First Time Visit Over the Holidays to Boot

[Misterferg]

I am traveling with my lady and 4 kids to Florida after Christmas and over New Years. None of us have been to Universal. Should we make it a point to be there on New Years Eve or Day (special things) or avoid it like the plague to maximize ride access. Any advice is welcome. Veteran Disney guest, but am looking forward to taking our Potterheads to see the everything there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Misterferg]

I should have added. All guests are over the age of 10. We are staying off site and are looking at a 2 day P2P ticket.

 

[RMulieri]

Universal is just as busy as Disney during that time frame , and with Diagon alley having just opened this summer, I would suspect Christmas crowds to be just as large this year if not larger.Personally, I wouldn't do it without staying onsite and having early entry and express pass privelages , but that is me.If you are going to attempt it, you will need to be at the parks WELL BEFORE opening and have a plan and be ready to go with it.

 

[Misterferg]

We know it's going to be crowded, but it's really the only time it will work. We will be outside of Orlando from 12/27-1/3. Trying to decide which days will be best (out of mostly bad) during that time frame. Do they do anything for New Years Eve? Fireworks?

 

[macraven]

there is a party package that can be purchased for the celebration in city walk for NYE

 

[jcapizzi]

Both Universal Studios and Islands have fireworks for NYE and it is included in you park admission. Citiwalk does have a party but you have to pay for it and it is only for those over the age of 21.

 

[johde]

Are you planning on spending the rest of the time at Disney or doing something else?

 

[Misterferg]

We have a condo about an hour away from Orlando. Just some down time. All of the kids have been to DW or a Disney Cruise within the last 2 years. Universal will be our Orlando experience this time.

I have always used Birnbaum's guide for DW. Is there something comparable for US?

 

[atricks]

Citywalk on New Years Eve has an upcharge event for 21+ only, they block off most of the upper section for it. (It's fairly expensive $100+)

Both parks are decked out for NYE festivities, but I give the nod to the studios side because they make use of the nighttime spectacular system for the countdown.

Here's a video of last years in the Studios park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HofVJiaRj9o

And yes, with Diagon Alley open, it will be the hot ticket for the week after Christmas, so expect it to be in extra full capacity mode and it is likely to have waits just to get into Diagon.

 

[RMulieri]

We have a condo about an hour away from Orlando. Just some down time. All of the kids have been to DW or a Disney Cruise within the last 2 years. Universal will be our Orlando experience this time.

I have always used Birnbaum's guide for DW. Is there something comparable for US?

Universal Orlando by Seth Kubersky and Kelly Monaghan