Top Gift-Giving Ideas from Universal Studios Hollywood - The Grinch, Harry Potter, Minions & Mor
Universal Studios Hollywood is Making a List and Checking it Twice
of Its Top Gift-Giving Favorites as the Countdown to Christmas Begins
Holiday Shopping is Enhanced by Theme Park’s Holiday Programs,
Including Snowfall as Part of “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and Festive “Grinchmas” Who-lebrations.
As last minute shoppers begin searching for perfect Christmas presents, Universal Studios Hollywood is helping to take the guesswork out by assembling a list of some popular gift giving items and stocking stuffers from such fan favorites as The Grinch, Harry Potter, Minions, Jurassic Park and Hello Kitty and friends. Here’s a short list of some fun, inspirational items.
For the naughty on the list, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch movie takes center stage with an assortment of fun must-haves, including green faux-fur adorned hats, gloves and scarves as well as pajamas. Magic is always in the air during the holidays, making treasures and treats from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” some of the best gifts. From bespoke Christmas ornaments inspired by the Wizarding World to Honeydukes one-of-a-kind sweets, there is something for every Harry Potter fan this season. Other spellbinding collectibles that are sure to top any witch or wizard’s wish list include decorative Hogwarts castle snow globes, the Hogwarts crest and mascot ornaments representing each of the houses, as well as a collection of unique tree toppers and house pennant garland. This year, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is also introducing specialty gift wrapping that is inspired by packages delivered by the Owl Post in the Harry Potter film series.
A visit to the shops adjacent to the “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” ride and Super Silly Fun Land as well as the all-new Animation Studio Store offer a chockfull of Minions in an array of shapes and sizes as well Agnes’s all-time favorite, the fluffy Unicorn, available in a variety of huggable plush toys to wearable backpacks for back-to-school fun. For the more mischievous on the list, the iconic Zapper and Fart toys will make lasting memorable gifts.
The Animation Studio Store is also home to Hello Kitty with a variety of themed merchandise primed for holiday gift giving and stocking stuffers. While the Jurassic era may have spanned time, millions of years ago, guests can keep the giant T. rex dinosaurs close at heart with popular Jurassic Park and Jurassic World t-shirts and hoodies, both in homage to the theme park’s iconic “Jurassic Park” thrill ride which closed earlier this year and in anticipation of its newest edition, the “Jurassic World” ride, opening in 2019.
For those on the list who have been extra good, an Annual Pass to Universal Studios Hollywood is the ultimate gift. For limitless fun all year long, along with a variety of discounts and perks to the theme park and CityWalk, a Platinum, Gold or Silver Annual Pass will make 2019 shine daily for friends and family.
Last minute shopping made easy at Universal Studios Hollywood is complemented by the theme park’s annual holiday programs, including nightly snowfall during “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” plus the spectacular dazzling light projection transformation of HogwartsTM castle through “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.” “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” takes place daily through January 6, 2019.
“Grinchmas™” at Universal Studios Hollywood features 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 as they usher in the Christmas season in style, along with the Who-liday Singers—a hip boy-band ensemble—who perform a cappella concerts showcasing a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock.
“Grinchmas” takes place daily from December 14 through December 30, 2018.
Spirited holiday décor and festive whimsy permeates 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.
The holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood is included in the price of theme park admission. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
Admission to Universal CityWalk is free. More information is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.
Wizarding World
More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto Platform 93⁄4 at King’s Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts five-film series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling.
For today’s growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future. The Wizarding World also provides fans with an instant, trusted kite-mark of quality and authenticity.
Dr. Seuss
Theodor “Seuss” Geisel is quite simply the most beloved children’s book author of all time. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors, Geisel wrote and illustrated 45 books for children. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading. For more information about Dr. Seuss and his works, visit Seussville.com.
About Illumination Entertainment: Illumination, founded by Academy Award® nominee Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of event-animated films. The company’s franchises include three of the top-eight animated films of all time, and its iconic, beloved brands—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $6 billion worldwide.
Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, is the creator of the hugely successful world of Despicable Me, which includes Minions, the third-highest-grossing animated film of all time and the most profitable film in Universal’s history, as well as the Academy Award®-nominated Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me 3, which made more than $1 billion at the global box office.
Illumination recently launched two original properties that captivated audiences worldwide: The Secret Life of Pets, which achieved the best opening for an original movie, animated or otherwise, in U.S. history, and the global smash, Sing. And in 2018, Illumination’s Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch had the biggest opening weekend of any Christmas-themed movie in history. Illumination’s upcoming films include The Secret Life of Pets 2 in June 2019, Minions 2 in July 2020, and Sing 2 in December 2020.
Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”. Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction and the all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”
The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.” The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.