Change continues across Universal Orlando, with noticeable progress on several construction projects and preparations for the busy fall season. On this visit, we checked in on the closure of a long-time CityWalk restaurant to make way for a new offering, while demolition has entered a new stage at The Lost Continent in Islands of Adventure, with demolition now underway at the former Poseidon’s Fury attraction.
We also visited Universal Studios Florida, where we saw construction walls set up around the entrance arch, and major advancements on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, as additional track has been installed behind the Music Plaza Stage and elsewhere. We also spotted more Halloween Horror Nights décor appearing throughout the park, along with several other noteworthy changes throughout the resort. Take a look at the latest updates at Universal Orlando.
- Hot Dog Hall of Fame Permanently Closes
- Berlin Wall Piece Relocated to a More Prominent Location
- Walls Now Surround Much of The Lost Continent
- Construction Walls Arrive at the Universal Studios Arch
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Sees Major Track Installation Progress
- Halloween Horror Nights Installation Ramps Up
- Themed Scrim Added to Finnegan’s
TOC
Hot Dog Hall of Fame Permanently Closes
Hot Dog Hall of Fame at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk is now permanently closed. Its final day of operation was on Saturday, July 18. The dining location, which opened in 2014, is being replaced by Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice, a restaurant founded by *NSYNC member Joey Fatone and his manager Joe Mulvihill.
The restaurant has not been blocked off, but barricades have been staged nearby and should be put up soon. We also observed items being removed from the outdoor seating area.
Berlin Wall Piece Relocated to a More Prominent Location
The Berlin Wall piece in CityWalk has been relocated, moving from a secluded area to a much more prominent location closer to guest walkways. The historic piece is now positioned at the front of the Hard Rock Cafe, to the right of the outdoor seating area and beneath the large Hard Rock Cafe signage. The informational plaque that accompanied the wall segment has also been moved. This new placement makes it easier for guests to notice.
Previously, the Berlin Wall piece was located at the very back of the Hard Rock Cafe. Guests had to follow the walkway along the right side of the restaurant to find the display, making it easy to miss, especially since there was no directional information indicating its presence. Its former location has since been filled. It’s unclear why the piece was relocated.
Walls Now Surround Much of The Lost Continent
Construction walls have been expanded in The Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure. Walls now surround portions of the area in front of Mythos Restaurant and a nearby snack stand. The construction walls have also closed off access to the land’s restrooms as work continues in the area.
Additionally, demolition work has progressed at the abandoned Poseidon’s Fury attraction. One of the large statue feet outside the attraction, located on the right side of the entrance, was demolished a few days ago. Crews have also begun demolition work on the show building itself. However, most of the current activity is taking place backstage, leaving very little of the work visible to guests inside the park.
Only a few operating locations remain in The Lost Continent. These include Mythos Restaurant, Fire Eater’s Grill, the shop currently selling How to Train Your Dragon merchandise, and the Health Services location. Universal has been closing sections of the land in phases as it prepares the area for a future development, though details about what will replace The Lost Continent have not yet been officially announced.
Construction Walls Arrive at the Universal Studios Arch
Construction walls were installed around the Universal Studios Florida arch on Monday, and additional walls have been added over the last few days.
Starting early this year, Universal has refreshed the park’s entrance plaza, replacing the former salmon-colored buildings and beige walls with a new white color scheme. The archway is now the only remaining element featuring the older color palette, so it’s possible that it could eventually receive a similar update. However, it has not been confirmed whether the current work is related to a new paint scheme to match the surrounding entrance area or if it is part of a separate project.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Sees Major Track Installation Progress
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift continues to make significant progress as crews install additional sections of track for the new roller coaster, scheduled to open next year. In the area beside the Hard Rock Cafe, track has been added for an inversion, bringing another major element of the ride into place.
We also noticed scaffolding has been added along the section of track just before the 170-foot vertical spike.
Here are some overview photos showing the other elements in this area, which will make up a large portion of the coaster’s layout.
Near Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, progress has been made since our last update, with new track sections installed on the supports above the walkway that leads to the former Blue Man Group theater. Another section of track appears to be ready for installation above the walkway as well.
This pathway is typically used to access some of the haunted houses during Halloween Horror Nights, so Universal appears to be moving quickly to complete this portion of the track installation ahead of the event’s return in late August.
Another area that has seen noticeable progress is along the Music Plaza Stage. Since our previous update, track has been placed to the left of the stage, and new sections have been added to the right. On the right side, the track is rising above the stage, creating a major visual element that frames the venue, similar to how Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s non-inverting loop once towered over the stage.
Both sides of the Music Plaza Stage have walkways that are also important access routes during Halloween Horror Nights, allowing guests to reach several backstage haunted houses. Crews are therefore making significant progress in this area to ensure the pathways are cleared of construction materials and debris ahead of the event.
Halloween Horror Nights Installation Ramps Up
Halloween Horror Nights returns in a little over a month, and preparations for the event are beginning to accelerate throughout Universal Studios Florida. During our visit, we saw new themed set pieces around the park, as well as additional elements being added as Universal continues transforming the park for this year’s event. Here’s a look at some of the more noticeable Halloween Horror Nights installations currently taking shape.
Starting in the New York area, we spotted several new set pieces for one of this year’s scare zones. Across from Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, a themed sign structure has been installed featuring brick, concrete, and clown-inspired details, along with a “Welcome 2 Downtown” sign.
The stage next to Gramercy Park has received additional theming, including damaged railing columns along part of the base structure.
Further down the street near Starbucks, another themed sign structure similar to the one outside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon has also been put up.
In addition to the new themed elements, we also spotted trusses in front of the I. Stein & Co. facade, located near Revenge of the Mummy. This suggests that the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store will be returning to its traditional location, unlike last year, when the store occupied a much smaller space.
At the former Fear Factor Live stage, preparations are underway for Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir, a live show featuring pyrotechnics, aerial performers, and more. Audio and lighting equipment can be seen in the auditorium in preparation for the show’s return.
Over in the Hollywood area, two stage-style set pieces have been set up throughout the streets since our last visit. These new elements feature carnival theming, continuing the transformation for a scare zone.
During our previous visit, only one set piece was here, pictured below. Since then, it has been topped off with a star, and barrels have been placed at the base along with crumpled snack wrappers and cups to add more detail.
Themed Scrim Added to Finnegan’s
Construction continues at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill as the restaurant undergoes an extensive refurbishment that will be completed in winter 2026. Much of the work remains hidden from guest view, but the previous brown scrim has been replaced with a themed scrim designed to replicate the building’s exterior facade. The covering helps conceal the facade work while maintaining the appearance of the restaurant during the refurbishment.
That concludes our photo update. We’ll be back soon with more coverage as Universal Orlando continues preparing for Halloween Horror Nights and progresses with ongoing construction and demolition projects across the resort.
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