Holidays/Mannheim Steamroller/Express Pass

[stlrod]

Visiting Disney this year for 5 nights right before Xmas. Have never visited Universal w/o staying onsite. Thinking about going on Saturday or Sunday before Xmas to perhaps see Mannheim Steamroller and visit new attractions. May even try to go to both parks. How crowded will it be? Either day better than the other? Express Passes worth it whichever day we choose? Could go earlier in the week when not as crowded but then would miss Mannheim Steamroller. Is the concert worth it and any chance there is special seating for Express Pass? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Metro West]

Visiting Disney this year for 5 nights right before Xmas. Have never visited Universal w/o staying onsite. Thinking about going on Saturday or Sunday before Xmas to perhaps see Mannheim Steamroller and visit new attractions. May even try to go to both parks. How crowded will it be? Either day better than the other? Express Passes worth it whichever day we choose? Could go earlier in the week when not as crowded but then would miss Mannheim Steamroller. Is the concert worth it and any chance there is special seating for Express Pass? Thanks for any advice.

The concert is most certainly worth seeing. Crowds should be light during the day but the Studios will get crowded towards evening. Express is only good during regular park hours and the concert will be after the park is closed so nothing else is running that would accept Express.

 

[DOOM1001]

Mannheim Steamroller is definitely worth seeing,as is the Grinchmas stage show over at IOA and Macy's Holiday parade at USF,pretty much requiring you to visit both parks.Many years when I visit during the Holidays I'll only have one day for the Universal parks but a special event is a special event and in my opinion are worth doing,it might mean doing 2-3 fewer attractions but it's worth it.

 

[santinosmommy]

I went in December on a Monday, purchased the express pass and didn't even need it because the park was dead

 

[stlrod]

Thanks for the advice. Trying to fit in favorites and experience new things in 5 days is tough. Decided to get express pass for US only on Saturday so that if we go to MVMCP night before, we can sleep in and just go to Universal late or if not, get 2 park tickets and go to Islands of Adventure in morning and then head over to Universal. Looking forward to it.

 

[lstone02]

Thanks for info about Maneheim. Was on the fence about it. Do you think we will need and express pass for Saturday the 14Th of December? You said it is when park closes. Isn't that when the other show is? Where do they have the show?

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for info about Maneheim. Was on the fence about it. Do you think we will need and express pass for Saturday the 14Th of December? You said it is when park closes. Isn't that when the other show is? Where do they have the show?

You will not need EPs for daytime touring. The MS show is at the Universal Music Plaza inside the Studios. If the nighttime show is also being staged, it will be after the concert so you can see both.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

I just booked 12/12 thru 12/17 at HRH with 3 park unlimited from UCTourist. A couple of quick questions as it relates to MS and Grinchmas - Which holiday events require addtl tickets? If any, I assume they will be available after HHN? Same thing with timing of Character Breakfast? Booking breakfast with Grinch rather than Gru to be available as we get into November?

I will do my best to sit back and just let the vacation come to me, but it is tough for me to not have these locked in and ready to go well in advance. Thanks to all!!!

 

[Metro West]

I just booked 12/12 thru 12/17 at HRH with 3 park unlimited from UCTourist. A couple of quick questions as it relates to MS and Grinchmas - Which holiday events require addtl tickets? If any, I assume they will be available after HHN? Same thing with timing of Character Breakfast? Booking breakfast with Grinch rather than Gru to be available as we get into November?

I'm not sure what's going to happen with the Grinch breakfast but more information will be released later in the year. None of Universal's holiday festivities require additional tickets...even the concerts are included in your park admission.