What's New To Do: Universal Plaza at Universal Studios Hollywood

By: Andrew Bermudez

     Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood proved that they have what it takes to create a blockbuster "E-ticket" attraction with Transformers: The Ride - 3-D, boosting the park's attendance. Even on moderately - crowded days, the attraction still commands hour-long wait times, the longest in the whole park. So, how do they follow up this success? They build jumping fountains highlighted by a tower that mysteriously looks like an art-deco version of Disney California Adventure's Carthay Circle Theater.

     Okay, maybe it doesn't look a lot like California Adventure's iconic structure, but it does serve some of the same purposes. For one, it serves as an inviting beacon for the guests who have just entered the park. It also features some eateries, which we'll get to in a little bit. But, judging from this photo, you can also see some differences. For one, the main tower has several slots for movie posters, possibly planned as a way to advertise upcoming Universal films (for now, they just have some random movie posters in place, such as those for Mamma Mia! and The Bourne Legacy). This tower also serves as the park's annual pass processing center.

     Another striking difference is that most of the plaza is the jumping fountains area, which might cause some park goers to regard the plaza as wasted space. However, this actually makes the plaza more versatile, allowing it to serve multiple purposes (maybe it'll serve as the space for the tree lighting this December, like the arena that was here before). In the photo above, this area was closed off, as workers were preparing for that night's Halloween Horror Nights event.

     Like I mentioned before, the plaza also features a place to eat. At the back of the plaza is a Pink's Hot Dogs counter-service eatery, facing the Animal Actors theater and the former site of the Rock Vegas midway games. I haven't tried the food, but may do so next time.
     So, what are my thoughts on this new attraction? Well...uh...it's a plaza where you can get your annual pass processed and buy hot dogs. What can you really say? Actually, it looks much nicer than the arena that was here, which was mainly just a bunch of walls. Also, unlike the old arena, Universal Plaza makes this area of the park feel more open, something that it was notably lacking in the past. Yes, it's not a new and explosive E-Ticket attraction, but you must remember that their next attraction, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem opens this spring. Until then, Universal Plaza is a nice place to relax in some nice benches, under new scenery with greater variety (sorry. Had to quote Mr. Bimble from the LEGOLAND PC game there).
     Universal Plaza is just the start of Project: Evolution, which will radically change the park, including the addition of a massive Harry Potter Land. The Adventures of Curious George, Terminator 2: 3-D, Rock Vegas, the Gibson Amphitheater, and more are now gone as part of this project.