Maskless Outdoors, New Apparel Line, Construction Updates & More: Universal Studios Hollywood Photo Report 2/17/22

Charly Shelton

Universal Studios Hollywood globe at entrance

Maskless Outdoors, New Apparel Line, Construction Updates & More: Universal Studios Hollywood Photo Report 2/17/22

Quiet on set; we’re ready to roll! We headed out to Universal Studios Hollywood today to see what life is like without a mask on (outdoors) now that the health orders have changed. So come along to see everything we found at Universal Studios Hollywood in today’s photo report.

Parking Entrance Mask Sign USH

The State has lifted the major health order requiring masks in public spaces, but LA County still has an order requiring them indoors. It’s nice to be able to walk past a churro stand and smell the sweetness, but guests are still required to wear masks indoors.

Toothsome Ext USH

Before we headed into the park, we stopped to check in on Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen that is currently under construction at CityWalk.

Toothsome Construction 2

Lots of demolition work is going on inside and there was a flurry of activity from construction workers going in and out when we stopped by.

Toothsome Construction 1
Bel Air Photo Op USH

Just like in CityWalk Orlando, CityWalk Hollywood received a Bel Air photo op location. Seeing as the real Bel Air is about 20 minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood, it may warrant a stop for any travelling guests who want to see the real thing.

USH Security Entrance

At the security entrance, the checkpoint where Team Members once checked for vaccination cards has been removed.

Universal Studios Hollywood entrance stock ush
universal studios merch 110700

Our first stop in the park, as always, is to do a little shopping. We ran across this super cool new apparel line with a matching pin. It is of a similar design to the new wraps on the exterior of the Universal Studios Store CityWalk, but it is much better looking on these clothes than on an entire front wall of the store. You can see the whole collection (with prices) right here.

USH Studio Store with Sign

Outside the Studio Store is a new sign reflecting the updated masking guidelines.

Universal Studio Store with Mask Sign USH

These signs can be found outside every shop and restaurant that is currently open.

Universal Maskless Guests USH

As far as guests are concerned, it was a fair mix of masked and unmasked guests at the park today, regardless of the health order’s relaxing. It may be because of a miscommunication on requirements, a personal preference of mask wearing, or just a two year long habit that is tough to drop.

Crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood USH stock
ush maskless outdoors 112310

Characters and other Team Members of the park are under the same health order with no special restrictions for employees. As such, each Team Member is allowed to exercise personal preference on whether they choose to wear a mask or not.

ush maskless outdoors 123441
Frankenstein roaming character stock

Seeing as Frankenstein’s Monster is somewhat dead already, it’s unlikely he can even catch a virus that affects the living.

New York Street Window Characters USH
Shrek and Fiona USH
Secret Life of Pets with Mask Sign USH

At the exterior of attractions, signs are in place and Team Members are ensuring compliance with the mask order that still covers indoor spaces.

Transfiormers Entrance with Mask Sign USH
Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Mask Sign USH
Flight of the Hippogriff USH

For the few outdoor attractions that Universal Studios Hollywood has, masks are likewise optional. Here in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Flight of the Hippogriff was one such attraction. Guests were allowed to ride maskless for the first time since September 2021.

Flight of the Hippogriff Maskless Guests ush
Springfield Simpsons Ride Exterior Refurb 2

In Springfield, Krustyland is undergoing a refurbishment of the façade, with scaffolding and scrim taking over the whole left side of the ride.

Springfield Simpsons Ride Exterior Refurb 1
Springfield Simpsons Ride Exterior Refurb 3
Super Nintendo World construction 112825

Super Nintendo World construction is coming right along, with more black paneling being added since our last check-in.

Super Nintendo World construction 112850

You can take a look at our whole close-up update right here.

Super Nintendo World construction update

We can see some of the decorative elements start to take shape on the front of the structure which, if it is similar in layout to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, will become Bowser’s Castle.

Thanks for riding along with us on our photo report from Universal Studios Hollywood. That’s a wrap!