Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth
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We try to deny it. But it’s unavoidable. Universal Studios Hollywood is a far superior to Disneyland in almost every way. No theme park honors its own history like Universal, no theme park innovates like Universal, and universal has the best screens in the business. We’ve had it. We are no, The Universal Geek Podcast. Again.
Today, Universal Studios Hollywood is introducing EZ Rez, an innovative, easy-to-use online ticket purchasing system featuring an array of new consumer benefits designed to enhance visits to The Entertainment Capital of L.A.
In addition to providing guests the unique opportunity of booking date specific tickets, EZ Rez ticket holders will be able to benefit from early entry to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” when the immersive land officially opens on April 7. Early admission to the land will begin one hour prior to park opening. [Read more…]
FOR A LIMITED TIME:
Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Lunar New Year and the “Year of the Monkey” with special Shenzhen performances on Sunday, February 13, all-new savory Asian-inspired food, thematic décor and a special Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON character from the park’s popular thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”
The Lunar New Year celebration begins on Saturday, January 30 and continues through Sunday, February 14, 2016.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates Lunar New Year from January 30 – February 14
featuring Special “Year of the Monkey” Festivities, Asian-Inspired Food,
and a Mandarin-Speaking MEGATRON Character from the Park’s
“Transformers: The Ride-3D” Thrill Ride
Special Shenzhen Performances Will Take Place on Saturday, February 13
Universal City, CA, January 25, 2016 — Universal Studios Hollywood marks Lunar New Year and the “Year of the Monkey” with a traditional celebratory event featuring Shenzhen performances, Asian-inspired food, thematic décor and a special Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON character from the park’s popular thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.” The special Lunar New Year celebration begins on Saturday, January 30 and continues through Sunday, February 14, 2016.
Lunar New Year comes to life within Universal Plaza, a grand courtyard situated at the heart of the theme park, where guests will be ushered in to celebrate the “Year of the Monkey” under a curtain of customary red Chinese lanterns and a stunning plum blossom arch. The polygon-shaped piazza will also display a dozen lampposts each featuring banners of the twelve zodiac animal signs along with three symbolic attributes.
A highlight of the time-honored tradition will feature the annual appearance of a Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON who will engage guests in conversation characteristic of his DECEPTICON TRANSFORMER’s persona. MEGATRON – an ominous 12-foot-tall figure – is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s award-winning thrill ride, “Transformers: The Ride-3D” designed to immerse guests in the 3D action-packed robotic world of the TRANSFORMERS.
Unique to this year’s Lunar New Year celebration, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome an exciting Shenzhen performance. “The Five Continents Arts Troupe” from Shenzhen, China entertainment will take place periodically throughout the afternoon for one day only on Saturday, February 13.
In honor of this multi-cultural celebration, favorite Universal character, Curious George will dress in festive attire to meet guests and take photos in front of a traditional Chinese gong. Asian-inspired treats along with customary music resonating throughout the Plaza will help commemorate another memorable Lunar New Year.
Year-round, Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature Studio Tour offers guests a revealing look at an authentic movie and television studio in select languages, including Mandarin. Expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking guides provide insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy a front row seat and behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest film studios in the world. The theme park also provides in-language park maps.
Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to Universal Studios Hollywood.
LUMOS MAXIMA!
Universal Studios Hollywood Illuminates the Iconic Hogwarts Castle Announcing “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Will Officially Open on Thursday, April 7, 2016
Official Press Release:
Universal City, California, December 8, 2015 – It’s official: “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, April 7, 2016, marking the highly-anticipated arrival of the West Coast’s dynamic new immersive experience at The Entertainment Capital of L.A.
This eagerly-awaited news coincides with the launch of the destination’s spellbinding campaign, which is stylistically designed to sweep guests into the land’s magical world through the lens of imagination.
The campaign is anchored by a new television spot designed to build suspense and enthusiasm while evoking a sense of wonder and succinctly capture the magical appeal that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” has for cross-generational consumers as it announces the April 7 opening date.
In making the exciting announcement, Universal Studios Hollywood illuminated the land’s Hogwarts castle to signal the arrival of today’s momentous news.
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.
Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”
An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.
Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.
A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.
Currently, Universal Studios Hollywood in-park guests can experience and purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” available within the Features Presentation shop, located just inside the theme park’s main entry.
As the countdown to the April 7th opening date continues, the website invites guests to learn more by signing up for the latest news and information at www.universalstudioshollywood.com/harrypotter/signup.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
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About Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue. World-class rides and attractions include the renowned, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour featuring the intense “King Kong 360 3-D” attraction and the all-new “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride as the Studio Tour’s grand finale. Other popular rides include the 3D-HD adventure, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and immersive “Super Silly Fun Land,” the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the MummySM—The Ride,” “Jurassic Park® —The Ride,” “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons RideTM” and the “Nighttime Studio Tour” which runs on select evenings.
About Warner Bros. Entertainment: Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product, and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.
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HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
Universal Studios Hollywood debuts a series of virtual tour videos showcasing the Spring 2016 opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, beginning with today’s insider’s look at the land hosted by the Hogwarts Express conductor.
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.