Celebrate the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
It’s-a-me, Snowman Mario! Vital Thrills got a chance to visit Universal Studios Hollywood to check out the holiday celebrations all over the park. We weren’t alone. The place was busier than we’ve seen it, even in the summer, with a whole lot of very cute kids in Bowser hats and Grinch onesies (Okay, it actually wasn’t just kids.)
The holiday offerings run through Monday, January 6, 2025, and are included in the ticket price. Since Super Nintendo World is the newest spot in the park (you can check out our preview visit report here), we made a beeline for it.
As you enter the land through the rainbow tunnel, you’re treated to Mario and Luigi snowmen wrapped in scarves and wearing their signature hats. The line wasn’t very long to take a picture with these guys, but we left it for the kids.
Inside, we finally managed to get on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. While there was a long wait, we got to use our complimentary express tickets. Friends, if you hit one ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, this is the one. The wait is worth every second.
That’s true, even if you get motion sickness. This is an augmented reality ride so you can still see where you are in the space. If you’ve ever played Mario Kart, you’ll lose your mind over this ride.
Also, there are new holiday treats at Toadstool Cafe, though it was fully booked when we were there. Make sure you make reservations early! Next up, we visited the Harry Potter area of the park for “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.”
We’ve checked out this pretty spectacular light show every year since it started and it remains a favorite. The show happens every 30 minutes and you simply have to walk back to Hogwarts to watch. It’s way above you, so it’s pretty easy to see, no matter where you are in the crowd.
We recommend going to the 5:30 p.m. show (the first one) because traffic in and out of the area gets a little tough. There is music, and incredible moving images are projected onto the castle, with fireworks at the end. Make sure you get your seasonal hot butterbeer at Three Broomsticks before the show starts as you’ll be exiting the area after.
While we were visiting, there were costumed characters everywhere, from Marilyn Monroe to Hello Kitty, to the entire Scooby-Doo gang taking pictures with guests. We were also lucky enough to see a number of the Who-Bee-Doo-Whop Singers from Whoville near the topsy-turvy Grinchmas tree.
The twisty tree itself is over 65 feet tall and has ornaments all over the place. (Get up close and check out the tiny mouse on one of the presents in the front.) The park recreated Whoville in spectacular fashion, with Cindy-Lou Who taking pictures with guests the whole time we were there.
The tree-lighting is another thing you’ll want to get there early for, though you don’t have to be right up close. You can see quite a bit from far away. Even during the day, though, it’s a sight to behold and before the lighting, you can get right up there. Make sure to stop outside to see Donkey from the Shrek franchise. The person doing the improv voice is an absolute master and we’re in awe every single year.
Even better? When we entered Whoville, the first creature we saw was Max! You know, the Grinch’s long-suffering and very awesome dog, played by a real one! This little guy was incredibly patient and such a cutie pie. If you get a chance, give him a gentle scritch. You can even get a picture with the Grinch himself (another master of improv).
In addition to all the holiday sights, the entire park is decorated for the holidays. While that does mean some lines, just walking around makes you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland, right in the heart of Southern California.
If you’ve got some last-minute shopping to do for the holidays, there are a ton of holiday-themed items on sale in all the gift shops at Universal Studios Hollywood. While I do love a gift shop, I have to say that these sort of take the cake. They honestly feel like they’re part of the exhibits at the park, and they’re just as much fun to walk around as the rest of the area. In addition, there seem to be more chairs around in general this year, in case you wear yourself out.
Even with a packed solid park, everyone was in the holiday spirit, including the employees who were dancing and singing with the guests (I’m talking about one janitor and several food service employees in particular who were a delight), and generally seemed to have a blast.
One person was dancing with a little girl who was visiting, and it made her day. This has been a rough year for everyone, and it was so lovely to see that many people smiling and laughing in one place. You can purchase tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood here. Happy holidays, everyone!
