Christmas at Universal

[RedSox68]

Since there are tons of threads about spending Christmas at WDW, I was wondering if anyone has done it at Universal? We are thinking of going down there next year for Christmas and were wondering if it is at least a "little" less nuts than at Disney that week. Thanks.

 

[KatieElizabeth]

Hi! My family and I did Christmas at Universal last December (2011). We went Christmas eve, Christmas, and the 27th. It is packed! However, the longest wait time we had for a ride was 90 minutes and that was for Forbidden Journey. All the rest were 30 minutes maximum. We did not use Express Passes at all and we still were able to ride all the rides we wanted to the first two days.

At Universal Studios, they have the Macy's parade every night at close. If you go (and I recommend it, it's very fun and they use balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!), try to get a place in front of the Studios store across from the tree (you will see what I am talking about) because at the end of the parade, they light up the tree and it is gorgeous.

At Islands of Adventure, check out Grinchmas at Seuss Landing. All of Seuss Landing is decorated for Christmas and you can meet and greet with the Grinch and Whos often. However, Grinchmas is not to be missed. It is a version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and it is very fun! The showtimes will be listed on the park map when you arrive.

I highly recommend UOR at Christmas. Something very special we did was have Christmas breakfast at The Three Broomsticks.

Let me know if you have any questions about the park or anything!

 

[RMulieri]

Its just as nuts as Disney is that week, in fact it also closed to capacity that week.Totally doable, and if possible stay onsite.Resort guests get unlimited express pass and that really does help cut down wait times considerably..it is not good for Rip Ride Rocket,Pteranodon flyers,Harry Potter Forbidden Journey,or ollivanders wand shop.

 

[Bluer101]

Christmas, thanksgiving, New Years, 4th of July and spring break are all very busy times. We go a lot but staying on site makes it manageable.

 

[RedSox68]

Thank you all. Some great information.

I had asked this on another thread -- do the on-site hotels decorate their premises also?

 

[CPA_ESQ.]

The hotels do decorate - there will be a tree in the lobby and other things hanging around. But don't expect the hotels to be draped in blinking lights.