worried about december..

[crazzydisneyfan22]

i'm a theme park veteran and i've been to universal and ioa during crowded times like easter and new jersey week but i'm a newbie for december. i'll give you the info about my trip..
my family of 3 was just there in may and dont care for going on much except spiderman and shrek which wasn't running during our trip and another family of 4 who go even more often than us but they have two young kids 10 and 4. and we also have 2 people who havent been to a theme park in 10 years. we are only have one day for both parks and decided to go on december 24th. do you think i have my hopes set too high and the two new ones to USO seeing most of the highlights and taking in the christmas decorations and grinchmas myself? what would your plan for the day be? we're getting an early start so we'll be at one park at opening.. which one would be the best? any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Both parks will be open from 9a-8p, so if you maximize Express (Express plus Combo may not be available, which would help you in your situation) you'll be able to see everything you want and then some.

Pick up a show times guide for USF, but start your experience in IOA. Check to see when the Macy's Parade is and be sure to get to USF at least 30 mins prior.

In IOA, head for Spider-Man or Hulk first. If you head to Doctor Doom, you'll have no wait. Conquer Marvel, then head to Seuss to enjoy the Grinchmas decorations. Tour however you want, making sure to see a Grinch show. When ready to, head to USF.

In USF, head for Jimmy Neutron and Shrek first. If Shrek has express available, get it. Just make sure that the Express pass and the Macy's Parade don't have clashing times. Once in USF, tour however you want, making sure to hit Shrek, BTTF, a GB show, and MIB.

That should help.

 

[ktglads]

If you were staying at one of the Universal hotels, you would have the FOTL all day and not have to worry about obtaining the Express Passes. You could just use the express lines at will.

You never said how long or where you were staying, but if you are staying overnight, I would reccommend trying to get into the hotels

 

[Motherfletcher]

I would be at US 30 minutes before opening. The last few times I've been there they have opened at least 15 minutes early. Go directly to Shrek and be in the first show. Then I would go directly to IOA and Spiderman which will have a 45+ minute wait and ride. If that is the two that you want to ride then you can mosey to Whoville, take in the decorations, then you could ride any ride that has an acceptable wait time and return to US for the Macy's parade. If you can make it over to Spidey by 10:15 you should be OK. If not you can express and return later. I may very well be one of crowd along with my two kids. HO HO HO!

 

[crazzydisneyfan22]

thanks for your help everyone!! i'm staying offsite and spending only one day in both parks to answer you ktglads..

i decided to start out in IOA at spiderman and do a few things that everyone else wants to and then hit grinchmas. when we're done with IOA go over to US and get an express for Shrek and then do whatever else there's time for (we saw the macy's parade in nyc last year so that isn't something we need to see).. and i will definitely maxamize the use of express

Does that sound good to everyone?

 

[Motherfletcher]

I just found out last night that we will be there the 19th - 24th. We have been there enough times that if something has a line we don't have to see it. I think the 24th will be the busiest and they will run out of express passes before noon. Have you ever done MK on Christmas Day? I think USO gets busier right after Christmas until after New Years Day. Good luck and if you see a guy with Bullwinkle horns and a Santa cap say Hi!