how bad is thanksgiving weekend?

[phillymummer]

I may be spending thanksgiving weekend (2025) at shades of green with my in-laws. We don't want to go to Disney. How bad are the crowds at the Universal parks on Friday and Saturday after thanksgiving? I'm assuming off-the-charts, crazy level crowds? We probably wont be able to afford express passes. My hubby can't do most of the rides anyway. Are the Christmas decorations up by thanksgiving? Are there special shows and other things worth seeing? As you can see in my signature, I haven't been to Universal since 2015. I have never been there during "christmas time". I still love HP and Dr. Seuss. Convince me to go or convince to stay away! LOL

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The decorations will be up for sure, the holiday shows start about a week before Thanksgiving. The Macy's parade is cool with the giant balloons. The Grinch show is cute & worthwhile. Hogsmeade & Seuss landing especially are magical with the holiday decorations!

Since it's been a while, the Bourne Stuntacular will be new for you also, and it is fantastic! Kong is a new ride also and likely one your husband can do. Check out the rides on either the App or the UO website so you have an idea what you'll want to try to get on. The App is also helpful for wait times & show times.

The hours are longer for that weekend, crowds will be lowest early & late in the day. You might hit a few rides early or late, and otherwise embrace the shows/scenery.

 

[georgina]

A few years ago they moved the Grinchmas show to a bigger theater, so it is easier to get a seat, but people still line up a half hour early in Seussland. There will be Whos wandering the Seuss area and interacting with people. There is a Grinch meet and greet but it has become insanely hard to snag a virtual spot. Years ago we just lined up and it wasn't too bad of a wait, but it has changed. He is a very fun meet if you can.

 

[bbeagle]

In 2022, the best way to meet the Grinch was to eat at McGurkis Circus. It was a buffet and the Grinch walked around with many whos table to table. You could watch him interact with other tables, and it was quite funny. He would spend a good 5 minutes with you at your table. Last year, they changed venues and you only met with him for like a minute after your meal was over at the exit when you were leaving. If it’s like 2022, so worth it… If it’s like 2023, it’s not worth it. Note that you’ll have to reserve it in the next few weeks when it goes live, or you’ll never get in.

The Macy's parade is awesome. Inflatable characters like the real Macy’s parade, and lots of fun.

You’ll wait in lines absolutely forever if that’s what you want to do. It’s better just to walk around see the shows and events and maybe pick 2-3 rides. Best rides are the Harry Potter ones. And a grinch lunch if it’s the good one.

 

[phillymummer]

Thank you for the replies! We're leaning towards going 1 day but we're worried about my hubby's anxiety He has a really hard time in big crowds.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Thank you for the replies! We're leaning towards going 1 day but we're worried about my hubby's anxiety He has a really hard time in big crowds.

You could look into getting him a disability pass.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Thank you for the replies! We're leaning towards going 1 day but we're worried about my hubby's anxiety He has a really hard time in big crowds.

My daughter does also, and has found that it's helpful to take breaks in less traveled areas of the parks. Places that are off the main paths. Near the lagoon in IoA, the Horton Hatches an Egg area of Seuss, NYC alley, Fear Factor area, behind the Kabob stand, the big open area in front of the stage at US. Even places like outside tables at the restaurant where you can watch the Jurassic River Adventure makes you feel less surrounded by people. She is also fond of Knockturn Alley as a dark sensory break.

Christmas decorations will be up. I can't speak to crowds, because our only Thanksgiving trip was '21 and I imagine that was much less crowded than the average Thanksgiving. But it will not be as bad as between Christmas and NYE, and we have managed to enjoy that without express passes. You just have to keep your expectations realistic re rides and crowds and be prepared to sit somewhere and regroup if it's overwhelming. Meals are essential breaks.

Remember that you can use single rider lines, whether your husband is riding or not. I also agree with the comment that Kong is great for people who can't do rides with much movement.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Hogsmeade gets super crowded during the middle of the day. To avoid some of the crush of people, stick along the outer edge, past the entrance to Hagrids then behind the Owl Post building, along to the exit of Hagrids, past the street cart, out to the little stage. It is MUCH less peopley than going through the main drag of Hogsmeade where people are milling about / doing spells / just everywhere.
Going past Velocicoaster & over the bridge to bypass Hogsmeade entirely will of course cut out even more crowds.

 

[tony67]

. wrong thread

 

[phillymummer]

Hey everyone! I just realized that the new park will be open. How do we expect this to effect crowds at the park? Will everyone be in the new park? Will the crowds be even worse at the other parks? We are still on the fence about going. We will go either Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Hey everyone! I just realized that the new park will be open. How do we expect this to effect crowds at the park? Will everyone be in the new park? Will the crowds be even worse at the other parks? We are still on the fence about going. We will go either Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Nobody knows. Lots of competing forces. New park opening, macro-economic factors, severely reduced international tourism, etc. Best guess? The non EU parks will be less crowded this Thanksgiving than previous years due to the overall Orlando tourism slump.

 

[kbelle8995]

I have been to the park during Thanksgiving. Black Friday was very busy and packed. We stayed away from the park on Thanksgiving and we did Ice at Gaylord Palms and The Christmas tree trail at Disney Springs.

We found that the Saturday after Black Friday was not very crowded at the parks and we were able to get a lot of rides done. It might differ year to year.

 

[sandam1]

I have been to the park during Thanksgiving. Black Friday was very busy and packed. We stayed away from the park on Thanksgiving and we did Ice at Gaylord Palms and The Christmas tree trail at Disney Springs.

Just to clarify - was Ice open on Thanksgiving? How busy was it? Was Disney Springs crazy (I'm reading that you also did this on Thanksgiving)?

I ask these question because I'm planning a trip for my big number birthday the Monday after Thanksgiving. We are thinking about flying in on Thanksgiving day to get cheaper flights and I'm trying to find things that will be open that day that are not the parks and won't be stupid busy.