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Universal Appeal
Universal Studios Hollywood — a place for fun, entertainment, and
even history — is taking its first steps
in a 25-year plan to expand the park. The new outline envisions an incredible growth of the amusement
facilities as well as the development of a residential neighborhood in the area.
This environmentally friendly living area is just another feather in the cap of this amazing park of wonder.
Originally known as Universal City, Universal Studios
Hollywood was founded in 1915 by Carl Laemmle. It was the first studio to offer
tours where audiences could watch films in production. Since then, Universal
Studios has grown to include theme parks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls,
and much more. This park proved to be
so popular that Universal Studios
Florida opened in 1990, and last year, Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)
celebrated its fifth birthday.
With so much past success from growth, it's no wonder that
Universal is excited about its
latest plans for expansion. Previous plans were
scrapped due to complex zoning and environmental regulations.
Now, they are ready to move ahead in full force.
While many new attractions are
in the works for the new expansion, Universal will
preserve some of its old
attractions, such as the Bates Mansion from the film Psycho and the mechanical
shark from Jaws. These attractions offer a historical perspective of the film
industry. Preserving them illustrates
the advance in film production techniques over the years. In addition to
safeguarding the past, plenty of
new high-tech soundstages, rides, and theaters are in the works. In May,
Citywalk, a shopping, dining, and entertainment facility, began remodeling.
Spring also saw the opening of SkyVenture Hollywood, an attraction where
visitors can float 40 feet into the air on 125 mph winds. Not bad for a studio
once called, "The strangest place on Earth." |
