Newbie going during Christmas week...Help!

[3smithboys]

We've wanted to go to Universal for years, and now it is finally happening! I'm so excited. We are going Dec 25th-28th, and I feel like I need to plan. I'm used to visiting the Mouse and the uber planning that's involved.

What do I need to do to be able to maximize our time? We are staying onsite, so I love the fact that we have the express pass.

I've been reading the thread on here, but it's overwhelming....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[macraven]

make reservations for dinners in advance.

be at the park early to avoid ride waits.
the express lines can have a wait sometimes.
they won't be walk ons.

if you want to leave the park, check with a TM to see if there will be any restrictions if you want to return later in the day/evening.

there have been some days that the parks fill up and even though you have a park ticket and can return, you might have to wait to get in.

 

[3smithboys]

Thanks for all of the great advice! There are some places that I would like to make reservations.... How far in advance can they be made?

Also, does it matter which park we start in the 1st day? We have park to park passes, so do you recommend staying in 1 park the 1st day, the 2nd park the 2nd day, then hop the 3rd day and do the favorites??

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks for all of the great advice! There are some places that I would like to make reservations.... How far in advance can they be made?

Also, does it matter which park we start in the 1st day? We have park to park passes, so do you recommend staying in 1 park the 1st day, the 2nd park the 2nd day, then hop the 3rd day and do the favorites??

Dining reservations can be made at opentable.com. How far in advance is trickier.It depends on the restaurant.Since Universal doesn't own and operate all the dining venues, the dates for booking can vary.

 

[3smithboys]

Thanks! It looks like Mythos can be booked 2 months in advance. I'm not sure if there is anywhere else I should try to make a reservation for.