How are the crowds in December

[natenapril]

We have decided to take the kids to US and IOA this December on the 9th and 10th. How are the crowds? And what is the weather like? SHould we pack shorts or sweatshirts ??
I will have a 10yr old and 5 year old girls and a 2 1/2 year old boy. What character meals would you suggest?
Right now we are planning on making reservations for the HRH but may change our minds. It will depend on what kind of AAA or military discount we can get
TIA, April

 

[macraven]

loews on site hotels at universal does not have a military discount

 

[kenban]

We have decided to take the kids to US and IOA this December on the 9th and 10th. How are the crowds? And what is the weather like? SHould we pack shorts or sweatshirts ??
I will have a 10yr old and 5 year old girls and a 2 1/2 year old boy. What character meals would you suggest?
Right now we are planning on making reservations for the HRH but may change our minds. It will depend on what kind of AAA or military discount we can get
TIA, April

Crowds are normally very light that early in December. I was there around that time and the lines were about 15 minutes max for most rides. The weather could be almost anything pack both. My trip was warm most of the time and I was in shorts but right before I left it got very cold out and I was freezing in a jacket, sweatshirt, and jeans. Never done a character meal so no clue.

Check the annual pass holder discount as well it might be worth picking up one pass just for the discount. If there is going to be a really good AP discount though it will not be available for a few months.

 

[natenapril]

Thanks for the help. We are excited about this trip! It's our first trip to Universal so I have no idea what I am doing!!

 

[macraven]

Thanks for the help. We are excited about this trip! It's our first trip to Universal so I have no idea what I am doing!!

if you have more questions or need help, post again.

i always get excited for my upcoming universal trips.
have been going since 1993 and the thrill is still there!

 

[natenapril]

Thanks! I am sure I will have more questions

 

[holcomb-mania]

We went to IOA/UO on Monday, December 11, 2006. The crowds? To be honest, I thought I should change my name to Clark Griswold. I was certain they were closed.

We got there at opening. Had our bags checked at that hub in the parking deck, and started down the walkway to Citywalk. What is it, about 100 yards or so? WE WERE ALONE. Got to the gate and had to buy tix. WE WERE STILL ALONE. We rode Hulk, front row, 3x in a row. Walked on Spidey 2x in a row. Both sides of Dueling Dragons 2x each in a row. No waits for anything in UO either. Mummy 4x in a row (that queue is LONG). The only real wait was Jaws (about 20min), which I don't get really. I know it's a fave on the board, but I was kinda "meh, don't have to do this one again."

Perfect time to go. It...was...great!

Weather? I think it was about 70. Shorts and t-shirt (maybe long-slv). But if you're from AK, you may roast.

 

[KristineN]

What about closer to Xmas...does anyone have experience with crowds at that point? I was thinking of the 22nd or 23rd for us...

THANKS!!

 

[couzen]

We went in early December 2005 and it was a ghost town there. It was incredible for us because everything was a walk on. Many rides we actually got to stay on and ride again because there was nobody waiting to get on.

We ran across many characters who were just standing there with not a soul in sight. My kids played around with Spiderman for about ten minutes by themselves at IOA.

Weather was early 60's, but sweatshirt at night.