Any Love for Christmas at USO? In particular, the Macy's Parade?

[TigerlilyAJ]

I get that Universal is better known for HHN and other Halloween fare. But should I be excited for anything Christmasy there when we visit in December?
I'm especially excited about the Macy's Holiday Parade, because some of the photos show Rockette-looking ladies. Is this false advertising? ;-) They don't really dance Rockette style? Any tips on best viewing places?
I'm scared to hear that I simply must take my 2yo to the Barney thing, but I will listen. ;-)
Same with the Grinch show, as I detest the live-action movie, but perhaps live Whoville residents could charm me?
https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Holidays/Macys-Holiday-Parade.aspx

 

[Tink575]

I've found their Christmas Parade to be very so-so, their parades can't begin to compare to Disney Parades. The Christmas/holiday decorations are really nice, and beautiful in Suess land. The Grinch stage show is absolutely great, we're two seniors and we loved it. The Barney show is OK pre-schoolers would love Barney.

 

[Mom3girls]

I am interested in anything Christmas related. Have never been at this time and wanna make sure we fit everything in. We will be there Dec 16-19, how about you?

 

[kbelle8995]

I went during December last time. I did not see the Macy parade but the park does have the large balloons scattered throughout the Studios park. The New York area of the studios were beautifully decorated. Also with Suess landing not only do you have The Grinch show, you also have Whoville citizens performing. I was impressed by Universal during the holiday season.

 

[dizneyjill]

The neat thing about universal is you have guests in the parades. My sister and I were chosen to be balloon handlers a few years ago in the Macy's parade. It's one of my favorite memories

 

[Squirlz]

We'll be there 12/4-12 and we're really looking forward to the holiday stuff.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I am interested in anything Christmas related. Have never been at this time and wanna make sure we fit everything in. We will be there Dec 16-19, how about you?

We'll be there Dec 8-10, but leaving for Disney Saturday morning/lunchtime, so won't see any of the Saturday evening entertainment like Manhattan Steamroller.

The neat thing about universal is you have guests in the parades. My sister and I were chosen to be balloon handlers a few years ago in the Macy's parade. It's one of my favorite memories

Wow, that sounds amazing!

 

[chabs]

I am interested in anything Christmas related. Have never been at this time and wanna make sure we fit everything in. We will be there Dec 16-19, how about you?

We are going the exact same dates. Never been to Universal at Christmas either but decided to take advantage of a pin code they sent last week. Got the RP for a little less than $500 for the three nights. I thought that was a steal.

 

[Mom3girls]

That IS a steal!! I booked two rooms bc we have three older teenage girls and will need the space AND an extra bathroom

 

[gotomu212]

I really liked the decorations at Christmas and the Grinch/Seuss area was amazing. Honestly the Macy's parade was a little underwhelming but it was a nice excuse to sit and take a rest. The parade crowds weren't crazy (compared to Disney) and I think we grabbed a spot right on the curb 15-20 minutes before start.

 

[houseofthrees]

We went last year and had a blast! Plan on going back again this December. The Grinch show is great and I could have spent hours just hanging out in Whoville. The Blues Brothers' Christmas show is great as well.

 

[Andysol]

I'm likely in the minority, but I prefer the Macy's parade to Mickeys parade. The year-round 3pm superstar parade is very mediocre IMO- and festival of fantasy blows it away. But for Macy's, I prefer it as it feels like a real parade with giant balloons. Not simply characters on floats waving and playing the same Christmas music on loop (which is fine, I just prefer Macy's).

Also- Santa and the Rockettes will do a tree lighting ceremony right in front of the Macy's store there- so position wisely- and you can take pics with the Rockettes right afterwards with basically no wait.

-Grinch is great. 30-40 min show and production is top notch. It IS based on the movie, but mainly a musical so you'll likely enjoy it.
-Dr Seuss land adds live who residents walking and mingling about with great makeup jobs on their noses
-Manheim steamroller is free and it's surprisingly not THAT crowded (find yourself a spot to squeeze on the "grass")

Something not mentioned:
The resorts decorate with gingerbread houses, but Disney resort decorations are vastly superior.

 

[cbsnyber1]

I get that Universal is better known for HHN and other Halloween fare. But should I be excited for anything Christmasy there when we visit in December?
I'm especially excited about the Macy's Holiday Parade, because some of the photos show Rockette-looking ladies. Is this false advertising? ;-) They don't really dance Rockette style? Any tips on best viewing places?
I'm scared to hear that I simply must take my 2yo to the Barney thing, but I will listen. ;-)
Same with the Grinch show, as I detest the live-action movie, but perhaps live Whoville residents could charm me?
https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Holidays/Macys-Holiday-Parade.aspx

In my opinion, the parade is highly entertaining and, if you get a seat near Macy's (in the NY area), you get the best of it. That's where all the acts stop and perform and yes, you will see some Rockettes styled kick dancing there. It's a pretty cool parade that will get you into the Christmas spirit - we've always enjoyed it.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Universal is missing out on a lot of money, in my opinion, but not dressing up the wizarding world for Christmas. Christmas was always a chapter in the books and I'd love to see what those areas would look like decorated for Christmas.

 

[Minnesota!]

We going, for the first time to USO, during Christmas time. I am SO looking forward to how they do it up. My husband REALLY wants to see Mannheim Steamroller.. Where is that performed? Thanks!

 

[tony67]

Universal is missing out on a lot of money, in my opinion, but not dressing up the wizarding world for Christmas. Christmas was always a chapter in the books and I'd love to see what those areas would look like decorated for Christmas.

They may not be allowed too.

There are a lot of rules enforced around all the HP stuff - for example they could not do any decorations for Halloween.
They had projected some lights on the facade during the earlier HHN and it is rumored they were spoken too.
About a week later Diagon Alley was no longer a holding area for HHN - and although not the most popular holding area it was well used.
The area does open during HHN - but they are not allowed to change anything or do anything related to HHN/Halloween.

Another example is there is that the bar is not allowed to make "muggle" drinks by name - you have to tell them the ingredients.
So if you want a long island ice tea you have to tell them what is in it - oh and there is no soda in the "wizarding world" according to the bartenders there - so you need to know what to put in the drinks instead of soda.

Since you mentioned there is a Christmas Chapter - is that related to the actual areas represented in Universal or more at the beginning before he becomes involved in all that wizarding stuff - I vaguely recall that - but Im not an HP fan.

BTW - I agree it is begging to be decorated

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Since you mentioned there is a Christmas Chapter - is that related to the actual areas represented in Universal or more at the beginning before he becomes involved in all that wizarding stuff - I vaguely recall that - but Im not an HP fan.

Ron and Harry spend Christmas at Hogwarts and open presents there. Hogwarts also hosts a Yule Ball. So, true, I don't believe we read or see Diagon Alley at Christmastime, but Hogwarts, definitely.

 

[tony67]

Ron and Harry spend Christmas at Hogwarts and open presents there. Hogwarts also hosts a Yule Ball. So, true, I don't believe we read or see Diagon Alley at Christmastime, but Hogwarts, definitely.

thanks - so it's seems like it is within the context of the books - still i'm guessing they are not allowed or they would.

My only other guess is they want to keep it generic to the books so that it is always the same when you go.
For example if you go and it is Christmas (or Halloween even) you don't get to see it as she wants it seen.

Anyway other than that I do like Universal at Christmas and hope to get back there again some time for it - unfortunately I tend to go at HHN and its a bit of a stretch to do both.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

We going, for the first time to USO, during Christmas time. I am SO looking forward to how they do it up. My husband REALLY wants to see Mannheim Steamroller.. Where is that performed? Thanks!

I believe the concerts are on the big stage in front of Rip Ride Rockit at the Studios, but I could be wrong.

They may not be allowed too.

There are a lot of rules enforced around all the HP stuff - for example they could not do any decorations for Halloween.
They had projected some lights on the facade during the earlier HHN and it is rumored they were spoken too.
About a week later Diagon Alley was no longer a holding area for HHN - and although not the most popular holding area it was well used.
The area does open during HHN - but they are not allowed to change anything or do anything related to HHN/Halloween.

Another example is there is that the bar is not allowed to make "muggle" drinks by name - you have to tell them the ingredients.
So if you want a long island ice tea you have to tell them what is in it - oh and there is no soda in the "wizarding world" according to the bartenders there - so you need to know what to put in the drinks instead of soda.

Since you mentioned there is a Christmas Chapter - is that related to the actual areas represented in Universal or more at the beginning before he becomes involved in all that wizarding stuff - I vaguely recall that - but Im not an HP fan.

BTW - I agree it is begging to be decorated

That had been my original thought, that Rowling wouldn't give permission. But this year the Wizarding World in Japan got Death Eaters for Halloween, so Rowling must be agreeable to things like that if they are the right things, if that makes sense.

I think it'd be awesome if Diagon Alley in the US got Death Eaters for Halloween and Hogsmeade got Dementors.

Hagrid always put up a bunch (12 maybe) Christmas trees in Hogwarts, so they could put up magically decorated trees all around that could be really cool.

They could do a special 'Holiday Feast' option at the restaurants, you would think Rowling would agree with that if those foods were authentic English and/or were mentioned in the books.

Maybe someday.

 

[kbelle8995]

Actually Hogsmeade is decorated. But it is very subtle. Some garland and a few wreaths on the door. They were very pretty though. Diagon Alley is not decorated or least it wasn't last year.

And Harry Potter does do Christmas every so often in the books. It is in the first movie as well as Order of the Phoenix when they are the Weasley's hideout at Grimauld Place.