Went Yesterday to the first day of Grinchmas
The Pros
They lines everyone up who wanted to Rope Drop the Grinch, last year people just rushed the line area
The Grinch line and Meet and greet was moved for shade for both guests and the TMS
The New Music show in the Grinchmas area is very well done and features "Where are you Christmas"
The Castle show and Tree lightening are the same but great as always
New Who characters 2-3 new characters, the Baker was here last year but was changed to a woman so kind of a new character. Along with a new wrapping paper character and one who looks like a cloud is on his head and has a weather device/staff
The Snowmen Mario/Luigi are now elevated off the ground for better photos
The Things that went wrong on opening day
1) The Lower lot seems to be having issues, we just had a day when the power went off and yesterday at 9:30 AM both Mario Kart and Jurassic were down
2) I heard the Jurassic Christmas was not light up last night
3) The biggest one, the second row of seats at the Grinch area are mostly unmarked and are for people with the Access card....so waited for the Tree lightnings and 20 mins before the show asked to move....just I'm sorry I don't understand if these seats are for them then why not have a TM telling people at 4:00 and walking around telling people along with the front row has signs on it so I hope they add the same sign to the other seats affected
4) No Elphaba, this is the second time she was not meeting when I went.....I hope they keep the characters longer because the holidays are looking to be packed
It was mostly a fun time, I would have gotten a little more done but it was a busy day and the rides being down in the AM show to me why Transformers and other rides need to be up at opening for Grinchmas and not 10:00 AM.
Love Universal but it was packed and the park closing at 8 PM.....just my god hoping the coaster gives us more park time because closing at 8 is just insane, even Six flags will have longer hours for the holidays in the park most nights from what I can see. The parks were also busy so not sure why you are rushing people out when you finally have big crowds
Lastly, I hope USH is taking notes people like events. Lunar New Years and a Food and Wine (this I think could be at the same time as Fan fest) and I think you can keep the park busier then it normally gets