Just shy of the one-year anniversary of the park’s COVID-19 closure, Universal Studios Hollywood will welcome back guests for a new food festival.

Taste of Universal will run Fridays to Sundays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting March 12. With ticket prices starting at $44 for adults and $25 for kids aged 3-9, guests will be able to “enjoy some of the theme park’s best culinary offerings and premium shopping options along with physically distanced photo opportunities with some of their favorite characters,” according to a Universal press release. 

Discounted tickets will be available for Universal Hollywood passholders. 

(Universal)

Only portions of the Upper Lot of the park will be open, including:

  • Springfield, U.S.A. 
  • Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Hollywood & Dine 
  • The Animation Store 
  • Minion Way
  • Pets Place

The event will also feature two new experiences for guests. First, the Minion Cafe next to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem will make its debut, offering dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches with meatballs, chicken and bacon mac and cheese and Nutella banana pudding. 

Visitors can also shop at The Pets Store, the gift shop next to the new Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash attraction. The dark ride was just days away from opening when the pandemic shutdown occurred last year. 

As with other food festival events around California’s shuttered theme parks — like Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival and Disney California Adventure’s A Touch of Disney — no rides will be operating during Taste of Universal. 

The event will also carry the same COVID-19 safety measures familiar to theme park guests (and humanity in general, really): face masks and physical distancing will be required and guests will have to undergo a temperature check before entering the park. 

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Disneyland Resort’s new ride-less food event costs $75, but includes $25 dining card
Six Flags announces 2021 reopening dates, but some depend on states’ approval