When do they adjust park hours?

[JakeAZ]

I'm used to Disney dragging their feet on park hours, but it appears Universal does the same thing?

When do they usually finalize hours?

I'm looking at the weekend before / week of Thanksgiving. Hard be believe the parks will be closing at 7pm...

 

[damo]

I see IOA closing at 7 only on the Friday before, then 8 on Sat. and 9 for the rest of the week.

The Studios closes at 7 on the Friday and 8 for the rest of the week.

 

[JakeAZ]

I see IOA closing at 7 only on the Friday before, then 8 on Sat. and 9 for the rest of the week.

The Studios closes at 7 on the Friday and 8 for the rest of the week.

That still seems awfully early for a holiday week. Is that normal?

 

[damo]

That still seems awfully early for a holiday week. Is that normal?

That is pretty normal at Universal.

 

[JakeAZ]

That's disappointing. Just like Disney, they are going to be jam packed. Staying open later is a way to accommodate those crowds.

 

[bchbetha]

Universal always closes on the early side. I actually really like it because you can enjoy CityWalk or your resort and still get a good night of sleep

 

[cschaaf]

Universal always closes on the early side. I actually really like it because you can enjoy CityWalk or your resort and still get a good night of sleep

I'd rather the parks be open later. Those that want to enjoy City Walk or their resort are still free to do so and those things would be less crowded because others would still be in the parks.

 

[JakeAZ]

I'd rather the parks be open later. Those that want to enjoy City Walk or their resort are still free to do so and those things would be less crowded because others would still be in the parks.

100%. Then everyone wins

 

[georgina]

I'd rather the parks be open later. Those that want to enjoy City Walk or their resort are still free to do so and those things would be less crowded because others would still be in the parks.

Just like Disney, that costs extra. We‘ll be in the parks until 12:30 AM on Dec 3 and 1:30 AM on Dec 4.

 

[cschaaf]

Just like Disney, that costs extra. We‘ll be in the parks until 12:30 AM on Dec 3 and 1:30 AM on Dec 4.

Very, very different, though.

 

[sandam1]

I'm looking at the weekend before / week of Thanksgiving. Hard be believe the parks will be closing at 7pm...

There is a special event (the Orlando Informer meet-up) on Friday, 11/19 and Saturday, 11/20, which is why the parks are closing early those days.

Universal usually doesn't adjust their hours last minute. What you see is what you get for the most part.

 

[georgina]

Very, very different, though.

Not sure in what way you are referring. Disney's December holiday event is $229 + tax on Dec 3 (9 PM to 1 AM). OI meetup is also $229 plus tax that night, plus a food voucher and more free food in the parks. So, not really price different.

 

[cschaaf]

Not sure in what way you are referring. Disney's December holiday event is $229 + tax on Dec 3 (9 PM to 1 AM). So, not really price different.

Public event vs. private event. The OI private event includes park hopping, food, drinks, etc. And not just pre-packaged cookies

Universal doesn't do a lot of hard ticket events

 

[sandam1]

Not sure in what way you are referring. Disney's December holiday event is $229 + tax on Dec 3 (9 PM to 1 AM). So, not really price different.

The Orlando Informer event is not put on by Universal. It is an outside organization that comes in and rents the parks. Also, it isn't themed as Christmas outside of what is already in the parks. OI has these events at various times throughout the year.

 

[Skywalker3]

Found our maps from 2018 Thanksgiving trip. IoA closed at 8:00PM weekend before, and through Thursday, Thanksgiving week. US also closed at 8:00 those same days. Both closed at 9:00 Friday/Saturday after Thanksgiving.

 

[cschaaf]

The Orlando Informer event is not put on by Universal. It is an outside organization that comes in and rents the parks. Also, it isn't themed as Christmas outside of what is already in the parks. OI has these events at various times throughout the year.

Forgot to add, it's only 2 nights (at a time, I think OI has two weekends this December) as opposed to a month(s) long event. So it's not an option every night.

 

[georgina]

Yes, well the point I was making is that people complain about Disney short hours also. There are ways around it if you are willing to pay. Yes, there are more at Disney (not every night either), but we planned our trip specifically to do the meetup.