Let your heart (and tummy) grow three sizes in a day — just like the Grinch! During the holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort, you can enjoy a sit-down meal with the green meanie himself, as well as Whoville citizens and other characters from the Dr. Seuss universe. You can try themed food and drinks such as Green Eggs and Ham, as well as traditional breakfast foods, during the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, a separately ticketed dining experience — this year, returning to its original location!
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Overview of the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast
The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is taking place on select dates from Nov. 22 through Dec. 30, 2024. Breakfast reservations for the 2024 holiday season are now completely sold out. Allow about two hours for the entire experience. It takes time to get seated, order and receive your food and meet all of the characters.
To complete your reservation, you must purchase your tickets in advance. Prices start at $58.99 per adult and $32.99 per child (ages 3 to 9), plus tax. You will need to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance, and walk-ins are not accepted. Separate theme park admission is required for the same date as the breakfast. If you need to add or remove someone in your party, our best advice is to call Guest Services. Note that they may be unable to accommodate the change due to availability. Also, be sure to print out your tickets or pick them up at one of the Will Call kiosks outside the main entrance of the park. (Last year, there was a team member who could print them out stationed between Confisco Grille and Croissant Moon Bakery if you hoppened to froget.)
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast Experience
After being moved to Confisco Grille in Port of Entry in last year due to refurbishments, breakfast returns this year to Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Seuss Landing. It's just past One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish on your right when you're entering Seuss Landing in the morning. You should arrive about 15 minutes prior to your reservation time to check in with the host.
While we all know the Grinch is the main star of the breakfast, the Whoville citizens are an absolute whoot too. We had Whos visit our table twice during our dining experience — and they sure loved to chat! One led us in a sing-along of "Deck the Halls" to make sure our voices were ready for caroling. Another asked us what they should gift themself for Grinchmas: a Whois Vuitton bag or Alexander WhoQueen shoes. (We decided on both, obvi!)
Another adorable addition this year is Sam-I-Am. At any point during your meal, get up from your table and meet the Green Eggs and Ham-obsessed creature right in the middle of the restaurant!
As some point during your meal, you'll receive a postcard from the Grinch. That's your ticket to meet the "mean one" himself! A team member hole will punch it with a heart upon redemption. At any point before breakfast closes for the morning, head back outside the restaurant and get in line at the side of the restaurant closest to All The Books You Can Read to meet the maven of mischief! (We recommend hopping in line after you've finished your meal so you don't have to worry about your food getting cold.) Ever the lovable scamp, The Grinch gave us some solid dating advice to find your own arm candy this Who-liday season: "Be hot, eat a lot of food, have a gut, be green, eat onions, burp a little ... and no one can compare to Martha May Whovier." (You heard it here first, folks!)
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast Menu
Appetizers to Share: a starting assortment of fresh baked muffins, seasonal berries and yogurt
The Feast
- The Grinch's Pancakes — two green Grinch pancakes, cream cheese icing, whipped topping, fresh strawberries, scrambled eggs and applewood smoked bacon
- Green Eggs and Ham — scrambled green eggs, sliced ham and crispy tater tots covered in sausage gravy, served with a side of thick cut bacon
- Martha May's Chicken and Waffles — hand-breaded southern chicken thighs on top of two crispy Belgian waffles finished with a fried egg, hot honey sauce and parsley
- Lou Lou Who's Breakfast Sandwich — flaky everything croissant stuffed with scrambled eggs, thick cut bacon, cheddar cheese, roasted tomato aioli, arugula, served with crispy tater tots
- Cindy-Lou Who's Belgian Waffles — Waffles, whipped topping with green sugar crystals, fresh strawberries, blueberries and a side of applewood smoked bacon with scrambled eggs
- Avocado Toast & Chia Pudding — toasted artisan bread, topped with smashed avocado, lemon vinaigrette, watermelon radish, arugula and sweet tomatoes, served with a side of chia seed pudding with agave nectar and fresh berries
For our Little Whos (for little whos ages 3-10)
- Green Grinch Pancakes — topped with whipped topping, fresh strawberries and red sugar crystals, served with bacon and scrambled eggs
- Berry Belgian Waffle — with whipped topping, blueberries and strawberries, topped with green sugar crystals, served with bacon and scrambled eggs
- Green Pizza — Green scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon crumbles, served with a side of red grapes
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs — with bacon and crispy tater tots
Beverages
- Sour Apple Slush — sour green apple ICEE with whipped sweet cream topping and red sugar crystals
- Minute Maid Juice — Apple or Orange
- Milk — choice of 2% or chocolate
- Premium Bottled Water
- Powerade — Fruit Punch or Mountain Berry Blast
- Hot Beverages — regular or decaf coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa
- Single Serve Coca-Cola Freestyle cup — Enjoy more than 100 drink choices with the Coca-Cola Freestyle single-serve cup
The pastries and fruit are a perfect way to settle your rumbling stomach upon being seated. You even get a pack of those iconic green Grinch cookies when you're finished with your meal!
For our entrées, I chose the Avocado Toast & Chia Pudding, Leap opted for Lou Lou Who's Breakfast Sandwich, Lily picked Cindy-Lou Who's Belgian Waffles and Tad went ham on the Green Eggs and Ham. We all thoroughly enjoyed our choices! Savory, sweet and completely filling, we'd all love to go back and try something else!. We also had to try the Sour Apple Slush which was incredibly sweet — like sipping an icy, cold, liquid caramel apple!
Our Final Thoughts on the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast
The Grinch is one of our all-time favorite characters to meet, so we enjoy any time we’re able to be in the presence of the green sourpuss himself. While it is an extra expense, we think it’s worth the consideration because you’re guaranteed to meet the Grinch and get a photo with him. The only other way to interact with him (aside from Universal's Holiday Tour) is at his meet-and-greet location at Honk Honkers in Seuss Landing and we've seen wait hold steady most days at a whopping 200 minutes!
The meal lived up to the amazing food you expect from Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous. (Seriously, try their new regular menu if you haven't yet!) It was incredibly satisfying with great options to fuel you up for a morning of Who-liday celebrating! It’s also a great option particularly for picky eaters, as they can expect standard breakfast fare. It does take up a significant portion of time (just under two hours), so you'll just need to adjust your plans accordingly. However, if you made a 7 a.m. reservation, you'll most likely be finishing just as the park opens!
Overall, it's a delicious meal that guarantees you face-time with some festive Whos and the famous Grinch without waiting hours in line! Truly a win-win!
Meeting the Grinch is a must-do experience during the holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, and what better way to do so than the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast? Plus you get the opportunity to try Green Eggs and Ham. Have you had any funny interactions with the Grinch? Share in the comments below!
Related: Where to Find the Grinch at Universal Orlando Resort
Related: A Froggy Festive Guide to the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort
Hoppy holidays!
