Holiday fun at Universal?

[MiloMouse]

Can anyone give any tips for the Mannheim Steamroller concert? Is seating limited? Do we need to arrive at the music plaza way before showtime? I've never been to US before, but thinking about sneaking a day in there while were at Disney thanks!

 

[macraven]

i thought it was SRO for the concerts, never heard of seats available.

 

[NinaBella]

I am seriously considering getting the family annual passes for Christmas. I am thinking of what would be the earliest dates we can go. Looking at the kids sports schedule we could go January 3-4 (we live in Florida so quick trips are our norm to Orlando). What do you think the crowds will be like?

I am having sticker shock over the resort prices. The only time I have stayed on property was for one of DD sport events at Universal and I split the room with a another mom/dd (Royal Pacific). Usually we stay in off-property hotels like Gaylord Palms with a military rate of less than $100 per night. What are my chances that Universal offers military resort discounts? I know I have to call them but didn't want to call on Thanksgiving so I will call tomorrow. I also only want to stay one night, the night of January 3rd since the 3-4 are the two dates that fit into our schedule. I am hoping they don't have a two night stay requirement this time of year.

Comments/tips/suggestions?

I am about 85% sold on buying universal annual passes. My DD and I love Disney but my boys and DH think we have outgrown Disney and think they will like Universal better. I have 3 sons but 2 are grown so I won't be buying their passes… so just DH, me, DS 11, DD 10. DS will be 12 in January so this would also be a "birthday trip" because on his actual birthday DD has a sports competition in another state we have to attend.

Would you go Jan 3-4 or avoid these dates? I suppose if it is crowded then staying on property with the front of the line passes makes the most sense. I would love it if I found out they had a great military discount.

 

[NinaBella]

So I did just call and found out RP was $374 for my preferred dates of 3-4; however, waiting until the 5-6 I can get a FL resident discount for $149 a night. I booked it before realizing DD has a sports practice she can't miss on the 5th, so I guess I will ask DH nicely to drive her back to Tampa for her sports practice and return to the hotel after. The kids will have to miss school on the 6th. Starting MLK weekend our schedule gets too crazy until April.

So I assume this will be a lower crowd weekend?

DH doesn't like thrill rides. He won't ride roller coasters. DD will ride them but keeps her eyes closed on some of them. So DS and I can stay later in the parks and ride some thrill rides that evening with DH and DD not there.

 

[damo]

A good thing about Universal annual passes is the greatly reduced renewal rates!

 

[RMulieri]

since most schools are not back till Jan 6th, expect very large crowds.which is why the resort prices were still so high and drop off after that

 

[LeahZ]

Thanksgiving is over and that means the holidays are about to hit Universal Orlando. Starting December 7th, 2013 through January 4th, 2013, the festivities begin at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Orlando Resort Hotels. Whether you are aiming to please your naughty side with the Grinch or celebrate the nice with a parade, there is always something to enjoy during this season.

Read more here:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/11/29/holidays-at-universal-orlando-2013/

 

[wiigirl]

Great blog!

 

[Metro West]

I'm going to make this a sticky thread so we can keep all holiday information in one place.

 

[lovethattink]

Great blog, very helpful. Now I have to go check out the blackout dates.

 

[Turbanator]

Thanksgiving is over and that means the holidays are about to hit Universal Orlando. Starting December 7th, 2013 through January 4th, 2013, the festivities begin at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Orlando Resort Hotels. Whether you are aiming to please your naughty side with the Grinch or celebrate the nice with a parade, there is always something to enjoy during this season.

Read more here:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/11/29/holidays-at-universal-orlando-2013/

Thanks for that link WebmasterLeah

 

[Tiffany507s]

Hey all!
I know this is very subjective but I'm still asking anyways... We will be at WDW for a trip Dec 23-Jan-6. I have never seen the darkside during Christmas so I wonder if it's worth a trip over there to check it out. We would go probably go sometime between Dec 27-Jan 4. I know it'll be crazy busy (no need to touch on that)...so I basically want to know, is it worth it to buy two adult tickets for a day to experience Christmas at USO...I wouldn't expect to rides (no way I'd spend another $200 to buy express pass) so...if you were me what would you do? Are the Christmas decorations/atmosphere worth experiencing?

Thanks!!!

 

[Metro West]

Hey all!
I know this is very subjective but I'm still asking anyways... We will be at WDW for a trip Dec 23-Jan-6. I have never seen the darkside during Christmas so I wonder if it's worth a trip over there to check it out. We would go probably go sometime between Dec 27-Jan 4. I know it'll be crazy busy (no need to touch on that)...so I basically want to know, is it worth it to buy two adult tickets for a day to experience Christmas at USO...I wouldn't expect to rides (no way I'd spend another $200 to buy express pass) so...if you were me what would you do? Are the Christmas decorations/atmosphere worth experiencing?

Thanks!!!

I love Universal at Christmas but that's a lot of money to spend to just walk around. I would wait until you have some to actually enjoy yourselves...Christmas week is not the time to do it.

 

[damo]

Hey all!
I know this is very subjective but I'm still asking anyways... We will be at WDW for a trip Dec 23-Jan-6. I have never seen the darkside during Christmas so I wonder if it's worth a trip over there to check it out. We would go probably go sometime between Dec 27-Jan 4. I know it'll be crazy busy (no need to touch on that)...so I basically want to know, is it worth it to buy two adult tickets for a day to experience Christmas at USO...I wouldn't expect to rides (no way I'd spend another $200 to buy express pass) so...if you were me what would you do? Are the Christmas decorations/atmosphere worth experiencing?

Thanks!!!

If money is overflowing, then sure! Grinchmas is really cute. But if money isn't overflowing, then nope....do a dedicated trip at another time.

 

[Tiffany507s]

I love Universal at Christmas but that's a lot of money to spend to just walk around. I would wait until you have some to actually enjoy yourselves...Christmas week is not the time to do it.

We have been to Universal several times and due to mine and DH jobs at a school Christmas/NYE week would be the only week that Christmas decor would be up that we could go. That change anything? I should have mentioned that...somewhat important.

I do think it's quite expensive just to look at Christmas decor (that's my big hang up) but DH has been kind of insistent so I either need to give in or have a good reason not to go, haha.

 

[Tiffany507s]

If money is overflowing, then sure! Grinchmas is really cute. But if money isn't overflowing, then nope....do a dedicated trip at another time.[/QUOTE


Good way to look at it! Thanks!

And sorry for starting a new thread...I forgot about this stickie. They don't show up on top of the app so I never think about it!

 

[Planogirl]

I would go again just to see the Macy's parade and Mannheim Steamroller. One of the band members announced one evening that they had just come to an agreement to continue to appear at Universal during the holidays for many years to come. I definitely hope to be back!

 

[OrlandoGrace]

The things my family enjoyed the most were the Macy's parade and meeting the Grinch. The Grinchmas show is nice. I've seen it for the past two years. I think the songs in the show are not well known. But it's indoors which is a plus and there are seats.

 

[kelleybean]

Can anyone tell me how crazy Universal gets on New Year's Eve? Is it miserable crowded? Do they close due to capacity on busy days like Disney? Would we even be able to get into the parking lot? We are local and have AP's with the express pass after 4, so likely would not try to go until after then.

Lots of questions! Trying to decide if it's worth it attempting it with my 5 year old.

 

[kcount]

We are down here currently, purchasing a 10 day pass to Disneyworld and are considering purchasing a 3 day pass to Universal just to check things out and see what it is like since we have spent so many days so far at Disney. What are some of the things that we must see when going there at this time of year?