Universal Orlando adds HamiKuma meet‑and‑greet

Universal Orlando Resort is adding a HamiKuma meet-and-greet to Halloween Horror Nights 2026, giving the Japanese-born character an official in-person appearance at the Florida event for the first time, according to Attractions Magazine. The outlet reported on Aug. 5 that HamiKuma will appear during event nights as part of this year’s programming. The addition places the bear-like horror mascot alongside the broader Halloween Horror Nights 35 rollout now underway at Universal Orlando. Universal’s event site says Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs on select nights from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1. (attractionsmagazine.com) ### Who is HamiKuma, and why is the character showing up in Orlando now? HamiKuma is a recurring Halloween character used across Universal parks, and Attractions Magazine described the figure as a fan-favorite “scary cute” bear expanding its presence to Orlando. The report said the 2026 event will mark the first official HamiKuma meet-and-greet at Universal Orlando. Inside Universal reported on Aug. 5 that HamiKuma is returning to Universal parks worldwide for the 2026 Halloween season with meet-and-greets, live shows and merchandise. (attractionsmagazine.com) That wider rollout helps explain why the character is appearing in Florida this year rather than remaining limited to overseas parks or merchandise-only promotion. ### Where will guests actually find the meet-and-greet? Universal Studios Florida is the location named for the Orlando appearance. The Pop Insider reported that HamiKuma will debut there with a meet-and-greet experience inside the Five & Dime store during the event. (attractionsmagazine.com) Attractions Magazine separately reported the character will appear during Halloween Horror Nights event nights, though its story focused on the debut itself rather than a full operating schedule. (insideuniversal.net) Five & Dime sits in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida, making the meet-and-greet part of the park’s event-night footprint rather than a separate daytime offering. Neither of the cited reports listed exact appearance times. ### Is this just an Orlando addition, or part of a bigger Halloween Horror Nights push? Universal’s 2026 merchandise and event rollout is broader than Orlando alone. The Pop Insider said guests at Universal Studios Hollywood will also be able to meet HamiKuma at select times during event nights. (thepopinsider.com) Inside Universal reported that the character is part of a worldwide seasonal push tied to Halloween programming and merchandise. Attractions Magazine’s broader Halloween Horror Nights 2026 guide said HamiKuma’s debut meet-and-greet is one item in a larger anniversary-year lineup that includes 10 haunted houses, scare zones and live shows. (thepopinsider.com) The same guide said the event is themed “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares” for its 35th year. Universal’s official Halloween Horror Nights page also describes 2026 as the event’s 35th year. ### What has Universal confirmed about Halloween Horror Nights 2026 itself? (thepopinsider.com) Universal Orlando’s official event page says Halloween Horror Nights 2026 will feature 10 haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment. Attractions Magazine reported the full event runs from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1, while Universal’s ticketing pages also show special event products tied to late-August and October dates. The official site does not, in the search result text reviewed here, list HamiKuma by name on the main event overview. (attractionsmagazine.com) The clearest reporting on the character’s Orlando debut comes from Attractions Magazine and The Pop Insider, both of which tied the appearance to Universal’s 2026 Halloween Horror Nights programming. ### What should guests watch for next? Aug. 28 is the first regular event date listed by Attractions Magazine for Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Orlando, and Nov. 1 is the final date in that guide. (universalorlando.com) Guests looking for HamiKuma will likely need event-night access and should watch Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights pages and event materials for appearance timing at Five & Dime as opening night approaches. (attractionsmagazine.com 1) (attractionsmagazine.com 2)