Any/All Help Greatfully Received - Dec Trip And Not A Clue!

[JulieBarlow]

Hi,

We are a family of 5 coming to Orlando from the UK for 28th Nov - 12 Dec.

Family consists of kids age 7 (just starting to try rollercoasters), 9 (loves all rollercoasters and has done some of the biggest in the UK), 11 (doesn't like rollercoasters but has been persuaded to do a few of the tamer ones recently), plus me (will try any rollercoaster once!) and hubby (loves all rollercoasters, faster the better).

We have got the 7 day unlimited access passes to US and IOA and have currently set aside 2 or 3 days to go there. We are going at this time of year because I want to experience the Holiday Spirit in Orlando so I want to do anything Christmassy at Universal, as well as the rides.

With work pressure and other stuff I am struggling to get my head into planning for this trip so I need any help you wonderful people can give me. We have only been to Universal Studios once before but my daughter fell and cut her knee open and just wanted to go home after that so we only managed to ride Men In Black (about 10 times!), Jaws and Jimmy Neutron.

My main questions really are what are the crowds like at this time of year? Are any days of the week better to go on than others (currently planning a Friday and Sunday and possibly a Wednesday)? What are the main rides to try and do and in what order would you suggest? What are the Holiday events like in both parks, and what times do they run at? Any other main hints/tips/advice you can give me?!

I know it's a lot of questions so thankyou in advance to anyone who can help me.

P.S. We are staying offsite in a villa in Kissimee so won't have the front of the line thingy, we don't mind early starts as jet lag will let us re-set our bodyclocks however we want!

 

[Purseval]

The time between the end of Thanksgiving and the beginning of Christmas is one of the least crowded times of the year so you won't have any problems. Because of that park, ride order, etc. shouldn't be a problem no matter what day you go. I don't know if they do any special events at this time but I'm sure some locals will chime in shortly.

 

[lachica]

Suess Landing is converted to Grinchmas, and in the Studios you have the Macy's Holiday Parade. You can have Grinch character breakfast at Confisco Grill in IOA. And during your stay there's going to be 2 concerts: Mannheim Steamroller on Dec. 5, and Chris Issak on Dec. 12 at studios.

 

[JulieBarlow]

Thankyou, I found a brief bit of info about a Macy's parade and Grinchmas but couldn't find any info on when the Holiday stuff is likely to start, and is there anything else going on at this time? Are these events good for getting you in the Holiday mood? What time of day are they at? We might try and do all the seasonal stuff on the possible third day if necessary.

 

[lachica]

Holiday celebrations at Universal Orlando Resort begin December 5 and run through January 1, this is the only info uni has released thus far. I love Seuss Landing during Grinchmas, their decorations are wonderful and it really transports you to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Consequently there's the show in Seuss Landing - as far as the times they are several throughout the day.

 

[CouchTater]

We'll be at US/IOA on Dec. 4th unfortunately we leave for home on the 5th. Does anyone know if they ever do "soft" openings for Grinchmas or the Macy's parade. When I made my plans I figured all the parks would be in Christmas mode the week after Thanksgiving but apparently not Universal. Thanks!

 

[Bluer101]

No soft openning with the Macy Parade but Suess Landing will be decorated already and resorts.