2025 Holidays at Universal Orlando

[Parkscope Joe]

The Blues Brothers Christmas Show

God bless the best single christmas tree in the parks...

Marbalro reds, TP, and a can of PBR.

 

[Brian G.]

Celebrate Christmas with dining options at Universal Orlando’s Resorts

With Christmas weeks away, Universal Orlando is offering guests many options for dining at their on-site hotels to celebrate the Holidays. Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel Christmas Eve Five-Course Prix Fixe Menu – Flora Taverna Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 1

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[Brian G.]

Universal Orlando invites guests to close out the year and ring in 2026 with a range of New Year’s Eve festivities, including live DJ sets, midnight countdown celebrations, and special character appearances across its three theme parks, CityWalk, and Hotels.

Universal Orlando to Ring 2026 with New Year's Eve Celebrations Across the Resort

Universal Orlando invites guests to close out the year and ring in 2026 with a range of New Year’s Eve festivities, including live DJ sets, midnight countdown celebrations, and special character appearances. The excitement will span the entire destination, with extended park hours and festivities

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[Mad Dog]

Our Universal long Holiday session went quite well. I was impressed with how much the IOA/ USF theme parks, and the
on site hotel resort operations have improved from the depths in the years after covid.

 

[BuschAfrica]

I've attended Grinchmas 4 straight seasons now and I must say the addition of the "Whoville Tree Lot" is welcomed. Not sure if it was meant to tie in with "How the Grinch Lost Christmas" but nonetheless a great addition. The Grinch breakfast is well worth it. It's a very special atmosphere inside Circus Mcgurkus, the menu items are deliciously themed to movie characters and you get to spend a little quality time with Grinch and friends! Grinch was truly in character, he even remembers Grinch Night and Grinching the Cat in the Hat !! However, I must point out the stage show. It's not bad, but there is no Mayor or mention of "Whobilation." I remember a specific show in the 2000s that had Whobilation, Mayor, and all who's in their costumes from the movie. Over the years this film has become a cult classic, Universal celebrated it with Grinchmas for 25 years now. They have the unique opportunity of bringing this wonderful world to life, especially here in Orlando with a Seuss Land. Grinch used to walk around in his brown cloak throughout the day, banging on windows of stores while Mayor ran and hid. USH still performs a wonderful show with Mayor Maywho, the Whomanitarian award and an extravagant tree lighting. Here at UOR we've been recycling the same show for almost 20 years now. It feels like Martha May gets as much spotlight as Grinch, not sure why she becomes the integral figure of town. At least the Who-Wops are back this year. I was told by entertainment that Mayor Maywho does make appearances, just not on the day I visited, but I haven't seen him for years. Maybe im being too sentimental or nostalgic, but with all the growth of UOR it's disappointing to see Seuss Landing and it's flagship event treated like an obligation rather than an opportunity. Sad to say I won't be returning next year if they're going to copy and paste the show for the 20th time.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I ... have never understood the love for Grinchmas (the show). It's cute enough. But I really struggle to see it as anything more than adequate at what it does. It certainly is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with almost nothing of its' own to differentiate it from the animated short or live action film. I usually skip it most years, as when I do pop in to check it out, it's ... the same middling show it has always been.

 

[Brian G.]

I ... have never understood the love for Grinchmas (the show). It's cute enough. But I really struggle to see it as anything more than adequate at what it does. It certainly is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with almost nothing of its' own to differentiate it from the animated short or live action film. I usually skip it most years, as when I do pop in to check it out, it's ... the same middling show it has always been.

Reported for Cruelty.

 

[BuschAfrica]

I ... have never understood the love for Grinchmas (the show). It's cute enough. But I really struggle to see it as anything more than adequate at what it does. It certainly is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with almost nothing of its' own to differentiate it from the animated short or live action film. I usually skip it most years, as when I do pop in to check it out, it's ... the same middling show it has always been.

Nothing against the actors and actresses. They are remarkably talented and make this show as popular as it is ! With exclusive rights to the 2000 movie and it's history with Audrey Geisel I feel this company has a responsibility to present unique material and substance for the show.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Admittedly, I am myself just not very Christmas-y. The music, decor, vibes, ... it just doesn't do much for me at all. Most of the season is just regurgitated media from the 50s-90s on loop, and I've seen it all 1000x over by now. It's also just hard to feel all too festive in Central FL when it feels like Late May outside still haha.

The corny Casio keyboard MIDI soundtrack, the dreaded "Christmas humor", an almost 1:1 adaptation of better versions of the story. Seeing a live Max is fun! But everyone on stage seems constantly on-edge about them hopping into the crowd whenever they're on stage, and it kinda just makes things awkward haha!

The performers are talented! But I honestly think they shine far more in their streetmosphere roles than anywhere in the show itself!

Grinchmas fans, I want to understand! Help make my heart three sizes larger this day. What am I missing from this show?

 

[Mad Dog]

Admittedly, I am myself just not very Christmas-y. The music, decor, vibes, ... it just doesn't do much for me at all. Most of the season is just regurgitated media from the 50s-90s on loop, and I've seen it all 1000x over by now. It's also just hard to feel all too festive in Central FL when it feels like Late May outside still haha.

The corny Casio keyboard MIDI soundtrack, the dreaded "Christmas humor", an almost 1:1 adaptation of better versions of the story. Seeing a live Max is fun! But everyone on stage seems constantly on-edge about them hopping into the crowd whenever they're on stage, and it kinda just makes things awkward haha!

The performers are talented! But I honestly think they shine far more in their streetmosphere roles than anywhere in the show itself!

Grinchmas fans, I want to understand! Help make my heart three sizes larger this day. What am I missing from this show?

We love the show. It captures both the spirit of the original animation and the best part of Jim Carrey's Grinch. Plus really good music, choreography,
singing and acting. And it fits a lot into that 20-25 minute time slot. The show is one of the main reasons we venture forth to Universal once every few years for the Holidays.....We're Christmas people and we're tourists. ....But I could understand that for locals it could get old....but we hear the same
from locals about the long lasting WDW shows also. Bottom line, Grinchmas is tailor made for tourists, and that's where the big money comes from.
We went to six shows this past year and I think 4 were completely filled and had a backed up line outside that had to wait for the next show. The other two were three quarters or so filled in the 1100 capacity theater. ....But, as I said, I could see non interest from a local or a person that isn't into Christmas. Macy's Parade is probably the same. But as tourists we love watching repeated Macy Parade performances, and consider it better than the MK Xmas parade, or the Macy NYC parade that isn't very Christmacy anymore.........Edit: .Funny thing. I originally didn't care much for Carrey's Grinch movie.
But I always loved the original animated Grinch. Then we watched Grinchmas on our first Holiday season trip to Universal. Loved Grinchmas, so we gave Carrey's film a second chance. With Grinchmas as the light, we grew to love Carrey's film and his portrayal. So, with us, Grinchmas came first, before Carrey.....And that's the only Carrey film I like. He's too over the top comedy for me, BUT it works really well as the Grinch.....and....
the cast spends a lot of time doing skits and interacting with guests at Seuss Landing. We always find that fun. and Grinchmas is just a pure fun
combination of the animated original and the Grinch Carrey film. Best of both worlds version.

 

[BuschAfrica]

We're Christmas people and we're tourists. ....But I could understand that for locals it could get old...

People may not be traveling to see the Mayor, but tourists want it to feel like universal. UOR use to present this with proper gravitas. USH still uses a very similar production for their tree lighting. Snow machines, gags, meet and greets and caroling use to be abundant throughout Seuss Landing. I remember being a kid thinking I was walking through the movie. Universal made a cult classic with this film, but the show barely uses any aspects from it. Martha May sings a random Christmas song and Cindy Lou is in character, everything else is the book. Given the evolution of this park the last 20 years, I wish more could be attributed. This is the only place in the world where you can walk through or ride a Seuss book.

 

[Mad Dog]

People may not be traveling to see the Mayor, but tourists want it to feel like universal. UOR use to present this with proper gravitas. USH still uses a very similar production for their tree lighting. Snow machines, gags, meet and greets and caroling use to be abundant throughout Seuss Landing. I remember being a kid thinking I was walking through the movie. Universal made a cult classic with this film, but the show barely uses any aspects from it. Martha May sings a random Christmas song and Cindy Lou is in character, everything else is the book. Given the evolution of this park the last 20 years, I wish more could be attributed. This is the only place in the world where you can walk through or ride a Seuss book.

Sure feels like Universal to me.

 

[Skold]

I ... have never understood the love for Grinchmas (the show). It's cute enough. But I really struggle to see it as anything more than adequate at what it does. It certainly is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with almost nothing of its' own to differentiate it from the animated short or live action film. I usually skip it most years, as when I do pop in to check it out, it's ... the same middling show it has always been.

 

[DOOMBOT]

 

[Clive]

The corny Casio keyboard MIDI soundtrack, the dreaded "Christmas humor", an almost 1:1 adaptation of better versions of the story. Seeing a live Max is fun! But everyone on stage seems constantly on-edge about them hopping into the crowd whenever they're on stage, and it kinda just makes things awkward haha!

The performers are talented! But I honestly think they shine far more in their streetmosphere roles than anywhere in the show itself!

Grinchmas fans, I want to understand! Help make my heart three sizes larger this day. What am I missing from this show?

I'll go to bat for you. The Orlando Grinchmas show is long in the tooth.

I think I last saw it in 2022? But yeah, the Mannheim Steamroller hasn't aged well and pales in comparison to the orchestral score written for the 2000 film. The show can't decide if it's adapting that film or the original storybook, and that results in weirdness like Martha May becoming a central character for some reason, Cindy only getting the start of her anti-consumerist Christmas arc, and the Grinch looking like... well, the way he does in Florida, now.

I don't mean any disrespect to the makeup artists who designed, continue to fabricate, and apply the current look, but why would you choose to deviate from the Academy Award-winning designs by Rick Baker, arguably the greatest living cinematic makeup artist in the world? The Grinch in Universal Orlando now looks like a knockoff!

 

[Brian G.]

View attachment 28600

I'll go to bat for you. The Orlando Grinchmas show is long in the tooth.

I think I last saw it in 2022? But yeah, the Mannheim Steamroller hasn't aged well and pales in comparison to the orchestral score written for the 2000 film. The show can't decide if it's adapting that film or the original storybook, and that results in weirdness like Martha May becoming a central character for some reason, Cindy only getting the start of her anti-consumerist Christmas arc, and the Grinch looking like... well, the way he does in Florida, now.

I don't mean any disrespect to the makeup artists who designed, continue to fabricate, and apply the current look, but why would you choose to deviate from the Academy Award-winning designs by Rick Baker, arguably the greatest living cinematic makeup artist in the world? The Grinch in Universal Orlando now looks like a knockoff!

CO-CONSPIRATOR!

Honestly, I think #Tradition is why a lot of the cheesy stuff gets overlooked. I think it's great, but I wouldn't be against some fine-tuning for the present day. (and maybe some new music).

I don't mean any disrespect to the makeup artists who designed, continue to fabricate, and apply the current look, but why would you choose to deviate from the Academy Award-winning designs by Rick Baker, arguably the greatest living cinematic makeup artist in the world? The Grinch in Universal Orlando now looks like a knockoff!

It was meant to blend the looks and pay homage to the movie AND the book. I remember it being a hot topic when the change occurred.

 

[Mad Dog]

The Holiday tourist desires are a lot different than the HHN guest desires. IU commentators are overwhelmingly comprised of the HHN
crowd so I kind of expect some backlash. Actually, they have some Grinchmas dialogue and choreography tweaks every year I've attended,
though nothing as major as the show change from I believe 2017 or 2018. And they can't use the vehicles since they switched to the
Blue Man theater since there's no space in front of the stage. I prefer the Martha May singing numbers anyway, because they're a highlight.
I didn't like the mayor in the movie at all, so I really don't need to see him. The strength of the show is that it combines the film and the original
animated version. That makes it better.
Bottom line though, is that it seems the Grinchmas crowds are larger than they were a few years ago, so that says a lot.