Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates Lunar New Year with Mandarin-Speaking MEGATRON from Transformers: The Ride-3D

Universal Studios Hollywood marks Lunar New Year and the "Year of the Monkey" with a traditional celebratory event featuring Shenzhen performances, Asian-inspired food, thematic décor and a special Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON character from the park's popular thrill ride, "Transformers: The Ride-3D." The special Lunar New Year celebration begins on Saturday, January 30 and continues through Sunday, February 14, 2016.

Lunar New Year comes to life within Universal Plaza, a grand courtyard situated at the heart of the theme park, where guests will be ushered in to celebrate the "Year of the Monkey" under a curtain of customary red Chinese lanterns and a stunning plum blossom arch. The polygon-shaped piazza will also display a dozen lampposts each featuring banners of the twelve zodiac animal signs along with three symbolic attributes.

A highlight of the time-honored tradition will feature the annual appearance of a Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON who will engage guests in conversation characteristic of his DECEPTICON TRANSFORMER's persona. MEGATRON - an ominous 12-foot-tall figure - is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood's award-winning thrill ride, "Transformers: The Ride-3D" designed to immerse guests in the 3D action-packed robotic world of the TRANSFORMERS.

Unique to this year's Lunar New Year celebration, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome an exciting Shenzhen performance. "The Five Continents Arts Troupe" from Shenzhen, China entertainment will take place periodically throughout the afternoon for one day only on Saturday, February 13.

In honor of this multi-cultural celebration, favorite Universal character, Curious George will dress in festive attire to meet guests and take photos in front of a traditional Chinese gong. Asian-inspired treats along with customary music resonating throughout the Plaza will help commemorate another memorable Lunar New Year.

Year-round, Universal Studios Hollywood's signature Studio Tour offers guests a revealing look at an authentic movie and television studio in select languages, including Mandarin. Expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking guides provide insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy a front row seat and behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest film studios in the world. The theme park also provides in-language park maps.

Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Mandarin speaking guests can learn more about Universal Studios Hollywood and the Lunar New Year event at www.ush.cn.

Guests are invited to share their zodiac animal signs with at @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter and "Like" the Universal Studios Hollywood Facebook page.

Universal Studios Hollywood's newly introduced Annual Passes add to the celebration by giving visitors a chance to experience the park multiple times. For more information or to purchase one of three new passes: the Gold Pass, the California Resident Plus Pass or the California Resident Pass, please visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/tickets.

The excitement continues when "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016, marking the highly-anticipated arrival of the West Coast's dynamic new immersive experience. More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, the land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue. World-class rides and attractions include the renowned, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour featuring the intense "King Kong 360 3-D" attraction and the all-new "Fast & Furious-Supercharged" thrill ride as the Studio Tour's grand finale. Other popular rides include the 3D adventure, "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and immersive "Super Silly Fun Land," the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, "Transformers: The Ride-3D," "Revenge of the MummySM-The Ride," "Jurassic Park -The Ride," "Springfield," hometown of America's favorite TV family, adjacent to the award-winning "The Simpsons RideTM" and the "Nighttime Studio Tour" which runs on select evenings.

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