Touring ??s for those who have been to Grinchmas

[marley]

Okay, I'm down to my planning stage for our first Grinchmas visit on the Saturday before Christmas (20th).

I am having to do both parks in one day (not very hard since we don't do roller coasters and water rides).

Since the Macy's Day Parade is at dusk, I figured we would start at IOA first and then head to US about 4 p.m.

Since we are going to IOA first and will have FOTL by staying at HRH, I was thinking it would make the most sense to head over to Seuss Landing first since I figured that would be the most crowded later in the day to ride Mt. Crumpit and see the Grinch.

Is this a good assumption? Will the Grinch be available as soon as the park opens and will there be a Whoville show early in the morning? I figured Spiderman can wait since we have FOTL but I don't know how early the Whoville festivities kick off.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks, Marley

 

[rocketman23]

Crumpit and Grinch's Layer do get a substantial line during the afternoon and evening... much moreso than it's worth waiting for. So, it'd be a good idea to do those early. The whoville shows are progressive shows throughout the day which tell the Grinch story show by show. You can catch the early ones but miss the latter ones as well as the final tree lighting show.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Not sure, but someone posted that the shows have changed and now the whole show is done at one time, not in bits and pieces. I hope this is true as I would be frustrated if I had to go back to each show to see the whole thing.

 

[JessicaR]

You are right Spidey! DM told me that and I agree with you makes more sense to do it this way. It was a bit annoying to have to return to see the different parts.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Check the showtimes insert for specifics on the Seuss shows & the Grinch meet & greet.

 

[rangebob]

As for the grinch they don't say what time they will open. The employees will say that they will open when the grinch says that he is ready for guests.

 

[Motherfletcher]

marly-
I going to be there that day as well. I am considering going to the Grinch story telling at Portofino and getting some cookies. After Santa reads a story the Grinch comes out for photo op. Trouble is that the storytime is about the same time as Macy's. I see you are going to WLV for Christmas. MK is a madhouse on Christmas Day.

 

[marley]

Motherfletcher,

How did you find out about the storytelling at Portofino? I am staying at the HRH and wondering what they might be offering there.

thanks, Marley

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Motherfletcher

I know that the Macy parade is at dusk each day, but do you have a more definitive time for the storytelling at PBH? I'd like to get a reservation at Mama Della's to coincide with the Grinch storytelling. Thanks for any info that you have.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

That sounds like fun. Dinner and a story! I love it!

 

[JessicaR]

I looked back at my trip report and found that it starts at 6P. We had dinner afterwards. Here is an excerpt from that night! I am so looking forward to this again in December.


Back to the room to change quickly and we arrived at the Piazza for the evening reading of the night before Christmas and the Grinch.

They had a large red carpet set out in front of a small stage. To the left were large baked cookies and chocolate and regular milk. Nice touch! A comfy chair with a reading lamp was center stage set right in front of an enormous Christmas tree decorated with poinsettias. It reminded me of the Grand Floridians tree.

After everyone settled in a man that looked remarkably like Santa sat and started reading. He held the entire group captive with his reading. My husband stood off to the side and filmed the event and caught the kids expressions as they listened intently.

When the stories were over the Grinch made a surprise appearance. He talked to the kids and then invited all that wanted to up on stage. He posed for pictures one at a time and never rushed a single child. He gave them each a grinchy candy cane as he called them.

I got some beautiful pictures of the kids with the Grinch and the tree! If you ask my kids what was the highlight of their trip they will recollect this first! I myself considered this my greatest special memory.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for digging that up JessicaR. Do you recommend I get a reservation for Mama Della's? Assuming that the Grinch storytelling starts at 6PM again this year, what time do you think I should make a dinner reservation?

 

[JessicaR]

Mama Della's would be a great follow up to this! I like that idea for myself...thanks!! I would call Portofino directly to confirm the time and have them make a reservation for dinner as well. I believe it was a bit over an hour so maybe make it for 7:30P. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Are you going to eat cookies and milk and then go to dinner? That is the kind of example I would set! Is Mama's where they do the character dinner? Remember that the Ent. Book can save you $16 at Trattoria del Porto.

Marley-
I think Jess answered most of your questions. I haven't heard of anything special at HRH or RPR other than their decorations and maybe some caroling at HRH. I have been to Whoville at Christmas time but I can't remember it too well. Senior moment I think my kids are too old/big for Mt. Crumpit if they don't let Flyfly go on it. That's a shame, too, since this is the only snow they have seen. The storytelling at PBH sounds like an intimate gathering with the Green One. You will have to walk from HRH or catch the boat at Citywalk.
You need to know that the FOTL is good for 2 days. You can get the room keys as early as 8 am the day you are checking in and they are good until closing the day you check out. I say this because I think you are planning to tour WDW as well. This time of year, I think you and your party will be very happy not having to stand in line. The FOTL feature has drawn more than one of us to the Darkside and the Grinch.