Which Do You Think Is a Better Time to Visit UO?

[tarheelmjfan]

September or December?

We always go in the summer, but want a change this year. Orlando usually has Dining Month in September, which is a big plus for us. December has holiday activities, which I've been wanting to see for awhile. So, which would you choose? TIA for your input.

 

[Metro West]

December...mainly because it's holiday time.

 

[PrincessOp]

Probably December - first, because September here is still an awful lot like August weather-wise: helllaHoooooot!

So, I'd choose December - just be sure to come EARLY in the month - you will enjoy very mild weather and no crowds, as well as all the Disney and University special holiday activities (don't miss the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian!)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

December...mainly because it's holiday time.

Metro, do you think the Holiday festivities @ UO are nice enough to plan a trip around?

Probably December - first, because September here is still an awful lot like August weather-wise: helllaHoooooot!

So, I'd choose December - just be sure to come EARLY in the month - you will enjoy very mild weather and no crowds, as well as all the Disney and University special holiday activities (don't miss the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian!)

Thanks for the help. We live in Tampa, so we're good on the weather either way. This year we're going to UO only. The smart thing would be to go a few days in Sept, & a few in Dec, but we like spending a week onsite at UO when we go. We can't spend a week both months, so I have to choose one.

What is your opinion of the Christmas festivities at UO? We love Christmas at Disney, but we don't know how Universal compares.

 

[PrincessOp]

Oh, ha ha - I did not realize I was talking to a local! I live in Tampa, too! Well, just north of - Lutz, to be specific. Yes, so you are well-versed on our weather conditions (usually, crazy-hot and humid) I actually can't be of much help on the Universal holiday activities/special events as this will be my first year going for the holidays. We usually get passes to Disney, but this year did Universal because of, you guessed it, Mr. Potter. I have to say, as a fellow local, I think I enjoy making many smaller 1-or-2 day trips than one big one, just because it gives me more to look forward to. Also, one difference from Disney (for me) is that, once I've been on something at Universal, I don't have much desire to do it over again (where as I've been on Haunted Mansion... um, 337 times, at last count -- I think that's why I tend to be happy with short and sweet stays. I'll be going for my birthday, though (next weekend! woooooot!) Well, whenever you go, hope you have a wonderful time!

Oh, and one more thing - what is Dining Month?

 

[Metro West]

Metro, do you think the Holiday festivities @ UO are nice enough to plan a trip around?

It's not as big as Disney but the Macy's parade and Grinchmas are lots of fun. Plus the hotels and parks are beautifully decorated. Also...there are concerts on Saturday nights at the Studios during that time...just like Mardi Gras. I don't know if I'd plan a trip around them but it's definitely worth checking out.

 

[bubba's mom]

December! December! December!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Oh, ha ha - I did not realize I was talking to a local! I live in Tampa, too! Well, just north of - Lutz, to be specific. Yes, so you are well-versed on our weather conditions (usually, crazy-hot and humid) I actually can't be of much help on the Universal holiday activities/special events as this will be my first year going for the holidays. We usually get passes to Disney, but this year did Universal because of, you guessed it, Mr. Potter. I have to say, as a fellow local, I think I enjoy making many smaller 1-or-2 day trips than one big one, just because it gives me more to look forward to. Also, one difference from Disney (for me) is that, once I've been on something at Universal, I don't have much desire to do it over again (where as I've been on Haunted Mansion... um, 337 times, at last count -- I think that's why I tend to be happy with short and sweet stays. I'll be going for my birthday, though (next weekend! woooooot!) Well, whenever you go, hope you have a wonderful time!

Oh, and one more thing - what is Dining Month?

We actually live in Land O Lakes close to I-75. We could be neighbors.

Dining Month is a month when some of the nicer restaurants have 3 course meals for a set price. Orlando's is in September. It's a great deal! Here's last year's list: http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicaldining/results.cfm Most of UO's hotels & CW restaurants participated last year, even Emeril's @ CW. We could eat at Emeril's CW location every night & be very happy people. I don't know if they'll participate this year or not. Sometimes, Emeril's participates & sometimes they don't. I noticed Fulton's at DTD was on last year's list too, if you're interested.

December! December! December!

You guys are talking me into it.

 

[bubba's mom]

December! December! December!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Did someone say December?

 

[bubba's mom]

me me me

c'mon...you KNOW you WANT to

 

[Metro West]

me me me

c'mon...you KNOW you WANT to

So Brab...you're saying December?

 

[bubba's mom]

i'm gonna vote........














DECEMBER!!

 

[foreUT]

Would during the week in December be crowded?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Oops, sorry it took me awhile to get back her. I've been researching a December trip. Right, Barb?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Would during the week in December be crowded?

Obviously, I've not been at that time, but I wouldn't expect early December to be crowded. It probably gets more crowded as Christmas approaches. At least, that's how it is at WDW.

 

[tfoster]

We're going to UO for the first time and will be going in December. Have been to WDW in both September and December and it was SO much better in December. Hoping UO is great in December as well. I'm looking forward to the Christmas decorations and activities.

Last year, we went to WDW in early December. It was supposed to be somewhat of a family Christmas gift, but there was just enough time between the trip and Christmas that the kids expected a full Christmas anyway. This year, we're going to brave bigger crowds and go the week leading up to Christmas. Dec 23 is the last hotel value night, so that's our last night there. We'll fly home Christmas Eve and then celebrate Christmas as usual at our in-laws. I will get a one-year break from the big Christmas Eve dinner we usually host at our house. (I really do like it; it's just tiring and I could use a break from it!) And the kids will still get to wake up Christmas morning in their own beds. I just hope the crowds aren't TOO bad.

 

[bubba's mom]

I've been researching a December trip. Right, Barb?

YEP!!!

 

[black562]

I've been several times in September and always been able to do both parks by 5pm. I'm expecting a bit longer with Potter, but my plan is to hit the gate when it opens and get FJ out of the way right away, then have express passes to hop on everything else. This will be the first time using express passes, so the past times I've went have included waiting in line for things....so it should speed things up overall.

I would think the beginning of December would not be crowded either since most kids aren't out of school on December break yet. September is usually down because kids are just starting school.

Of course, one year I went and a hurricane was supposed to hit that night, but it didn't. I woke up to great weather and empty theme parks, I think there were more employees than guests that day.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're going to UO for the first time and will be going in December. Have been to WDW in both September and December and it was SO much better in December. Hoping UO is great in December as well. I'm looking forward to the Christmas decorations and activities.

Last year, we went to WDW in early December. It was supposed to be somewhat of a family Christmas gift, but there was just enough time between the trip and Christmas that the kids expected a full Christmas anyway. This year, we're going to brave bigger crowds and go the week leading up to Christmas. Dec 23 is the last hotel value night, so that's our last night there. We'll fly home Christmas Eve and then celebrate Christmas as usual at our in-laws. I will get a one-year break from the big Christmas Eve dinner we usually host at our house. (I really do like it; it's just tiring and I could use a break from it!) And the kids will still get to wake up Christmas morning in their own beds. I just hope the crowds aren't TOO bad.

I decided to take Barb's & everyone else's advice & go in December. I talked to my DH about it last night, & we decided to go Christmas week. My DS's girlfriend is crazy about Harry Potter. I can't think of anything gift she'd rather have. Obviously, I need to check hotel rates, before we commit to that.

We go to NC for Christmas to spend Christmas Eve with my sister's & their families. We were thinking we'd leave around 4 am heading back to Universal. We're going to tell the kids (my DS(18) & his GF (19)) we'll open our gifts when we get home. Instead, we'll go to Universal. We live an hour & 1/2 from UO, so it shouldn't be that hard to pull off. My DH is going to hide their gifts in with the gifts we take to & receive in NC. When they realize we've made a wrong turn, we'll tell them Santa sent them a letter. Santa will give them their passes & the hotel reservation info. (Yes, Santa comes to visit my 18 yr. old. He knows as long as he tells "me" he believes in Santa he'll still be paying him a visit regardless of his age. ) Anyway, we'll let them open their other gifts in the hotel. I plan to take a tree. Now, I need to come up with trip related gifts. That is, if the hotel rates aren't outrageous. If they are, we'll back up & punt.

I've been several times in September and always been able to do both parks by 5pm. I'm expecting a bit longer with Potter, but my plan is to hit the gate when it opens and get FJ out of the way right away, then have express passes to hop on everything else. This will be the first time using express passes, so the past times I've went have included waiting in line for things....so it should speed things up overall.

I would think the beginning of December would not be crowded either since most kids aren't out of school on December break yet. September is usually down because kids are just starting school.

Of course, one year I went and a hurricane was supposed to hit that night, but it didn't. I woke up to great weather and empty theme parks, I think there were more employees than guests that day.

Too funny. People definitely have different touring styles. We've been to UO many times & 7 days aren't long enough for us. We always leave wishing we could stay longer.