1st timer questions

[vikkil70]

Hi everyone. We just booked our first trip to Universal for this Dec 14-18. We are a family of four, me, hubby and our two adventurous, thrill seeking boys 9 & 11 We are staying at Cabana Bay and have 3 day park to park tickets. We will not have the express pass since we are staying at CB. I have planned a few Disney trips but this is our first time doing Universal so I have some questions.

1. How are the crowd level that week in Dec (14-18)?
2. Having 3 days to tour should we be ok without the Express Pass?
3. Does Universal do any decorating or anything special to see for Christmas? Our last trip to WDW was in December of 2012 and we loved all the holiday decorations etc.
4. Can you bring snacks or drinks into the parks like you can at Disney.

I think that is it for now, will probably come up with more as I get more into the planning. I know our main concern is crowd levels, and can we get all we want to do accomplished without express pass. We are very interested in see Harry Potter and my boys are minion crazy. Thank you so much!

 

[Kivara]

The only one I can answer for you is about the snacks and drinks. Yes, you can take in snacks, drinks, a whole meal, etc. As long as it is not in a large cooler, you're fine!
Hopefully someone else can answer the others for you!

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

We went December 13-17, 2013 and it was wonderful. Shortly after we left, the crowds came, so it will be very close. If the crowds were anything like 2013 (pre Diagon Alley), then 3 days is plenty of time. The crowd calendars show yellow for that week, so it may be hit or miss. Our dates in '13 was the long weekend before your weekday stay.

Christmas is awesome at Universal, and no separate ticket needed for the activities. Grinchmas is a lot of fun, and I personally thought the decorations were fantastic. There is a link on the UNI website on all of the planned activities. A great time of year to be there!

We just got back and wont be back until June, so a little jealous, have a blast!!!

 

[kip0992]

Crowds shouldn't be TOO terrible that week...getting worst the closer you get to the weekend. You'll probably be OK without the express passes, but if you were concerned you could look into staying at one of the other 3 on-site hotels. When you stay at any of the others express passes are included. You'll be paying more for the room but probably less than the total of your stay at CB and adding on the EP's.

Since you're staying on-site you'll get in to the parks (sometimes one park or the other, sometimes both) an hour early. Use this to do the big Harry Potter rides (and possibly the Minions, cause that seems to get crazy long lines).

They do some holiday decorations, but not nearly as much as Disney...much more subtle.

 

[RMulieri]

They do have holiday decrations.Not as many as WDW , but equally nice..Dont miss Grinchmas and the Macys Parade

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We did that same week a few years ago, and the crowds were not too heavy. Universal in general is a little more crowded now, IMO, but it won't be overwhelmingly crowded.

DD was 10 at the time, and we used the single rider lines a lot, especially for re-rides. She loved the independence of not having to ride next to mom every time. If your boys are willing to do that, you can squeeze more into a day, and you can just sandwich them between the two adults so that one of you is waiting for them at the end of the ride.