Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson, FlickrOne Universal Studios theme park has added nap areas (for a limited time only, at least).
Universal’s theme parks are busy at the best of times, but celebrations like New Year’s Eve really take things up a notch. Just like Disney, Universal destinations—from the original Universal Studios Hollywood to its international locations—invite guests to ring in the New Year on an annual basis, often extending park hours for the occasion.
This year is no exception. At Universal Orlando Resort, for example, Universal Studios Florida is ringing in the New Year with a celebration at the Music Plaza. From 6.15 p.m. to 1 a.m., guests can enjoy the festivities – capped off by a special countdown and a dazzling pyrotechnics display at midnight – with their park admission.
New Year’s at Universal Studios Japan
Further afield, Universal Studios Japan is celebrating the New Year with its NO LIMIT! Countdown 2025 event.
This sees the park host an exclusive stage show that combines elements of Universal Studios Japan’s most iconic shows of the year – such as Kuromi Live, One Piece Premier Show 2024, NO LIMIT! Summer Dance Night with HYBE JAPAN, and Hami-Kuma Shout It Out Party – as well as fireworks to mark midnight in Gramercy Park.
Most notably, the park will offer a whopping 26 hours of attractions. From 7 p.m. on December 31 through 9 p.m. on January 1, guests are able to enjoy a marathon of fun on rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Demon Slayer XR Ride: Dash Through the Swordsmith Village, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, JAWS, Hollywood Dream – The Ride, and the recently-opened Mine Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country.
While guests have mostly free rein of the park during this time, they do need to secure an Area Timed Entry Ticket to access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (which now technically encompasses the OG area, SUPER NINTENDO LAND, and Donkey Kong Country), which will also temporarily close for maintenance at some point in the park’s extended run.
For those looking to relax amid the chaos (and the cold – at the time of writing, it’s just 42 degrees Fahrenheit in Osaka), the park has also introduced a temporary additional feature: rest and nap spaces.
As per USJ 1, the park’s relaxation area is located at Stage 33. “This is the only official rest and nap area,” they wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter (translated from Japanese). “There are chairs and it is warm. There are about 280 seats at the usual round tables.”
#USJ カウンドダウン実況中継18
★現在、ステージ33で仮眠中。
ここは正式な唯一の休憩所・仮眠場所でイスもあり温かいです。
座席はいつもの円卓で約280。ユニバ #USJファン #USJ_now
★USJのツボでは、カウントダウンの写真と動画、随時公開中
今すぐ、ＵＳＪのツボ @USJ1 をフォロー pic.twitter.com/RpmFLcIh7E— ＵＳＪのツボ (@usj1) December 31, 2024
For those tackling an ambitious 26-hour theme park day, a dedicated relaxation area feels like a no-brainer. Honestly, having a relaxation zone available year-round wouldn’t be the worst idea—and we’re willing to bet that anyone who’s ever powered through from park open to close would agree.
Are you spending New Year’s Eve at a theme park this year?