TPG’s guide to Christmas at Universal Orlando

All of us wish to cherish the Christmas magic, but it surely’s not all the time straightforward to do when confronted with a whirlwind of planning, purchasing, cooking and end-of-year logistics. Generally the magic is less complicated to seize if you step out of your regular life for a minute and into someplace totally different — like a theme park that pulls out all of the stops through the vacation season.

This yr’s holiday festivities at Universal Orlando run from Nov. 22 by way of Dec. 31, and each nook of Common’s theme parks and on-site accommodations are decked out in vacation finery. There are some moments that would make the Grinch’s coronary heart develop a couple of sizes, together with quite a lot of live shows, exhibits, character breakfasts, vacation parades and an opportunity to fulfill Whoville’s most infamous resident himself.

Christmas at Common Studios Florida

Common Orlando has an incredible setup that makes it straightforward to discover three adjoining complexes: Common Studios (ticket required), Common Islands of Journey (ticket required) and Common CityWalk (no ticket required). The convenience of strolling from one spot to the subsequent is vital to taking advantage of your vacation journey to Common. There’s even a tree-lined strolling path that connects a number of of the accommodations to the parks and CityWalk. You may as well benefit from complimentary boat and bus transportation. (Choices differ by resort.)

Associated: Here’s how to plan an epic trip to Universal Orlando Resort this year

Every year, Common creates a themed Vacation Tribute Retailer at Common Studios Florida, but it surely’s rather more than a retailer. Sure, you should purchase vacation presents, clothes and treats, however every room of the Vacation Tribute Retailer is so well-themed that it’s mainly an immersive walk-through attraction.

For those who’ve ever regarded carefully on the Christmas tree in Common Studios Orlando, you will have observed a tiny stuffed squirrel peeking out from its branches. This little man really has a reputation — Earl the Squirrel — and he is a little bit of a legend at Common.

One yr, whereas Common’s group was unpacking the decorations to organize for the vacations, they observed a number of the lights within the tree weren’t working. They finally discovered {that a} squirrel had made a nest contained in the tree and chewed by way of a number of the wires. A while later, somebody caught a small stuffed squirrel within the Christmas tree as a joke.

Earl could have begun as an inside joke, however he’s now a full-fledged superstar at Common. Not solely can you discover merchandise devoted to Earl the Squirrel, however he’s now so fashionable that Common launched him as a walk-around character which you could meet through the holidays. Search for him at Common Studios Florida and CityWalk.

Common’s Vacation Parade That includes Macy’s

Common Studios hosts Common’s Vacation Parade That includes Macy’s each day through the vacation season. Consider it as a every day mini model of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade options characters from “Despicable Me,” “Shrek” and “Madagascar,” in addition to basic vacation characters like nutcrackers, gingerbread males and, in fact, Santa.

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You’ll be able to often get a great spot on the sidewalk in the event you line up about quarter-hour earlier than showtime, however if you would like a coveted bench spot, you may must arrive at the very least half-hour earlier than the parade.

Annual passholders have a particular first-come, first-served viewing space in entrance of Mel’s Drive-In, close to the place the parade begins.

The road performers do an incredible job interacting with the group, and you may probably spot a number of of them out through the day at Common Studios doing meet and greets and stopping for photographs with youngsters and households. There’s even a magical Central Florida snowfall through the parade.

One more reason to go to Common for the vacation season is to expertise Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Strolling by way of this magical world is cool any day, however doing it when it is decked out for the vacations? Subsequent degree.

For these uninitiated in all issues Potter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common is in each Common Studios and Islands of Journey. You both want a Park-to-Park ticket to go to each sections on the identical day, otherwise you want two single-park tickets to go to every place on totally different days. Actually, you in all probability need Park-to-Park tickets as that’s the solely approach to experience the Hogwarts Specific practice, which is a unbelievable expertise any time of yr.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade at Island of Journey

Begin with a visit to Hogsmeade inside Islands of Journey, dwelling to 2 of Common’s latest rides: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Wait occasions for these rides, even through the offseason, might be lengthy (although not so long as when the attraction first opened and waits hit 11 hours).

Irrespective of if you go to, it is wintertime in Hogsmeade, however that feels additional applicable across the holidays. Common throws in pine boughs, wreaths and twinkling lights at each flip to make the season all of the merrier.

Take time to see a particular Christmas model of the Frog Choir present and take heed to hits by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees whereas sipping a scorching butterbeer.

After maybe one other butterbeer (or one thing much less candy) at Hog’s Head, take into account staking out a spot for the land’s nighttime present: The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Citadel. This cool presentation unfolds a number of occasions between nightfall and park closing, and it options projections, lights and lasers on the fortress.

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You may see hologram-like spirits and owls, snow, dancing lights, scenes along with your favourite characters, vacation surroundings and extra. All of it’s choreographed to the musical themes you have come to like from every film. It is actually magical — the kind of expertise that makes the little hairs on the again of your neck arise.

Did Common use know-how to drag off this superb present, or might it have been magic? I say magic.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley

Over at Common Studios Florida, head to “London” so you possibly can enter Diagon Alley.

The doorway to Diagon Alley is constructed to make you are feeling as in the event you’re getting into one other world. This themed space can be remodeled for the vacations with festive decor and twinkling lights.

Whereas wandering round Diagon Alley, it is entertaining to look within the outlets and watch youngsters with wands work some fairly cool magic.

You should purchase interactive or noninteractive wands on the theme parks or on-line earlier than your journey. I like to recommend shopping for the interactive one so you possibly can forged spells and work together with magical experiences in each Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. There are some particularly enjoyable spells to forged in Knockturn Alley.

Make a degree to see two exhibits right here: The Tales of the Beedle the Bard puppetry efficiency and a vacation model of Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. It’s possible you’ll even bear witness to a magical snowfall through the present.

For those who’re visiting through the daytime, make sure to return at nightfall to see all of the lights activate and get the entire vacation vibe from Harry Potter’s London.

Season’s greetings at Islands of Journey

There are additionally loads of vacation occasions happening at Islands of Journey.

In case your youngsters are Dr. Seuss followers, then a go to to Seuss Touchdown is so as. It has a bunch of kid-friendly rides that additionally welcome adults. Do not be stunned in the event you see extra adults than youngsters in The Excessive within the Sky Seuss Trolley Practice Experience — the truth is, it is an all-ages favourite.

The vacations shine in Seuss Touchdown, particularly in the event you can catch one in every of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular exhibits.

The Grinch stars within the present — a retelling of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” — with music by Mannheim Steamroller. You’ll be able to catch a efficiency a number of occasions a day. Do your self a favor, although, and go to a present after nightfall. Seuss Touchdown in all probability has probably the most Christmas decorations of any land all through each Common theme parks, and it simply sparkles at evening — including a bit extra razzle-dazzle to showtime.

Vacation add-ons to make your go to even merrier

If you wish to assure some one-on-one time with the Grinch and his Whovillian neighbors or get VIP entry to The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Citadel and the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Common has two add-on choices that may put the bow in your vacation expertise.

Common’s Vacation Tour

Common’s Vacation Tour will get you unique entry to a few of Common’s hottest vacation choices, together with some enjoyable surprises alongside the way in which. Tickets begin at $79.99 plus tax per individual. Advance reservations and a legitimate park-to-park ticket are additionally required. Included within the tour are the next:

• Unique meet and greets with the Grinch and his canine, Max
• Reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular
• Snacks and desserts
• A personal meet and greet with Santa
• Precedence entry to Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
• An after-hours exhibiting of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Citadel

The Grinch & Associates Character Breakfast

At The Grinch & Associates Character Breakfast, you can begin your day with the imply, inexperienced man himself and a few of his pals. The breakfast is at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Common Islands of Journey, inside Seuss Touchdown. You may get pleasure from a tasty breakfast, together with some face time and picture alternatives with the characters.

Ticket costs begin at $58.99 per individual plus tax for adults and $32.99 for youngsters ages 3-9. Advance reservations and a legitimate Islands of Journey ticket are required.

Common’s accommodations are adorned for the vacations

Let’s begin with the place your Common Orlando trip could start: an on-site hotel. You’ll be able to count on no matter halls you keep in close to the theme parks to be appropriately decked for the season.

For instance, if you arrive at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you may be greeted by a Christmas tree within the foyer that is so tall it barely suits beneath the lights. All through the season, Santa and Mrs. Claus even cease by to greet friends, and carolers carry out for friends passing by way of the foyer.

Along with Santa and strolling carolers, search for specialty menu objects, Hanukkah menorah and Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, youngsters’ vacation crafts and extra in any respect Common Orlando accommodations.

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For those who’ve been searching for a enjoyable approach to spend New 12 months’s Eve, the accommodations additionally sometimes host New 12 months’s Eve events.

Associated: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

Say you guide your keep at Portofino Bay by way of the American Specific Positive Inns + Resorts program to get the breakfast, meals and beverage credit score, and extra. Then, you possibly can earn 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback by reserving and paying by way of Amex Journey with The Platinum Card® from American Express.