PHOTOS: Halloween Horror Nights Set Up, Fast & Furious Coaster Track Nears Completion & More

Universal Orlando continues to see progress on various developments across its parks and CityWalk. Halloween Horror Nights is taking center stage at Universal Studios Florida, where preparations for this year’s event are happening across the park. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is also nearing a major milestone, with track installation for the new roller coaster nearing completion.

Over at Islands of Adventure, demolition work at Poseidon’s Fury has progressed to the point where activity taking place primarily backstage is now visible from inside the park. This update also includes a look at changes at the now-closed Hot Dog Hall of Fame, new Halloween-inspired apparel, and additional coverage.

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Scrim Now Covers Universal Studios Arch

Last Friday, scrim and scaffolding were installed around a section of the Universal Studios Florida entrance archway. Construction walls first appeared around a small portion of the arch about two weeks ago, with additional walls going up shortly afterward.

Universal has not confirmed what work is taking place, but the archway may be undergoing refurbishment to address some of the visible cracks on the structure. The work could also include an updated color scheme.

The rest of the entrance plaza has transitioned from its former salmon and beige colors to a predominantly white palette, leaving the archway as the last major element with the old beige color. This has led to speculation that the archway could also be updated to match the newer white color scheme.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Track Installation Almost Complete

Crews are nearing completion of track installation for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the new roller coaster scheduled to open at Universal Studios Florida next year. The banked track elements above the Music Plaza Stage were completed a few days ago, with the track now rising above and framing the stage. This section roughly marks the halfway point between the key areas of the ride, connecting the ride station on the right in the New York area of the park, beside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, to the large plot on the left next to the Hard Rock Cafe, where most of the ride’s layout is located.

With this key section now complete, only a small portion of track remains to be installed. This includes the section just behind Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, seen below.

Over at the plot beside the Hard Rock Cafe, a catwalk can be seen in development.

Of course, the ride itself is far from finished. While track installation is nearing completion, there’s still more work to be completed, including at the station.

Construction Walls Removed at Horror Make-Up Show

Construction walls have been removed from in front of Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, although the attraction remains closed to guests. The show is currently undergoing a major update as Universal works on a new, reimagined version.

Universal says the updated show will feature a mix of classic and modern horror properties along with “shockingly fun surprises,” while still maintaining the “comedic and irreverent spirit that guests know and love.” The show is scheduled to reopen later this year.

New Sets Arrive for Halloween Horror Nights

Moving on to Halloween Horror Nights-related updates at Universal Studios Florida, we’ll take a look at several new key elements that have arrived around the park for this year’s scare zone setups. Universal has announced the scare zones for this year’s event, and props are being installed that connect certain areas of the park with their respective scare zones more easily.

We’ll start at the park entrance, where the Halloween Horror Nights neon sign arrived late last week. A little farther down the street, black boxes and fog machines have been placed in Illumination’s Minion Land as preparations for a scare zone get underway.

In previous years, the front section of the park has been used for scare zones tied to the event’s overall theme or icon. This year, Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow serve as the icons for Halloween Horror Nights, and both are key parts of the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares scare zone.

Universal Orlando has announced Downtown Clowntown as another scare zone, taking place in “the city that never sleeps.” Previously installed set pieces make it clear that the scare zone will be located in the New York area of the park.

At one of the entrances to Sting Alley, located between Auntie Anne’s and Häagen-Dazs, a wagon is stationed. When the wagon first appeared a few days ago, it featured decals on the front and back reading “Dr. Oddfellow’s Grand Carnival,” with one of them depicting a woman bowing and the other of a clown. However, the decals were quickly peeling off, and by today, they have been removed.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Art the Clown, and other clownsfolk will roam around this scare zone.

Although not a scare zone setup, there is a small update to report on at the covered area in front of Animal Actors On Location! The tables and seating have been removed, which typically happens as preparations for Halloween Horror Nights get underway. In past years, food and drink booths have been installed in this area during the event.

The Sideshow of Decay scare zone is expected to be located in the Hollywood area. Additional decorations have been added to the existing sets already installed here, along with several brand-new props that were not previously present.

There are no major changes in the Central Park area since our last update. However, the props currently installed throughout the area align with the Fortnitemares scare zone.

Poseidon’s Fury Demolition Expands Into View

Demolition work has been taking place backstage at the Poseidon’s Fury show building, but that work is now visible from inside Islands of Adventure and is beginning to impact the facade. The attraction has remained abandoned since closing in May 2023.

Across from Poseidon’s Fury and next to Mythos Restaurant, the remaining trees behind the construction walls have been cleared, and the food kiosk has now been removed.

The demolition is part of a larger redevelopment of The Lost Continent into a new themed land. Universal has been permanently closing the area’s offerings and blocking off sections in phases. Details about what will replace The Lost Continent have not yet been announced.

Changes Continue at Former Hot Dog Hall of Fame

There is not much activity at the now-closed Hot Dog Hall of Fame restaurant in CityWalk, although some changes have taken place. The hot dog trophy figure has been removed from atop the dome, as well as the canopy and white trim that surrounds the dome.

The restaurant is being replaced by Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice.

New Halloween-Inspired Apparel and Minion Bucket

Five new Halloween Spirit Jerseys are available for $85 each, featuring designs inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, Hello Kitty, Scooby-Doo, the Minions, and The Simpsons.

Each Spirit Jersey includes a front and back design. In the following photos, the back of each jersey is shown on the left, while the front is shown on the right.

Also new is a King Bob popcorn bucket, now available for $29.99.

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