It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. as Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk deck the halls with a wintry calendar of festive holiday experiences and an array of delectable treats that families and friends far and wide can enjoy. We visit Universal Studios every December and I am here to share with you why it is my favorite time to visit and why you should go this holiday season! Thank you Universal Studios for having us.
The nightly glistening snowfall at “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is magical. This season you can see Hogsmeade transformed with enchanting spirit, festive decor and holiday themed food, drinks, and entertainment. Experience The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle with a holiday spectacle of dazzling lights and music. This will take place until January 6th, 2019. It is really something you have to see. As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” will illuminate Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with colorful imagery and impressive dimensional animations that dance across Hogwarts castle in tandem to a musical arrangement from the Harry Potter movies.
A wide selection of custom made Christmas ornaments created especially for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will also be available. Collectibles include a variety of decorative Hogwarts castle snow globes, Hogwarts crest and mascot ornaments representing each of the houses, as well as a collection of unique tree toppers and house pennant garland. Newly introduced holiday themed fare and hot Butterbeer will further complement the overall experience.
Also in The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, make sure you ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (this is my favorite ride) and Flight of the Hippogriff. There are amazing shows with the talented vocals of the Frog Choir or cheer on the colorful procession of the Triwizard Spirit Rally held mulitiple times a day. You can also cast spells throughout Hogsmeade. Experience Ollivanders Makers of Fine Wands where you can see a wand choose a wizard. Then cast spells with your own wand throughout Hogsmeade. Wave your wand, recite the spell and watch the magic unfold.
Also in The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, make sure you ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (this is my favorite ride) and Flight of the Hippogriff. There are amazing shows with the talented vocals of the Frog Choir or cheer on the colorful procession of the Triwizard Spirit Rally held mulitiple times a day. You can also cast spells throughout Hogsmeade. Experience Ollivanders Makers of Fine Wands where you can see a wand choose a wizard. Then cast spells with your own wand throughout Hogsmeade. Wave your wand, recite the spell and watch the magic unfold.
Grinchmas will take place on December 8th, 9th and daily from December 14th through December 30th. We go every year and the entire family LOVES it. You can see my blog post for 2017 here and for 2016 here. It is a Who-lebration of fun fit for The Grinch, his faithful dog Max and a roster of Who-ville Whos. The annual event comes to life with a towering 60 foot tall whimsical “Grinchmas” tree where Martha May Who-vier and the Who Dolls take center stage performing energetic musical sets to usher in the Christmas season in style. The Who-liday Singers, a hip boy-band ensemble, perform a cappella concerts featuring a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock. We love going to Universal Studios and kicking off the holiday season with Grinchmas. It is our favorite thing to do during the month of December and we always look forward to it.
Right when you walk into Grinchmas make sure you line up to get your photo with the Grinch. It is a must! The line can get long so Blake always waits in line while I take the kids to explore and play all throughout Grinchmas.
Cindy Lou Who and all of the Whoville characters are simply amazing. They will take photos, visit, and play with the kids. It is so much fun.
These signs are located in Grinchmas and they are so informative with times of the events so you don't miss a thing all day!
The special holiday treats they have at Grinchmas are so creative and delicious!
There is also great merchandise to purchase. We bought two Christmas ornaments for our tree.
At the post office you can send a postcard to the Grinch and Universal Studios Hollywood's Discover a Star Foundation will make a donation to School on Wheels.
Martha May Who-vier and the Who Dolls
The Who-liday Singers
You can meet your favorite characters throughout Universal Studios so make sure you walk around and meet your favorite characters.
You can meet Hello Kitty near the Animation Studio Store.
Spirited holiday décor and festive whimsy will permeate throughout the theme park including “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and the adjoining “Super Silly Fun Land” as a crew of very merry and mischievous Minions gleefully spread Christmas cheer to visitors of all ages. Make sure you join Gru, his daughters and the minions in Super Silly Fun Land.
Make sure you join Master Po in an all new multi-sensory attraction at DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda.
The Ultimate Hollywood Studio Tour is world famous. You will ride through the world's largest 3-D experience on King Kong 360 3-D, created by Peter Jackson. Hold on tight for the Studio Tour's grand finale, Fast & Furious! The tour lasts 60 minutes. It is so informative and I love doing this every year.
There are so many amazing attractions and rides like Transformers The Ride 3D, Revenge Of The Mummy, Universal Animal Actors, The Walking Dead, Water World, Special Effects Show, The Simpsons Ride, and so much more!
In Springfield you can enter the world of The Simpsons like never before and visit downtown Springfield. Enjoy a "Genuine Clown Endorsed Meal" at Krusty Burger, grab a Homer sized helping of donuts at Lard Lad and imbibe at Moe's Tavern. You can also meet your favorite Simpsons characters in Springfield.
My personal favorite place to eat in Springfield is Luigi's! We also love Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck.
On Universal CityWalk (which is completely free to visit) a spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree glistens with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season in the 5 Towers plaza. Santa Claus makes daily appearances and offers special photo opportunities at 5 Towers. The iconic, dancing water fountain situated at the heart of CityWalk also makes a splash this holiday season. This visually dynamic fountain, displaying over 230 individual power jets, projects streams of choreographed water into the air complemented by red and green LED lights and an array of holiday-themed music. Free concert performances at “5 Towers” and an eclectic ensemble of talented street performers help make CityWalk the ultimate L.A. holiday destination. The spirit of the season continues with a wintertime transformation of Universal CityWalk, now through December 23, 2018. There are great places to eat, shop, and explore. There is even a movie theater.
All of this holiday fun at Universal Studios Hollywood is included in the price of theme park admission. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. It is a must see this holiday season so make sure you visit!
Click here to see how we celebrate the Grinch all month long!
Make sure you download the official park app. Navigate the theme park and Universal CityWalk with interactive maps, wait times, show times and more all in the palm of your hand.
Universal Studios can be found on FB, IG, Twitter, and YouTube
Click here to see how we celebrate the Grinch all month long!
Make sure you download the official park app. Navigate the theme park and Universal CityWalk with interactive maps, wait times, show times and more all in the palm of your hand.
Universal Studios can be found on FB, IG, Twitter, and YouTube
Pin This Image
