2024 REVIEW: The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast at Universal Orlando – Is It Worth It?
Photo Credit: Universal Orlando
During the holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort, you can enjoy a sit-down meal with the Grinch, and some of the local Who's from Whoville. The Grinch breakfast is an easy way to meet the Grinch, and the perfect way to kick off your day of holiday fun.This is a specially ticketed dining experience that's returned to its original location! During the Grinch Breakfast, you get to try Grinch themed foods like green eggs and ham, Martha May's chicken and waffles, Grinch cookies and more.
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast Overview
The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast takes place on select dates from Nov. 22 through Dec. 30 2024. This year, the breakfast is located at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This year, breakfast reservation times include seatings at 7am-11:30am. Plan for this sit down dining experience to last about 90 minutes start to finish. Grinch Breakfast reservations have booked up quickly, so the date you are hoping for may already be sold out. 
Note—
You must purchase your Grinch Breakfast tickets in advance.You’ll 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 Grinch breakfast. If you need to add or remove someone in your party, call Guest Services ASAP.
While the 2024 Grinch Breakfast is now sold out, you can call 407-224-3663 to check if any slots have open up due to last minute cancelations.
How Much is the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast at Universal?
The Grinch Character Breakfast at Universal Orlando costs $58.99 per adult (ages 10+) and $32.99 per child (ages 3-9). It includes 1 plated entree, a non-alcoholic beverage, and dessert. Children under 3 are free.
Grinch Breakfast Atmosphere
The Grinch breakfast is back in Seuss Landing, where the Dr. Seuss-inspired circus makes for an immersive experience. Inside, there’s Seuss music playing, and festive Seuss decor. While eating, you can also can wave to riders on the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.
Sam-I-Am poses and waves for photos, Whos walk around spreading holiday cheer, and the the one and only Grinch has his own festive corner/
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast Experience
Plan to arrive about 15 minutes prior to your reservation time to check in with the host outside. When you first enter into Islands of Adventure, head to Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous.Before you check-in at the podium, make sure you have printed out your tickets or pick them up at one of the Will Call kiosks outside the main entrance of the park.
Breakfast begins with a shared platter of fresh muffins, yogurt, and seasonal berries. Next comes your one Entrée like Cindy-Lou Who’s Belgian Waffles. Drinks like coffee and water are unlimited. Even if it doesn’t sound good, order a Sour Apple Slush to at least try! After all, you paid for it. I loved the tangy and sweet flavor. 
As you eat, some of the local Whos make their way around to your table as they talk and sing Christmas carols. The Grinch does not come around to each table. This can actually be nice because you won't have to sit and wait around after your Grinch breakfast. You can meet him before or after your breakfast dining experience in his own little meet and greet area.
What Characters Do You Meet at the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast?
You’ll meet the Grinch either before or after you finish eating your breakfast. Depending on where your table is, you may have a view of him at his photo location. Periodically you may catch him walking by as he leaves to “Take Max out". Wink, wink.The local Whos of Whoville walk around the tables and during breakfast. They sing, dance, sometimes sit at your table, etc. I noticed we were able to meet 5 different Whos. Sam I AM is also stationed in the middle of Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous for you to meet and take photos with. Pictures and selfies are okay to take inside.
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast Menu
This year, the Character Breakfast includes 1 plated entrée, a non-alcoholic beverage and a dessert. In years past, the Grinch breakfast was buffet style. While you're deciding on your main entree, you get 2 small appetizers.
Appetizers to Share:
Granola, yogurt and mixed bettriesSrrawberries, blackberries, rasberries, and blueberries
Assorted plate of mini muffins for the tableMuffin Flavors: Chocolate, berry, french toast
Grinch Breakfast Menu:
The Grinch's Pancakes (new)Martha May’s Chicken and WafflesCindy Lou Who’s Belgian WafflesAvocado Toast and Chia Pudding (new)The Grinch’s Green Eggs & Ham
Martha May’s Chicken and Waffles:
The fried chicken was good, but the waffles were just okay. A little on the dry side. They come with a really yummy "Hot Honey drizzle" that was much needed. Our table actually asked for a side of the honey drizzle. After drenching my chicken and waffles in the drizzle, it was banging. Don't let the "Hot" scare you. The honey wasn't hot at ALL. I give this dish a 6/10.
The Grinch’s Green Eggs & Ham
The gravy was absolutely delicious on top of the tots. I would’ve had a second and third bowl of that if allowed. Those were 10/10.
Little Whos Menu:
Fluffy Scrambled EggsGreen PizzaBerry Belgian WaffleGreen Grinch Pancakes
For those with littles, there’s a Grinch themed coloring sheet they can doodle on during the breakfast!
Beverages Include:
CoffeeSodaGreen Sour AppleSour Green Apple Icee with a sweet whipped cream topping and red sprinkles
Dessert:
Grinch Cookies
Once you’ve finished the entree, you get 2 Grinch Cookies that come pre packaged. I was so full, I ended up saving them in my backpack to eat later in the day. pre packaged grinch cookies.
Grinch Breakfast Meet and Greet
For 2024, you have 2 options for meeting the Grinch during breakfast. You can meet him before or after you finish your breakfast. for either option, you're given a Grinch postcard. This is what you will take to redeem your photo/meet and greet experience with the Grinch. You'll head outside to line up to meet The Grinch. 
The Grinch hangs out in his own a separate area, that way you can get your video and photos with him guest free I just want to tree the Grinch does NOT go around table to table during breakfast like in previous years.After doing the 2024 Universal Holiday Tour, I do feel like I got to spend more time with him during the Grinch Breakfast. Since I am really awkward with character meet and greets, I REALLY liked that no one else was waiting behind me inside waiting to meet him while I was with him.Is The Grinch Character Breakfast Worth It in 2024?
If you want the easiest and least stressful way meet the Grinch, I highly recommend doing this breakfast. The interaction with the Grinch and the Who characters makes it all worth the money. While this experience is an additional expense, the only way to interact with him for free is at the meet-and-greet location at Honk Honkers in Seuss Landing. There, you have to join the standby line on the day of your visit (s). 
The free meet- and -greet in Seuss Landing has had wait times posted at 100-300 minutes almost every park day! It even hits capacity same days by 3-5pm.
Things to Consider Before Booking the Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast
The price for the Grinch Breakfast does NOT include admission to Universal Islands of Adventure park. You have to have a separate theme park ticket for the same date as the Grinch breakfast.The Grinch meet and greet during breakfast does not have a “My Universal Photos” photographer like the free standby line does at Honk Honkers. At the Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast they have a Team Member stationed to take photos and video with your cell phone.The Grinch meet-and-greet in the park has had a standby queue over 3 hours mid morning. The exclusivity and efficiency of the Grinch Breakfast will ensure stress-free meet and greet with the Grinch.
Overall Thoughts on The Grinch Breakfast in 2024
Overall, it's a fun dining experience, and the Grinch really does spend a lot of time with each group and family. It's done in a relaxed, stress free environment. No heat or weather factors to deal with like you do waiting outside in the normal standby line. For me, it's totally worth budgeting extra to do year after year if you love the Grinch!
If you were not able to snag Grinch Breakfast tickets this year, be sure to book early for the 2025 season.
