SO UPSET about the LATE start of Holidays 2024 :(

[Mrs~Incredible]

Just saw it is starting Nov 22. Almost a full week later than 2021 and 2022, and also later than last year. So bummed- we will be there Nov 13-19.
Really really frustrated.
Thought for sure it would start around Nov 15.
What the heck, Universal?!?!

 

[mamapenguin]

It’s very dumb on their part. It should start earlier, I would go if it was earlier in November. They are definitely missing some dollars by starting so late.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

It’s very dumb on their part. It should start earlier, I would go if it was earlier in November. They are definitely missing some dollars by starting so late.

agree!!

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Same exact thing happened to us last year - booked that week thinking holiday goodies would be in full swing - nope

Seems especially weird that HHN runs 9+ weeks but barely 6 weeks for Christmas? Come on Universal !

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Same exact thing happened to us last year - booked that week thinking holiday goodies would be in full swing - nope

Seems especially weird that HHN runs 9+ weeks but barely 6 weeks for Christmas? Come on Universal !

Agree!! When you were there, I am guessing decorations were up at least? Do you remember if there were any light shows on the castle? I know this year has a new Hogwarts show- hoping they will show it between HHN show and the Christmas at Hogwarts show but I probably shouldn’t count on that…. I think missing the Christmas light show in the castle is what we are probably most upset about- and if there is nothing in its place that adds to the disappointment

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Agree!! When you were there, I am guessing decorations were up at least? Do you remember if there were any light shows on the castle? I know this year has a new Hogwarts show- hoping they will show it between HHN show and the Christmas at Hogwarts show but I probably shouldn’t count on that…. I think missing the Christmas light show in the castle is what we are probably most upset about- and if there is nothing in its place that adds to the disappointment

Ther were decorations up at the parks and the resorts were getting theirs up - we were at Cabana Bay & actually got to watch them decorate the whole resort, so that was cool - but not in full & unfortunately, I don't think the light shows were on & of course not the parade or anything like that . We were super bummed & pledged to never go until AFTER Thanksgiving if we want to enjoy the holidays at UO.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Ther were decorations up at the parks and the resorts were getting theirs up - we were at Cabana Bay & actually got to watch them decorate the whole resort, so that was cool - but not in full & unfortunately, I don't think the light shows were on & of course not the parade or anything like that . We were super bummed & pledged to never go until AFTER Thanksgiving if we want to enjoy the holidays at UO.

Thanks for the info. Sorry that happened to you- we will be in the same boat this year.

 

[tony67]

Same exact thing happened to us last year - booked that week thinking holiday goodies would be in full swing - nope

Seems especially weird that HHN runs 9+ weeks but barely 6 weeks for Christmas? Come on Universal !

Agreed they should start earlier.

As for HHN it bring in a lot of Money above and beyond park admission. Even with that it seems like they have made a lot of budget cuts and things are tight until Epic is open and bringing in money IMO.

Just saw it is starting Nov 22. Almost a full week later than 2021 and 2022
What the heck, Universal?!?!

I'm guessing budget cuts are a factor. Hopefully there will be stuff open early in a soft opening mode.
Id assume there will be decorations and such by that point as they prepare - but not the entire event.

They have the info from the last few years and I'm guessing they have calculated when its most profitable to start

 

[lorryw]

I saw this yesterday and Im so disappointed. I had researched and was led to believe it would start on the 18th November this year. Disney starts weeks earlier. We had to book our flights early and will miss the whole event.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Decorations have consistently been partially up by Halloween (IoA pretty much entirely decorated by then) with most of the decorations in US going up within the week after HHN ceases. So you will still have the holiday vibes but sadly not the extras.

 

[georgina]

That is late. Wonder if it has anything to do with how late Thanksgiving is this year? I have been in November several times and usually just hit the beginning of resort decorations, missed Grinchmas.

Unfortunately you can't go by previous years' dates. People were very upset about Disney's festival dates this year also I think. Universal is always late in releasing information, I am surprised the holiday dates are out already.

 

[Pop Goes the Weasel]

I typically go between halloween and Thanksgiving. I have absolutely no interest in HHN, but I love Christmas. Mid November is the sweet spot for driving down from the great north.

I was disappointed my last visit to see that Christmas decor was just going a couple days after our arrival. I want the tradition of Christmas trees and Andy Williams, thankyouverymuch. I was already iffy about going this year. This will probably be the deciding factor.

 

[kbelle8995]

They have put decorations up earlier than their start date. I wish they would do it a little earlier. We went early December last year. The Grinch alone should be started earlier. There were 3 hour plus waits every day. Earl the Squirrel had a much shorter line. I took a picture with him

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Agreed they should start earlier.

As for HHN it bring in a lot of Money above and beyond park admission. Even with that it seems like they have made a lot of budget cuts and things are tight until Epic is open and bringing in money IMO.

I'm guessing budget cuts are a factor. Hopefully there will be stuff open early in a soft opening mode.
Id assume there will be decorations and such by that point as they prepare - but not the entire event.

They have the info from the last few years and I'm guessing they have calculated when its most profitable to start

Agree, thanks for the insight!!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Thanks everyone for being so kind with this disappointment I expressed. I expressed the same thing in a UO FB group and was absolutely eviscerated and made fun of for my ridiculous “problems”. It was a little nasty. They don’t know me, what my real problems are or what I was looking forward to with this trip!

I get it, it is still a great and lucky thing to go at all, but when I planned based on the dates of the last 3 years and it changed, it’s natural to be disappointed at first I think.

Hoping the decs will be up and keeping fingers crossed that some sort of light show will be on the castle, but won’t hold by breath for that.

Once again, thanks for being kind and commiserating with me. I this community!

 

[DoryGirl1963]

That's terrible! Why WOULDN'T you be disappointed? We sure were & couldn't move dates last year I never even imagined they wouldn't have Holidays in full swing by mid-November - just ridiculous!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

That's terrible! Why WOULDN'T you be disappointed? We sure were & couldn't move dates last year I never even imagined they wouldn't have Holidays in full swing by mid-November - just ridiculous!

Aw big air internet hugs. Thank you!!

 

[shh]

Seems especially weird that HHN runs 9+ weeks but barely 6 weeks for Christmas? Come on Universal !

It's the almighty dollar. HHN earns them a FORTUNE. Holidays are free with regular admission. There's some food, bev and merch sales, but overall, I bet HHN is a far bigger money maker.

Sea World is even worse. They only offer the full holiday event on selected days. Last year, they posted those days in late summer/early fall. I booked based upon that - then they suddenly removed those days from the calendar in late Oct - after I finalized hotels - and rates had skyrocketed in price!

I was so annoyed. Rescheduled everything - then of course, it poured the days I was there and most events were canceled.
It was NOT my year. lol.

I totally empathize. Is there anything beyond UO you'd enjoy that you could splurge on to make up for it a bit - the ice show at Gaylord, perhaps? Or a WDW holiday party?

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Thanks everyone for being so kind with this disappointment I expressed. I expressed the same thing in a UO FB group and was absolutely eviscerated and made fun of for my ridiculous “problems”. It was a little nasty. They don’t know me, what my real problems are or what I was looking forward to with this trip!

I get it, it is still a great and lucky thing to go at all, but when I planned based on the dates of the last 3 years and it changed, it’s natural to be disappointed at first I think.

Hoping the decs will be up and keeping fingers crossed that some sort of light show will be on the castle, but won’t hold by breath for that.

Once again, thanks for being kind and commiserating with me. I this community!

We totally get it. I always plan a trip around Universal holidays and their short window makes it harder and harder to squeeze in around real holidays and other happenings during that time of year. Universal: the more dates, the merrier!

Are you only doing Universal this trip? Maybe you can escape to a Disney Xmas party or SeaWorld for a night for some of their holiday offerings.

 

[GhostHost24]

I really don't think hhn have anything to do with it. It only goes til Nov 3.. Not like it's going super late.