Things are rapidly changing at Universal Orlando. Things closing, being refurbished, and opening up. It’s all very exciting, even if we are heartbroken to see some favorites leave.

You may have seen in various places on the interwebs that the soon-to-close Williams of Hollywood Prop Shop is going to become an Epic Universe preview center. I’ve been told by my sources that this is not accurate. More below on the preview center in a moment. I live streamed from the store today on Facebook because there is obviously far less stock in the store. Most of the Universal props are red lined and on sale for 25% off. Closings like these usually aren’t spur of the moment decisions. I found out today that contractors/construction have been seen in the store for months looking at walls and floors. Side note, as I was leaving the park this afternoon I stopped back in and they had tables and chairs from Monster’s Cafe.

My sources have told me that the Prop Shop space will become the new Tribute Store space. Why would they move the Tribute Store, you ask? The Mummy has been all “get off my lawn” about the current Tribute Store location for quite some time. It interferes with their extended queue and they would like merchandise to move on out. You may be saying the Prop Shop space is too small. Before it opened, there was talk of knocking out the wall that connects it to The Dark Room. That’s still something they can do. They can also keep on going that direction if they want and also take over the old store space that currently houses the UOAP Lounge. Honestly, the lounge needs a better space where they can fit more seating. The Tribute Store does quite well and a more permanent space would be a good move.

There will be an Epic Universe Preview Center. I hear there are two possible locations at this time. One being in the unused facade areas of New York. You know all those buildings with narrow streets and allies? Some of those buildings have unused spaces or are used for storage. There’s plenty of room. The other possibility is in KidZone. This could be in one of the soundstages, but my source wasn’t quite sure.

The Brown Derby has been more often closed than open. The last time it opened briefly it basically had sundries. Sources tell me that it will sell Hot Topic merchandise in the future. Shirts are what is known so far. This is a case of waiting on the merchandise. If Universal is wise, they will do everything they can to get some Universal related dresses into the store. Hot Topic has many options from Universal Classic Monsters to Nickelodeon.

I also hear that the Monster’s Cafe location will be a Minion restaurant. That’s pretty obvious from the Minion walls around it, but it’s not been officially announced. My highest hopes for it are that we get some of the really cute food like they have in the foreign parks. Please do not come at me with burgers and chicken tenders. I hear that basically that area of the park is transitioning to somewhat of a Super Silly Fun Land that other parks have.

While we’re discussing that, there will be a new Fluffy Unicorn popcorn in the parks soon. It’s unknown if this will be a foods or merchandise item. I’ve heard both. The difference is that if it belongs to foods, you’ll find it at popcorn carts. If it belongs to merchandise, you’ll find it in stores.

I also hear that the All Hallows Boutique in Islands of Adventure will be permanent and will continue to change themes. That’s good news because having Halloween merchandise year-round is awesome.

I think that’s all I’ve got for you right now. I’ll keep my ear to the ground, so be on the lookout for more.