We heard a rumor… About Universal Studios Hollywood!

Universal Studios Hollywood announced yesterday that the Special Effects Show, Universal’s Animal Actors, and the Production Central Store will close on Jan. 8, 2023, to make way for “a future attraction.” This crypic message has us curious about what could be taking that area’s place. Here are a few things we’ve heard… Remember, take it all with a grain of salt!

What Could Be Coming?

It’s certainly no secret that Universal Studios Hollywood fans have been Slytherin green with envy since Universal Studios Florida’s Diagon Alley opened in 2014. Since that area is directly across from Hogsmeade on the park’s Upper Lot, it’s not impossible to hope that California will finally have its very own version of Diagon Alley.

The Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida is a large area that includes an outdoor section with shops and restaurants (similar to Hogsmeade), but also a sinister interior street kept in eternal night, Knockturn Alley. But it’s the land’s major ride that steals the show, Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts. Therefore, if USH were to recreate Diagon Alley they would need a large amount of space to make it work. 

Considering that Hogsmeade in Hollywood and Orlando are nearly identical, it would be logical to assume that a second Diagon Alley would be similar to the original… unless Hollywood were to pick a different Wizarding World location of its own.

Another possibility is an extension of the Illumination area (already the home of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Super Silly Fun Land, and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash). Perhaps an attraction themed to the popular “Sing” franchise? Illumination has been expanding its various IP, so seeing more of their family-friendly franchises in the park would be a fitting partnership between the movies and theme parks. 

Because Universal Studios Hollywood is short on thrill rides (especially compared to it’s coaster-heavy Florida counterpart), one rumor that’s been circulating for a while is that this will be the location of an all-new Fast & Furious drifting roller coaster (called Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift) – with parts of the track extending out over the Starway escalators. However, it’s also been speculated that a Fast & Furious ride will be added to the Lower Lot – potentially even as a replacement for Revenge of the Mummy – which, of course, leaves the soon-to-be-vacated Upper Lot area up for grabs.

For now, Universal Studios Hollywood is keeping us guessing about what’s in store for the large section of the park, which is no surprise considering the early 2023 grand opening of the highly-anticipated Super Nintendo World is right around the corner. Hopefully, once Mario and the gang are all settled into their new digs, the park will reveal a few details.

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Let’s Hear From You!

What would you like to see added to Universal Studios Hollywood? Are you hoping for even more Wizarding World magic, a second Fast & Furious attraction, or would you rather have something completely new? Let us know in the comments below.

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