Universal Studios Update - Painting & Workin' (Part 1)

Universal Studios Florida has really been receiving some tender loving care in these past few months. Buildings are being repainted, shows are being replaced (not including Fear Factor, unfortunately), rides are being created (Despicable Me), and attractions are being refurbished.

Let's take a look together around the park, to see what has changed since our last visit:

Welcome to Universal Orlando:

Ah, the nice and warm temperature of September... It is still in the 90's, but it is less humid. Perfect for me:

The wait times sign seems to be having some technical issues:

The Universal Studios Store has been receiving a lot of attention, recently. First, they refurbished all the showcases, then they refurbished the sign. Now, they've painted over the big artwork that was located on the front of the entrance:





For the sake of comparison:

BEFORE:



NOW:





The newly-renamed "Minion Way":





Work continues inside the former Jimmy Neutron building:





Despicable Me is coming soon...

All the LCD televisions have been taken out. They are all missing in the outdoor queue:

A lot of minions have appeared outside the ride's building:

They're just cutouts, but still fun to look at (and to take pictures with):

More minions:

Up... they go:

Shrek's showbuilding has been completely repainted, and looks great: 

This is Soundstage 40, which is also named Soundstage 4-D, due to the attraction it houses:

And, by the way, they were once again using the main theater, not the rarely-used back theater:

The Hollywood Bowl Theater is ready to host some concerts:

It looks like they are repainting also the exterior of the Monsters Cafe':

This side was the original:

Now, it is all being repainted (you can see that the paint is fresh)...

Here, you can notice the difference:

Is it the end of the Monsters Cafe'? I would be more than happy, As long as they reopen it in some form:

Twister was closed:

Just a seasonal refurbishment:

The Storm Chasers were out collecting data. I love signs that go along with the ride's story:

Some of the cars of the New York section were parked near the facade of the New York's Library:

These facades were repainted just a few months ago, but it looks like there's something still going on there:

Maybe it's just a temporary storage area:

Mmmm... where's everybody?:

A look at the Delancey Street Preview Center:

Can you believe that in all these years I have not noticed this sing?:

I always missed it...

Your opinion counts...

...but of course, it was closed.

Now, the update is not over yet. Please, proceed to PART 2, for many more photos!