It’s that special time of year when we can all travel through inner space to visit the Who’s, who live on a tiny snowflake in the middle of Universal Hollywood! This was my first visit to the event on this coast, after many years of visiting in Orlando, so please come along and explore with me.
Be sure to read all the way to the end for a special New Years Eve surprise that you just might want to join us on!
They Filmed the Movie Here
Universal has so many props from the Grinch movie, backdrops and perfect picture-worthy locations all around Whoville!
Meet the Whos!
Costumed characters from the movie are everywhere! The Mayor, Cindy Lou Who, The Grinch and his dog Max are just a few of the many characters from the film that you’ll find floating around.
Send a Message to the Grinch!
If you tell the Grinch 3 good things you did this year, a homeless child will get free tutoring. The Grinch really does have a heart.
The Food!
They don’t just have Who Hash! (It’s tater tots with beef, gravy, and green onions by the way.)
We saw mini doughnuts and Grinch cotton candy. Wholiday cookies, giant Grinch doughnuts, Grinch cupcakes, hot chocolate cupcakes, flavored hot chocolate drinks and chocolate peppermint rice crispy treats. You can even find eggnog shakes!
The Shows!
There are two musical acts that run opposite each other every 30 min or so, all day long. Enjoy the musical stylings of the beatbox Wholiday singers or Martha May and the Who-Dolls. Shows cycle throughout the day and late afternoon.
Then, at 5:30pm, all the Whos (along with the Grinch) gather on stage for the Christmas tree lighting, which occurs every 30 minutes followed by a snowfall.
Universal Studios Hollywood really shines during Christmas season, with much of the park decorated and playing festive music!
And here’s a bit of video to set it all in motion in your mind . . .
Elsewhere in the park . . . the minions are celebrating . . .
And so are the wizards!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is also all decked out! They also do a snowfall and a Castle projection show. Showtimes change, so be sure to ask a team member when you’re there!
We recently ran a full article on Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter HERE
My Thoughts:
Universal Hollywood may be a small park compared to others in southern California, but it’s Christmas offerings are substantial. I’d love to see them do a telling of the Grinch who Stole Christmas, as Orlando does. Would be a fun way for them to grow the celebration. Also, please be warned that Hogsmeade fills up quickly as guests flood in to experience the snow and the castle projection show. So plan accordingly, by getting there early and staking out a spot. It felt very festive and the characters in Whoville were really my favorite thing, with the two musical acts displaying incredible talent. Quite simply, I had an amazing time and can’t wait to return. So much history and real magic in this park.
Now here’s a great idea . . . see the park in a whole new way with New Years Eve entertainment and midnight fireworks. MiceChat has arranged a great deal for you. Come join us . . .
MiceChat EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood
Join your MiceChat pals for a New Year’s Eve like no other. Ring in 2019 and party until 2 AM at Universal Studios Hollywood’s special park-wide event – EVE – which features multiple party areas with DJ’s, live musical performances, dancing and a traditional New Year’s Eve countdown at midnight with spectacular fireworks displays seen from multiple viewing locations. Our exclusive MiceChat event kicks off at 6 pm and includes admission, Universal Express™ access including one-time express access to each heart-pounding ride and attraction and seated show, as well as a $15 meal voucher (valid at in-park restaurants). All of this for just $129 per person! Tickets are sold directly by Universal. You’ll check in with MiceChat in front of the park (to the right of the front gate near Guest Relations between 5:30 and 6pm) to pick up your meal voucher.
If you enjoyed my photos and would like to do a photo session in a theme park, at your work, beach, wherever, I’ll create magical images for you. Apparate into my inbox by sending me an e-mail and I’ll see you next time! [email protected]
Here are some sample photos from a recent photo shoot I did for a family in the parks:
