Universal Studios Christmas celebrations

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD:

A WINTER MAGIC CELEBRATION!!!

By Emmanuel Itier and Felix Itier-Bina

Even so it never snows in Hollywood, or so rarely (last time I saw snow was Jan 1990!), it always feels like a magical enchanting time during the Holidays and early January at Universal Studios Hollywood

( https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us).

This has been a long 18 years old tradition, my first born son  Felix was only 2, when we started, as a family, to visit and  cover the  park for the  various outlets I have been lucky enough  to work for and, for the kindness  of  the  PR team of Universal Studios Hollywood (Thank  you Dear  Anastasia  Lee for your  support). This year was no exception and the five of us (I’m sadly divorced but Felix is happily engaged, so we got his fiancée, Alex to join us) were ready for another memorable ride!

It started when  we landed at the Super Nintendo land and for a yummy lunch  at the ToadStool café (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/toadstool-cafe ). This is our favorite lunch place in the park. Not only it provides with such an escapism atmosphere where you feel like immersed in a Nintendo game, but you also can dine on some truly nourishing and delicious dishes such as the Super mushroom bowl (and you will keep the bowl!) with a side of Cheesy garlic knots to dip into your bowl! I also highly recommend the Bowser’s fireball challenge which is made of a one pound (!) meatball topped with mozzarella cheese and a puff pastry with hot sauce on the side. Simply: insane! And we exited the restaurant, just next door, what a better way to get into the mood but to partake to the Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge!  It was so much fun to just put some special “enhanced 3D view” goggles and to battle other teams through various underwater and in the cloud’s courses. A pure fun and delightful video game moment! The Super Nintendo land is at the lower lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, so we decided to complete the other rides in that section of the park. There you can emersed yourself in the 3D world of The Transformers, which is fusing photo-realistic #d HD media and elaborate flight simulation technology with cutting edge physical and special effects: breathtaking! Then, be ready to be scared, to near death, in one the scariest, fastest and darkest roller-coaster:  Revenge of the Mummy-The Ride! Fun fact: The Book of the Dead displayed in the queue, before getting to the ride, is an actual prop from The Mummy movie! Finally, the last ride to experience while in this area is the legendary: Jurassic World-The Ride. I remember, some long time ago, when I was part of the press event for the first incarnation of this ride which was called Jurassic Park-The Ride. Now the whole experience has been re-invented and be ready to come face-to-face with the Indominus Rex! She is on the hunt for you! If you survive, treat yourself for a cocktail at the Isla  Nu-Bar (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/isla-nu-bar ), you deserve it!

Once done with the lower lot, it was time to take a “walking break” and take a lazy back-lot tour! I say “lazy” because you need to pace yourself if you want to walk the walk in the whole wide park within the hours you allocate to your fun journey. These 60 minutes ride through the “behind the scenes” of Universal Studios Hollywood is, at times, a Jaw-dropping sight when you face a near real-life incarnation of the famous shark that launched Steven Spielberg legendary career. But talking about iconic career you will also go, face to face, with ‘King Kong 360 3-D’ ride, invented by my good friend Peter Jackson (‘Lord of the Ring’ mastermind!). This was the first ever attraction on the Studio Tour to feature 3D technology, creating a fully immersive experience of Skull Island! After the tour we suggest a fun time experiencing the “classics” of ‘Life of the  Pets’ (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/the-secret-life-of-pets ) inspired by the classic animated movie and to move on to the fun motion-non-sickness-but-craziness: ‘Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem’ (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/despicable-me-minion-mayhem ). Then, go for the magic of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Pottter’ with its main attraction: ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’

( https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/harry-potter-and-the-forbidden-journey ). Be ready to join Harry Potter on a thrilling adventure with groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technology and with a little magic!

Next year, fasten your seat belt and be ready to experience: ‘Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift’! We saw this mesmerizing new roller coaster being almost completed! Wow! Be ready to feel the rush of adrenaline with this first-ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster! It’s featuring a groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual vehicles that creates seamless sensation of drifting cars ad they spin in motion at speeds up to 72 mph!  Crazzzzzy!!!

On a final note, we highly  recommend  you attend the Universal Studios Hollywood New Year’s Eve Party: https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/eve-at-universal-studios-hollywood . This is the way to celebrate in your rightful way the passage into 2026! So, get your tickets and let’s PARTY!!!

Blessings of Peace and Love, to you all, for an amazing new year. Let’s rock it!

Thank you, Anastasia Lee, from Universal Studios Hollywood. We Love You.