Hanging with Earl the Squirrel and The Grinch. A Christmas TR 12/1-12/9. Updated 12/22*

[Wood Nymph]

It was in the 50s this morning and the high was going to be low 60s. Here I am getting ready to head out. I had my Happy Christmas shirt on with Harry, Ron, and Hermoine!

It was a cold week with a beautiful blue sky.

I love the HP themed shirt. I'm a big fan of the books.

Universal had low crowds during my stay.

The crowd must have been at WDW. It must have been nice to be in the stores without a crowd around you.

It was time to see Kreacher, he was being his usual cranky little self! I love when people don’t realize he is there! They are always thrilled to see him peeking out behind the curtains.

This is the first time that I have seen a picture of Kreacher. That is a nice touch.

 

[pkondz]

I slept really well and it was nice and quiet. I didn’t even use my earplugs yay!

Bonus!

My whole trip was cooler than I wanted but still way warmer than my house.

Above the freezing mark is definitely warmer than below it.

I had ordered a few grocery items while I was on the airplane. The items were delivered to the resort way before I arrived and Bell Service kept my items until I arrived. I just got a case of water, granola bars, strawberries, bananas, cold brew coffee, and creamer.

I think I've asked before... where do you order the groceries from?

I loved my view and realized I could see the boat transportation coming and going. I liked that!

I'd like that too.

Nice shot of you.

I never waited more than 5 minutes for a boat this whole trip.

Uni has Disney beat with transportation, I think. I've never waited very long for a boat.

Universal had low crowds during my stay. This was awesome!

I guess most people don’t rope drop a store, haha

I got a cabin all to myself on the train. I loved my ride over to Hogsmeade .

It's such a great (and clever) way to travel between parks.

I turned around and went right back on the train.

Been there, seen that.

I mean look at this dragon, amazing!

Good capture of it!

I love when people don’t realize he is there! They are always thrilled to see him peeking out behind the curtains.

went to the snack stand to try the Gingerbread “Gingy” cookie. It was not good! It had a weird taste and was stale.

Well, that's unfortunate.

I decided to buy a refillable Christmas mug.

How much is that?
I presume it's good for the length of your stay?

I went in to find a table, at USO, you find a table and mobile order from the table.

Is this new? I don't recall doing that.

I really wanted a hot butter beer, in the not to distant past, you could order a butter beer as your drink with a kids meal,

That would've been nice. I've never had the hot one, just cold or frozen.

I decided to get ice cream at the shop in DA. Usually this place has a huge line, today no one.

Score.

I walked right in and ordered the butter beer ice cream. This was delicious and the first time I tried it!

Ohhhh... this sounds amazing!

Here is the awful cookie with his head bit off.

You killed him!!!!

I guess he had it coming for being stale and all.

 

[disneyAndi14]

was a cold week with a beautiful blue sky.

It really was, coldest I have seen this time of year since I have been coming at this time! Of course our last day was 80 degrees

I love the HP themed shirt. I'm a big fan of the books

Thank you! I am as well, loved the books so much! The movies are good but the books are excellent

The crowd must have been at WDW. It must have been nice to be in the stores without a crowd around you.

They sure were! It was really nice at Universal with the low crowds! Disney use to be low crowds this week! Cheer competitions are every time I go now ugh!

This is the first time that I have seen a picture of Kreacher. That is a nice touch.

Thanks, I think about every 10 minutes he peeks out of the window.

Above the freezing mark is definitely warmer than below it.

Yes very true, it was -2 degrees when I woke up yesterday, yuck It is supposed to be in the high 30s next week for us, I will take it! That is Fahrenheit of course!

I think I've asked before... where do you order the groceries from?

I order from Instacart, they have Publix, Target etc.. to shop from. They usually give you a deal for free delivery as a promotion.

Uni has Disney beat with transportation, I think. I've never waited very long for a boat.

true! Stress free travel to the parks for sure!

It's such a great (and clever) way to travel between parks.

It really is. Smart on USO part because you have to have park to park tickets! The Hogwarts Express is a great attraction!

Good capture of it!

With that beautiful blue sky the dragon looks amazing!

Well, that's unfortunate.

Stale expensive cookies suck!

How much is that?
I presume it's good for the length of your stay?

It was $18.00 with my AP discount. I can take it back and reactive it on my next trip for a fee. You do have to pay a small fee each day in the parks. If you buy more like for the whole family the price keeps going down and even buy 2 get one free type of thing.

Is this new? I don't recall doing that.

It is newer in the last year or so.

That would've been nice. I've never had the hot one, just cold or frozen.

The hot butter beer is my favorite

Ohhhh... this sounds amazing!

The ice cream is better than the butter beer drinks, there I said it and won’t take it back!

You killed him!!!!

He deserved it! No sweet gingerbread from him! Haha

 

[disneyAndi14]

After my delicious ice cream and throwing away the beheaded Gingy, I walked over to the Tribute store.

The outside revealed it was a pop up book experience.

The entrance showed several books on a table before entering the first room. This let you know which stories would be in the store.

The first room was a Harry Potter pop up book experience. All the books had either a touch or smell experience. I just looked at everything. I didn’t want to touch or smell but it was a cool experience.

A huge Hogsmeade advent calendar. I loved it. It would be cool to see it further along and what each day held.



The next room was The Grinch story. I love the Grinch Christmas story and how it has lasted the test of time!


It is a must watch in many homes, mine included.

Earl the Squirrel, the famous USO, mascot had his own story room next. There was an Earl book you could buy!


I didn’t buy it but enjoyed looking at all the merchandise related to the sneaky little squirrel.

Here are more pictures in the next post…..

 

[disneyAndi14]

There is always a treat case in the last room with unique bakery items. I just looked and didn’t buy anything sweet at this time.


Taking my time in the Tribute store was wonderful, I was often the only one in each of the rooms.

I headed out and took a few pictures of the big tree where Earl the Squirrel is hiding.


I walked through the Minion area and checked out the art work on the way out!


The artwork on the big Universal store before leaving the park! Love it



My plan was to go back to the resort for a few hours before returning to US for some delicious garlic knots from Louise Italian QS.

I walked along Citywalk and took the boat back to SFR.

My evening with the Holiday Tour is coming up soon.

Thank you for reading along and commenting!

 

[Wood Nymph]

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas stories.

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Love the Christmas stuff at Universal—so fun!