not begin just yet. Crews are still working on several areas of the attraction, including the ride station, a potential show scene, the maintenance facility, and surrounding landscaping.
Music Plaza Receives New Turf
New turf is being installed at the Music Plaza in Universal Studios Florida, following utility work that began two weeks ago when construction walls went up around the site.
Poseidon’s Fury Facade Fully Demolished
The temple facade of Poseidon’s Fury has been fully demolished, removing one of The Lost Continent’s most recognizable structures. A small portion of the attraction’s show building remains standing for now, but the remaining structure should be torn down soon. Poseidon’s Fury permanently closed in May 2023 and has remained abandoned since its closure.
Universal Orlando is in the process of permanently closing The Lost Continent to make way for a new, yet-to-be-announced themed land. While much of the area has already been cleared, a few operating locations remain and are set to close in phases as redevelopment moves forward.
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