Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure

©UniversalDecember 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
You can't stay a Grinch when you wander through the beautifully Christmas-decorated Seuss Landing. Enjoy a live performance of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with a musical score provided by Mannheim Steamroller. After the performance, take a walk through the Wonky Tree Lot and admire the crazy who-trees. For a different perspective, take a ride on the Seuss Trolley to see the decorations from a new angle.

Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular
The centerpiece of the celebration is a heartwarming live show starring The Grinch featuring music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller. See characters come to life before your eyes both onstage and off, as Whos from Whoville stroll through Seuss Landing, ready to say hello and spread good cheer.
Dates & Times:
12/1 - 1/1:
Times coming soon.
* Times subject to change. Check park map for details. Grinchmas show included with regular park admission.

Meet the Grinch
The only time of the year to meet the mean green one in person. Get a photo and autograph from the Grinch - if he's in the mood!
*See park map for times.

Character Breakfast with The Grinch & Friends
Grab some grub with the Whos themselves before hitting the parks.  
Select Dates: Dec. 1-31 at 8am, 9am or 10am
Reservations recommended by calling (407) 224-4012 or email diningreservations@universalorlando.com. Don't forget to ask for your Annual Passholder discount. For more information visit universalorlando.com.

What does it take to get a Grinch ready for showtime? Watch this fun video from Universal to find out! Check out more of Universal's official videos on youtube.com/user/universalpr

Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios

December 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Can't make it to New York City for the Thanksgiving Day Parade? No worries - you can catch some authentic balloons right here in Orlando! The fun-filled parade is full of a variety of holiday themed balloons, dancers, floats, marching bands and the big guy himself, Santa Claus, brings it to a close.

Click here to view our Photo Gallery of the Parade & more!

The parade begins at 5pm. Parade begins by the Horror Make-up Show and ends by Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue.

After the parade, head over to the lighting of the giant Christmas tree near the Twister attraction.

Just try and find me someone who's not in the Christmas spirit after watching the parade. The excitement and passion from the performers is contagious and the heavily decorated streets of Universal really comes alive after sundown when the twinkling lights turn on. Any seating on the parade route goes fast early, but you can always find a decent spot to stand, if you don't need to be in the front. If you want a primo seat, steak out your spot 30 min in advance. Check your park map for the full parade route.

Parade included with regular park admission. Only at Universal Studios.

Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios

©UniversalMannheim Steamroller
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23
Cuddle up with that special someone and enjoy Mannheim Steamroller performing their greatest holiday hits on the Music Plaza Stage. Concert begins after the parade conclusion (see your park map for times).

Click here for photos of Mannheim Steamroller, Christmas decor, streetmosphere and more!

All included with regular park admission. Only at Universal Studios.

New Year's Eve at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure

© Universal StudiosPark Hours for December 31, 2012
Universal Studios : 9am - 1am
Islands of Adventure : 8am - 11pm

**Update** Universal Studios will be having live music on the Music Plaza stage by "Switch" (which will actually be Nerd Ranger or maybe one of their other alter-egos) performing at 9pm & 10:30pm. Live entertainment begins at 7pm. Head over to the lagoon at 11:30pm for a New Year's Eve countdown!

Since Islands of Adventure closes at 11pm, we wouldn't expect any kind of festivities over there.

Here's our review of spending 2010's New Year's Eve at Universal Studios.

New Year's Eve at Universal Studios 2011 - Review

December 31, 2010
We spent some time debating the venue for our big 2011 New Year Bash. The options on the table were Rix Lounge, Atlantic Dance Hall and Universal Studios. Universal clinched the deal with the promise of a DJ and a live band at the Music Plaza Stage. This was new and is the most entertainment Universal has featured for New Year's Eve in about 5 years so we felt the need to check it out.

The DJ was already spinning hits on the Music Plaza Stage when we walked in. Since it was early when we arrived, around 9pm, we made a lap around the park hittin' a few rides and drinks along the way.

As the night went on, the crowd became more energized and soon there was a large group of partiers dancing by the stage. The scheduled live band for the night never showed, but not to worry because local band Nerd Ranger was there to entertain. What a comical, strange cover band. Yes, they were dressed as nerds playing various hits from the past, along with a few original songs. (The original band was called "Switch"; was it just a nerdy joke the whole time???)

They were definitely charming and played to the crowd, but the number of people dancing by the stage was by far greater when the DJ was jammin' top 40 club music. The crowd thinned out quite a bit when the band played. As fun as the band was, we would've preferred to just have the DJ all night. Most people, like us, just wanted to dance to songs they know.

The park was busy, but very manageable. Nothing like those ungodly, how-can-you-have-fun-crowds over at some Disney parks. I had read earlier how busy IOA was, so we never set foot there. Several people were sportin' various party favors that the park handed out earlier in the night. They were gone by the time we arrived, but we were very pleased to see the freebies return.

A couple cocktails and a turkey leg later and it was almost midnight. We hurried from the Music Plaza and headed to the lagoon for the Cinesphere 360 show. The countdown to midnight was projected onto the spheres and overhead from the speakers. Fireworks shot off majestically as the countdown rang in the new year and the Cinesphere show began. After the show, we returned to the Music Plaza where Nerd Ranger returned for a 2011 encore to their 2010 performance.

There were a few things that we would like to see changed for next year:

Bars: Only the Bone Chillin' bar in front of Monster Cafe was open by the Music Stage which meant longer lines than I'd like to see. I was surprised they didn't have at least one of the temporary "HHN" bars set up. Also, it would've been nice to have one of those temporary bars selling glasses of champagne at the end of the night. I remember there was a booth doing just that at IOA several years ago for New Year's.

Music: The live band was fun, but the crowd was significantly larger with more people dancing when the DJ was performing than when the band played. Maybe add a DJ at another area in the park?

Overall, a tremendous improvement from the last few New Year's at this park. I'm sure next year will be even busier after people hear that there was live entertainment and manageable crowds.

New Year's Eve at Universal's Hotels

Portofino Bay
New Year's Eve Party on the Piazza
Monday, December 31, 2012 • 8:30pm

"Join us for a New Year's Eve celebration featuring select wines and sparkling wines, gourmet food, desserts, plus a kid-friendly buffet. Entertainment includes live DJ, kid's craft and activities area, face painting, and party favors for the entire family! Live opera by Portofino's opera singers, along with a champagne toast, will welcome in the new year!"

Adults*: $125, Children (ages 4-12)*: $35.
For more information, call 407-503-1200. *Tax & gratuity included; ticketing fees apply.

Hard Rock Hotel
Ring in the New Year Like a Rock Star
Monday, December 31, 2012

"Enjoy a rockin' New Year's Eve celebration! Kids can meet Universal Orlando characters, the "Magic Men", a face painter and balloon artist. Movies will be playing in the ballrooms and a DJ will be rockin' in the lobby, along with a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight to ring in the new year!"

Adults: $30-$90, Children (ages 4-12): $15-$35
For reservations and more information, call 407-503-2430

Royal Pacific Resort
Wantilan Luau New Year's Eve Party
Monday, December 31, 2012 • Seating at 6pm

"Celebrate the New Year Royal Pacific-style with an all-you-care-to-eat buffet of islands-inspired foods and buffet for kids. Entertainment includes live music and traditional hula and fire dancers. New Year's party favors, along with non-alcoholic beverages, wine, beer and Mai Tais are included."

Registration at 5:30pm • Adults*: $75, Children (ages 4-12)*: $40
For more information, call 407-503-3463. *Gratuity included; tax not included.