Christmas week, will Universal/Islands of Adventure be less crowded than Disney?

[ds143]

We'll be in orlando for a few days, starting the 24th. As much as we love WDW, i know it'll be packed the whole week. in fact, i've been at the magic kingdom in late december-it's a mob scene!

so, we're still looking to get our theme park fix and like universal a lot, as well. would you say that it is less crowded than disney, in general this time of year? i just hate the idea of a crowded, sticky, packed park and having to wait in line for everything (and only getting to do like 2 rides the whole day).

what do you think?

thanks!!

 

[Metro West]

No...ALL local parks are jammed that whole week. There is no escaping the crowds.

 

[ds143]

I see, thank you for the info. Would you recommend going to universal, but buying the express VIP pass to bypass the lines? does it really make the park more enjoyable? or does everyone buy one, thus taking out the exclusivity of jumping to the front of the line?

 

[Metro West]

I see, thank you for the info. Would you recommend going to universal, but buying the express VIP pass to bypass the lines? does it really make the park more enjoyable? or does everyone buy one, thus taking out the exclusivity of jumping to the front of the line?

The VIP Express tickets include your park admission so if you want to go that route, don't purchase separate park tickets. I don't think many people staying offsite take advantage of the VIP tickets because of the cost but it would be worth it during that time period.

 

[macraven]

 

[JAL2525]

Actually we go down the week of Christmas and New years, We first went down two years ago and we did not think it was that crowded were talking to our waiter at Mythos. He explained that everyone wants to be in Disney for christmas and typically Universals crowds are fairly light until after christmas day and then get more crowded toward New Years.

Last year we were there for New Years also and I have to say it was very crowded on New Years even staying At the HRH with the FOTL priveleges.

So our stradedgy this year is to go down before Christmas by a couple of days and leave to come back home on the 30th.

 

[Metro West]

Actually we go down the week of Christmas and New years, We first went down two years ago and we did not think it was that crowded were talking to our waiter at Mythos. He explained that everyone wants to be in Disney for christmas and typically Universals crowds are fairly light until after christmas day and then get more crowded toward New Years.

Last year we were there for New Years also and I have to say it was very crowded on New Years even staying At the HRH with the FOTL priveleges.

So our stradedgy this year is to go down before Christmas by a couple of days and leave to come back home on the 30th.

Before Christmas it's not bad but from 12/26 until 1/2 it's very busy. Don't forget to add the fans of the four football teams playing in the two bowls we have here to the number of tourists who are down for the holidays. It's the busiest time of the year.

 

[jenbren]

We just bought the VIP tickets today for 12/28 - it was a splurge but it sounds like it will be worth it! The plan is to blitz both parks and hit our favorites like Mummy and Hulk and Dragons! Now I just hope the weather cooperates!

 

[mackay_j]

Make sure and check out the price 1 night in the hotel (for up to 5) as this give you the passes for 2 days. We have just booked 25th and 26th in RPR for $360 includding tax (For the 4 of us that is equiv to $80pp for the all day 'front of line' passes for 3 days) for all 4 of us. Then add on park admission to see what works out the cheapest.

 

[Coach81]

I don't think it will be as bad, but the other vets would probably know better. From what I've heard, Disney has been known to fill to capacity around Christmas time... not sure if US or IOA have ever had that problem.