Since this might be partially related to Phase II, I (happily) noticed today that
a) The dementor soul projection is now full color and does not include any of the silly clouds around the heads.
b) There is definitely either more lighting or more blacklight paint on the dementors, and they were definitely a big surprise.
c) The basilisk now ejects a more yellow-tinted smoke as opposed to its previous blue-purple smoke.
d) (!!!) Universal has listened. There is now one more dementor to the left of the soul-sucking one as completely illuminated as its brethren.
Also, the new castle queue definitely provides for some spectacular views of the castle and its rocks. I still think, however, that before ANY new Phase II stuff begins, is is imperative to cover up the show building with rocks. Universal knows forced perspective, and it knows rocks. There is also money.