Universal has a wonderful, awful idea: no Grinchmas

[crazy4wdw]

Universal has a wonderful, awful idea: no Grinchmas

Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 15, 2006

The Grinch stole Christmas and now someone has stolen Grinchmas.

Universal Orlando confirmed Tuesday that the annual holiday celebration at Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure is not returning this year.

Grinchmas featured the mean, green character who stole Christmas from Who-ville, from Dr. Seuss' 1957 book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Grinchmas began as a festival in 2000, debuting along with the hit Jim Carrey movie named after the popular book, and evolved into a show.

"Our guests keep telling us that what they really want is the opportunity to meet the Grinch for themselves," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder explained. "And so this year, we decided to focus exclusively on giving our guests exactly that. He will constantly be available for up-close and personal meet-and-greets throughout Seuss Landing."

Michael Supinski, Webmaster of Universal-Excitement.com, an independent Internet site dedicated to news and views on Universal Orlando, said attendance seemed to be growing even though Universal has been cutting show elements in recent years.

"I don't see this as a smart business decision because it's a popular annual event, and at the holidays families come to the theme parks to see holiday entertainment," Supinski said.

Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

 

[Cindy B]

Thats pretty bad actually. There is the wonderful slide near One Fish Two fish that is permanently built.. and housed in storage behind one fish. Will they bother with that?

That is a bad idea. We were thinking about going this Christmas, but that sort of sealed the deal not to.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

Wait a minute? Am I missing something?? Universal's attendence is GROWING?? They are not even in the top five parks attendence wise, numbers dropping eevry year.. How is that GROWING????

 

[agnes!]

Wait a minute? Am I missing something?? Universal's attendence is GROWING?? They are not even in the top five parks attendence wise, numbers dropping eevry year.. How is that GROWING????

I think the statement quoted was in reference to attendance at Grinch-mas itself.

agnes!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think it is a bad idea too. But I heard a few months ago this was being pulled.
The plus side is meet n' greets with the Grinch. But they needed to take Grinchmas even further than they had and really build it up -- not take away.
Bad move I think.
The costume is REALLY good though. Worth seeing for that alone.

 

[Nancy]

Never was a fan of the Grinch. But I know lots of little kids and grownups that are.... I'm sure they will hear complaints about this decision.

 

[Amity 3]

I'm a huge Universal fan and family AP holder, and this is a crappy move.

 

[ChrisFL]

so what does this have to do with Disney?

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I think the statement quoted was in reference to attendance at Grinch-mas itself.

agnes!

Ahhh, maybe.... I probably read it wrong....