By Charly SHELTON

The new Animation Studio Store recently opened at Universal Studios Hollywood as a central location to find souvenirs of favorite animated characters from Dreamworks and Illumination Entertainment pictures. Joining the Minions, Po the Panda, Shrek, Toothless, Cat in the Hat, Homer Simpson, Woody Woodpecker, E.T., Spongebob and Scooby Doo comes a new face to the park – Hello Kitty! The global icon and her Sanrio friends are featured prominently in their own section of the store, as well as in other merchandise throughout the park, which features the famous cat caught up in some Universal Classics – riding a flying bike with E.T., stepping into Doc Brown’s DeLorean, posing for photos in front of the house from “Psycho,” swimming in the waters off Amity Island and more.

The Hello Kitty section of the Animation Studio Store features fresh made treats like Keropi S’mores, Hello [Kitty] Red Velvet Cupcakes and fudge in a variety of flavors, and each a favorite of one Sanrio character. For example, Badtz-Maru loves the rocky road fudge!

Another new area, located right outside the Animation Studio Store, is Laemmle Court. It provides a beautiful shady area to sit down and enjoy your Sanrio treat, take a break between attractions, or affix your new cat ears from the Build-A-Bow station and, of course, post your most recent selfie after meeting Hello Kitty herself.

The store is open now inside Universal Studios Hollywood.

  Charly Shelton