Universal Releases New Merchandise of Forgotten Character
Universal Orlando Resort just launched a new Hello Kitty & Friends merchandise collection available at the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk. The collection features apparel, accessories, and home goods decorated with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters.
What’s in the Collection
Apparel options include an adult long sleeve t-shirt for $45 featuring multiple Sanrio characters with “Hello Kitty and Friends” and “Universal Studios” text. Icons like Hello Kitty’s bow run down the sleeves. There’s also an adult short-sleeve t-shirt for $35 in magenta pink with a large Hello Kitty design on the front and a smaller outline on the back.
Accessories include a phone crossbody for $35 with storage for phones, cards, and money, decorated with Hello Kitty, Kuromi, and My Melody. A coin purse for $25 features minimalist Sanrio designs with a heart charm containing an embossed Hello Kitty face. There’s also a hair bow for $22 with stacked magenta and white bows featuring Hello Kitty and friends patterns.
Home goods include a decorative license plate for $25 with “Hello Kitty and Friends” text and a lineup of characters including Keroppi, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Kuromi, and My Melody. A candle for $23 comes in white and pink packaging with a scent reminiscent of bubble gum and berry. A spiral notebook for $22 has a cream-colored cover decorated with black outlines of Sanrio characters.
Collectibles include a limited-edition pin set for $20 with three pins themed to Kuromi, Hello Kitty, and My Melody. Magnets are available for $12 in both single and two-pack options featuring various character arrangements. Holographic stickers for $8 feature multiple Hello Kitty and Friends characters.
Hello Kitty’s Current Universal Presence
While Hello Kitty can be seen at Universal Studios Florida through character meet-and-greets, the dedicated Hello Kitty store that previously existed at the park closed some time ago. Fans have expressed interest in seeing more Hello Kitty and Sanrio characters represented throughout the parks, beyond occasional appearances.
The new merchandise collection provides products featuring Hello Kitty and friends including My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, Badtz-Maru, and Pochacco. However, these characters don’t have regular park presence through dedicated spaces, attractions, or consistent meet and greet opportunities.
What This Universal Collection Might Mean
The release of a comprehensive Hello Kitty merchandise collection could indicate Universal’s interest in expanding Sanrio character presence at the resort. Theme parks sometimes introduce merchandise as a way to gauge guest interest before committing to larger investments like dedicated spaces or permanent character experiences.
Alternatively, Universal may simply recognize that Hello Kitty merchandise sells well due to the character’s global popularity and multi-generational appeal, regardless of extensive park presence. Sanrio characters have devoted fan bases that purchase products across many categories.
Universal Guest Interest in More Sanrio Presence
Fans of Hello Kitty and Sanrio characters have expressed desire for expanded representation at Universal Orlando beyond the current limited character meet and greets. This could include bringing back a dedicated Hello Kitty retail space, adding more Sanrio characters to meet and greet lineups, or creating themed areas featuring the popular characters.
The previous Hello Kitty store provided a dedicated shopping destination for Sanrio fans. Its closure removed that focused retail experience, leaving Hello Kitty merchandise scattered across general Universal stores rather than concentrated in a themed environment.
Availability
The Hello Kitty & Friends collection is currently available at the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk. Guests visiting Universal Orlando can browse the full range of apparel, accessories, home goods, and collectibles featuring Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters.
Whether this merchandise release signals future expansion of Hello Kitty park presence or simply reflects Universal’s recognition of the character’s popularity remains to be seen. For now, Sanrio fans can purchase products from this new collection while hoping for additional Hello Kitty and friends representation throughout Universal Orlando Resort.
