3. The new attractions

The single most exciting aspect of Universal Studios Hollywood’s future is, of course, the formidable swath of new attractions that are currently being installed; once complete, they will bring the long-neglected park up to the standards of Universal Studios Florida (which has itself just recently completed its own years-long [and sorely needed] overhaul).

Four new experiences serve as the standard-bearers of the new USH – and also of its new strategy to not only double-down on the thrill rides that older guests continue to be drawn to, but to also start going after the 11-and-under crowd that has hitherto been the sole domain of Disney.

Despicable Me (2014)

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, a clone of the ride at USF, opened last year, along with the accompanying – and exclusive – Super Silly Fun Land, which is comprised of Silly Swirly Fun Ride, a water play area, and carnival games.

Fast & Furious (2015)

Just announced last April, Fast & Furious: Supercharged is being designed as both another installment in the evergreen film series (which will reunite most of the cast from the past six installments) and as the new finale to the even-longer-lived Studio Tour.  Housed inside a brand-new 50,000-square-foot building, a combination of 400-foot-long movie screens and motion simulator technology will make passengers feel as if they’re traveling at over 100 miles per hour.

The Simpsons (2015)

Another copy of another attraction from its East Coast counterpart, Hollywood’s version of Springfield, USA will actually be bigger and pack more shops and exclusive culinary treats.  Along with the likes of Moe’s Tavern, Duff Brewery, and Krusty Burger (all from the Orlando original), new additions look to include Phineas Q. Butterfat’s 5,600 Flavors Ice Cream Parlor and Barney’s Bowlarama (though the latter may end up being just a façade – one of a dozen being added to more fully flesh out the fictitious town).  The only bummer here is the apparent loss of the Kang & Kodos’s Twirl ‘n Hurl spinner.

Harry Potter (2016)

The crown jewel of USH’s refurbishment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will follow the recently-opened Japanese version’s approach to the T:  on the one hand, the West Coast version of Hogsmeade Village will be smaller than the Floridian original – if Universal Studios Japan is any indication, the only omission will be the Dragon Challenge chasing roller coaster –  but, on the other, it’ll feature attractions exclusive to this iteration.  With USJ, that included certain gift shops and geographical embellishments, such as the Black Lake; for USH, it looks to be a Great Hall dining experience, which would instantly make it the envy of wizards the whole rest of the world over.

(For more information, be sure to check out our article on just what is rumored to be coming to Hollywood’s Hogsmeade here.)