If an entertainment property is shiny and big and bright and blockbustery, it probably has a birthday in late May.
Fact? Fact. Look no further than the "Star Wars" films, and basically any other mega movie extravaganza. They all make their debuts just ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.
So why shouldn't a famous entertainment shopping complex also share some of that particular cake? Universal CityWalk also has a late-May birthday, and it is marking a rather milestone-ish one this year: numero 20.
Yep, the high-on-the-hill, LED-laden, King-Kongian destination opened its outdoor doors in May 1993, meaning it has officially been a "what do you want to do tonight?" SoCal staple for two decades.
The official bash, complete with a 20-tier cake, happens at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday night, May 23. Tunes, confetti canons, and some Happy Birthday-type singing are part of the party.
As is a theme. Didn't all of your best birthdays have a theme, like Holly Hobby or Snoopy? They should. Universal CityWalk's is "Fast & Furious," and because this is Universal CityWalk, a "retrospective of eight, original souped-up prop cars" from the films will be on display. Madame Tussauds is also loaning out the Vin Diesel figure for the festivities, too.
Several advance screenings of "Fast & Furious 6" will be rolling at the CityWalk cinema, too.
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There's a $2 parking deal on, too, kicking off for movie buffs swinging by CityWalk to catch a flick.
So happy 20th, CityWalk. Many outdoor shopping complexes that followed you have used your brightly lit, concert-laden, movie-mania template as an inspiration. But there's only one King (Kong), right?
