Universal Studios Hollywood December 2022 News Catchup

Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, CA

That end of year lull at Westcoaster hits hard when I go on vacation for nearly three weeks and then have personal Christmas obligations to catch up on when returning, and during that time, there was a bunch of news from Universal Studios Hollywood that was released. From another New Year’s Eve celebration happening tomorrow night to new interactive wands for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the announcement of the opening date for Super Nintendo World (Friday, February 17 of next year—less than two months away, with previews likely happening before that for Universal Studios annual passholders), there’s plenty to be excited about at Southern California’s Hollywood theme park. Keep reading for more details of these exciting happenings!

(Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

From the press releases:

Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates a Night to Remember with EVE, Hollywood’s Biggest New Year’s Event Toasting the Arrival of 2023, on Saturday, December 31

Event Features Music, Dancing, Fireworks and Access to Select Rides and Attractions; Included with Theme Park Admission

Universal City, CA – Universal Studios Hollywood rings in 2023 with EVE, Hollywood’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration featuring music entertainment, a brilliant fireworks display and access to select rides and attractions, on Saturday, December 31 with extended hours until 2:00 a.m.

(Image courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

Included in the price of theme park admission, EVE is the ultimate way to bid farewell to 2022 and usher in 2023 that begins with a full day of fun, enjoying popular and award-winning rides and attractions, before transitioning to the new year in a park-wide celebration and special midnight countdown.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s night to remember begins at 9:00 p.m. as an energetic party kicks off with multiple entertainment hubs featuring DJs spinning an eclectic array of music for guests to dance into the new year with their choice of pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM and Latin music. Iconic photo ops located around the theme park will also provide a memorable backdrop to capture and share moments from the big night.

A lively New Year’s countdown rounds out the event before a dazzling fireworks display punctuates the nighttime sky. A winter snowfall and confetti bursts also add to the festive evening within designated areas.

A selection of food and beverages, including desserts, champagne, beer, wine and cocktails, as well as memorabilia will be available for purchase. Guests must be 21+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.

It’s a day and night filled with exciting entertainment and one-of-a-kind blockbuster attractions, including mega-attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride,” Illumination’s award-winning “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash” and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and the world-famous Studio Tour. Guests can visit Springfield, U.S.A. and “The Simpsons Ride™” and experience heart-pounding thrills on “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D” and “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.”

While reveling in the New Year, guests can enjoy the “Awesomest Celebration of the Season,” including holiday favorite, “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” featuring “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts TM Castle” which brings the iconic Hogwarts castle to life in a stunning spectacle. The Who-bilation continues at “Grinchmas” where joyful park-goers can delight in the wonderous Who-ville and meet its infamous villager, The Grinch and his faithful dog Max, plus the Whos.

Holiday festivities at Universal Studios Hollywood run daily now through Sunday, January 1, 2023.

To purchase tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Holidays and EVE access, guests can click here.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

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THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER DEBUTS ALL-NEW COLLECTION OF INTERACTIVE OLLIVANDERS WANDS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT UNIVERSAL PARKS ACROSS THE GLOBE

The Collection Brings 13 New Interactive Wands – Including a Wand Unique to Each Destination –  Inspired by the Beloved Harry Potter Film Franchise to Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort

Universal City, CA –  A brand-new collection of authentic, interactive Ollivanders wands has arrived at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the globe, bringing 12 all-new wands  – plus an additional one that is exclusive to each destination – to Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

Each original wand within the new assortment pairs a wood type with one of the three powerful cores preferred by master wandmaker Garrick Ollivander from the Harry Potter film series – unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather – and comes with a first-ever “wand lore” insert that details the distinct properties of that specific wand and the attributes of its ideal owner. Guests can also use the new wands to cast spells and reveal magical surprises with the right incantation and a gentle flick of the wrist at select locations within the spectacularly themed lands.

The new collection also brings a unique wand to each Universal park that is exclusive to that destination and not available anywhere else, including:

• a larch and phoenix feather wand at Universal Orlando Resort

• a walnut and dragon heartstring wand at Universal Studios Hollywood

• a cherry and unicorn hair wand at Universal Studios Japan

• a red oak and unicorn hair wand at Universal Beijing Resort

The lineup of new interactive Ollivanders wands is available now at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort, and joins each park’s current selection of wands inspired by beloved characters from the Harry Potter series. For more information about Universal Parks & Resorts, visit www.universalparks.com.

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SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, 2023

New Details Revealed as Countdown to the Highly-Anticipated Opening Approaches

Universal City, CA – SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated themed land officially opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, 2023. So, get ready; this exciting debut marks SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s official arrival to the United States.

This all-new, dynamic land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

From the moment guests pass through the iconic green pipe, a journey filled with exploration, discovery and play awaits that is entirely unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Their journey begins as they enter Peach’s Castle before venturing further into the colorful Mushroom Kingdom.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will sweep guests into the 360-degree world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach where they will become an integral part of their exhilarating universe. Plus, with purchase of a Power-Up Band™ – wearable, interactive wristbands – guests will be able to deepen their interactions across the land.

(Image courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

As the countdown to the grand opening begins, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:

• “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge:” This all-new, technologically-advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, will seamlessly fuse cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound and movement, guests will be seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. This unique feature is a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.
  The premise of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is simple but equally inspiring and challenging, appealing to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

• Mount Beanpole: This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”

• Bowser’s Castle: Adorned with a breathtaking sculpture of a large and powerful Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land, home to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, they will learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.

• Power-Up Band™: These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level-up the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining keys after winning challenges throughout the land. Power-Up Bands will also invite guests to enjoy extra-special interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. They will come in six design options with character themes and will be available for purchase both within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk. 

• Interactive Gameplay: Within the land, guests will become fully engulfed in an engaging world of real-life gameplay, including punching ? Blocks to collect digital coins and a variety of interactives. They will discover a new dimension of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the interactive binoculars employing augmented reality technology positioned within the land. Guests can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant and Thwomp interactive activities to ultimately allow access to the culminating boss battle with Bowser Jr.  These energetic, familiar and fun interactive games will further enhance the entire kinetic experience within the land and immerse guests into the unique world of Super Mario.

• Toadstool Cafe™:  The land’s signature restaurant Toadstool Cafe will serve a gourmet menu perfected by Chef Toad where he will greet guests upon entry. Menu items prepared fresh daily include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, ? Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake.

• 1-UP Factory: What better way to commemorate a visit to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD than to visit the 1-UP Factory retail shop to purchase collectable memorabilia. The 1-UP Factory will offer an extensive selection of merchandise from Mario and Luigi themed apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

More information and details will be shared soon. In the meantime, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for theme park updates. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.