Thanksgiving or Christmas?

[HappilyEverAfterLBS]

Should we go during thanksgiving or Christmas? If we went during Thanksgiving, we would do it at the first of the week, before actual Thanksgiving...is it terribly crowded during that time?

 

[nytimez]

Should we go during thanksgiving or Christmas? If we went during Thanksgiving, we would do it at the first of the week, before actual Thanksgiving...is it terribly crowded during that time?

I haven't done either, but my guess is you *might* have slightly better crowds early in Thanksgiving week than you would at any point during Christmas week.

That said, I imagine both weeks will be pretty cozy in the parks -- I'd suggest staying on site to get the unlimited Express Pass and using single rider lines whenever possible.

 

[HappilyEverAfterLBS]

Thank you! What is the unlimited express pass? We usually stay off site, where is a good place to stay?

 

[Metro West]

Should we go during thanksgiving or Christmas? If we went during Thanksgiving, we would do it at the first of the week, before actual Thanksgiving...is it terribly crowded during that time?

The week leading up to Thanksgiving is busy but manageable. Christmas...on the other hand...is pure madness from 12/26 until 1/2. You will have less crowds before Thanksgiving. You will still see Christmas decorations at both parks during that time but you won't see the festivities of Grinchmas and the Macy's Holiday Parade.

Thank you! What is the unlimited express pass? We usually stay off site, where is a good place to stay?

You can purchase VIP Express tickets that include your park admission and unlimited Express access for however many days you buy.

 

[nytimez]

Thank you! What is the unlimited express pass? We usually stay off site, where is a good place to stay?

If you stay at one of the three Universal hotels, your key cards allow you to use the Express Pass line at any attraction that has it, which is almost all of them (exceptions: Forbidden Journey, Pteredon Flyers and Rip, Ride, Rockit).

It's like Disney's Fastpass only much better -- you just show your room key and hop right onto the Express Pass line, no need to come back later and you can do it as many times as you want. Well worth the extra price of staying on site.

All three on site hotels are great, you'll get different opinions on which is best -- I prefer the Portofino -- but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

You can also buy an Express Pass if you stay off site, but it's limited to once per attraction and they can get expensive if you have a large party. They also cost more during peak times.

 

[HappilyEverAfterLBS]

Thank you! What is the unlimited express pass? We usually stay off site, where is a good place to stay?

 

[HappilyEverAfterLBS]

Not sure why the other post got posted twice....

Okay...so if we stay on site, we don't have to actually purchase the express pass?

 

[Metro West]

Not sure why the other post got posted twice....

Okay...so if we stay on site, we don't have to actually purchase the express pass?

I'll delete the other post. If you stay onsite, you do NOT have to pay for Express access.

 

[HappilyEverAfterLBS]

Sweet! thank you!

 

[nytimez]

[
You can purchase VIP Express tickets that include your park admission and unlimited Express access for however many days you buy.

I always forget about this one -- you pay through the nose for it, but this is of course an option too.

Personally, I'd just stay on site.