Crowds at Christmas

[pad406]

Hi All. We're planning a visit to Disney and Universal over Christmas this year. This will be our third time to Disney but first to Universal. Our first visit to Disney was over Christmas 2010 (Dec 23rd to Jan 7th) and despite the crowds we loved it, got to ride plenty of things and generally had a great time (mostly due to some great advice received here!!) This time we plan to be in Universal over Christmas and move to Disney end Dec to spend the New Year there. We'll be staying at the HRH so will have the express passes. Relative to Disney what are the crowds in Universal like? I'm sure Harry Potter will be jammed (it always seems to be judging from posts here) but what about the rest? Will queues for Express pass be 20min or so or longer? What about restaurants? Do we need to do our 180 day reservations like Disney (is that even available?)

thanks
Paul

Oh yipee, just remembered I need to change my banner!!!

 

[saskdw]

We were at Universal and stayed at HRH in 2010 Dec 22nd-28th. WWOHP was jammed so tight with people we barely stepped foot in there. With Express pass the crowds were very manageable from 22nd-25th. It was crowded but express lines were 5 mins or less for the most part. From 26th-28th the parks were about as crowded as I would imagine possible. I wouldn't even think about going without staying onsite and having Express pass. Having said that I still don't recall waiting longer than 15 mins in the Express lines.

This was the first Christmas WWOHP was open. I expect crowds will be similar this year with the expansion opening up this summer. We weren't willing to get up at 6am to make early entry for onsite guests. I think if you use early entry for WWOHP you should be ok with Express pass for the rest of the park. Navigating the crowds themselves will be similar to what you experienced at WDW.

 

[RMulieri]

It is very crowded, but with the express you will be fine.Standby waits for things like Spiderman were 90+ mins.Plan on navigating thru lots and lots and lots of people.You can make ressies at Opentable.com , not at 180 days out.All the restaurants are individually owned and operated so it varies when they can be booked.In park venues like Mythos or Lombards can be booked earlier than things at some of the resorts.

 

[Lynne G]

we had Christmas dinner at Margaritaville. So glad I had made reservations at opentable.com about 30 days out. Since the parks were just about closed when we parked at CityWalk, we were on the top floor of Spiderman garage, and from there, there was a huge, and I mean huge crowd. We wound our way to the restaurant and was so happy for the reservation, as it was packed, and lots of people wanting and waiting.

Getting up early and using your hotel's express pass is the only way to go. Eat quick meals at odd times, and try to find the not as used bathrooms.

Enjoy the Grinch and the Macy's parade. Lots of things and sights at the holidays.

Have a great time. We enjoy universal, and will be back this summer.