Christmas advice.... please help

[tarheelmjfan]

My family is planning a Christmas trip to Orlando from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 2nd. It will be our first at this time of year. We normally go home to NC for Christmas, but I decided that I would ask for this trip for my Christmas gift. I always think it's so sad when all the packages are gone, and the tree looks bare. This way, I can prolong Christmas a little longer. We won't be staying on property this trip, because we will be visiting many different attractions. Plus the fact that we live in Tampa, and can go to UO anytime, and I just can't see paying $150 a night more that week than we did in July. I can see why they charge more, I just don't want to pay it.

Now to my questions:

1. Since we go at least once a year, we will probably spend most of our time on the special Holiday attractions. What are the parks like at Christmas? What special attractions are there? What is not to be missed? Are any of the rides changed for Christmas? Will 1 day at each park be plenty of time to see everything, or do we need longer. Which park is more festive?

2. My health isn't good, so I must go back and rest for awhile during the day. Will we have a problem returning. Do the parks fill to capacity, then close to returning guests? Which day should we go to each park?

3. Are there any special holiday meals, either in the parks, at the Resorts, or at Citywalk? We already have plans for the 24th & 25th, so those days are out, as far as dining goes.

I think that's it for now. I'm sure there'll be more questions later that I just haven't thought of yet. Thanks in advance for the info. You guys are always so helpful.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Anyone? I'd love to start planning the Universal part of our trip. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help.

 

[lovelyk68]

I haven't been at Christmas time before, so I really don't know about crowds and if the parks close. Hopefully someone else will be able to help with that. We usually go around Thanksgiving and Suess Landing in IOA is just awesome. There is:

-Very cool and pretty decorations

-Grinches Lair where you can take a photo and talk with the Grinch. We did this 2 years ago and it was great.

-Whoobilation Stage show w/snow

-If you have any young ones with you, they will love the Mt. Crumpet Sled Ride (actual ice)

At Universal there is the Macy Parade which should be great fun.

We will be in Orlando during this time this year, so I hope someone else can advise further.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan


1. Since we go at least once a year, we will probably spend most of our time on the special Holiday attractions. What are the parks like at Christmas? What special attractions are there? What is not to be missed? Are any of the rides changed for Christmas? Will 1 day at each park be plenty of time to see everything, or do we need longer. Which park is more festive?

IoA is more festive with Grinchmas. None of the rides change for Christmas. They just pipe in Christmas music and have some decorations up. 1 day for each park should be enough unless you would like to go a 3rd day to re-ride some of your favorites. They have the Macy's day parade every afternoon. If you are there for New Years eve, they have a fantastic fireworks and various bands playing.

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan
2. My health isn't good, so I must go back and rest for awhile during the day. Will we have a problem returning. Do the parks fill to capacity, then close to returning guests? Which day should we go to each park?

You shouldn't have any trouble returning to the parks except on New Years Eve. I have heard that sometimes on NYE, the parks fill to capacity and turn away guests. I've never seen it happen but have heard that it has happened in the past.

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan
3. Are there any special holiday meals, either in the parks, at the Resorts, or at Citywalk?

I can't answer this as we usually get counter service.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks so much for the replies. Anyone else!

 

[louise1928]

This will be our 2nd time to Universal for the Holiday season, and we are looking forward to it.....Our first trip was 3 months after 9/11, and much to our surprise, the parks were busy.....We had a great time, and although it was crowded, we were able to thoroughly enjoy ourselves, minus children. The parks are very festive...Nicely decorated, christmas music playing throughout.....I don't recall any special holiday meals, but then we were not looking for it either...

We are staying at the Amerisuites this year..We booked a vacation package through Universal Vacations... In 2001, we stayed at the Holiday Inn on Kirkman Road which was a good place to stay...

We spent New Years eve night at Citywalk,which was very nice, loads of people, but all having a good time....This event is a separate event, so tickets will have to be purchased separately. It included hot and cold buffets, live entertainment, party favors, and champagne toast at midnight, and admission to all the clubs..It was good deal considering what you got, and if you arrived when to gates open, you were sure to get your monies worth on the food, which by the way, was very good...

There were fireworks displayed at midnight, which were fantastic..We anticipate a larger crowd this year, especially since more people are traveling since 9/11.. You mentioned your health not being good...There were plenty of places to rest around the different parks, so that should not be a problem for you.

If you have more questions, send me an email.

Have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!