By: Jesse Foutz, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Right after checking in for our Media Event and getting our credentials, we were escorted to Studio 18 to try a sampling of different Holiday Eats that you can find all around Universal Orlando. Here are a few of my favorite things…(get it?)
Everything I had was delicious and even though I had a lot I didn’t have everything. There are more menu items available throughout the parks this year.
We got to hear from Lora Sauls, Assistant Director of Creative Development and Show Direction, and Matt Flood, Senior Show Director for Entertainment Creative Development to get an inside look at how Universal Orlando’s Holidays Celebration comes to life.
I truly had no idea how much behind the scenes work went into the Holiday Decorating around Universal Orlando and it is absolutely amazing. The Holiday Decor Team at Universal Orlando works 365 days a year planning and preparing from Christmas in the Wizarding World to Grinchmas, here are some fun facts about this year's decor.
Just before Matt could finish speaking about the Christmas Tree, the Grinch crashed our party along with his little helper, Max, to make sure that everyone was aware of Grinchmas. Thankfully the Grinch was nice enough to meet each one of us and pose for pictures! Definitely a highlight of the evening for sure, so funny!
We also got to meet Earl the Squirrel. Earl has risen to fame at Universal Orlando over the last 8 years and is probably the hottest ticket item out there (second only to Taylor Swift, of course). I am definitely an “Earlie” (wait has anyone else used that term? You saw it here first!)
Earl’s story is one of humble beginnings at Universal Studios. Many years ago Earl snuck onto the Universal Studios lot during the holidays and would make himself known by stealing blue Christmas tree lights from the trees. In the years to come the Universal Team Members would celebrate Earl by hiding stuffed squirrels in the different Christmas Trees around the park.
Fast forward to today and Earl is now the icon of Christmas at Universal Orlando Florida. Earl will be available at certain times and locations for a meet & greet so make sure to check your Universal Orlando App.
Additionally, you can participate in a special Tree Hunt to find Earl in 15 different trees. The cost is $13.00 and you will receive a special map and ornament.
Once we were done stuffing our faces and learning all these amazing facts about the decorations we were escorted to the theater (the old Blue Man Group theater) for a special showing of the Who-liday Spectacular featuring the Grinch.
This show is an absolute must see and so well done. You will come for the Grinch and stay for Cindy Lou Who, who just puts on an incredible performance. You can access the show inside of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There are up to 7 showtimes each day beginning at 10:15 AM. The show is already included with your park admission. For the best seating you may want to line up early. Guests who purchase a Holiday Tour will have reserved seating.This show features music from Mannheim Steamroller. Speaking of Mannheim Steamroller, they will be performing at Universal Studios on December 2nd, 3rd, and 9th & 10th. Their performances are included with your regular park admission.
After the Who-liday show we were escorted to a reserved section in New York adjacent to the Escape from New York with Jimmy Fallon attraction ust across from the Christmas tree to wait on the Holiday Parade. During Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s you will see giant balloons along with characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me and DreamWorks Animation's Shrek. Then the one and only Santa Claus ends the parade by lighting the Christmas Tree. This is the only place you will find the Macy’s balloons outside of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. In my opinion this is the BEST parade to see in all of Central Florida (I said what I said). The parade will start just outside of Cafe La Bamba and run all the way through New York. The parade only runs once daily and the times do vary day to day so make sure to check your Universal App for the parade show time. There are plenty of great places to watch the parade but I always recommend the New York area for the lighting of the Christmas Tree. With the Universal Holiday Tour you will have access to a special reserved viewing area.
To finish off our tour, we were escorted through the backlot from Universal Studios to Universal’s Islands of Adventure and then over to Hogsmeade Village to see the special light show - The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. For me any light show on Hogwarts Castle is a must do but during the Holidays this outranks all other shows. Yule want to grab a Hot Butterbeer and set your gaze upon Hogwarts Castle.
We had a private viewing area on the bridge between Hogsmeade and Jurassic Park but there will be different areas for you to stand during the show. I would suggest seeing one of the later showings once it’s truly dark so you can get the most out of the projections. The show runs multiple times throughout the evenings starting at dusk and finishing off at park close.
The Holiday Season at Universal is such a fun time to visit for families of all ages. You will want to make it a point to see the Grinch whether you wait in line to meet him at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, watch the Who-liday Spectacular or if you participate in the Breakfast with the Grinch. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, like me, then you know how synonymous Harry Potter and Christmas are and Universal does a fantastic job decorating Wizarding World both in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. As a local to the Orlando area I find myself navigating to the Universal Orlando Resort more than other area attractions just to get into the Holiday spirit!
Don’t have a trip planned? There’s still time and availability including some special promotions for select dates as the Holidays at Universal run from November 17 - December 31, 2023. Reach out to Marvelous Mouse Travels for more information or for a quote!
