Dates for Macy's & Grinchmas

[back2disney]

Hello all,
I haven't been to Universal Studios since the late 80's, IOA didn't exist then, but I'm looking to go again this year, early December to be precise.
My question is: are the Macy's parade, Grinchmas, and overall Christmas theme started mid December or do they ever start it any earlier say right after Thanksgiving or the week after.

Also is the Macy's parade like the one you see in NYC ie with blimp balloons and a band with drums. My daughter loves drums.

I'm arriving early December and am not sure if I should change the dates to come mid-December to experience these events?

Thanks

 

[JessicaR]

I wouldnt count on the holiday events starting before the 11th or right around there. The parade does have the balloons and bands. If you could swing it, I would change my dates to be able to experience the holidays at universal. We always enjoy it a lot!

 

[the kabuki]

On the subject of Grinchmas, just had to add that the character meeting with the Grinch was the best and most memorable ever. He was terrific, very funny in a smart alecky kind of way, but not mean. Peeked his out head out of the curtain while we were in line and said to my kids :
"I'll be right with you princess(looking at my little girl) and when I say princess , I'm talking about you!"(points to my 7 yr old son).

Too funny, his sisters' have been teasing him about it ever since-he's taking it in stride, thought it was funny too.

 

[F-L-A]

I haven't been to Universal Studios since the late 80's, IOA didn't exist then

Neither did Universal.

The schedule for the holiday festivities changes every yer, but it's safe to say they'll be up and running by mid-December. The Macy's parade is like a scaled-down version of the one in NY. They aren't the actual floats from NY though.

 

[beattyfamily]

I wouldnt count on the holiday events starting before the 11th or right around there. The parade does have the balloons and bands. If you could swing it, I would change my dates to be able to experience the holidays at universal. We always enjoy it a lot!

Are you saying they start Grinchmas later now? It used to always start right before Thanksgiving. Or are you talking about the Macy's parade?

I'm so bummed by this news. I've always gone the first week of December and been able to catch Grinchmas.

 

[friend of pooh]

Does Grinchmas end at Christmas or does it continue until New Year's?

 

[JessicaR]

Are you saying they start Grinchmas later now? It used to always start right before Thanksgiving. Or are you talking about the Macy's parade?

I'm so bummed by this news. I've always gone the first week of December and been able to catch Grinchmas.

We always go early december each year too and last year was the first year they delayed grinchmas to start the same time the macys parade started. I guess it saved them $$$. Last year Grinchmas and The Macys parade both started on December 10th I believe and ran till the 8th of January. I guess we wait and see what happens this year.

Does Grinchmas end at Christmas or does it continue until New Year's?

I dont know what the dates will be this year but last year it ended Jan 8th.

 

[beattyfamily]

We always go early december each year too and last year was the first year they delayed grinchmas to start the same time the macys parade started. I guess it saved them $$$. Last year Grinchmas and The Macys parade both started on December 10th I believe and ran till the 8th of January. I guess we wait and see what happens this year.

Well, I just emailed Universal Studios to ask for the dates and express my disappointment in this news.

We've been doing it since it started in 2000 and are really bummed by this news. I just wish I knew before I started planning this trip. That's what I get for not going last year!

 

[ms.ojo]

Well, I just emailed Universal Studios to ask for the dates and express my disappointment in this news.

We've been doing it since it started in 2000 and are really bummed by this news. I just wish I knew before I started planning this trip. That's what I get for not going last year!

Please post their reply! (I'm sure you would have but just had to ask ) I finally made the dec'n to ADD US/IOA to our itinerary in Dec...and now I'm trying to mess around w/ hotels and such AGAIN to move it to the end of the trip so we have a better chance of seeing the Christmas stuff. Can someone please elaborate for me what exactly goes on at US/IOA at Christmas????? I'd hate to do all this and then be like "oh, that's it?" THANK YOU!

 

[beattyfamily]

Please post their reply! (I'm sure you would have but just had to ask ) I finally made the dec'n to ADD US/IOA to our itinerary in Dec...and now I'm trying to mess around w/ hotels and such AGAIN to move it to the end of the trip so we have a better chance of seeing the Christmas stuff. Can someone please elaborate for me what exactly goes on at US/IOA at Christmas????? I'd hate to do all this and then be like "oh, that's it?" THANK YOU!

I already heard from them and it wasn't very helpful. It states at the bottom of the email not to share the email with anyone and not to copy it or disclose it with anyone! So I will paraphrase:

They thanked mefor visiting Universal Orlando Online.

They appreciated my taking the time to share my concerns with them. They said that as their guest, my comments are very important.

They said that Grinchmas did take place between December 10th and January 8th this past year and that as of now, dates for the 2005-2006 event has not been released yet.

They said that this information will be posted on their website as it becomes available.

They said that their annual events don't always take place the same exact dates each year.

Then they said that as soon as the details are finalized, the information is advertised and provided to their guests. Then they assured me that my comments suggesting that the event begin on Thanksgiving will be shared with proper management.

Then they thanked me again for sharing my thoughts.

Lastly they told me to please keep watching them over at www.universalorlando.com, as they will have many exciting and new developments in the next few months.

So I basically go no good answer.

 

[ms.ojo]

LOL I guess not! At least they were polite. I suppose the optimist could say that leaves the door open for it to open as early as Thanksgiving weekend....but chances are it will probably be the 2nd weekend in Dec. Or they could compromise and open the 1st weekend in Dec But for us "planners"....we're not going to know any time soon.

So.....back to the drawing board. Buidling the plan that gives me the most options. I still have to laugh...I'm so willing (well not really) to shell out $200 a night at US....but am working my AAA now and hopefully later AP to get a rate under $100 at a moderate or just over for WL/AKL. I'm still wondering if FOTL is really nec. in Dec and if I wouldn't be better off taking transportation for WDW to US for a day. (But now that I've read/seen so much on HRH....i think I'd feel like I was missing something if I didn't stay there) Got to post a new thread!