US/IOA Vets PLEASE HELP THIS NEWBIE

[fiveforall]

Hi everyone! DH has finally been convinced to take me, DD(9), DD(6), and DS(4) to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for a Christmas trip(Dec. 18-23). We're staying at Royal Pacific Resort and we have five day passes. Has anyone been during this time? I'm sure the parks will be crowded, but will they be manageable with the front of the line access? Also, my DD's seventh birthday will be happening during this trip. Any ideas for making it even more special? She's a huge Grinch fan, by the way.

I know about making priority seatings at Disney, but what about US/IOA?

Please guys, help me plan this vacation. I intend to scour these boards, but any additional help will be great.

Thanks!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Christmas time is lovely at the parks. Early December is the least crowded, and park attendance grows as the month goes on (though worst crowds are right after Christmas Day). With FOTL, things should be tolerable, definitely.

Be sure to check out the special shows and events at both IOA and Universal Studios. Extreme Ghostbusters and Blues Brothers usually have holiday versions, plus IOA offers Grinchmas.

As for your daughter's birthday, let the receptionist know. My parents told a woman who worked at the Royal Pacific's front desk, Pia, about my 16th birthday. She gave us a room with one of the best views of the parks (you could see Cat in the Hat, Hulk, Dr. Doom, Dudley Do-right's, Dueling Dragons, Nick Studios, GB show Stage, etc). In addition, she had delivered a basket of goodies (candy and gifts), and wrote a very nice card. Maybe they'll do something like this for your daughter as well.

 

[ValDisney]

Hey Five,
I'll be there the exact same dates, same hotel and the children are about the same age. DS Is 4 and DD is 7.
See you there

 

[SpideyHulk24]

You will have a great time! The parks are all decked out for the holidays and they have special shows like the Ghostbusters, the parade and the who show at Seuss Landing. Also, with FOTL you will be able to make the most of your day!

Have fun!

Oh, and you can make priority seatings 30 days out.

 

[Figment22]

We were at USF/IOA last December, right around the same time, just before Christmas. The big crowds started coming in about the 22nd-23rd so for most of your visit you should be just fine. With FOTL, you'll have no problems. We were staying at HRH.
You said that your daughter is a big Grinch fan. You'll want to take her to the Grinch's lair so she can meet him but this does get crowded by mid to late morning and there is no express access for this so try to do it early on. Mt. Crumpet, also in Seuss Landing, is something else you'll want to get to in the early morning. It's a tube slide on ice so number one, if you ride early, it'll still be ice and not slush, secondly, unless they make a change there is not always express access for hotel guests. One day, there was. The next, no. So ride early.

Other than Pteranadon Flyers, which also should be ridden first thing in the a.m., you'll have FOTL for everything (except front row seats on Hulk or Dueling Dragons) and you can pretty much tour at your own pace and time.

Christmas is delightful at UO, IOA especially. Be sure to catch the Whobilation show at Seuss Landing and I would assume that the Macy's Thanksgiving parade will be back at Universal Studios throughout December.

Have fun and be sure to post a report when you get back.