During a recent visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, there were some notable progress updates around the Fast & Furious roller coaster construction since our last report.

Fast & Furious Roller Coaster Construction

The new rollercoaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood is themed to “Fast & Furious” and will be a “drifting” coaster.

Approaching the construction walls on the Upper Lot, you can see a large platform with several pieces of track on top. On the sides of the platform, a few different track support beams have been added.

We didn’t see anyone working over the weekend, but the platform now has a set of stairs on the side, surrounded by scaffolding for safety. Sitting on top of the platform, a few pieces of coaster track can be seen.

To the left, there are two posts in the ground with another beam connecting them. On the right side of the platform, there are 2 track support beams of different sizes.

A look at the construction site from another angle shows two different support beams near the platform. The shorter beam is closer to the platform than the taller beam. Columns have been added just behind the platform.

A sound wall will be built, comprised of Acoustiblok material (state-of-the-art sound absorbing product) to help reduce sound from the attraction from traveling into the nearby community.

According to documents, the entire track will be filled with pea gravel to minimize vehicle sound.

Located in the middle of the park, the ride’s entrance will be on the Upper Lot across from the Universal Plaza. The entrance will be at the former site of Animal Actors, with the coaster traveling up and down the hill between the two lots. The coaster will have two trains that can hold 16 people each, with ride vehicles that have 360-degree rotation. Take a closer look at the construction in our video below.

At this time, very few official details have been revealed, so be sure to stay tuned for more updates.

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The Disney Vacation Club tower under construction at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort now has a porte-cochère.

DVC Tower Construction

The porte-cochère is on the east side of the tower facing the Walt Disney World Monorail track. It’s a square shape jutting out of the building from its main entrance.

The porte-cochère features trios of columns at each corner and wood slats sticking out of the sides. More paneling and theming will be added to the porte-cochère to cover the steel roof and concrete blocks.

Several crew members were on the ground next to a cherry-picker vehicle when we rode by the construction site on the Monorail. The cherry picker was raised to the second story from the top of the south wing. Crews have been painting this wing a light orange-brown color with darker brown accents.

This side of the center of the building, where the porte-cochère is located, has yet to be painted. It’s still concrete gray.

Another cherry picker was raised between the center and the north wing. This side of the north wing is also unpainted, although the towers between the sections are light cream and brown-orange.

Crews have been moving in and out of the north wing, with tunnels built into the scaffolding, suggesting construction work may be going on inside.

Most of the west side of the building facing the lagoon has been painted. We viewed this side of the construction site from a boat and nearby buildings.

The white section on the north wing is primer for future cream-colored paint.

A few weeks ago, metal frameworks for overhangs were installed around the roof of the building. The overhangs on the north wing are now mostly covered in white sheathing.

We saw a few crew members working under the overhang.

Another metal framework runs across the top of the building’s future restaurant, located on the lagoon side of the first floor.

Through the restaurant, we can see the steel beams of future walls.

Guests dining at the restaurant will have a view of the lagoon from their seats.

Several crew members were visible inside the building through sliding glass doors. Permanent balcony railings have yet to be installed.

In addition to a restaurant, the building will also have a pool. This is under construction in front of the south wing.

The steps to enter the pool have been installed. Previously there was just one large concrete platform in that space.

Concrete has filed the large wooden circle installed into the ground this could be a hot tub area.

The south wing, right above the pool area, remains almost entirely painted, with just two columns left undone.

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Universal Orlando Resort is now accepting auditions from the general public for Halloween Horror Nights 33.

Public Auditions Live for Halloween Horror Nights 33

Universal previously posted only internal auditions for the annual event. The audition posting is for Scareactors, stilt walkers, and puppeteers. The submission deadline is midnight EST on May 31, 2024.

Interested candidates must have full availability for HHN 33 dates. The posting doesn’t list rehearsal dates but the internal auditions posting stated rehearsals would be between August 1 and 29.

HHN 33 will begin on August 30. Construction is already underway at Universal Studios Florida. The first speculation map by Horror Night Nightmares indicates there may be houses inspired by “Ghostbusters” and “A Quiet Place.” The stage show “Nightmare Fuel” and Death Eaters are expected to return.

Will you be auditioning for Halloween Horror Nights 33? Let us know in the comments.

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Critter Country has closed as of May 1, 2024 to make way for new shops themed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. We toured the Disneyland area on its final day of operation.

The Briar Patch

The Briar Patch, the former Splash Mountain gift shop, has been open during the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure construction, but will be rethemed to Ray’s Berets when this area of Disneyland reopens. The shop, themed to Ray the Firefly from “The Princess and the Frog,” will sell headwear, clothing, accessories, toys, and more.

The ceiling is covered in theming tied to Splash Mountain, including briar patch vines.

Carrots can be seen poking through the ceiling.

Pooh Corner

Pooh Corner will see a partial renovation, with the left side of the shop (seen behind the construction wall in the image above) becoming Louis’ Critter Club. This Tiana’s Bayou Adventure gift shop will highlight Louis and all of the critters of the bayou. It will sell clothing, accessories, home items, and more.

The right side of Pooh Corner will remain as it is.

This side of the shop sells sweet treats, with a window to watch Cast Members creating confectionaries.

A Critter Country sign can be seen atop the Pooh Corner Building

To the left of the Critter Country sign is a sign for Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade. The arcade game opened in 1972 and closed in 2002, though the sign remains.

Hungry Bear Restaurant

Hungry Bear Restaurant, the quick-service dining location in Critter Country will remain open during the construction.

The churro stand next to Hungry Bear has been taken apart in time to the beginning of construction.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will close for the refurbishment, but the attraction is not expected to be changed.

Pooh was meeting guests on the final day of the area being open. There is currently no reopening date for the Critter Country area. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is due to open in Disneyland later in 2024.

Walk-Through Video Tour

Watch our video walk-through of Critter Country on its final day before the temporary closure below:

Will you miss Critter Country during its temporary closure? Let us know in the comments below.

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