What's Christmastime like at UO?

[Julie Amber]

I have only visited UO once last year in Sept. There were no night time shows, fireworks, or decorations... because there's no real need in September. But I heard somewhere that during the holiday season, UO does have some cool decorations and night time shows. So, what's going on this year during the holidays at UO? I'm totally into all those cool night time things that Disney isn't doing this year.

 

[bchbetha]

Take a look at the Orlando Informer website. This is the holiday 202 page https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/holidays/ Unfortunately the updated Covid revisions haven't been announced but you can get a better sense of the typical offerings.
There are rarely ever fireworks at Universal due to zoning rules (right next to a residential area) so scratch that from your wish list ever when visiting there so you won't be disappointed.

 

[Austen]

I am wondering the same thing about Christmas. I know what they have done in the past, but not sure about this year. Wish they would update the holiday stuff soon. I've read in other places that the Universal Hotels that were previously closed will open in Dec. meaning larger crowds-especially at early entry. I'm concerned they won't really limit capacity, but will run the rides with Covid restrictions and then the lines will be bonkers. Hope not.

 

[cfoxga]

We've been during Thanksgiving twice and have a third time planned this year. It is hard to predict what they will end up doing, but in previous years they had the parks and resorts decorated very nicely, help a parade, had Mannheim Steamroller concerts on weekends, a Grinch show and characters in the Seuss area. The nighttime projection on the Hogwarts Castle was great and we love being in the parks at night.

 

[Disxuni]

Maybe we'll find out more about the revisions of what will be offered soon? I would imagine not too much will change other than no big concert and instead of Macy's parade, they might let a float pop out here and there (like they currently are doing with some floats / characters). I think the lighting show with the castle is on, the decorations are definitely on, and the Grinchmas Show is possibly still on (I do not think the show is big enough to be considered to big of a crowd maker to cancel).

I think Universal definitely gets into the holiday spirit. As all the Christmas offers is for everyone, not just a paid ticketed event.

While nothing indicated it could be holiday related when I walked to the CW from HRH they had film crew out and we eventually discovered they were filming promotional footage for Universal. Could be regular promotional footage I suppose, but this was literally the day after what would be considered HHN season (no more Halloween / haunted houses open) and the fact I'd think they'd have plenty of regular promotional footage I wondered if perhaps it could be Christmas related.

 

[atricks]

This is new and just showed up today at the park, it's not open yet, but likely will be within a week or so:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1324363035109134341

These stores in the past (Mardi Gras, and Horror Nights) have been heavily themed and are almost attractions in themselves. I suspect it'll be some sort of Christmas/Macy's parade type themed store. Since I doubt the parade (as is) will go on, maybe floats show up randomly during the day.

There's also a rumor of them using the lagoon show equipment for some Christmas additions.

 

[atricks]

Universal just put up the adjusted Christmas plans for this year: https://media.universalorlando.com/press-releases/holidays-celebration-2020/

Big things gone this year are the Grinch Show, Mannheim Steamroller concerts, and Macy's parade, but they have other things to make up somewhat.


Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure


The streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will become beautifully adorned with themed decorations, garlands and lights as the sounds of special holiday-themed performances fill the air throughout the lands. Guests can hear both magical and Muggle Christmas carols from the Frog Choir comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant croaking frogs, as well as the unique holiday hits of one of the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensations, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. There will also be seasonal treats, holiday eats, and beverages – including the highly-anticipated return of the fan-favorite, hot Butterbeer.


Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and Who-liday Character Appearances at Universal’s Islands of Adventure


It wouldn’t be a Holidays celebration without the mean, green one himself! While visiting Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, holiday-goers will enjoy appearances by the maven of mischief, The Grinch, as he continues to try and find ways to steal holiday cheer, and the merry Whos from Whoville.


ALL-NEW Universal’s Holiday Experience featuring Macy’s Balloons at Universal Studios Florida


New this year, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with larger-than-life parade balloons and floats like never before during “Universal’s Holiday Experience featuring Macy’s Balloons.” Guests will stroll along a picturesque pathway where they’ll encounter elaborate floats and stunning balloons inspired by everything from iconic holiday staples like reindeers and the Nutcracker, to characters from popular animated films, including the mischievous Minions from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and “Minions” films, Gingy, The Gingerbread Man, from DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” movies and the penguins from DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar” franchise. And it all culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus and the opportunity to take a socially-distanced portrait with the big man himself.


Universal’s Holiday Character Celebration at Universal Studios Florida


During “Universal’s Holiday Character Celebration,” guests can celebrate the holiday season with the Minions and other beloved characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and “Minions” films, and with DreamWorks Animation’s treasured family of Shrek characters and King Julien and the crew from the “Madagascar” franchise.


Guests will sing and dance along with some of their favorite characters as they arrive aboard incredibly-festive parade floats, then perform special holiday show moments that the entire family will enjoy. Afterward, guests will have the chance to take socially-distanced photos of themselves with the characters and floats.


Guests can also enjoy these additional holiday festivities across Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk while visiting the destination:

• First-Ever Holiday Tribute Store: A brand-new Tribute Store dedicated to the Holidays will debut at Universal Studios Florida for the holiday season. Located in the New York area of the park, guests will come dashing through the store into a winter wonderland featuring four immersive rooms – including one inspired by Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch – stocked with a variety of new merchandise that will make perfect holiday gifts, plus delicious seasonal food items. Guests can also browse Universal’s assortment of Holidays merchandise and make purchases online by visiting shop.UniversalOrlando.com
• Holiday Tree Hunt: Guests who purchase the Holiday Tree Hunt will embark on a search for 16 holiday-themed trees scattered throughout various merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk. Guests will receive a brochure that outlines the participating locations, where they’ll have to collect stamps to mark their visit to each stop. Those who successfully complete the entire hunt will receive an exclusive Holiday Tree Hunt-branded ornament.
• Holiday Treat Trail: Guests can participate by grabbing a complimentary Holiday Treat Trail brochure that outlines a list of specialty food and beverage menu items across select dining venues. Those who purchase all qualifying items will receive a special sweet treat.

 

[macraven]

 

[Austen]

Really disappointed to hear there will be no light show at the wizarding world and no Grinch show either. The new additions are just a bunch of money making things for Universal.

 

[cschaaf]

Really disappointed to hear there will be no light show at the wizarding world and no Grinch show either. The new additions are just a bunch of money making things for Universal.

Seems a bit harsh

• Wizarding World stuff - a mix of free things (Christmas themed shows) and charged things (snacks and treats)
• Seuss stuff - free character appearances
• 'Parade' - free 'inverse' parade
• Character celebration - free dance party floats
• Tribute store - I'll count this one in the charged things category for obvious reasons, but the HHN tribute store was worth walking through just to see it.
• Tree hunt - better than free; finish it and you actually get something for your efforts. Obviously built to get you in the stores, but. most of the rides are built to get you into the stores.
• Treat Trail - charge for snacks and treats. I won't count the 'complimentary map' lol

So the things designed to make money are mostly food-based.

I would have liked to see them do the Hogwarts lights, but that one was clearly a social distancing cut. That viewing area is crowded when there is nothing going on and gets packed for most of the showings each night. For the Grinch show, I think they could have figured out the audience piece for that, but I don't know what the backstage allows there. It's probably pretty tight back there.

 

[atricks]

Seems a bit harsh

• Wizarding World stuff - a mix of free things (Christmas themed shows) and charged things (snacks and treats)
• Seuss stuff - free character appearances
• 'Parade' - free 'inverse' parade
• Character celebration - free dance party floats
• Tribute store - I'll count this one in the charged things category for obvious reasons, but the HHN tribute store was worth walking through just to see it.
• Tree hunt - better than free; finish it and you actually get something for your efforts. Obviously built to get you in the stores, but. most of the rides are built to get you into the stores.
• Treat Trail - charge for snacks and treats. I won't count the 'complimentary map' lol

So the things designed to make money are mostly food-based.

I would have liked to see them do the Hogwarts lights, but that one was clearly a social distancing cut. That viewing area is crowded when there is nothing going on and gets packed for most of the showings each night. For the Grinch show, I think they could have figured out the audience piece for that, but I don't know what the backstage allows there. It's probably pretty tight back there.

The Grinch cast is pretty large and it involves a lot of singing, really hard to pull off with distancing. The Frozen show at DHS has the actors without masks, but very far apart from each other. I think Mannheim was their own call to not do so this year.

 

[Austen]

Seems a bit harsh

• Wizarding World stuff - a mix of free things (Christmas themed shows) and charged things (snacks and treats)
• Seuss stuff - free character appearances
• 'Parade' - free 'inverse' parade
• Character celebration - free dance party floats
• Tribute store - I'll count this one in the charged things category for obvious reasons, but the HHN tribute store was worth walking through just to see it.
• Tree hunt - better than free; finish it and you actually get something for your efforts. Obviously built to get you in the stores, but. most of the rides are built to get you into the stores.
• Treat Trail - charge for snacks and treats. I won't count the 'complimentary map' lol

So the things designed to make money are mostly food-based.

I would have liked to see them do the Hogwarts lights, but that one was clearly a social distancing cut. That viewing area is crowded when there is nothing going on and gets packed for most of the showings each night. For the Grinch show, I think they could have figured out the audience piece for that, but I don't know what the backstage allows there. It's probably pretty tight back there.

My issue is that I keep hearing that the shops in the wizarding world are really crowded. If they allow those indoor crowds why not allow an outdoor event even if it gets congested? The show is done over and over so it feels like they should be able to spread out the numbers.

 

[only hope]

My issue is that I keep hearing that the shops in the wizarding world are really crowded. If they allow those indoor crowds why not allow an outdoor event even if it gets congested? The show is done over and over so it feels like they should be able to spread out the numbers.

Keeping guests six feet+ apart in every direction is the easy part. Even with reduced park capacity, I think a lot of people would be turned away as in normal times shows frequently hit capacity. There could be a lot of disappointed guests. They could do a vq for it. However, what about backstage? Is there enough room for actors to each have their own distanced dressing room? How would they reblock the show to keep actors apart? There is a lot of interaction between cast members. I think the show could be reblocked, though it would certainly be different. But Uni must not think it is worth the effort. Or perhaps they are trying to give people less reason to come in hopes that they don’t hit capacity as much as if they offered everything.

 

[keishashadow]

Even though not unexpected, found the revised offerings disappointing. Same as at WDW & SW. is what it is, thankful for any option still there TBH.

My issue is that I keep hearing that the shops in the wizarding world are really crowded. If they allow those indoor crowds why not allow an outdoor event even if it gets congested? The show is done over and over so it feels like they should be able to spread out the numbers.

Majority of people expect parks to follow basic social protocols as stated on their respective websites.

when there the end of September. The crowds both milling about HP areas & their stores were business as usual. It was less crowded than normal for that time of year.

Didn’t see staff outside entrances counting the number of people permitted in the stores, nor did I see one way entrance & exits employed. Well, other than the tribute store, which did have great crowd control in place.

Easy enough to avoid those areas based upon each guest’s comfort zones IMO. Nobody is going to an amusement park right now & not expecting a level of risk.

Everything done in a park has to adhere to whatever laws are in place as to operations, signed off by their legal department. Could easily be a factor in play

Keeping guests six feet+ apart in every direction is the easy part

From what I observed during said fall trip, no, it appears to be more akin to herding cats.

Some things never change. Who hasn’t very early staked out a choice curbside parade spot. Blink twice & few minutes beforehand clueless people magically pop up in front of you, seemingly out of nowhere.

 

[cschaaf]

Keeping guests six feet+ apart in every direction is the easy part.

From what I observed during said fall trip, no, it appears to be more akin to herding cats.

I think OP was talking about theater seating, but your point still stands. They could mark every square inch of the park with distancing markers and people would still fail to follow them, either intentionally or unintentionally.

I do think there is a difference, even if it's only in appearances, between guests 'naturally' bunching in a common areas like a store and Universal basically saying, "Hey everyone, come here at exactly this time"

Overall, I think Universal has done a pretty good job juggling the “How do we offer as much as we can while still trying to keep people safe?” I have to think, based on them opening Bourne and the 2/3 HHN houses, they looked for ways to do the Christmas things safely and didn’t find a suitable way to do them.

Doesn’t make it any less disappointing to those that are planning trips at that time.

 

[only hope]

Yeah, I was talking about theater seating. Walkways and stores are a different story.

 

[snowpack]

Tree hunt - better than free; finish it and you actually get something for your efforts. Obviously built to get you in the stores, but. most of the rides are built to get you into the stores.

I thought I read somewhere that you had to pay for this. Awesome that it's free.

Even though not unexpected, found the revised offerings disappointing

Yes really disappointed about Grinchmas and Hogwarts. We have never been before at Christmas so I guess we really dont know what we are missing. Here's to next year.

 

[cschaaf]

I thought I read somewhere that you had to pay for this. Awesome that it's free.

Ah, good catch. I stand corrected. The language above does say that it’s a purchase thing. That’s a departure from last year (I believe) and the scarecrow hunt in October.

Last Christmas, they gave what looked like a good ornament (Minions themed) for completing the tree hunt. I’m guessing they gave away more of those than they expected lol. It might have been nice to offer a choice: a free bag of candy, like they did for the scarecrows, or a discount on an ornament or something.

I wonder if the eBay pirates grabbed up a bunch of the ornaments last year?

 

[Monykalyn]

While disappointed on the Grinchmas show (asked in a tweet about that-basically "things are always being evaluated and updated" response") with portofino opening AND the new value resort opening I do wonder if that will change.

I just love Seussland all decorated for the holidays!

2 years ago when they debuted the desert party for the Macy's parade and included the nighttime show it was a steal of a good deal!

Hoping the Holiday tribute store is as elaborate as the HHN one. Will find out in 2 weeks...

Overall, I think Universal has done a pretty good job juggling the “How do we offer as much as we can while still trying to keep people safe?” I have to think, based on them opening Bourne and the 2/3 HHN houses, they looked for ways to do the Christmas things safely and didn’t find a suitable way to do them.

I agree. Although technically they could go full bore per state of Florida. Glad to see they are still being cautious.

 

[OrlandoGirl357]

Ah, good catch. I stand corrected. The language above does say that it’s a purchase thing. That’s a departure from last year (I believe) and the scarecrow hunt in October.

Last Christmas, they gave what looked like a good ornament (Minions themed) for completing the tree hunt. I’m guessing they gave away more of those than they expected lol. It might have been nice to offer a choice: a free bag of candy, like they did for the scarecrows, or a discount on an ornament or something.

I wonder if the eBay pirates grabbed up a bunch of the ornaments last year?

Last year the tree hunt was free. I did it, and got a minion ornament. This year, they are charging 9.95 for the brochure, but

Park guest does not need to obtain any tree stamps to redeem the ornament.

I do not plan on doing the hunt this year.