With a celebration so big it takes a complete resort to hold it, Universal Orlando’s holiday festivities for 2003 turn the quintessential Florida vacation resort into a holiday wonderland. At Universal Orlando, the holiday festivities are resort-wide, with attractions and events throughout its lavishly decorated theme parks and hotels.
The celebration features Macy’s world-famous parade floats and colorful parade balloons, the Grinch in his lair, a multitude of singing and dancing Whos in Whoville, Santa Claus in his sleigh, entertaining Christmas shows, holiday displays at the on-site hotels, and even an outdoor, horse-drawn carriage ride.
After its triumphant first year at Universal Orlando in 2002, the magic and merriment of an all-new Macy’s Holiday Parade returns in 2003 to once again create new holiday memories and march through the streets of Universal Studios Florida’s theme park. The parade features signature balloons, floats from Macy’s world-renowned Thanksgiving Day Parade, brigades of bands and corps of clowns.
At Islands of Adventure theme park, guests can meet the usually reclusive Mr. Grinch and his loveable dog Max in the Grinch’s lair, slide down Mt. Crumpit Snow Plummet, frolic with whimsical Whos in Dr. Seuss’ “Whoville,” and enjoy the nightly Whoville Whobilation Show during the Grinchmas celebration.
And guests can indulge in old-fashioned holiday fun at CityWalk, which showcases glittering decorations, horse-drawn carriages rides, live musical performances, intermittent “snow” flurries and a train ride on the CityWalk Junction.
Universal Orlando’s award-winning on-site hotels will feature themed celebrations, including an exotic island holiday festival at the new Royal Pacific Resort, a rock ’n’ roll Christmas at the chic Hard Rock Hotel and a romantic European celebration at the Mediterranean-style Portofino Bay Hotel.
Specifics about the destination-wide celebration include:
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA:
Universal Orlando partners with Macy’s to showcase the second year of a unique, holiday extravaganza known as the Macy’s Holiday Parade, which will march nightly through the streets of Universal Studios Florida.
Macy’s Holiday Parade -- Dec. 12 - Jan. 4
• The festive parade begins at dusk and will feature authentic elements directly from the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They include colorful costumes, floats and novelty balloons, such as the famous Macy’s star, colorful toy soldier, happy hippo balloon and more. The festivities are included in the price of admission.
• Marching bands from across the country will have the opportunity to take part in the parade with renditions of holiday music.
• The parade procession will conclude with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the façade of Macy’s Herald Square in the New York City “backlot” area of Universal Studios Florida.
• Each day, some lucky guests can sign up to march in the parade as balloon handlers.
• Gigantic cold air balloons and holiday decorations will be displayed throughout Universal Studios Florida.
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE:
Adjacent to Universal Studios Florida, the Islands of Adventure theme park will transport guests to the charming village of Dr. Seuss’ Whoville during the Grinchmas celebration.
Grinchmas is based on the magical tale and Universal Pictures’ and Imagine Entertainment’s Academy Award-winning blockbuster hit, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Grinchmas -- Nov. 21 - Jan. 4
• Grinchmas springs to life at Seuss Landing, one of five dramatically themed islands at Islands of Adventure. The event is included in the price of admission.
• Guests can visit the reclusive Mr. Grinch and his dog Max in the Grinch’s frosty lair, decked out with actual props used in the movie.
• Visitors can slide down icy Mt. Crumpit Snow Plummet, which is located in the heart of Grinchmas’ Whoville.
• During the heart-warming Whobilation Show, the singing Whos teach the Grinch the true meaning of the season. The show will also feature a nightly lighting ceremony of the quirky 35-foot tall Seussian Christmas tree.
CITYWALK:
Guests will be immersed in the spirit of the holidays at CityWalk, an expansive 30-acre complex, which features an eclectic collection of themed restaurants, nightclubs, movie theaters and specialty shops.
• CityWalk glistens with holiday decor as guests enjoy walkways and courtyards that are be-decked and be-trimmed with glistening Christmas trees, colorful decorations and garland.
• Guests can imagine themselves riding in a one-horse open sleigh as they enjoy a horse and carriage ride around CityWalk
• A talented musical quintet will rock CityWalk with up-tempo versions of holiday classics five times a night. And snow is in the forecast during the grand finale of the show and throughout the evening.
• Special activities are featured for children, including a train ride on the CityWalk Junction and the chance to meet and get photos taken with Santa.
ON-SITE HOTELS:
The holiday celebration continues at Universal Orlando’s three distinctively styled world-class Loews hotels, which have dramatically different themes and have quickly become Orlando’s most popular properties.
Royal Pacific Resort
• A beautiful 25-foot Christmas tree in the hotel lobby, accented with delicate dragonflies and other handcrafted Balinese decorations, welcomes guests to the enchantment of the newly opened South Pacific themed 1,000-room hotel.
• A fire twirler will heat up the lighting ceremony of the 50-foot outdoor Christmas tree, which will be decorated with multi-colored lights and colorful ornaments.
• In the Wantilan area, guests can roast marshmallows over an open fire while listening to a storyteller narrate classic holiday tales.
• A Christmas feast of traditional holiday cuisine and tropical fare will be served in Islands Dining Room. The festivities will also include live holiday music with a South Pacific twist, photos with Island Santa, cookie decorating sessions and more.
Hard Rock Hotel
• As travelers approach the award-winning California mission style hotel, a magnificent live 50-foot Christmas tree, decorated in vibrant shades of purple and gold and musical note ornaments, signals to them that the holiday season has arrived.
• Guests will be doing the “Jingle Bell Rock” as carolers serenade them with hip tunes around the 25-foot Christmas tree located in the lobby. Holiday treats will also be served.
• For a unique holiday experience, guests can lounge on the white sandy beaches of the hotel’s Beach Pool while watching special holiday flicks during the “Dive-In” movie.
Portofino Bay Hotel
• An Italian holiday is in store for guests staying at the Mediterranean themed Portofino Bay Hotel.
• The romantic harbor will be imbued with European elegance, as a glorious 50-foot live Christmas tree, decorated with delicate white lights and poinsettias, will illuminate the Harbor Piazza.
• Guests can meander along the picturesque harbor and stop to enjoy a holiday aperitif at outdoor tables or listen to readings of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” around the Christmas tree.
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