Month: May 2024

Entrance Portal Trusses Installed at Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk Orlando

A new milestone has been reached as construction continues on the Epic Universe preview center in Universal CityWalk Orlando: New starry walls and portal-like trusses have been added to the entrance, along with new golden window decorations.

Epic Universe Preview Center

Construction site with scaffolding around a building and a green lift in use. Decorative barriers display images of past projects. Bright blue sky and other buildings in the background.

We spotted the changes while on our way into Universal Studios Florida on Wednesday, passing through CityWalk.

Construction site with a blue fence and a partially completed building featuring a large glass window and sunburst design. Scaffolding and a green construction lift are visible in the background.

The portal-esque window decorations are gray with a golden sunburst at the center, surrounded by a white border. The center of the circle is glass. These will likely be display windows, based on the lighting at the top.

A green cherry picker is used to reach the facade of a building under construction. The sky is clear and blue, with scaffolding visible on the left side. A construction fence surrounds the site.

The entrance to the preview center has had new trusses added. Based on their shape, it appears that they will eventually form a portal of their own.

Construction site with multiple levels of scaffolding and workers wearing safety gear. A green lift is positioned in front of a partially clad building facade. Blue sky in the background.

Crew members were actively working on installing more panels of the large screen that will cover the front of the building. About five new panels have been installed since our last update. Eventually, more panels will cover the metal framework.

Construction site with safety barriers displaying colorful advertisements of local businesses, adjacent to a modern building.

Another portal-like display window is present on the opposite side. The large black frame with wood slats off to the right of the building was already part of the facade.

Construction site with a "Please Pardon Our Dust" sign at an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex, featuring a colorful mural of historic-looking buildings.

Like the opposite side, the walls of the entryway are now covered in a dark, starry sky.

Construction equipment with a green boom lift in front of a building featuring large windows and decorative panels. A billboard with an illustration is partially visible at the bottom of the image.

These stars and the space sky make up the same background utilized across Epic Universe marketing and merchandise, also available for purchase in CityWalk.

A building under construction with scaffolding, additional structures, and billboards. The foreground shows a street with construction barriers adorned with promotional posters. Clear blue sky overhead.

The “interactive” Epic Universe preview center, opening sometime this year, replaces the former Universal Legacy Store, which closed in January.

Epic Universe will be the newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort once it opens in 2025. Most recently, Universal shared details on the park’s Super Nintendo World, following the reveals of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Celestial Park. The other two lands left to get a deep-dive reveal are the Universal Monsters-inspired Dark Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.

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Polynesian Island Tower Construction Update – May 2024

Features are continuing to come into focus with less than 7 months before a likely December 2024 opening for Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 1

 

The eastern side of the building overlooks the new pool to be added, with building entry points visible at ground level. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 9

The main pool below is clearly defined with a zero entry ramp and stepped entry feature. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 6

In the larger pool area, a hot tub is also visible to the right. It remains to be seen what other features will be added. A kids water play area is visible on plans which are publicly available. Original concept art suggested an infinity pool or other water feature may be situated behind the in-ground pool, but that has yet to be determined. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 7

Another angle below shows the full face of the building, with some of the pool and hot tub visible below. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 8

Also progressing is the large circular restaurant and bar, which continues along the front of the building. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 5

These small platforms on 5 floors are more and more prominent, though their purpose remains unclear. They seem to be either balconies for oddly-positioned rooms or perhaps public overlooks from which guests can watch fireworks or examine the landscape. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 2

Also unclear is the purpose for these square openings. There are at least 3 visible across the building. Again, they could be fireworks viewing platforms for guests. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 3

The top 2 floors are likely home to the Two Bedroom Penthouse Villas Disney Vacation Club had recently promoted. In full, the tower rises up to 10 stories, but only in this middle section of the building. The building gradually step-down on either side to as little as 5 stories tall. 

Disneys Polynesian Island Tower Construction 2024 May 4

Island Tower is part of the condominium association of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Current and future owners of either the legacy Deluxe Studio rooms, Bungalows and the tower will have 11 month booking access to all rooms. 

The tower is set to open before the end of 2024 but no exact date has been published. 

Review: Disney World’s Newest Character Breakfast Has Us Truly Torn.

We love character dining experiences at Walt Disney World. At the same time, we’re very picky about which breakfasts and dinners we do. Sarah and I also have sometimes conflicting opinions about the types of meals (buffets vs. a la carte) and characters (fur vs. face, Mickey & Friends vs. royalty, etc) we’d prefer. It […]

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Summer & Fall 2024 Disneyland Ticket Deal for ALL Guests!

Disney is offering a new ticket deal for discount admission to Disneyland and California Adventure in Summer 2024 and, unlike normal special offers on admission, this is available to everyone and NOT just SoCal residents. Here are dates & details about the deal, plus recommendations for when to use the ticket deal to avoid crowds, […]

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Nick From “Zootopia” Makes a Floral Appearance at the Entrance of Shanghai Disneyland

At Shanghai Disneyland, Nick is making a special floral appearance at the entrance to the park. Shanghai Disney Resort shared these photos on their Instagram page. What’s Happening: Get your cameras ready once you enter Shanghai Disneyland for the perfect photo opportunity. Zootopia fans will recognize this floral display of Nick as you enter the park. […]

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Fantasy Flash Sale: 30% Off Star Wars Lightsabers and Hilts

Need a midweek boost? How about a flash sale on Disney merchandise! For a limited time, Disney Store will be hosting a Fantasy Flash Sale on Wednesdays with new deals selected each week and today’s deal is 30% Off Hilts and Lightsabers. (Please note this article contains affiliate links. Your purchase will support LaughingPlace by providing […]

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New ‘Moana 2’ Teaser Trailer Released

A new teaser trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2” has been released, following the reveal of a new poster earlier this week.

‘Moana 2’ Trailer

The new teaser trailer brings audiences back to Motu Nui, Moana’s island home. In the short clip, Moana speaks of hearing a call from their ancestors and sets out on a journey to reconnect her people across the ocean.

Familiar faces in the trailer include Moana’s parents, Hei Hei, Pua, the Kakamora, and of course, Maui.

“Moana 2” hits theaters on November 27, 2024. Check out the teaser trailer below:

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