Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Universal: Enough Christmas Cheer to Make Your Heart Grow 3 Sizes!

Everyone at MouseEars TV likes Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lives at Seuss Landing, does NOT! No, Christmas at Universal Studios Orlando is too much to bear! Bright lights, big crowds – it’s like a Halloween scare! With song after song and dance after dance, is a little peace and quiet really too much to ask?

But our fuzzy green friend might just change his mind. The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular is a mighty good time! Filled with Christmas cheer and fun in droves, it’s absolutely…everything he totally loathes…

Okay, I’m beginning to think Grinchmas at Universal Studios should’ve been called “Whos-mas.” Cindy Lou, did you plan this celebration??

Well, even if the Grinch refuses to have fun, I’m going to have a can of Who Hash!

How Theodor Seuss Geisel Stole Christmas?!

Of course, before there was the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Universal Studios, there was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And no, I don’t mean the one starring Benedict Cumberbatch or even the one starring Boris Karloff. I’m talking about the book!

But before even that, there was Theodor Seuss Geisel – Dr. Seuss himself.

While it’s hard to believe the creator of eccentric, happily-colored, rhyme-filled children’s books could ever be grouchy, Dr. Seuss revealed himself as the inspiration behind the titular green grumpy pants!

In a 1957 interview with Redbook, Geisel recalled,

“I was brushing my teeth on the morning of the 26th of last December when I noted a very Grinchish countenance in the mirror. It was Seuss! So I wrote the story about my sour friend, the Grinch, to see if I could rediscover something about Christmas that obviously I’d lost.”

Dr. Seuss

Perhaps because he was writing about himself, Geisel found that the Grinch’s story came easily – more easily than any of his other wonderful books. He and the Grinch shared a problem and, at the time, also shared the same age. (In the book, the Grinch laments that he has put up with the Whos for 53 years.) Even naming his new character was a breeze – which, fellow writers know, is a frustratingly rare phenomenon – but Geisel said, “I just drew him and looked at him, and it was obvious to me who he was.”

The only thing Geisel wrestled with was the ending. The story needed to end happily, of course – like Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – but Geisel felt his initial endings sounded too preachy. After three months of deliberating, the last illustration turned out to be a softly smiling Grinch carving up a “roast beast” feast for his new Who friends.

This last image perfectly encapsulated the Christmas spirit without ever having to explain exactly what it was. The Grinch simply showed it by loving his neighbors.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas has been read aloud and watched every holiday season for the past 65 years, but now you can also experience this beloved story first-hand with the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Universal Studios!

Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular: Holiday Sneer

The astounding Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular live show takes place in Seuss Landing, part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Performed throughout the holiday season at Universal, there’s plenty of oppor-who-nity to catch this Seussical musical! Described as “warm fuzzies with a side of sarcasm,” Grinchmas at Universal Orlando is perfect for the entire family and an absolute must-see for anyone who has a soft spot for Dr. Seuss.

Lasting about 30 minutes, this high-quality production (with music recorded by the fabulous Mannheim Steamroller) is FREE with your park admission! No extra ticket is required. And honestly, that’s pretty awesome – it’s not every day you get a taste of Broadway without paying a little (or a lot) extra!

The cutesy, colorful Whos start the show with a foot-stompin’ tap dance routine that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. However, the Grinch is frowning on top of Mount Crumpit, complaining from above about the noise, noise, NOISE! (Is it just me, or is the Grinch actually pretty relatable??)

Modeled after Jim Carrey’s live-action Grinch, the costuming and make-up for this protagonist (anti-villain?) is truly superb. I just love the way his fuzzy fingertips flutter whenever he moves his hands! Truly mesmerizing.

Interspersed with the original narrative written by Seuss, the talented cast will sing and dance their way through this timeless Christmas classic, occasionally tossing in hilarious pop-culture references for even more laughs.

Just as it is in the cartoon, “You’re A Mean One, Mister Grinch” is this show’s signature number! In past years, the Grinch’s character breaks out into a duet with the narrator, effectively breaking the fourth wall with chuckle-inducing results. And if you think Mr. Grinch’s acting is impressive, well, the real show-stopper is Max!

Played by a REAL DOG, this sweet little pup steals the show every time. If he doesn’t make your heart grow 3 sizes, I don’t know what will!

Spoiler alert, the Grinch DOES learn to love Christmas by the end of the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, and if you’re like me, you might just shed a tear or two at this wonderfully happy ending.

Meet The Grinch (and Bring Your 39-and-a-Half-Foot Pole!)

If you enjoyed seeing him on stage, then you’ll love getting to meet the Grinch in person!

There are a few ways to find the man of mischief. One is to scour Seuss Landing in search of him (being tall and green makes you pretty conspicuous). He’s been known to hang out around the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous and pose for photo ops. But if you don’t want to leave a meeting to chance, you can also attend The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast. Held at the Circus McGurkus from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., advanced reservations are required for this incredibly fun character dining experience.

During the meet and greet breakfast, you’ll get to interact with Mr. Seasick Crocodile himself, whose fully costumed actor is an absolute whizz at in-character improv! While you’re at it, maybe you can inquire where he put that last can of Who Hash?

In addition to a hilarious and memorable interaction, you will, of course, get a photo-op with the fuzzy, green Grinch – and frankly, could you ask for a better Christmas card to send to family and friends? I think not!

Resident Whos will also be wandering around Seuss Landing, and love nothing more than posing with fans! You’ll love the way they’ve decorated the entire place, top-to-bottom in tinsel and lights!

While dates for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular have yet to be announced for 2023, this fantastic show is usually performed several times a day starting in mid-November and continuing on through the end of December.

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All in all, Grinchmas at Universal is just so fun – and so nostalgic! It really ought to be experienced by fans of Dr. Seuss, both young and old. The décor, the show, and talented character actors will help you avoid Grinchdom yourself, jingling you straight into the holly jolly Christmas spirit!

Although, as the Grinch (and Max!) so beautifully taught us, Christmas at Universal would still happen whether there were decorations or not. For Christmas isn’t something that comes from a store – Christmas, my friends, means a little bit more…

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