Construction Begins on 'Despicable Me' Attraction

Orlando Sentinel: Work has begun on the Despicable Me attraction planned for Universal Studios theme park. A construction wall (above) has blocked off the building that housed Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, which was permanently closed by Universal Orlando earlier this month. Also gone is the signage, Jimmy’s gigantic image that was on the side of the building along with the trademark paint splatter of Nickelodeon.

The wall is decorated with imagery from “Despicable Me,” a 2010 animated film from Universal. Although there’s mention of the Minions, there’s no sign yet of the goggled yellow beings. The attraction is scheduled to open next year, although Universal has not yet given a more specific time frame.

Another visible change: Renaming of the adjacent street within the theme park. New signage indicates “Minion Way” (just past the Universal Studios Store) instead of the old “Nickelodeon Way.”

Although the construction wall goes down Minion Way, there’s still foot traffic that can go under Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, to the Blue Man Group’s Aquos Theater and the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal CityWalk.