Universal City, CA, January 22, 2020 – The voice talent behind the lovable furry stars of Illumination’s global blockbuster hits The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets 2 unleash their animal instincts to reprise their roles in Universal Studios Hollywood’s lively new ride, “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!,” opening in Spring 2020, which answer the question, “What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?”

This marks the first time the ensemble cast perform the voices of their iconic characters for a theme park attraction. The film’s talent and their alter egos include Patton Oswalt as Max, Kevin Hart as Snowball, Eric Stonestreet as Duke, Jenny Slate as Gidget, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy, Lake Bell as Chloe, Dana Carvey as Pops, Steve Coogan as Ozone, Chris Renaud as Norman, Hannibal Buress as Buddy, Bobby Moynihan as Mel, Jessica DiCicco as Princess and Tara Strong as Pickles.

Adoption day is the ultimate rite of passage for every domesticated animal and the inspiration for this all-new immersive experience as guests assume the roles of stray puppies on the ultimate quest to find their forever homes.

The innovative ride will blend live, dimensional and animated characters with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping to fully immerse guests in a bustling New York City landscape.  Seated within ride vehicles that resemble cardboard boxes—reminiscent of where Katie first finds her beloved Max as a puppy—guests will travel along a track towards the Pet Adoption event and the ultimate happy ending: forever homes.

The state-of-the-art ride will employ a series of technological firsts that combine sophisticated facial recognition with enhanced gesture tracking, which helps to identify each guest as a unique stray puppy for the duration of the ride.  Every time guests experience “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” they will likely see themselves characterized as a different stray puppy, creating a uniquely new experience with each ride.

“The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash!” will be located on Pets Place, previously referred to as Baker Street, and adjacent to the popular “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” attractions. With the installation of all-new store front facades, Pets Place will capture the charm of a busy NY street, including an iconic NYC subway station.

With so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood, an Annual Pass invites guests to experience the theme park’s thrill and adventure over and over again. Visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for more details and to save up to $60 on an Annual Pass when purchased online. Offer valid through March 2, 2020. Restrictions apply.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
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In preparation for the ride’s opening, Universal Studios Hollywood is seeking energetic actors and puppeteers to impersonate the voice of Snowball. To learn more and book an audition by appointment only, please visit www.USHAuditions.com.
 
About Universal Studios Hollywood
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. Attractions 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™”, the new mega attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride,” and the soon to open all-new ride, “The Secret Life of Pets.” 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 DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda Adventure.”  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 thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D.” 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.
 
About Illumination
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 releases include three of the top-eight animated films of all time, and its iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $6.6 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 Minions: The Rise of Gru in July 2020 and Sing 2 in Summer 2021.

​Universal City, CA, January 21, 2020 – Ready to get fit in 2020? Fitness buffs, runners, kids and walkers alike are invited to join Trolls Poppy, Branch, Guy Diamond and your favorite DreamWorks Animation characters in Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest “Running Universal” race with a hair-raising tribute to DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls franchise on Sunday, April 26. The event features a 5K, a Kid’s 1K and a 10K run.

All participants will receive a collectible finisher medal featuring their favorite Trolls characters, hair and all! Runners who complete the 5K can choose between colorful Poppy or Branch medals, while those who complete the 10K will receive a sparkly medal featuring the energetic Guy Diamond. Kids who run the 1K will receive their own exclusive medallion.

This spirited run invites guests to get in the groove and find their happy place as they navigate the theme park and portions of the world-famous backlot while being entertained by characters from the 2016 animated blockbuster and the upcoming sequel, Trolls World Tour (in theaters April 17, 2020), including Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick in the films), Branch (voiced by Justin Timberlake) and Guy Diamond, among other DreamWorks Animation characters such as Shrek®, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots; Po and Tigress, as well as Alex and King Julien.

Registration is now open, but space is limited. Click here for race times, to register and to learn more about the various ticket packages, including Standard, VIP and Play All Day, which includes a one-day park admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. All packages include complimentary parking and post-race refreshments and beverages.

“Running Universal” featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls characters continues Universal Studios Hollywood’s popular “Running Universal” series, which launched with last year’s popular “Minion Run” and “Jurassic World Run.” These unique runs offer participants unprecedented access to sprint their way through Universal Studios Hollywood and parts of Universal Studios’ historic backlot, made famous in more than 8,000 movies and television shows.

Universal Orlando Resort will be hosting its inaugural Running Universal Epic Character Race 5K and 10K weekend on February 1-2, 2020. For more information about “Running Universal” events both in Hollywood and Orlando, visit runninguniversal.com.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Pasadena Comic Con (aka Pasadena Comic and Toy Show) is returning to the Pasadena Convention Center for its 6th year. But now, the show is excited to announce that it has grown! PCC is moving out of its former home in the Conference Center and is setting up across the way in the Ballroom! This year, Pasadena Comic Con will be bigger, grander, and feature a larger selection of retail exhibitors, artists, guest artists, and celebrity talent.

Tickets for the PASADENA COMIC CON (Pasadena Comic and Toy Show) are officially on sale through ShowClix. This single-day event will take place Sunday, January 19th 2020 and will feature a full programming schedule, activities, a cosplay contest. 

The guest list and programming schedule are underway, and will include panels from guests like Renae Jacobs, Derek Stephen Prince, Joe Rubenstein , Scott Koblish, Gigi Edgley , Herb Jefferson Jr., Jim Cummings, and more!

Tickets are on sale now! $15 early bird 9am entry, $10 general admission.

Kids 12 and under are free!

Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/pasadena-comic-con-FVuNu7z

Official Website: http://pasadenacomiccon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasadenacomiccon/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/838979169832622/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pasadenacomiccon/

PASADENA COMIC CON, which is a joint partnership between veteran show runners Steven Wyatt and Scott Zillner of Neoscott Productions and Troublemakers Services, is celebrating its 6th year in action. From its start, the show has been an exciting destination for patrons all over Southern California, and the 2020 show will only be bigger and better. With a host of spectacular celebrity guests and special high-profile industry panelists, the PASADENA COMIC CON is a show that no fan of conventions, expos, or pop culture shows will want to miss.

Conventions and Events by Steven Wyatt:

• Bakersfield Comic Con
• East Bay Comic Con
• Mouse-Con
• Big Wow Comicfest

Conventions and Events by Scott Zillner and Troublemakers Services:

• Simi Valley Toy and Comic Fest
  
• Sac Toy Con
• Ventura Toy and Comic Expo
• Robo Toy Fest
• Japan World Heroes
• Power Morphicon
• Power Morphicon Express
• Megabit Game Expo
  
• Toon-Con
  
• ​Sexy Cosplay Con
  
• ​For the full portfolio of services and events, visit Troublemakers Services.

CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 15, 2020) – The LEGO® MOVIE WORLD, opening this spring at LEGOLAND® California Resort, has officially welcomed the land’s first LEGO® model; a skateboarding, stud-shooting Velociraptor! Standing over 8 ½ feet tall and weighing more than 870 pounds, the Raptor LEGO model will welcome guests into the Bricksburg! Inspired by the time-traveling, spaceship piloting raptors from The LEGO® Movie 2©: The Second Part, the LEGO model is built from 90,151 LEGO bricks and took Master Model Builders 401 hours to assemble.

It wouldn’t be safe to have a Raptor in the Park without its trainer! The family theme park also announced the addition of the coolest character around, raptor trainer Rex Dangervest. Rex Dangervest is a galaxy-defending archaeologist whose best buddies are Raptors. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and snap photos with Rex Dangervest along with Emmet, Lucy and all The LEGO Movie characters when the land opens this spring.

The LEGO MOVIE WORLD is based on the blockbuster films The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. The new land fully immerses guests into the LEGO Movie universe and places them onto the streets of Bricksburg.  On the flagship ride, Emmet’s Flying Adventure, guests hop aboard Emmet’s triple decker flying couch for a thrill-seeking adventure. In addition to Emmet’s Flying Adventure, kids and families will get to enjoy the rush of falling from Unikitty’s Disco Drop and experiencing the many personalities of the fearless feline. The adventure doesn’t stop there as guests can explore Benny’s Play Ship, ride a themed carousel, and enjoy tasty themed treats throughout the land.

The LEGO MOVIE WORLD will be included in the price of admission to LEGOLAND California Resort. For LEGOLAND California Resort ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO (5346).

Buena Park, Calif. –The Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration invites guests to step into the iconic world of Charles M. Schulz comic strips as the characters take over the entire theme park with special activities for everyone including a brand new stage show, HAPPINESS IS. The PEANUTS-themed celebration will take place on weekends beginning January 25th through March 1st, plus select dates. The limited time event welcomes fans of all ages to join in on the excitement with family-friendly options for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park. The celebration includes interactive character experiences, new festive PEANUTS inspired décor, vibrant comic strip photo opportunities including a never-before-seen photo backdrop in Camp Snoopy, live shows, festive merchandise, and all-new themed seasonal food offerings.
The celebration features plenty of surprises hidden around every corner. One-of-a-kind photo opportunities will be available throughout the park allowing guests to step inside a PEANUTS comic strip for a unique and shareable memory. The vibrant décor include full-size comic strip props like Charlie Brown’s kites and his renowned thought bubbles which will adorn the park’s pathways. Guests will have the chance to meet with the beloved PEANUTS characters throughout the day as the characters appear at unexpected locations for personal interactions.
At the Calico Mine Stage the PEANUTS characters will be debuting a brand new musical surprise for guests. During the day Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty and Linus in HAPPINESS IS.., along with their friends as they play, dance, sing and laugh through a medley of popular songs about fun, laughter and the true bonds of friendship. The new show teaches a lesson of self-discovery, being proud of friends and the differences that make everyone special. At nightfall, the stage will transform into a musical extravaganza as the park hosts Woodstock’s Musical Festival. The musical event features the Peanuts Gang joined by the family-friendly indie band The Jelly of the Month Club, performing a high energy rock concert for the whole family.
In Fiesta Village guests will uncover an experience that is guaranteed to make everyone dance with, Discoteca de Silencio, also known as a silent disco. The fun will begin with guests strapping on a set of headphones and enjoying some upbeat tunes. The party will be hosted by Snoopy’s brother Spike. It’s the most fun guests can experience while being quiet.
Camp Snoopy Theater hosts the Space Beagle show featuring Charlie Brown and Lucy, as the world’s most famous beagle becomes the first dog on the moon. It’s out of this world fun for the whole family. Also in Camp Snoopy, the Grand Sierra Railroad invites kids to celebrate with the PEANUTS Gang as they head to the Beagle Bonanza in this fun ride overlay.
The PEANUTS inspired festivities will also be offered at the Bird Cage Theatre as the park offers an experience that gives both the young and the young at heart a lesson on how to draw their favorite PEANUTS characters. The PEANUTS Sketch School will include our resident art teacher who will provide step by step instructions on how to draw the perfect PEANUTS masterpiece. At Calico’s Town Hall, a new family-friendly, inspired PEANUTS exhibit will be open for guests to experience. Organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum, the Pigskin PEANUTS Exhibit chronicles the enduring cultural legacy of the PEANUTS characters through its football-themed storylines. It also traces the origins of the most iconic PEANUTS gag, Lucy pulling away the football from Charlie Brown.
Franklin and Linus are on a Western escapade as they transform into cowboys in the PEANUTS Cowboy Jamboree at Calico Park. The boys are looking to challenge guests with some of the rootiniest, tootinest games in Calico. Also in Ghost Town, everyone’s favorite messy pal, Pigpen will be joining the rest of the PEANUTS Gang as he hosts a special meetup at the Livery Stables with some of his favorite animal friends. The celebration also adds a special overlay to one of the park’s tallest attractions. Sky Cabin will be donning a festive overlay as an homage to the smallest member of the PEANUTS Gang, by transforming into Woodstock’s Bird’s-Eye View. Guests will be seated on Woodstock’s nest as the loveable yellow bird takes those aboard on a breathtaking journey above the entire PEANUTS Celebration.
On Sunday, February 2nd, Knott’s will be celebrating good ol’ Charlie Brown during the Knott’s PEANUTS celebration. For Charlie Brown day the park will invite guests to show some love to everyone’s favorite blockhead, Charlie Brown by hosting with the largest gathering of Charlie Browns in one picture. To show Charlie just how special he is attendees will be encouraged to pay homage to Charlie Brown by sporting his signature bright yellow zig-zag striped tee, black shorts, and red baseball cap outfit. At a designated time all guests dressed as Charlie Brown will be invited to gather at the Calico Mine stage for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity as a crowd of Charlie Browns poses alongside the boy of the hour.
The best way to enjoy every weekend of the all-new Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration and the upcoming 100th Anniversary Celebration, the Knott’s Family Reunion is with a 2020 Season Pass
A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2020 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2020 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Regular passes are just $101 or six easy payments of $13.50 after an initial payment and Gold Passes are $125 or six easy payments of just $17.00 after an initial payment. These offers end April 19, 2020. Applicable taxes and fees apply. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.
For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smart phone. For all current Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration assets please visit the event’s electronic press kit. Join the conversation using the hashtag #KnottsPeanutsCelebration

​Universal City, CA, January 9, 2020 — Universal Studios Hollywood ushers in the “Year of the Rat,” the first of the Chinese zodiac animals, as the theme park celebrates with the Lunar New Year event from Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 9. Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to the theme park.

This spectacular themed Lunar New Year event will take place within Universal Plaza, located at the heart of the theme park. Under a curtain of traditional red Chinese lanterns and stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, the festivities will come to life as guests discover the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes. Guests with birthday years that correspond with the “Year of the Rat” are said to be intelligent, witty and charming.

The immersive event will feature Po and Tigress from the thrilling “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” attraction who will greet guests and pose for engaging photos; Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop returns by popular demand to serve up delicious culture-themed food, and Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos. Guests can learn how to draw Po and take home the drawing as a keepsake memento and, on select days, community cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances will round out the program.

Beloved global pop icon Hello Kitty, created by the lifestyle brand Sanrio, further complements this year’s Lunar New Year celebration when she steps out in style wearing her signature red bow and specially designed Lunar New Year attire. Hello Kitty will be available to meet guests at the Hello Kitty Shop located within the Animation Studio Store.

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, MEGATRON from the TRANSFORMERS franchise will be speaking Mandarin while interacting with guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing robot leader of the DECEPTICONS will engage attendees in real-time conversation reflective of his persona and will be sure to entertain TRANSFORMERS fans visiting the park.  MEGATRON is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”
 
Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the theme park’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride will add to the festivities, entertaining guests in their brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

The world-famous Studio Tour is available in Mandarin at select times throughout the day. Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides, the experience provides insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest production studios in the world. In-language park maps are also available for guests.

Guests can continue their Lunar New Year celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant which features upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine. Inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo, Dongpo Kitchen offers the comforts of a casual dining environment with both indoor and al fresco seating and caters to an eclectic palate with a variety of signature dishes.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Mandarin-speaking guests can learn more about the Lunar New Year event at www.ush.cn.  Information is also available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Weibo @好莱坞环球影城.

About Universal Studios Hollywood
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. Attractions 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™”, and the new mega attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride.” 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 DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda Adventure.”  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 thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D.” 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.