Frankenclaus

This is both philosophical and painfully literal.

Amongst the more elaborate activities and entertainment, Universal used to keep the spirit going by gussying up any and every character in its licensed stable. Nutcracker Bullwinkle. Scooby the Black-Nosed Reindeer. Laurel and Hardy in their finest elven smocks.

This tradition lives on in the kid-friendliest characters, like the Shrek clan and expanded crew of Mystery Inc., but it’s no longer an all-consuming dress code. Where are the Christmas lights strung through Doc Brown’s mind-reading helmet? Why isn’t Beetlejuice wearing red and green pinstripes for a change? And where has Frankenclaus gone?

There’s no better singular symbol of the Universal holiday spirit than a seven-foot-tall, reanimated corpse done up in red and white. He used to roam the streets, a golem of good cheer, and pose for Christmas cards with delighted fans. In spirit, the monster must return. But in the pale, green flesh, he also must return. Just imagine the merchandising opportunities.

Cartoon Balloons

Since 2002, Universal has partnered with Macy’s to bring parade-favorite floats all the way from New York City to Orlando. But the high-flying kind wasn’t the only import.

Scattered around Universal Studios Florida were towering inflatables dedicated to pop culture’s most indelible children’s characters. An enormous Curious George scaled the Metropolis Tribune in a canny nod to Kongfrontation. Garfield dug into his favorite book, presumably about Italian cuisine, on the steps of the New York Public Library. Scooby-Doo sat guard before the long-gone Graveyard Revue arches. Grover watched the waterfront from Sting Alley.

The locations changed and occasionally so did the characters, but given they hung around all day, these balloons ended up in more vacation memories than the actual parade.

Between 2016 and 2017, they disappeared. Star-shaped Macy’s balloons, like the one usually parked out front, replaced some, then those faded just as fast. They could’ve been a drain on resources better spent elsewhere. Those inflatables, some over a decade old, might’ve been worse for the wear. But be it those familiar favorites or similar newcomers, stationary floats would be a warmly welcomed addition to future Universal holidays. For many past guests, they’re practically synonymous.

Santa at Sea

It’s easy to take the holidays for granted at Islands of Adventure. Only in recent years, with the addition and expansion of Christmas in the Wizarding World, has it turned into a day-long deal. That’s a testament to the designers, given that the park doesn’t have wide enough paths for a parade, let alone low-flying balloons.

In the Islands’ adolescence, however, there was a different solution to that particular problem. What it lacked in lanes, it more than made up for in lagoon.

In a seaworthy sleigh, Santa Claus took to the water for a quick sail around the archipelago, waving and “Ho”-ing as he went. There wasn’t much more to it than that. With the updated view provided by Velocicoaster and the Islands lagoon now 20 years dormant, there’s never been a better time to liven up the tide.

As it stands, the closest alternative Islands has to Santa Claus is the Grinch, his moldy carnival-mirror reflection. That separation does give the Studios a leg up - if you want the traditional trimmings, you’ve bought the wrong ticket - but reinstating St. Nick’s boating license would even the odds in a one-of-a-kind way. The case could be made he just landed too soon and can’t find the Lombard’s dock.

Santa Kong

During the holidays, the photo-op Kong at the exit of Kongfrontation wore a Kong-sized Santa hat. The original Hollywood ape did the same.

This is simple arithmetic.

Monkey plus hat equals glad tidings of great joy.

The animatronic King has finally returned, Universal. Give him back his crown.