Tips about the Universal Orlando Christmas holiday parade and more! Learn what’s new at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Fun travel tips to make your Christmas vacation extra magical.
Universal Orlando Holiday Travel Tips
Planning to visit Universal Orlando this holiday season? Then don’t miss these 5 Reasons to Celebrate Christmas at Universal Orlando.
Any chance we get to go to Universal Orlando, we’re there! But in all time times we have visited, we’ve never been during the Christmas holiday season until this year.
Every November through early January, Universal Orlando turns into a magical holiday wonderland.
I’m sharing what we loved and what’s new at the park this year with these 5 great reasons to celebrate Christmas at Universal Orlando!
Christmas at Universal Orlando
It goes without saying that visiting a theme park with your family during the holidays is going to be a blast. I love the memories we make and not to mention the amazing weather!
When we left Dallas, it was 39 degrees. Brrrr! The next night, we are enjoying a movie in the heated pool at Sapphire Falls Resort. Can’t beat that!
Beautiful Christmas Decorations
The Christmas decorations are so beautiful all around the park! I shared a lot of video and photos from our Christmas at Universal Orlando trip on Instagram, but if you missed it you can click here to watch it now on my featured Instagram story. We had so much fun and can’t wait to return!
5 Reasons to Celebrate Christmas at Universal Orlando
Christmas at Universal Orlando is amazing! If you are headed to Universal Orlando this holiday, be sure to read through these tips. I hope you have an amazing Christmas vacation!
1. Merry Grinchmas!
We love The Grinch and thought Grinchmas in Seuss Landing is so adorable!!! The whole area is decorated super cute for the holiday season. You can get your photo taken with the Grinch himself and encounter hilarious people from Who-ville!
The people of Who-ville walk through the park caroling and interacting with people. They found my son in one of the stores and made it their mission to get him to smile by piling candy in his hands. It was so funny!
See what they did to him on my featured Instagram story–> here.
Live Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular
Don’t miss the live show, The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, which tells the Dr. Seuss story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Seating is first come, first serve, so you’ll want to get in line 15 to 30 minutes before the show is scheduled to begin. Check for show times once you arrive in the park.
2. Hot Butterbeer
I have written several articles about Butterbeer, sharing homemade Butterbeer recipes and where to find the shortest line for it at the park, so I thought I knew it all when it came to Butterbeer. NOT THE CASE… I just discovered you can get Hot Butterbeer during the holiday season! Another great reason to visit the park during Christmas.
Where you can find Hot Butterbeer?
Hot Butterbeer is only available during the winter months at:
- The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade
- The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley
3. Christmas Magic at Hogwarts Castle
After you get your Hot Butterbeer, head over to the Hogwarts Castle to watch the holiday light show.
Be ready for big crowds and don’t worry if you miss a show, they happen every 20 minutes starting at 6pm. It’s an amazing show that ends with fireworks. A must see for Harry Potter fans!
Where is the best place to watch the Hogwarts Holiday light show?
If you want the best spot, go to the bridge that connects Jurassic Park to Hogsmeade. Of course being right in front of the castle is great, but beware of huge crowds.
Best spot to watch the show with very little crowds.
We tried to get to the bridge, but areas of the park were blocked off to form lines and we couldn’t get through. Instead, we sat on the patio of the Three Broomsticks to enjoy our drinks and the show without the crowds.
Ride Tip: There was no wait time to ride the train from Hogsmeade to London because everyone was trying to get to the castle to watch the light show. After the first show, we walked right on the train!
4. Universal Orlando Holiday Parade
We’ve never been to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, so seeing the Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s was a huge treat!
Big balloons featuring your favorite park characters parade through the streets filled with dancers, lights and festive Christmas songs.
Holiday Parade Tip
Find a spot to stand near the giant Christmas tree across from The Mummy ride. When Santa comes by at the end of the parade, his magic lights up the tree! It’s so beautiful.
Universal Orlando Parade Times
The holiday parade starts in mid November and runs all through December. You can catch it around 5 pm each night. Check times when you enter the park as it differs each day.
Get Reserved Parade Seats with The Universal’s Holiday Tour
New this year is Universal’s Holiday tour. It’s a special ticket that gives you reserved seats at the parade plus a guided holiday tour through Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Prices range from $69.99 to $79.99 per person plus tax.
The Universal Orlando website says this:
Sip hot cocoa with the Grinch™ and meet Santa. Then snag reserved spots for Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular— plus get an exclusive on-stage holidays Q&A with the Whos. Embrace the holiday spirit as you end your night with an exclusive after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle. Separate Park-to-Park admission and reservations are required.
5. Universal Orlando Season Passholder Lounge
Relax and recharge your phones at the new season passholder lounge by Coca-Cola. There are free snacks such as chips and granola bars, but you’ll have to purchase your drinks.
That was okay with us because they had a fun Arctic Coke Cooler which turned our drinks into slushes.
Passholder Lounge Info:
- Starting November 13 through December 17
- Times: 11AM – 4PM Daily
- Location: Universal Studios Florida on Hollywood Boulevard, near Schwab’s Pharmacy
Favorite Part of the Trip
I think our favorite part of this trip were the fun times we had interacting with the characters throughout the park. That’s one thing I love about Universal Orlando! You might be walking through the park and Spiderman drives by on his motorcycle,
Betty Boop says hello in her store or you get to meet a live baby dinosaur. They sure make it so much fun!
What’s your favorite thing to do at Universal Orlando?
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