Christmas at Universal

[Penguinempress]

My husband and I are headed to Orlando for a short trip in December - this will be our first trip during the Christmas season. Just wondering if there are any special Christmas things that are a 'must see' at Universal. I'm planning on checking out the Macy's parade and I know there are a few things in IOA (the Grinchmas show and nighttime projection show on Hogwarts). Is there anything else holiday-related I should make a point to see or do?

 

[skylock]

I can't think of anything. Universal does not go over the top on Christmas really.

 

[bchbetha]

I like the way Cabana Bay decorates.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

They have Mannheim steamroller concerts on the weekends that are fun if you like their music.

RPR has some pretty decorated trees but I wouldn't necessarily make a trip just for that. The decorations in Suess Landing are perfect.

 

[cschaaf]

The HP area had nice Christmas decorations. They aren't just generic decorations that span the shops, they make it look like each shop decorated for themselves. There will be little details specific to each shop. It's worth taking some time and checking them out, IMO.

 

[Patience]

We were at Universal right before Christmas last year. We had annual passes and were blocked out of the Mannheim Steamroller concerts but we did enjoy some Christmas-y things. We saw the Grinch show, watched the parade, enjoyed the gingerbread display at our hotel (Royal Pacific), and watched the Christmas projection show on the castle in Hogsmeade.

 

[Penguinempress]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like there are a few things I'll have to check out but since Universal doesn't go crazy with special Christmas stuff, I'll have plenty of time for my favorites (like riding the Mummy over and over again!)

 

[catfan98]

They have Mannheim steamroller concerts on the weekends that are fun if you like their music.

RPR has some pretty decorated trees but I wouldn't necessarily make a trip just for that. The decorations in Suess Landing are perfect.

Do you know about when they release the schedule for their concerts? Thanks!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Do you know about when they release the schedule for their concerts? Thanks!

I want to say it was right before we decided to book our trip last year so I think maybe late Sept, early Oct.

 

[hertamaniac]

We liked the Grinch show (but it was a little bit of a walk to the theater). The parade is excellent so long as you park yourselves in front of the Christmas tree (at least the last time I was there). Also, they do actively look for balloon rope volunteers which allows you to be a part of the parade.

 

[jerseygal]

We were at Universal right before Christmas last year. We had annual passes and were blocked out of the Mannheim Steamroller concerts but we did enjoy some Christmas-y things. We saw the Grinch show, watched the parade, enjoyed the gingerbread display at our hotel (Royal Pacific), and watched the Christmas projection show on the castle in Hogsmeade.

Thanks, looking forward to our pre Holiday and pre winter Universal trip!

 

[RJstanis]

Thanks for this too. Im looking into doing a quick weekday trip with in December. $30 airfare from Houston to Orlando is hard to beat! Digging having APs

 

[MickeysPal49]

We liked the Grinch show (but it was a little bit of a walk to the theater). The parade is excellent so long as you park yourselves in front of the Christmas tree (at least the last time I was there). Also, they do actively look for balloon rope volunteers which allows you to be a part of the parade.

You need to be able to lift 50 lbs to handle a balloon. After seeing the wind taking hold of the balloons one year, I fully understand why. The handlers were fighting the balloons all through the route. Great parade. We look forward to it every year.

 

[TexanInBrazilandBackAgain]

Thanks for this too. Im looking into doing a quick weekday trip with in December. $30 airfare from Houston to Orlando is hard to beat! Digging having APs

$30 airfare from Houston?? Can I ask where you found this deal? Thanks!

 

[schumigirl]

We LOVED Universals Christmas offerings last year..........we went for a week.

Yes, it’s a little understated but so well done........the parade was lovely and all the Christmas extras were just cute as pie!!!

RPR, SF and PBH were all beautifully decorated..........the gingerbread display at RP was especially cute.......it gets worked on all the time so you can see it progress........

This year we’re going back for 10 nights........yes, we really did enjoy Christmas at Universal..........

 

[skylock]

I like the squirrel in the tree.

 

[RJstanis]

$30 airfare from Houston?? Can I ask where you found this deal? Thanks!

Spirit airlines. Those dates went back up again but check between Mon-Tues and they'll typically go back down again. I check Spirit everyday bc they'll drop fares for a day or two any day, but those two days are the most likely. There's multiple cities you can find deals like that out of Houston at least. Most of the time to book those prices you have to become a member ($60 or $70 for the first year) but savings from first booking typically pays for it and then some depending how many tickets you're getting.

If you need more help with Spirit PM me unless others want to know. You have to book/plan a little bit different than other airlines to maximize savings since their rules are a little bit different. We've flown with them 20+ times now and have only had one bad experience that they fixed appropriately.

 

[jerseygal]

We LOVED Universals Christmas offerings last year..........we went for a week.

Yes, it’s a little understated but so well done........the parade was lovely and all the Christmas extras were just cute as pie!!!

RPR, SF and PBH were all beautifully decorated..........the gingerbread display at RP was especially cute.......it gets worked on all the time so you can see it progress........

This year we’re going back for 10 nights........yes, we really did enjoy Christmas at Universal..........

CAN'T WAIT!

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

We LOVED Universals Christmas offerings last year..........we went for a week.

Yes, it’s a little understated but so well done........the parade was lovely and all the Christmas extras were just cute as pie!!!

RPR, SF and PBH were all beautifully decorated..........the gingerbread display at RP was especially cute.......it gets worked on all the time so you can see it progress........

This year we’re going back for 10 nights........yes, we really did enjoy Christmas at Universal..........

How are the crowds Christmas week ? We are thinking of going between Christmas and New Years.

 

[schumigirl]

How are the crowds Christmas week ? We are thinking of going between Christmas and New Years.

Incredibly busy!

We were there beginning of the month and it was fabulous......busy at times, but a lot less than later in the month.