Family Insider

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the Grinch, the grouchy but beloved character made famous in Dr. Seuss’s 1957 book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

The story of the Grinch’s hatred of the holiday and his “two sizes too small” heart, transformed by the warmth and love shown by the Whos down in Who-ville, is a classic tale that kids have been crazy about for decades.

If you love the Grinch, you won’t want to miss visiting Universal’s Islands of Adventure this season. The Grinch comes to life in a “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular.”

The colorful, theatrical musical tells the story in a 20-minute show loaded with singing, dancing, colorful costumes and silly humor. The set combines brightly painted homes in Who-ville with an animated background and confetti snow falling on the audience.

Max, the Grinch’s long-suffering but loyal red-boned coonhound, even makes an appearance driving the sled. The real live mutt playing Max comes out when the Grinch returns to Who-ville to give back all the lights, ornaments and presents he stole while trying to take Christmas away.

Mannheim Steamroller, known for its new age Christmas music, wrote the original musical score for the theme park’s Grinch show. (The group is performing an hourlong concert at adjacent Universal Studios beginning at 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in the month of December.)

Singers in the Grinch show perform a half dozen well-known songs from the 1966 cartoon including the famous “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” written by Dr. Seuss.

Musical shows run throughout the day, and afterward families can visit with the characters for picture-taking at nearby Seuss Landing. Visitors can also schedule reservations for breakfast with the characters.

The “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular” runs through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 and is included as part of general admission to Islands of Adventure.

-- Susan Clary