A new map released in a newsletter this month from the official Universal Orlando Team website revealed that utility and infrastructure upgrades will be made from an area ranging from what used to be Amityville/Jaws at Universal Studios Orlando all the way behind the Mummy ride at the theme park in Florida. Of particular note, as circled in the image below, is the area on the bottom right that stated the "work zone" is coming off from a "future expansion" at Universal Studios, at exactly where Amityville used to be.
No other expansion is planned at Universal Studios Orlando in the near future except for the Wizading World of Harry Potter. While this does not definitively confirm that the former home of Amityville will house the expansion, as it just labeled a "future expansion," given what Universal has
announced and revealed so far, it is a safe bet the area is the future home of the next leg of the
Harry Potter theme park.
The yellow "work zone" area may, relatively speaking, be the long-rumoured Hogwarts Express that will run between both sections of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando. A clear map as to where that route may be located can be seen in the second map (with "9 3/4" indicating Platform 9 3/4 for the London train station by the rumoured Diagon Alley expansion).
Universal stated of the first map above:
Quote:
Beginning Monday, August 20, 2012 backstage traffic routes will change as our teams conduct infrastructure upgrades and utility maintenance along Perimeter Road.
As indicated in the map above, certain sections of Perimeter Road will be closed – and vehicle traffic will be rerouted; however, pedestrians will be able to use sidewalks and designated walkways to traverse all work zones (indicated on the map in pink).
Orlando United Forum member Disneyhead took aerial shots of the "future expansion" area at Universal Studios a few days ago, where foundations are being made for new buildings of the attraction. Judging by the maps above, Platform 9 3/4 would be built around where the yellow crane is.
Do note that this is NOT confirmed by Universal Studios yet, and just based on strong speculation and past information released from the park so far. We will of course release all confirmed information as it is announced.