As
@Mad Dog spoke (hi!), I did do something similar; but I figured in light with Hollywood Drift, might as-well do a small update on that, as it will be expanding the "park" foothold by a good bit (and to add SNW).
And as a prefaced warning: I apologize for the length of the post, but I figured this might actually help clear the board (As I know while he was on,
@Jonathan did do a status update of the Evolution Plan back in 2017; before he left). If you want a simple answer: I think there are options for growth at USH, but I think the balance of the park/studio dynamic is going to come to play in the next 5 years ahead of 2028; and I do not necessarily think it means the park is going to get big expansion.
Now, with that said!
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At this current point in time, with the size of Hollywood Drift increasing the park to the hillside near the NBCUniversal Creative Campus and the former Fum Lungs Parking Lot, USH will be at
8,980.10 feet/50.74 acres.
View attachment 19295
This excludes Project 515 (Universal Studios Hollywood's hotel), CityWalk, the parking structures* (*excluding Frankenstein Parking Structure/Valet), and T-Pad Venue (where Killer Klowns was last year, Holidayz is rumored for this year).
Now let's say we includes Universal Studios Hollywood's upcoming hotel, Universal CityWalk, the Parking Structures, and T-Pad Venue, then the size of the area becomes much larger at approximately
10,761.8 feet/94.68 acres.
View attachment 19296
As it stands now, expansion options are limited (And replacement options are also of note).
To get down to brass tax, replacements is a bit simpler to decipher:
- Revenge of The Mummy (has been consistently rumored in the past, has become our park's Kidzone curse in more ways than one)
- Parisian Courtyard (Has been rumored in the past to be looked at as a potential Illumination replacement [though at the time when it was posted, nothing seemed to of solidify then]. Might want to look at French Street next to it too, as that could be useful as-well)
- The Simpsons Ride/Springfield USA (Contract expires in 2028, and as we have seen from the USJ Marvel agreement, they so far seem willing to let the contracts lapse with Disney so-far.)
Additionally, there had been rumored in the past on Studio Tour in general: relocating the tram plaza to the Lower Lot is one, removing it for the sake of a "Premium" version to let the park have more space at the current Tram Plaza is another. At this point, I don't think looking into that is the best thing (and to focus on other avenues).
Alongside that--originally when the Red Sea soundstages were announced, Soundstages 16-24 were originally planned to of been claimed for the park. And as it seems, that might begin to be turning up if HHN has their way of it (Soundstage 19 has apparently been claimed as a potential spot, due to promotional filming for the event occurring in there?).
As it seems, the Red Sea soundstages remaining to be built, have additionally remained to be as part of current conceptual art--so it might be a waiting game to see when that might occur.
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Assuming if the park can claim Soundstages 16-24, plus the rehearsal hall next to 24; then the property will get a size-boon to get around 10,975 feet/99.42 acres
(which would put the park at a respectable 55 acres [Excluding if they'd expand further into the backlot itself]).
View attachment 19297
If I had to through an educated guess, after Hollywood Drift, all eyes will turn to USH preparing infrastructurally for the LA2028 Summer Olympics. This will include the following:
- P515
- Enhancements to CityWalk
- Infrastructure overhaul to help the park and studio's flow.
I don't necessarily think this may lead to an automatic "New addition" to act as the hook for LA2028, simply because USH itself will be "the hook".
Current plans with the IOC have Universal City and the NBC/Universal Lot being the main home of the International Broadcasting Committee. Essentially making it where news outlets and journalists from across the globe will be essentially setting up shop, on the lot (and around the area). I think you take the opportunity to let it sit back, and see guests come for being part of media history.
