December Holidays in ... WDW or Universal?

[benjyt]

Good morning, friends! It's that time of year for me again - after 7 months of DW saying she wants to skip a WDW trip this year, and I'm itching for another visit! The same thing happened in 2017 - we actually visited in February 2017 for my 50th birthday, but I wanted to do a short December visit. The "short" visit turned into another week at WDW...

Well, I'm thinking of a different strategy this year. I'd really like to visit during the holiday season to enjoy the decorations, Candlelight Processional, MVMCP, etc. We've been fortunate to do WDW in late November/early December a number of times. However, we've never - NEVER! - been to Universal. I'm giving some thought to taking a long weekend in November/December to try Universal for the holiday. Any thoughts!

 

[cgattis]

We've done both Disney and Universal during the Christmas season (both Thanksgiving and early December), and if you're wanting the Christmas feel, it's Disney hands-down. We saw the Grinch stage show and the Macy's parade at Universal, but it was just ok. I would go back at that time for the weather but not to "do" Christmas stuff.

 

[skylock]

I agree, Disney has more of a Christmas feel to me. Maybe you could do Universal and a Mickey Christmas party one night.

 

[keishashadow]

We've done both Disney and Universal during the Christmas season (both Thanksgiving and early December), and if you're wanting the Christmas feel, it's Disney hands-down. We saw the Grinch stage show and the Macy's parade at Universal, but it was just ok. I would go back at that time for the weather but not to "do" Christmas stuff.

Agree re Grinch show, bit amateurish but enjoyable. I thought the parade very nicely done. RPH has a lovely tree set up

WDW over the top between Epcot/CP etc.. MVMCP is fun but nowhere as good as MNSSHP. Their party prices are getting obscene IMO but can get in @ 4pm if you don’t have park ticket at least. all the parks & resorts have over-the-top decorations. MGM has nice projected overlay on ToT & they switch up the FW show. Nice charity Xmas tree display @ DTD too. No resort screams Xmas there better than WL! Although the gingerbread houses are pretty amazing @ GF & BC.

Last year was our first to visit SW during the Xmas holiday period. Was blown away, plan on working it in this year in lieu of U for a short 5 night stay in early December. What I found surprising was all the special entertainment was included in the price of admission, including an amazing stage show with live animals as to nativity. Great holiday area too with Rudolph characters (Bumble!!!).

 

[skylock]

I am in no way putting down Universal for the holidays, it just seems their holiday decorations do not "shine" like Disneys. Maybe it is the backdrop. I don't know.

I still recommend a trip to Universal because it is just a fun park. Esp if you have never been.

I can recommend Sea Worlds holiday time also. I really like what they do for the holidays.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

We are thinking of going to Universal next year as my kids read about the Harry Potter Christmas last year. My DS's all loved HP from our summer trip.Has anyone been last year when they started this? Would they recommend a December trip for HP fans?

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

Agree re Grinch show, bit amateurish but enjoyable. I thought the parade very nicely done. RPH has a lovely tree set up

WDW over the top between Epcot/CP etc.. MVMCP is fun but nowhere as good as MNSSHP. Their party prices are getting obscene IMO but can get in @ 4pm if you don’t have park ticket at least. all the parks & resorts have over-the-top decorations. MGM has nice projected overlay on ToT & they switch up the FW show. Nice charity Xmas tree display @ DTD too. No resort screams Xmas there better than WL! Although the gingerbread houses are pretty amazing @ GF & BC.

Last year was our first to visit SW during the Xmas holiday period. Was blown away, plan on working it in this year in lieu of U for a short 5 night stay in early December. What I found surprising was all the special entertainment was included in the price of admission, including an amazing stage show with live animals as to nativity. Great holiday area too with Rudolph characters (Bumble!!!).

We were thinking of combining SW with Uni next December. Do you feel we could see all the Christmas stuff in 2 days at SW? Thanks.

 

[slpeters]

We're going to Universal for the first time this December. We're going for a week and doing a MVMCP and a day at SeaWorld--as well as five days in the Universal parks. I figure we'll get more than enough Christmas in--plus MVMCP doesn't seem quite so outrageous when you're comparing it to a stand-alone day at MK rather than to adding a day to your ticket for $15.

 

[CynBeth]

I am in no way putting down Universal for the holidays, it just seems their holiday decorations do not "shine" like Disneys. Maybe it is the backdrop. I don't know.

I still recommend a trip to Universal because it is just a fun park. Esp if you have never been.

I can recommend Sea Worlds holiday time also. I really like what they do for the holidays.

I was also going to recommend SW. Pretty much there are special shows at night plus a few other things but believe it is only on Friday and Saturday nights and weekdays are added closer to Christmas. It is included with admission but the shows are so popular that if you do go I would recommend paying for the holiday show priority seating as it assigns you show times so are guaranteed a seat and there is a special reserved section.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We are thinking of going to Universal next year as my kids read about the Harry Potter Christmas last year. My DS's all loved HP from our summer trip.Has anyone been last year when they started this? Would they recommend a December trip for HP fans?

We were there last year. The protection show was fun. The decorations were nice but not super amazing. I wouldn't make a trip specifically for HP Christmas. If you're going it's nice. If that's the best time for you to go, great. But if you're expecting amazing you (or your kids) might be disappointed.

OP, we really enjoyed the holiday parade, RPR's decorations, the MS concert, and the Christmas music in the parks. The decorations in Seuss Landing were amazing. The rest of the family likes Grinchmas (I wasn't a fan). I've not been to Disney during the holidays (and don't have much desire to fight the crowds and party night touring disruptions) but it seems like Disney is probably more decked out. Uni is nice but if you're used to Disney and really looking for that holiday feel, you might be a little disappointed.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

We were there last year. The protection show was fun. The decorations were nice but not super amazing. I wouldn't make a trip specifically for HP Christmas. If you're going it's nice. If that's the best time for you to go, great. But if you're expecting amazing you (or your kids) might be disappointed.

OP, we really enjoyed the holiday parade, RPR's decorations, the MS concert, and the Christmas music in the parks. The decorations in Seuss Landing were amazing. The rest of the family likes Grinchmas (I wasn't a fan). I've not been to Disney during the holidays (and don't have much desire to fight the crowds and party night touring disruptions) but it seems like Disney is probably more decked out. Uni is nice but if you're used to Disney and really looking for that holiday feel, you might be a little disappointed.

Thanks, they were wanting to go back and choosing between July (was way hot last time) and December. Limited vacation times due to work/college schedules for older boys. I was thinking December with the added bonus of the Christmas stuff and to avoid the heat.

 

[skylock]

Thanks, they were wanting to go back and choosing between July (was way hot last time) and December. Limited vacation times due to work/college schedules for older boys. I was thinking December with the added bonus of the Christmas stuff and to avoid the heat.

December doesn't necessarily mean avoiding the heat.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thanks, they were wanting to go back and choosing between July (was way hot last time) and December. Limited vacation times due to work/college schedules for older boys. I was thinking December with the added bonus of the Christmas stuff and to avoid the heat.

That seems like a reasonable plan. The Christmas stuff is definitely a nice bonus. A few extra things to do and see is nice.

 

[keishashadow]

We were thinking of combining SW with Uni next December. Do you feel we could see all the Christmas stuff in 2 days at SW? Thanks.

I’d say one full day with rope drop & good planning. Especially if you don’t ride the coasters.

Many of the nearby hotels offer reasonably priced room & a free quick que. We did the newer hampton. You need to request your quick que tix the night beforehand. AM breakfast buffet was surprisingly nice. Well worth it to stay even one night IMO.

I do suggest buying the reserved seating for the shows if you don’t want to wait in line or want down front

I was also going to recommend SW. Pretty much there are special shows at night plus a few other things but believe it is only on Friday and Saturday nights and weekdays are added closer to Christmas. It is included with admission but the shows are so popular that if you do go I would recommend paying for the holiday show priority seating as it assigns you show times so are guaranteed a seat and there is a special reserved section.

We went on Sunday, Nov 26th last year (was weekend after Thanksgiving). Not sure if Sundays are offered for the full schedule though.

OP you could google last year’s dates to verify.