When should we go?

[WIBadgergirl]

we are considering a universal trip sometime in 2019. We have a son who is currently 5 and a daughter who will be 9.

We have been to Disney a few times but as much as we like the rides, the rigid planning and structure of the trips is not for our family.

Our kids are obsessed with Harry Potter right now so we thought why not try a long weekend at universal.

We are thinking of flying out on a Thursday night and returning on a Monday night, so 3.5 days or so at the parks.

Our school is pretty liberal on pulling kids for vacations. But we thought if we could go over a long weekend where the kids have a Friday off, that would be better.

They have two Fridays in October off but I am worried about HHN. No way would my kids be up for that kind of scary. It seems that would ruin all of our nights? I have tried to find details of when we would get kicked out of the parks and what nighttime shows we would miss but haven’t found much. Help?

How early do they start celebrating Christmas at universal? We have done Disney at Christmas 3 times and enjoy the setting.

Any time of the year you recommend visiting?

Any other thought or resources I should review?

If you got through all this you deserve a butter beer. Thanks!

 

[macraven]

If one of the October weekends your children are off school is the Columbus Day weekend, avoid it

Parks will have crowds

Last week of October could be acceptable

Early December is decent
Park will have larger crowds right before Christmas and thru New Years

Hhn is only at the studios
On hhn dates, the park closes to the public at 5
IOA is open later each evening with regular park hours
This park does not participate in hhn

Park to park tickets are a good way and cheaper way to do both parks

The studios will cover outside hhn props during the day
Littles won’t see anything scary in the park

Read some of the stickies about the parks to gain more general info

Read the trip report forum on how others did their vacations at uo
First hand experience is helpful

Once you decide on which month. October or December for your vacation, book your hotel

Some weekends book up more than others
Staying on site will allow you to get more done each day

 

[Blue32]

If want to stay away from HHN (and I probably would as well) I would look at a weekend in early Nov. or early December. Have you considered which hotel yet?

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Staying at one of the three premium hotels is a great way to beat the crowds because express passes are included. That's essentially unlimited fast passes.

 

[schumigirl]

Yes, HHN isn't designed for kids of younger ages, but I`d still say don't dismiss that last week in October altogether......as mac says you won`t see anything scary or upsetting in the park during the day, everything HHN connected that could be considered not suitable, will be well covered up.....

Studios will close at 5pm and you can go over to IOA before this point, they always open later......you will be informed you need to leave the parks, so many people swap over before this point.....

We are there September into October and again for 11 nights in late November into December for the third year running…...early December is fabulous.....all the Christmas things are in full swing and it really is a lot of fun....Holiday decorations and events usually start mid to late November.

If you stay onsite and one of the three hotels that offer EP....you needn't make any plans except make yourself familiar with the parks and their layout.....no need to plan dining either. One of the many things we love about a Universal Orlando visit....….

EP with the hotels begins as soon as you check in till the end of the day you check out......and even in so called quiet times, it`s worth it`s weight in gold!!!

 

[WIBadgergirl]

Thanks for the thoughts!

We are planning to stay at one of the hotels with included EP.

Right now the kids have off oct 4, oct 25 and nov. 8. I have a family member planning a wedding in November who keeps changing the date so that’s throwing a wrench in just choosing a weekend. And with thanksgiving so late this year there are fewer weekends in December.

I will keep reading trip reports too! Thanks!

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I recommend taking the train from the studios to IOA before you take the train from IOA to the studios.

 

[Disxuni]

I'd suggest beginning of December. It's the most inexpensive at the time, it has the most potential of being cooler and more comfortable outside, and you get to see holiday festivities without having to be there during the peak holiday times.

 

[iluvet58]

Christmas festivities will start around November 17th. We are arriving the week after Veterans Day and the week before thanksgiving. Crowds should not be too bad.