Last weekend we were invited out to Universal Studios Hollywood to check out the holidays. 

This year the event is expanding and is better than ever with an all new Grinchmas show, more food and treats in Wizarding World and of course lots of great decorations throughout the park. 

Welcome to the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood

It was an absolute gorgeous day

Our first stop of course 

We did single rider, then got stuck for about 30 seconds and then got to ride again. Score!! 

We hadn't done the Tour since April, so we had to make it a priority 

The new soundstages look awesome 

Heading back into the park. Jurassic World is getting a LOT of work done

A crane is on-site 

We are getting even more excited about this than we were already 

There's also a crane on-site for whatever this is going to be. =) 

Let's head in and take a look at Grinchmas 

Show times for your planning purposes 

More construction going up upstairs for the rumored Secret Life of Pets ride 

It's even invading the Walking Dead queue 

The characters at Universal are amazing

Always nice to see new food options in Wizarding World 

And of course old favorites 

As the sun goes down, the snow shows up on the castle 

(Really wish some other parks would do this as to not have snow on their castles in the middle of October)

Who's ready for Who-Bilation?!?!?! 

Looks fantastic 

Trying to get pictures of stuff in 2018. Lol. 

It's beautiful 

We've got some great video of the tree lighting and other decorations throughout the park

It was even snowing in the Harry Potter store!! 

Decorations all over the upper lot 

Mistletoe Minion 

We had a great day at the park and will be back before the end of the year

Out in CityWalk, some new (to us) Lego decorations (gonna guess this has been here since Jurassic World 2 came out?) 

Santa photo spot 

We had to also make a stop at Voodoo Doughnuts on our way out of course. =) 

Thanks for checking out our update. For more info on the holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, click here. 

​Universal City, California, April 20, 2017 – Ron Meyer, Vice Chairman, NBCUniversal; Academy®, Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg; Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele (Get Out); Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Will Packer (Straight Outta Compton); Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer Jason Blum (Get Out); and Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood, celebrated the grand opening of Universal CityWalk’s multi-million dollar AMC Theatre renovation to create an all-new state-of-the-art Universal Cinema. 
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With its proximity to the Universal Studios’ production lot and filming locations for many blockbuster movies, these award-winning filmmakers helped call “action” and shine a spotlight on the Universal Cinema as the place to “see movies where movies are made.”

“The new Universal Cinema is a spectacular place to enjoy blockbuster films and we’re thrilled to have such acclaimed filmmakers join us to commemorate the occasion,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood. “As The Entertainment Capital of L.A., we’ve entertained guests for generations, taking them behind-the-scenes of movie-making and placing them in the heart of the action with our incredible attractions, so it’s only fitting that we create the ultimate movie-going experience giving fans access to a movie theatre where they watch films in Hollywood screening rooms the same way filmmakers do.”

Universal Cinema’s top-to-bottom makeover coincides with Universal Studios Hollywood’s ambitious epic transformation to reimagine the world-class entertainment destination.

For film buffs, Universal CityWalk has long been the epicenter for fans seeking an environment that matches the excitement of their favorite blockbuster movies. Delivering modern, high-tech elegance and chic sophistication, the renovation of the split-level movie theatre offers a stylish and inviting place that captures the spirt of the glamourous movie studio—complete with screening room quality theatres and ultra-plush reclining seats.

The Director’s Lounge Cocktail Bar—an all-new upscale and stylish second-level retreat, flanked by the upper level theatres—adds a charismatic new dimension to the space for casual pre- and post- movie-going fun.  Beverages served at the lounge can also be taken into the second level theatres.

Each redesigned theatre has been fully upgraded with the most technologically advanced sight and sound achievements. The Universal Cinema represents the first multiplex in the United States to incorporate Christie laser projection, Christie Vive audio sound system and Dolby ATMOS with recliner seating to deliver maximum-impact movie presentations in 18 auditoriums. The installation of new state-of-the art screens, perforated to enable 360 degree audio, complement the overall enhancements.

The recent upgrade to the IMAX theatre features IMAX’s next-generation 4K laser projection and 12-channel sound systems designed to enhance the entire movie-going experience and provide an audience with sharper, brighter, clearer and more vivid digital images than ever.

A departure from traditional movie concession stands, the completely redesigned AMC Marketplace offers movie-goers a contemporary grab-n-go, self-service experience, featuring a delectable new take on concession favorites, including specialty popcorn, gourmet foods, real fruit smoothies, café style coffees and a Coca-Cola Freestyle self-service touch screen soda fountain featuring 165 different Coca-Cola drink products. 

A box office and guest services concierge is now located inside the venue, with convenient automated box office kiosks situated adjacent to the venue by the “5 Towers” outdoor concert stage. Additionally, movie-goers can enjoy $5 Movie General Parking with the purchase of a movie ticket. 

Since 1993, CityWalk has boosted the city’s rhythm through a foundation built on providing memorable entertainment experiences.  With a series of dramatic enhancements currently underway from the introduction of new dining experiences such as the recently opened Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Voodoo Doughnut, and LudoBird, shopping experiences and visually aesthetic design features, CityWalk continues to resonate as one of L.A.’s most influential lifestyle centers.

More information on CityWalk is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com. Regular updates can also be found on CityWalk’s Twitter @CityWalkLA,Facebook-Universal CityWalk Hollywood and Instagram @CityWalkLA.

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 TM” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor rollercoaster, as well the all-new “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction.  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 RideTM”. The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s flagship attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  The destination also features the Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, including the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.

After a couple of delays in our availability we were finally able to head up to CityWalk to check out the all new Universal Cinema. 

It's definitely a much needed makeover of the theater which brings the entire complex in-line with the "Epic Transformation" of the entire Universal Studios Hollywood property over the last 5 years. 

​We'll also take a look at the recently opened Margaritaville as well as a small park update. 

The all new Universal Cinema featuring IMAX

The entire lobby has been redone and it's supposed to invoke the Universal Logo that you see before every Universal movie. The lights here are the stars. 

An all new Market Place for your movie goodies and it's all "grab and go" which is awesome. 

Coke Freestyle FTW!! 

Lots of cool spots for movie displays, the cool thing is they aren't all out in the middle of the floor, they actually built in spots for them so they look very cool and not out of place at all. 

It's not all about Universal movies either 

That's one big hand 

Because the theater now has assigned seating you don't have to stand in line and are free to chill out before your movie begins. 

Seriously, if you've never gone to a theater with assigned seating you are totally missing out. It's incredible. 

Let's head into one of the theaters 

This is definitely one of the smaller ones, but looks and sounds amazing. All of the seats have recliners and are incredibly comfortable. 

You can even lift up the arm rest and make it a love seat. 

Chilling out and watching a Toyota commercial. ;) 

Considering the last movie my wife and I saw at this theater was Casper (when we were just dating) I'd say we're due for a return visit. And we'll do that soon. 

Some info on the technology inside the theaters 

All-New Next Generation Technology
Projectors:
All 18 auditoriums are equipped with Christie RGB laser projection. Delivering the best color reproduction of any display system in the world with incredibly bright on-screen images, Christie’s 4K resolution creates sharper, detailed visuals for the best in movie-going viewing.
The projectors, located within the largest auditoriums, were relocated into air conditioned “pods” hidden on each balcony to enhance and improve projection angles.
Projectors located within the all other theatres were also repositioned to improve projection angles. 11 of the 18 theatres are equipped with 3D technology.
The recent upgrade to the IMAX theatre features next-generation 4K laser projection and 12-channel sound systems designed to enhance the entire movie-going experience and provide audiences with sharper, brighter, clearer and more vivid digital images than ever.

Audio:
All 18 auditoriums have been upgraded to Dolby ATMOS immersive surround sound utilizing Christie Vive Audio system and enhanced with Digital Signal Processing.
The new Cinema features more than 700 new speakers, with each auditorium equipped with approximately 40. Each screen also has three sub-woofer speakers located behind the screens to further enable 360-degree audio. 
The Universal Cinema is the first laser-multiplex in the United States to utilize the Christie Vive Audio solution which further allows for precise audio fine-tuning of each auditorium.

Screens:
All 18 theatres are outfitted with new, state-of-the art screens, perforated to enable 360 degree audio.

Auditoriums: Auditoriums
All 18 auditoriums were completely remodeled as sleek and elegant “black boxes” to create the ultimate immersive environment. Every theatre is tonal black on black – black walls, speakers, seats and flooring – to reduce any light interference and allows movie-goers to focus on the movie-watching experience.

Deluxe & Loveseat Recliner Seats
The complete renovation of the split level structure includes the installation of plush deluxe recliner seats with retractable leg rests to all theatres —the equivalent of those found in Hollywood screening rooms, making every seat, the best seat in the house. The theatre also features extra wide loveseat recliners, measuring 59”. The seats measure 32” in width with the inclusion of the armrests on either side each measuring 5”.
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The Universal Cinema provides reserved seating, with real-time seating charts. Collectively, the Cinema comfortably seats up to 2,000 movie-goers at one time. 

While you are chilling out waiting for your movie to begin you can have a drink. And you can take them into the theaters located on the top level which is very cool. 

A bit more of the "Universal Logo" layout. Can definitely tell here. 

Themed drinks are all the rage these days. This one is guaranteed to be better than the movie it's themed after. ;) 

More lounging

We also got a chance to go into one of the projection rooms, this is a "laser" projector. 

We did also get to see the IMAX projector, but no pictures sadly. Let's just say that thing is as big as my Kia Soul. 

The renovated theater isn't the only new thing open on CityWalk, Margaritaville is open as well. 

Definitely more bright and lively than Jillians was. 

Spend the day at the park, have dinner at Margaritaville with some live music and then go see a movie at Universal Cinema. Sounds like a fun day to us!! 

Hey, we ordered the large!!! =) 

After dropping the good camera off in the car we decided to head into the park for a bit, it was raining. 

Some work going on around the globe. 

There's really not many parks that handle rain better than Universal Studios Hollywood 

Looks like some more work going on on New York Street on the upper lot. 

Kind of odd, yesterday there were some wraps on these walls, next day back to bare. Weird. 

It was stormy, but it would get worse later in the day. 

Again, Universal handles rainy days amazing. And the hot chocolate was delicious!!! 

Alright, that's going to wrap it up for this update. Thanks to Universal for inviting us out on a tour of the new theater. We'll definitely report back when we see a movie up there. We'll have to make it something loud and crazy to fully get the impact of the IMAX. 

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