Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Hollywood has returned to celebrate The Year of The Dog! Front and center are the characters from Dreamworks Pictures Kunf Fu Panda. Held at the center of the park, the Universal Plaza is transformed into the Valley of Peace.
There are some nice new additions to this years festivities. Crossing under a canopy of Red Chinese lanterns we enter the redone plaza and spot a variety of activities including the brand new Jade Palace Performance Stage where the Dragon Warrior Training Show engages guests of all ages in an interactive martial arts demonstration performed by Master Po and friends.
Center in the plaza is the pink clusters of cherry blossom wishing trees. Here guests can write their wishes for the coming year and hang it from one of the hundreds of waiting ribbons.
Seasoned animators demonstrate the practical techniques of drawing their favorite Kung Fu Panda characters as keepsake mementos.
The coolest new addition is Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop pulled directly from Kung Fu Panda. Mr. Ping himself holds court and greets guests in a special photo op. He also invites guests to enjoy his authentic Asian fare just around the corner and honestly, it’s pretty good.
There is also some nice new merchandise at a kiosk in the plaza.
Of course the Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON from Transformers returns to interact with guests, engaging them both in Mandarin and in real-time conversation characteristic of his persona. We didn’t see them, but we were told that the Despicable Me Minions have joined the festivities in traditional Lunar New Year attire to meet guests and take memorable photos.
Lunar New Year is happening NOW through February 25th.
Get on down meet Po, learn some kung fu, and have some fun!
