Universal's Grinchmas And The Sleigh Ride Plummet Down Mount Crumpet

Ever since Seuss Landing at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Florida opened in 1999, there's been chatter in Whoville about when visitors could expect to see a certain famous snow-capped summit. What better way to celebrate Grinchmas at the Universal Orlando Resort than a sleigh ride with the Grinch down the top of Mount Crumpet?

Here I am showcasing official blueprints for Universal's Grinch roller coaster. Don't get too excited, because it is only about the same height as a toaster.

You can build this Grinch coaster while eating a bagel and lox and getting an injection of Botox while drinking a Scotch on the rocks. It's really quite simple once you've opened the box. You won't need help from the Red Sox, or the White Sox, or even Courtney Cox.

Man, when you are racing through the abominable snow covered caverns of Mount Crumpet, watch out for the Grinch! He's not exactly scary, but he might make you flinch.

The Grinch seems like a menace, yet he sings and is pleasant. At the end of your sleigh ride, maybe he will give you a present (a souvenir photograph, for a fee---after all, we are talking about Orlando, where nothing is free).

The Grinch's sleigh is one awesome, fast ride. There's all sorts of blinking lights and gadgets inside.

Whoville is a place that's always on the move. It has its own style and has its own groove.

When the 2000 live action "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" movie debuted, brand new cartoon versions of the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and Max inspired by the Jim Carrey film were created for merchandise and promotions. You could find the new Grinch characters on books, toys, and probably bottles of shampoo and lotions.

An unusual Grinch Sleigh Game could be found at your local RadioShack shop. It is not very high-tech, as it features a scrolling paper backdrop.

The Grinch takes his sleigh through the drive-thru at Wendy's for a Green Eggs and Hamburger feast. If his promotion had been at Arby's instead, he could have gotten a sandwich filled with hot Roast Beast.

The Grinch toys at Wendy's double as ornaments and are quite the sight to see. Haven't you always wanted something that smells like greasy burgers and fries hanging on your Christmas Tree?

Max is the Grinch's friendly and loyal assistant pet hound. Living with the Grinch is not great for him, but it is better than being locked up in a cage at the pound.

Max is not only good at pretending to be a reindeer, he obeys when the Grinch gives him a call. I bet you Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer can't play fetch or catch a ball.

Is the Grinch stealing your stocking or filling it full of trinkets and toys? This clever double stocking is perfect for greedy girls and boys.

Will you get treasures of all sizes and shapes that will put you in a good mood? Or will you get lumps of coal due to your rotten attitude?

They say it is always better to be bigger and bolder. Yet this set of tiny Grinch and Max plush clips each doubles as a Hershey-ets chocolate candies holder.

Hershey's Max and Grinch plush are among the best Seuss toys I've seen. Max is adorable and the excellent Grinch looks just the right amount of mean.

The Max Candoodler Pen and Candy Dispenser is an amazing invention. It allows you to enjoy eating candy while doing school work in detention.

Use the Candoodler to write checks to the cable and electric company and you'll still have a good day. Use the Candoodler to sign divorce papers and eat your worries away.

In the Grinch Viewer, see pictures of actors Jim Carrey, Christine Baranski and Molly Shannon. They've got lots of cool Rick Baker prosthetics, fur and makeup on.

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who share a heartwarming moment, about which Grinch director Ron Howard knows a thing or three. It is still fun to watch him on the Andy Griffith show as little boy Opie.

Max would like to get a Grinch Koosh ball during Whoville's Christmas celebration. He can chew and slobber on it to take out some of his simmering frustration.

Throw the Grinch Koosh ball to Max and it is something he might not retrieve. He might bury it, or it could be subjected to fluid that he might have to relieve.

The Grinch is eye pleasing in complementary red and green. That's the only compliment he will get here, since he tends to act so mean.

The Grinch is not afraid of bold self-expressions. To bad he focuses on objects and material possessions.

In the original Grinch story, Cindy Lou Who was no more than two. For the live action movie, she grew and grew and grew.

This kind of rapid character aging happens all the time in Hollywood to give projects a storytelling fix. Remember how Andrew Keaton on the TV show "Family Ties" was a baby one year, and the following season he was age six?

If Max wanted to find a new home, it wouldn't be rough. Resisting his charm would be very tough.

Max is easy to train, and is easily led. He's already stuffed, so he doesn't need to be fed.

Da Grinch looks like a hooligan that is up to no good. Folks wouldn't take kindly to this Dirt-Bike delinquent in a quiet neighborhood.

We know the Grinch is a bad boy, and his reputation ain't sunny. He can sure give Jack Nicholson a run for his money.

The Grinch used to love going to Blockbuster Video, then they crossed his path. He got charged a late return fee, and the store felt his wrath.

Blockbuster Video stores closed down and the Grinch got his way. If it's up to the Grinch, Redbox will be Greenbox someday.

The Grinch is happy to give folks the game of Whoville-opoly, where cash is king and more green is better. After all, people have more fun with money than a tacky holiday sweater.

You can play Whoville-opoly as the Grinch, the Roast Beast, the Stocking, Cindy Lou Who, Max, or the Heart. If you don't get your first choice game piece to play with, please don't have a dramatic come-apart.

The version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that people seem to remember best is the 1966 special, which was both heartwarming and funny. It was directed by animation legend Chuck Jones, best known for his work with Warner Brothers characters like Road Runner and Bugs Bunny.

The animated special features the voice talents of Boris Karloff as the Grinch, with singing by Thurl Ravenscroft (so GRRReat as Tony the Tiger for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes) and a memorable line from June Foray as Cindy Lou, the tiny Who girl. Foray may be best known to folks as Bullwinkle the Moose's friend, Rocky the Flying Squirrel.

The Grinch has appeared on more than just one holiday decoration. And it looks like his TV special was the source of some "Grinchspiration."

Hallmark's 1987 Reindoggy ornament looks like he could be TV special Max's long lost kin. Compared to the dog in the 2000 Jim Carrey movie, Reindoggy looks like Max's twin.

In 1998, Jim Henson Productions brought the Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss to life with their famous puppetry and innovation. The Grinch, The Cat in the Hat, and other famous Seuss faces could be seen on TV screens in homes across the nation.

In "Horton Hears a Who" (1954) Horton the Elephant discovers the tiny Whos of Whoville living on a speck of dust (a few years before the Grinch made Christmas in Whoville Merry). In the 2000 Jim Carrey Grinch movie, the Whos lived on a snowflake, and in the 2008 Horton computer animated movie, the famous elephant was voiced by Jim Carrey.

In 1957, the original story of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Theodor Seuss Geisel debuted as a storybook. In this incarnation of the Grinch, the character had a very different look.

The original "Classic Grinch" is still quite popular these days, and he loves to show off his sinister sneer. He can be found on merchandise in book stores, cards shops, and as a theme park souvenir.

For many years now, Christmas time at Universal theme parks in California and Florida is celebrated in a different form. That's when the snow-filled Grinchmas can be found where it is typically sunny and warm.

The wild world of Grinchmas in Whoville is a kinetic, wacky place. It's sure to put a smile on even the most Grinchy face.

At Christmas, the Grinch's heart grows rather large. So does his ego, because at the Universal parks, he's now in charge.

It's getting close to Grinchmas, so we'd better start counting down. If you're good, the Grinch won't steal the decorations and gifts from your town.

Since it's better to give than to receive, how about a gift for the Grinch, please? I'd like to suggest Advantage for his ticks and his fleas.

The Grinch will accept monetary tips, since he loves green money. Make it easy on yourself---how about a ten or a twenty?

Be sure to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk out for the Grinch, and for Max, Kibbles 'n Bits in a bowl on the floor. If you do, they just might leave you presents galore.

Yes, I did it! I made this whole thing rhyme. What can I say? I have lots of free time.

Harry Potter And The Apprenticeship At Entertainment Weekly Magazine

Entertainment Weekly Magazine, like the Harry Potter films, is owned by Warner Brothers, so putting the two together was a nice bit of synergy. Tucked inside many issues of the magazine were special artistic treats, like this wonderful illustration of Harry Potter and author J.K. Rowling by artist Kirsten Ulve in 2003. J.K. Rowling created one of the most imaginative collections of stories ever written, and her own personal story of bringing her dreams to life and doing what she loved when she had no money at all is nothing short of inspirational.

Entertainment Weekly's coverage of Harry Potter goes back to the casting of the film in the year 2000. Back then, there was buzz about Haley Joel Osment possibly playing Harry. Really?! A blonde American kid?

Luckily, director Chris Columbus chose Daniel Radcliffe to play Harry Potter. Here, Harry is drawn by artist Jonathan Carlson.

Just as movie audiences watched the actors in the Harry Potter films grow up, Entertainment Weekly readers watched the cartoon versions grow up.

Here, young Harry is drawn by artist Tom Bachtell.

Just like the books, the films were a hit, and Daniel Radcliffe could be found on talk shows to promote the movies.
David Cowles has done some very creative caricatures of celebrities for Entertainment Weekly for many years. This is Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in 2004.

There was always a good chance that Entertainment Weekly readers could find Harry Potter in any section of the magazine.

Here, Harry Potter creates some magical book sales thanks to artist Stephen Savage.

Entertainment Weekly often added their own creative casting suggestions.

Here, artist Thomas Fuchs takes Harry Potter on a wild ride.

Are you a Harry Potter Expert? Prove it by taking The Wiz Quiz, found in Entertainment Weekly on April 6, 2007.

This Harry Potter illustration is by Kirsten Ulve, and it is my favorite cartoon version of Harry.

This quiz is thorough!

You can cheat using the Internet, that is fine.

Here we have a cartoon version of Diagon Alley, with the famous Gringotts Bank.

How did you do on the quiz?

This Magical Mystery Tour illustration by Ronald Kurniawan is stunning.

I would love to see a new dark ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal (in Florida, Japan, or California) that looked like this. It could be a potion-induced trip through Hogwarts.

Here we have some fantastic Creatures drawn by Dugald Stermer.

I would also like to see an attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you would encounter animatronic versions of these characters.

In Orlando, I think it would be easy for The Forbidden Forest to take over Jurassic Park (which is next door to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) at Universal's Islands of Adventure, and re-theme the flume ride there to feature these creatures. Jurassic Park fans, hold back your venom for a second.

In this scenario, Jurassic Park could be reborn as a water park elsewhere on property. I'm not sure where, exactly. Just imagine floating on a Lazy River raft ride past the T-Rex!

Entertainment Weekly readers got the chance to see Harry Potter's Junior Yearbook.

Look back at the Hogwarts Students and Faculty circa August 3, 2007.

Everyone has changed in just a few short years.

I don't think anyone changed more than Neville, who now looks like he could play the hero in a blockbuster movie.

Lots of colorful characters have worked at Hogwarts. Well, they aren't in color here.

Check out all the activities at Hogwarts. One proposed thing for the movies (that was NOT in the books) that never made it was a cheerleading squad. I'm guessing this is the version of the movie that would have starred Haley Joel Osment as Harry and Hilary Duff as Hermoine (that bit of casting is something I just came up with, and probably wasn't real. Though maybe it was real, and it was a good guess on my part).

Author Stephen King is one Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's biggest fans.

This great, eerie illustration was done by artist Jesse Lefkowitz.

Entertainment Weekly also frequently featured ads for Harry Potter products.

You can re-create your visit to Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter on your book shelf!

By July of 2011, Harry Potter appeared as the cover story on 16 issues of Entertainment Weekly. Harry Potter got a special issue to celebrate Ten Years of Magic at Entertainment Weekly.

Featured in this issue was this illustration by Zohar Lazar, which looks like it could easily be concept art for a Harry Potter animated series (that I would watch every episode of!).

I know J.K. Rowling is not done with Hogwarts, and I cannot wait to see what is next.

Harry Potter At Universal's Islands of Adventure: Wonderful Wizard Of Aahs!

The things you've heard are true. This place is amazing.

As part of my August 2011 trip to Orlando, I had to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Day Two (Friday, August 26, 2011): Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida

I made sure I was in front of Disney's Yacht Club Resort early to catch the Mears shuttle to the Universal Orlando Resort. This shuttle pick-up must be arranged the day before your visit, and Mears will give you a choice of times. My shuttle was due to arrive at 9:15 am, and it actually arrived early. Be aware that the shuttle will almost certainly stop at different hotels, as mine did. My shuttle also went to the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, and one of the hotels near Downtown Disney. The shuttle then went back to the first stop (the Dolphin) to pick up someone that missed the shuttle.

The first group of people to get picked up at the Dolphin, a guy from New York and his two kids, were understandably in disbelief that we had to go back. It was very frustrating, and we lost about an hour. I bumped into the New York guy later that day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then the next day at Disney's Hollywood Studios (in line for Toy Story Midway Mania). Due to Hurricane Irene, they had to extend their stay in Orlando.

Universal's Islands of Adventure closed at 8:00 pm and Universal Studios closed at 7:00 pm that day. I had a one day, two park hopper pass, and got to the parks after 10:00 am, so the clock was ticking!

The first stop was Universal's Islands of Adventure, hanging a right towards Seuss Landing. As I got closer to the Lost Continent section of the park, it was clear that everyone was going to the same place. The Hogsmeade sign welcomes visitors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

In the background, you can see the blue track of the Dragon Challenge roller coaster.

Hogsmeade was a sea of humanity.

The intimate, interactive shops and eating locations at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter were bustling with activity. These establishments include Ollivanders (the place to get a wand), Dervish and Banges, Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeydukes (for candy), Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head. I did not get to see the eating locations at all.

Hogwart's Express is a popular photo spot.

Hogsmeade is filled to the brim with layers of detail.

Quite a bit of the merchandise found in these shops can be found in Universal's other stores on property or at the Universal airport retail locations, but that's beside the point. The draw here is that people want to visit the world created by J.K. Rowling that they know from the movies and books. Universal did an amazing job.

I made sure to visit the Owl Post and send a postcard to a rabid Harry Potter fan that I know.

Some of these locations have exclusive merchandise you won't find anywhere else.

I only saw this Owl Post Key chain at the Owl Post.

I am kicking myself now because I saw a sculpted Hogwarts gold pin at Universal Studios and I did not buy it. I did not see the pin anywhere else.

There is so much waiting to be discovered at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

You'll find surprises everywhere.

At Honeydukes, you can find Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs.

My favorite souvenir from Islands of Adventure is this Chocolate Frog pin.

Open up the box and you'll find a PVC Chocolate Frog inside. It really smells like chocolate! When I got home from my trip, the inside of my suitcase smelled like chocolate. You can also find a key chain version of the Chocolate Frog.

Remember when Harry Potter was just a kid in the Sorcerer's Stone days?

I didn't see any LEGO sets at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'm using them to tell a story here.

Anyway, didn't you always wish you could fly with Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione?

Well, Harry Potter is all grown up now. But now you can fly with him at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Yes, at the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction, you can soar through the skies with the gang at Hogwart's. You'll even see Neville.

The Forbidden Journey is unlike any other ride I've experienced. The attraction vehicles are attached to a KUKA robot arm, which pitches riders up and down, careening through Hogwart's and getting up close and personal with a gigantic dragon, Dementors, a Whomping Willow and some nasty spiders.

This attraction mixes film and animatronics, and it gets rather intense. Universal did not pull any punches, and the tone of this ride is like that of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (my favorite Harry Potter film). I thought the most exhilarating sequences were the ones where the vehicles flew through actual sets, encountering the giant animatronic creatures (especially the dragon, who is inches away from you).

I used the Single Rider line for Forbidden Journey, and only had to wait a few minutes. Given how crowded the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, it is impressive that the regular wait time for Forbidden Journey was only 30 minutes. This seems like a high-capacity ride.

After my ride on the attraction, I saw some kids running up to their parents (who did not ride) all excited about the experience. The family was from England, and the parents were wishy-washy about riding. I told them, "you came all this way----you have to do it!"

The wait times for the rides at the Wizarding World were not bad at all. Dragon Challenge (formerly Dueling Dragons) was a walk-on when I rode that later on in the day. Part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is made up of a section of Islands of Adventure called The Lost Continent. This includes the former Dueling Dragons roller coasters and former The Flying Unicorn roller coaster.

The Flying Unicorn was probably the most masculine looking Unicorn ever, looking sort of like a Trojan Horse.

The Flying Unicorn was re-themed to become Flight of the Hippogriff.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a mild family roller coaster.

The wait time for this was listed at 20 minutes, but the line seemed to move quickly.

The queue weaves through a forest, and under the coaster track (it's fun to see and hear the coaster roar overhead).

I knew that there was an animatronic Buckbeak here, so I had to check this out.

Buckbeak is in his nest here.

It was tough to get a good picture of him from the queue.

You can really seem him well on the coaster, right after you leave the loading station, before the lift hill.

What is Buckbeak? A Hippogriff, of course.

It's like a griffin, but instead of having the body of a lion, he's got the body of a horse.

They did not sell this LEGO Hippogriff at Universal. I've had this for years.

There was a nice Buckbeak plush for sale. I should have taken a picture of that.

Lots of artistic touches make the Wizarding World a special place.

The pupils at Hogwarts go through some intense training.

Luckily, they have some help. Harry has Hedwig the owl.

If you are looking for these toys, you'll have to try a good time traveling spell, since they were sold years ago (I have Hedwig). Or you can try eBay.

It's time to try some Butterbeer! There was a long line for this drink.

You can get a regular Butterbeer or a Frozen Butterbeer. I tried both.

I would call Butterbeer a dessert drink. It is not thirst-quenching, especially on a sunny August day in Orlando.
Of course, I had to get the special plastic Butterbeer Mug!

I then had to carry the Mug with me through Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

That's why I bought some cargo shorts before my vacation. The Butterbeer Mug rode lots of rides with me, safely in my pocket.

As I was walking through Jurassic Park, which is next door to the Wizarding World, I started to wonder just how far Universal was willing to go with a Harry Potter expansion. Could Jurassic Park's dinosaurs go extinct in the near future? No way, you say? Tell that to Back to the Future and King Kong.

The Jurassic Park River Adventure could be transformed into a Harry Potter ride. There's lots of Harry Potter creatures that could be substituted for dinosaurs.

The Gringotts roller coaster seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is just begging to be turned into a ride somewhere at Islands of Adventure.

I passed through Jurassic Park, but did not have time to stay for any attractions there.

Universal spared no expense with the detail work at Jurassic Park.

Up next was a visit to Toon Lagoon, and a ride on Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. I had never been on this ride before.

My previous visit to Islands of Adventure in 2009 was also my first visit. It was in November and kind of chilly outside. Having ridden the Bilge-Rat Barges now, I'm glad I didn't go then. You will not just get wet on this ride. You will get drenched. If the rapids don't get you soaked, the boat washing machine will.

This is the best raft ride I've been on, with fun animatronics of Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto (I didn't see Sweet Pea, but I think he was there).

Up next was Dudley-Do Right's Ripsaw Falls. This is also a great water ride with animatronic characters.

The drop at the end is great. You will also get soaked on this ride.

Passing through Toon Lagoon, Bullwinkle was posing for pictures.

For years, Toon Lagoon was rumored to get a Simpsons "Otto-Mobile" ride. Instead, the Simpsons replaced the Back to the Future ride at Universal Studios.

Up next was Marvel Super Hero Island, for a spin on the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

This is one of my favorite Universal attractions. Spider-Man riders put on 3D glasses and board ride vehicles to take a thrilling adventure with the famous web-slinger.

You'll join forces to defeat some of Spider-Man's foes.

After The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, it was time to go to Universal Studios Florida.

Getting to Universal Studios from Islands of Adventure is easy. The two parks are connected by a shopping district called Universal CityWalk (that's where I ate dinner).

There, you'll find all kinds of shops and dining locations.

At Universal Studios Florida, I experienced the E.T. Adventure, The Simpsons Ride, Men In Black Alien Attack, Revenge of the Mummy and Shrek 4-D. Universal Studios Florida will get its own trip report.

After my visit to Universal Studios, I went back to Islands of Adventure. I rode Dragon Challenge, which was a walk-on. Maybe I'm going blind or just getting old, but navigating part of the indoor queue line in near-total darkness was difficult for me (another person in line told me I could follow him). I had a similar problem at the Single Rider Line of Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios (climbing up stairs in total darkness).

I then went back to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, using the Single Rider line again. I was about to board and the ride shut down. The work lights came on, and it was interesting to see the load station illuminated. After about five minutes, the ride started back up. I imagined someone getting stuck in the scene with the big animatronic dragon breathing fire right in their face over and over again.

After Harry Potter, it was time for the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Marvel Super Hero Island. I love this roller coaster, which was the last ride of my day.

On the left hand side of this picture, you can see Seuss Landing.

Seuss Landing brings the world of Dr. Seuss to life.

I walked through Seuss Landing, but did not have time to experience any of the attractions on this visit.

One the rides found here is based on One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

These keychains were available back in 2004.

At Seuss Landing, you'll see a giant red and white striped stovepipe hat. It's home to The Cat In The Hat: Ride Inside.

This is a fantastic dark ride.

The ride features animatronic figures and couch vehicles that spin.

The Cat in the Hat ride vehicles are very similar to the ones at Men In Black Alien Attack at Universal Studios.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 make sure that something goes terribly wrong on the ride.

I saw people wearing Thing 1 and Thing 2 shirts everywhere in Orlando.

Years ago, a Mt. Crumpit Grinch sleigh ride coaster was rumored for Seuss Landing.

The ride was never built, but Universal's Islands of Adventure does host a special event called Grinchmas during the holidays.

Woody used to be the mascot for Islands of Adventure. I think Harry Potter is now.

The Islands of Adventure PVC figures were available back in 2004 at one of Universal's Outlet Mall stores.

What a great day at Islands of Adventure!

I was Courageous. I was Outrageous. I was Extraordinary! Just like their slogan says.

Before you leave the park, you might want to check out the shop right before the exit. It's marked-down merchandise, and you may see something cool (I sure did!). Universal Studios also has a store like this.

A note about the Mears shuttle: For the return trip, you need to call Mears two hours before you want them to pick you up, and you'll get to choose a time. Everyone taking the shuttle was ready early, and the return trip was fast.

Up next: A better look at Universal Studios Florida!