Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty! She doesn’t look a day over eight!
Hello Kitty, which started with just a few pieces of merchandise in 1974, is a worldwide cultural phenomena. Hello Kitty is to animated mascots as Shirley Temple was to American cinema – a nation’s sweetheart, whether it be here in America or her homeland of Japan.
In celebration of Hello Kitty’s big day, Universal CityWalk Hollywood has debuted a selection of new menu items and merchandise that are being added to the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop on the theme park’s property in California. This extended celebration of everyone’s favorite Kitty will be seen at Universal Studios Hollywood through December 31st, giving guests plenty of time to wish her a happy birthday!
Treats like the 50th Cookie Sandwich, the 50th Anniversary Cake and the Sparkling 50th Drink – a strawberry soda with coconut cream foam on top, which sounds just scrumptious! – have been crafted to reflect Hello Kitty’s playful spirit and the brand’s core message of friendship and togetherness.
These limited-time Hello Kitty treats were designed and prepared by Universal Studios Hollywood executive chef Julia Thrash, and join the other delicious treats already available at the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe on Universal Hollywood’s CityWalk, like the Hello Kitty Mousse Dome, the Berry & Cream Churro, Strawberry Cake, and the classic Hello Kitty Cookie.
In addition to these fun and delicate treats, Universal has also debuted exclusive merchandise in celebration of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. These special, limited-time anniversary items can be found in the Sanrio Smile shop on Universal Hollywood CityWal, and includes a myriad of products, like t-shirts, toys, stationary sets, mugs, accessories like lanyards and cell phone cases, and even backpacks. Guests will also be able to find certain kitchen items debuted to celebrate the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, like the bright pink aprons emblazoned with the cafe’s signature logo!
But while guests may be the ones getting all the cool gifts for Hello Kitty’s birthday, Universal hasn’t forgotten the guest of honor herself! Hello Kitty’s meet and greet in-park has donned a brand now a soft pink pastel dress that reflects Hello Kitty’s timeless sense of style, while celebrating her newest milestone as her 50th birthday helps her usher in a new era of cute! Guests can meet Hello Kitty by the Animation Studio Store, where she’s always eager to make new friends!
Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty! Fans and guests alike look forward to helping celebrate this milestone as well as many more down the road! And while many may ask, ‘what’s her secret?’ Universal Hollywood has laid it out plain as day for all of her admirers: fun, friends, and yummy treats, of course!
