Universal City, California – With the Grinch’s faithful dog Max serving as the official event mascot, a throng of dogs will appear at Universal Studios Hollywood to audition for roles as prized pets for caring families as Universal and The Amanda Foundation and the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services partner to hold “Max to the Rescue: Whoville’s Have A Heart Animal Adoption Fairs” on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 during opening weekend of Universal Studios’ annual “Grinchmas” celebration. “Grinchmas” will continue daily from December 18 through January 2, 2011.
A shelter rescue himself Max the Dog will be on hand to greet visitors to the “Max to the Rescue: Whoville’s Have A Heart Animal Adoption Fairs,” which will be presented in an area adjacent to the theme park’s main entrance. Max will also officiate each pet adoption with a souvenir paw print certificate.
Within Universal Studios Hollywood, “Grinchmas” will enliven the holiday season with the Grinch, tons of fresh snow and a “Whoville Whobilation” at the original movie sets where the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was filmed.
“Grinchmas” will immerse guests in a festive holiday atmosphere. A whimsical, curving “Grinchmas” tree will tower 60 feet above the center of a snow-covered “Grinchmas” winter wonderland and will be lit in a nightly tree-lighting ceremony that will feature a colorfully costumed “Whoville” choir caroling and spreading holiday cheer. The Grinch and Max will be on hand to meet fans and take memorable holiday photos. Families will also be able to enjoy traditional winter fun, romping together in a playground of snow and building their own snowmen.
“Grinchmas” will also provide fans of the blockbuster movie a close-up view of the original “Whoville” film sets, featured in the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” aboard the world-famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. As the tram rolls to a stop amid the fanciful “Whoville” buildings, guests will experience a one-of-a-kind performance by “Whoville’s” residents re-enacting favorite scenes and songs from the film.
Aboard the Studio Tour, guests will also pay a special visit to the Grinch’s Lair, where they will find themselves on a quest to help the Grinch and Max the Dog return the stolen gifts to Whoville. A new feature to this year’s ““Grinchmas” event, the Grinch’s Lair will send guests spiraling towards Mt. Crumpit, amid snow drifts, as they band together with the Grinch to restore “Grinchmas” to Whoville. “Grinchmas” is included in the price of theme park admission.
Guests who attend Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Grinchmas” celebration will be able to purchase the “Buy a Day and get 2011 Free” annual pass, a tremendous value allowing them to visit Universal Studios Hollywood throughout the coming year. More information, including an interview with Max the Dog by Universal’s Studio Tour Guide, Molly, is available at http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/Grinchmas.
Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM, is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.
ABOUT DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P. The primary focus of the Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and protect the relationship consumers have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would “round out the edges.” That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Audrey S. Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, heads Dr. Seuss Enterprises as President.
