Christmas Gift Suggestions for January Trip

[have2getaway]

We are going to both Universal & Disney in January 2019. We have 9 year old triplets and I am just wondering what are some good ideas for Christmas gifts for them to use on our trip? Are there Universal Gift Cards they could use at Ollivander’s? Are Lanyards a good idea? I know Universal doesn’t have Magic bands so I wasn’t sure?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Yes to both of those ideas. Both would be very useful. We found that having our kids bring string backpacks was very helpful. If they're into HP, robes would be an option. Or t-shirts or various other accessories (headbands and scarves in house colors were popular in the parks).

Have fun.

 

[Flyg1rl]

T-shirts are a great idea.

 

[ruthies12]

You can buy Hogwart's Acceptance letters on Etsy (or make them yourself if you have a computer and printer). I gave one to my DD rolled up and tied to a stuffed owl that I got really cheap on amazon.

If you are going to have express passes then lanyards are a really good idea, you can buy them online from universal, they have all different characters and each of the different Hogwarts houses. You can also get them on amazon cheaper, as well as cheaper robes on amazon.

Universals website has all different gift cards you can buy, and they have ones with harry potter characters on the front. I gave one to my DD wrapped up with a note that said "The wand chooses the wizard" so she would know it was for her wand. Yes Olivander's takes Universal gift cards!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Universal Gift Cards are a great idea, especially the Harry Potter themed ones. There are Harry Potter themed lanyards so if you were planning on getting lanyards anyway, you might as well get Harry Potter themed ones.

Also, if you are somewhat creative, these links that I found on other threads might be helpful. These are more fun than useful.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/591902025/custom-chocolate-frog-card-personalised

https://www.deviantart.com/littlefallingstar/art/Chocolate-Frog-Card-340159665

https://www.instructables.com/id/Honeydukes-Chocolate-Frog-Cards/

https://www.getawaytoday.com/travel-blog/free-harry-potter-vacation-announcement-printable

 

[have2getaway]

You can buy Hogwart's Acceptance letters on Etsy (or make them yourself if you have a computer and printer). I gave one to my DD rolled up and tied to a stuffed owl that I got really cheap on amazon.

If you are going to have express passes then lanyards are a really good idea, you can buy them online from universal, they have all different characters and each of the different Hogwarts houses. You can also get them on amazon cheaper, as well as cheaper robes on amazon.

Universals website has all different gift cards you can buy, and they have ones with harry potter characters on the front. I gave one to my DD wrapped up with a note that said "The wand chooses the wizard" so she would know it was for her wand. Yes Olivander's takes Universal gift cards!

Thank you! I went to the Universal web site and I didn’t see any gift cards. What am I doing wrong? Where do I find them?

Oh, and I love the owl idea and acceptance letter.

 

[have2getaway]

Universal Gift Cards are a great idea, especially the Harry Potter themed ones. There are Harry Potter themed lanyards so if you were planning on getting lanyards anyway, you might as well get Harry Potter themed ones.

Also, if you are somewhat creative, these links that I found on other threads might be helpful. These are more fun than useful.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/591902025/custom-chocolate-frog-card-personalised

https://www.deviantart.com/littlefallingstar/art/Chocolate-Frog-Card-340159665

https://www.instructables.com/id/Honeydukes-Chocolate-Frog-Cards/

https://www.getawaytoday.com/travel-blog/free-harry-potter-vacation-announcement-printable

Thank you so much for these!

 

[ruthies12]

Thank you! I went to the Universal web site and I didn’t see any gift cards. What am I doing wrong? Where do I find them?

Oh, and I love the owl idea and acceptance letter.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/gift-cards/index.html

Here you go!

 

[have2getaway]

I know that Lanyards might be a good gift item, but are they a must when visiting to hold your pass? Would it be easier for us to carry our boys’ passes?

 

[Kit Jackson]

I know that Lanyards might be a good gift item, but are they a must when visiting to hold your pass? Would it be easier for us to carry our boys’ passes?

You could carry the passes for your boys, but if they are into collecting buttons/pins, after the trip they can put the buttons on the lanyard and it makes a great way to display them. You know what works better for your family and what interests your sons.

 

[have2getaway]

You could carry the passes for your boys, but if they are into collecting buttons/pins, after the trip they can put the buttons on the lanyard and it makes a great way to display them. You know what works better for your family and what interests your sons.

Thank you! Our biggest concern is that they’ll lose them, so we may just go with tee shirts and gift cards.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thank you! Our biggest concern is that they’ll lose them, so we may just go with tee shirts and gift cards.

Are you going to have EP? If so, carrying everyone's pass may be a pain.

If you aren't going to have EP then carrying them for everyone is probably fine.

 

[have2getaway]

Are you going to have EP? If so, carrying everyone's pass may be a pain.

If you aren't going to have EP then carrying them for everyone is probably fine.

Yes, we are staying at Portofino, so will have Express Pass as part of our stay. Is there something separate we have to carry for that? I know Disney has the Magic bands, but I haven’t been to Universal in over 15 years, so not sure how it’s doone there?

 

[macraven]

Your hotel room key card is what is required for the ep lines

Each person in your room received the card

 

[have2getaway]

Your hotel room key card is what is required for the ep lines

Each person in your room received the card

So, when we check in, we will each get a key card? Are there specific lanyards that work better to hold them?

 

[Vicki Rickerd]

We are not going until May, but the vacation will be a BIG part of their Christmas gift. I decided to little gifts that point to the vacation for the reveal. I made each gift person specific so that it would actually get used, but they all have the same theme.

I wrapped a plane, lanyard, a t-shirt that represents a universal ride, lanyard, suitcase locks and fun tag, a Hogwarts gift, a gift that they could use at Volcano bay, a gift card for a wand and then the hotel sent me room key cards that have all different characters which will be the gift on the bottom of the stack. Hope that helps.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

So, when we check in, we will each get a key card? Are there specific lanyards that work better to hold them?

Yes, you get a key card at check in. Since you have EP I would definitely plan to get lanyards. You have to show the card at each ride. If you want to wait and get them there, you can but you could also get them as a gift. Any lanyard with a typical clear pouch would work. The cards are about the the size of a credit card and will scan for EP and to open your room through the clear plastic so you don't have to take them out. Just face your park ticket out one side and the key card out the other.

My kids (6, 8, 10) have been wearing the lanyards for the last three years. The only issue we had was when DS was 5 he did not like the feel of the lanyard around his neck so after half a day or so I would wear both his and mine. As long as your kids aren't playing with them or taking them off (there's really no reason to) it would be kind of hard to lose them. We've had more issues with Magic Bands.

 

[macraven]

So, when we check in, we will each get a key card? Are there specific lanyards that work better to hold them?

Yes, even your children will receive the card with their name in it

If you have littles it a 4 yo, hang on to their room keys

If any are lost, they can be replaced free

 

[skylock]

We had small children this time and everyone wore a lanyard. No problems. We did tell them that if they lost it etc that would be the end of their park day.

Anyway, I am not positive on the ages but it was 3 of them under 10. They seemed to be proud of being in charge of something.

 

[Squirlz]

I also prefer nothing around my neck so I loop my lanyard through a belt loop and tuck the pouch into my pocket like you can see here.