(P294) Security Overhaul at USH

[Viator]

With the advent of P515 and P924's permits being uncovered by the Parkfans crew, I think it's actually time to have a dedicated thread on the subject of the P294 permits. And before we go further--major shoutout to Parkfans for the permits being uncovered and looked into as they have been.

To dive in--P294 is an extensive three-location based project, that will be redistributing and repositioning the Security Check stands to key positions, in order to effectively curate a "Universal Bubble".



The bubble, would ensure that security check stands would be located at three positions: "West (Parksfans did a small error on this image) Hub" is to be located next to Frankenstein and the Exit gates, "Central Hub" to be located nearby the Jurassic Parking structure, and "East (Parksfans did a small error on this image) Hub" to be directly replacing the I-Fly structure, and to encroach nearby current USH Tech Services.



For the Western Hub--large infrastructural changes will be occurring, including the regrading of the terrain to have the security hub be the walkway as people exit out of Frankenstein. The regrading will also be causing that of ADA ramps and that of adjacent stairs to be much closer to that of the valet entrance.

It also is not clear as of yet, what will be happening to the iconic USH neon sign (but one would assume that they would be preserving and making sure that sign stays alive for future generations of use.



By contrast to the West and East plans, not much is truthfully visible about the Central, but this should be serving triple duty by serving as the likely hub of USH Shuttle Dropoff/Pickup to LAMetro's "Universal City Station"; the Jurassic Parking Structure & Rideshare, and that of Front Gate parking.

Adjustments have already been quietly made to let TM's know that this area will be getting used for future developments; so hopefully it won't be long until we see shovels on the ground.



The final area as part of P294's Three Hubs is the "Eastern Hub". The security hub for this one will be bordering much closer to the current USH Tech Services structure; and should serve as the main entryway for those who go to the park from either Curious George and that of the ET Parking Structure. In the process of what will be getting affected by this, IFly will be fully demolished as part of the project and this will be it's replacement.
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Unrelated to ParksFans, but important to bring up; I have heard the plan is to have the current entrances and exits be reconfigured to be directly used as "Exit" points. Effectively making it a "One-Way" access for those who wish to enter the bubble, and to leave the bubble. The closest example of what these exit points will look like, is something closer to the Walter Gate setup that is nearby at Antojitos and Abercrombie and Fitch.
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Before I go any further, I want to once again thank the amazing team at Parkfans the ability to get these permit plans out to the public. This project is something that on the surface level, is going to change USH for a levy of reasons even more than P515's importance as a hotel. The link is directly below:

News - Universal Studios Hollywood Projects 515 & 294: New Resort & Security Overhaul

As originally found by Theme Park Wizard on Twitter, NBCUniversal has filed three permits today: for an 11 story hotel structure east of the property. https://twitter.com/ParkWizar1/status/1653557739564732416 I have also done checks and can confirm it's legitimacy.

parkfans.net

I wish to speculate more on the matter, but I believe I will be double-posting to allow this to be the starting post of the thread proper; that way the permits are allowed the chance to shine on their own elements.

 

[Viator]

Double-posting as I wish to do so more as to speculate; I made this thread separate from others; is that I wanted to establish this thread as it is just as important of a project for Universal Studios Hollywood as P515 is. If not more than that.

Once complete, it effectively curates what you may call a "Bubble". The bubble would ensure that once you enter the property, you will not be able to exit unless you intentionally plan on leaving through the direct channels of doing so. And so doing, it directly allows key areas of CityWalk to flourish as a byproduct.

Let's consider Margharitaville and Toothsome, with the Eastern Hub. From the moment you enter the park say from Curious George and ET, you will be forced to walk past that of the two dining locations as you make your way. With the curation of the bubble, alongside the foot traffic that will occur as guests choose to stay on-site with P515; it will allow these two sit-down locations to flourish and be able to draw people in from the second they enter. It'd force Universal's hand to directly make changes to increase operational hours for these two dining locations, as it will be the first things that people will see.

Another benefactor, is Escapology; as it does a similar element as drawing guests to it as if it is one of CityWalk's "Core" experiences (the core experiences right now being that of the Universal Cinema and the Escapology opening in January). As it will be directly one of the first & last things that guests will see, it should push more interest as people are meant to walk past and by that of the experience. Thus then allowing the location to operate with the expected desire of welcoming more customers.

The additional potential benefactor, would be the increased desire to keep people on-property after hours through a resurgence of nightlife. With the Central and Western Hubs, it should nip the bud in allowing Universal to curb and prevent bad apples from entering onto property. Doing so, should allow that of the CityLoft concept to be potentially a viable option again. If at the very least, allowing them to explore potentially looking into repurposing Infusion and Howl @ The Moon's locations for something that could be our equivalent of the Red Coconut Club from UOR.

To me, P294 is the most important project we have at our foreseeable future; because once it is turned on, it will allow USH operations to be able to expand the CityWalk's potential for nighttime entertainment to be back to a level that hasn't been seen since the late 2000's and early 2010's. It has been a move that has been a long time coming, and I believe it is important to give these security overhauls a thread that is deserved for the context of what it will be doing.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I mean....read the Toothsome Thread the location isn't the reason the place doesn't have traffic

As long as its still simple to get in and out great, I'll miss being able to go grab things from my car quickly and just hoping it won't be as bad as I'm thinking it will be

I love Disneyland but its much more of a pain to get into then USH and hope these new set ups work just as quickly and don't slow things down

 

[Viator]

I mean....read the Toothsome Thread the location isn't the reason the place doesn't have traffic

I'd still wager it is a good chance that things might increase the flow as people will be forced to directly see it more properly as the "first thing".

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Also doing some checks, if this is moving forward; then work begins on the week of January 6th, as IFly will be officially closing on the 5th.

 

[saint.piss]

This thread feels really unnecessary.

 

[Viator]

This thread feels really unnecessary.

I think @ethanuniversal would agree but I think having a differentating thread compared to that of P515 and the State of USH makes sense in this context, as it is a large scale infastructural project that will be directly affecting the core "Entertainment" district in a multitude of ways.

I also think that in the terms of what has been established, we have dedicated photos and images of the size and scopes of all three "Hubs", which will directly impact what exactly will occur for the sake of how guests arrive to the parks. The importance of this project means a lot in the terms of the grander scope, beyond simply that of the "State" of one aspect of USH.

Plus if it is a sign that permits are now public and online, then odds are we are not that far out from work taking place for the sake of the project.

 

[Viator]

From @ethanuniversal work is underway on the changes for the Central Security Hub.

 

[Viator]

Blue walls are now being painted and prepped, presumably for the East Hub over by IFLY.

 

[Jerroddragon]

So for the ET/Curios lots you will go to I fly?

Jurassic will have its own....and then one for Frankenstein?

 

[Viator]

So for the ET/Curios lots you will go to I fly?

Jurassic will have its own....and then one for Frankenstein?

The way that I believe it's going to work (And I can be corrected), ET and Curious George share the same security hub (which will mean having to get rid of parking spaces within the CG structure to allow a walking path towards the East Hub).

Jurassic's hub will require people to exit outwards one way, and if they wish to leave the park and return to Jurassic, the "Walter Gate" style exits will be a one-way into the parking structure (be if you are entering the structure by CityFood, by Bubba/Grillbrew (ET and Curious George should be acting the similar).

Frankensteins will be a bit more complicated as that will be requiring the demolition of the current ADA ramps and the stairs, in the wake of a new ADA ramp configuration and a new stair configuration (alongside moving them closer to the Valet/Rideshare entrance).

Only thing I don't have a grasp on is how they'll reconfigure Rideshare into this mystery, but through what I've been able to comb and figure out over the last year, I think this is the plan.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Once again, I hope this all works out

Feels like it would make more sense to just build one security area in front of the park again but hope this works out....the thing I loveeee about USH is how easy it compared to disneyland

Also wont this kinda screw the hotel guests near by? Or I guess they will make it easy to get to the frank parking lot?

 

[JaySalahi]

So every time I go to the theater now I'm gonna have to plan for going through security??? That's stupid.

 

[Jake S]

So every time I go to the theater now I'm gonna have to plan for going through security??? That's stupid.

agreed, but hot take: it’s also stupid to have to go through security at a theme park.

 

[Jerroddragon]

So every time I go to the theater now I'm gonna have to plan for going through security??? That's stupid.

I thought of this, during HHN you won’t be able to sneak in snacks to the movies because of the HHN rules

 

[Steptwice]

agreed, but hot take: it’s also stupid to have to go through security at a theme park.

A central location with tens of thousands of people is ripe for a mass shooting or terrorist attack. Im okay going through security to help prevent that…

 

[Jake S]

A central location with tens of thousands of people is ripe for a mass shooting or terrorist attack. Im okay going through security to help prevent that…

and yet there’s no evidence it actually prevents these outcomes, all while we don’t enforce similar measures at other highly populated spaces. these checks alleviate anxiety and, as far as I’m concerned, little else.

high capacity firearms have been around for years. terrorist attacks weren’t invented in 2001.

 

[Viator]

So every time I go to the theater now I'm gonna have to plan for going through security??? That's stupid.

agreed, but hot take: it’s also stupid to have to go through security at a theme park.

Arguing--at the end of the day I'd rather have a Universal "Bubble" if it means nightlife and shopping/dining can flourish.

UOR and Beijing both have the bubble--I think if Hollywood is going to become a legitimate resort we need to make the bubble if it means we can change and evolve how our operation tactics change.

 

[Jake S]

Arguing--at the end of the day I'd rather have a Universal "Bubble" if it means nightlife and shopping/dining can flourish.

significantly more interesting nightlife and dining exists all over the world without this bubble. it’s a false choice, albeit one I know universal is eager to lock into.

 

[Evan]

I’m all for the bubble I was shocked when we went, that citywalk was just a free for all. Definitely made us feel a bit uneasy. Disney felt safer.

And even if that’s just a made up sensation inside, security theatre as many may say… I love me some theatre.

 

[Steptwice]

and yet there’s no evidence it actually prevents these outcomes, all while we don’t enforce similar measures at other highly populated spaces. these checks alleviate anxiety and, as far as I’m concerned, little else.

high capacity firearms have been around for years. terrorist attacks weren’t invented in 2001.

Wouldnt the lack of any sort of mass incident happening be the evidence it is working??