The holidays often involve traditions, gifts, large meals and family gatherings. Maybe this year, you could try something a little different. When you spend your holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, you are certain to make memories that will last a lifetime!
10 – Celebrate Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
When Christmas time comes to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the land embraces the holiday season with spellbinding decorations, holiday entertainment, and the can’t-miss hot Butterbeer.
The twinkling lights and enchanting strands of garland and wreaths paired with the holiday hits like “My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas” will create a festive wizarding experience for all! And take home a Hogwarts house ornament, stocking or sweater as a fun souvenier.
9 – See the New Universal’s Holiday Experience Featuring Macy’s Balloons
Always wished you could see the Macy’s balloons? Now you can see the balloons and floats up close like never before in this new walkthrough experience. See the larger-than-life Macy’s balloons and floats depicting holiday moments inspired by favorite films like Illumination’s Despicable Me, and DreamWorks’ Shrek and Madagascar. And say goodbye to waiting in long lines at the mall — Santa Claus is coming to Universal Studios. Dress in your holiday best and come get a photo with Santa during this holiday experience.
Bonus option – Universal’s Holiday Tour: Get front of the line access and walking tour to the balloon experience with this add-on experience. You also get a private meet and greet with the Grinch while enjoying a hot cocoa bar, an exclusive viewing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, and a tour of the Tribute Store. Ask your Enchanted Destinations Travel Advisor for more details.
8 – Meet Your Favorite Characters
After meeting the holly, jolly man in the red suit, head over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure to meet the mean, green one himself, the Grinch. You can find him and the Whos spreading holiday cheer — or grumpiness in the Grinch’s case — throughout Seuss Landing.
You can also join other holiday characters for some dancing, singing, and photos in the streets of Universal Studios. Join in on the merry and mayhem with characters like the Minions and other beloved characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me, and DreamWorks favorites like the family of Shrek and King Julien and crew from Madagascar.
Don’t worry, Universal’s other famous characters aren’t taking off for the holidays. You can still meet the towering Transformers robots in Universal Studios and encounter Jurassic World’s Blue at Raptor Encounter in Islands of Adventure.
7 – Enjoy Holiday Decor and Festivities at Universal’s Hotels
Make your holiday vacation at Universal Orlando complete with a stay at one of the resort hotels Along with being a short walk, Water Taxi, or shuttle ride to the theme parks, the hotels go all out with holiday festivities too. The decorations are simply amazing, with uniquely themed trees, lights, garland, etc.
And holiday festivities continue with special holiday meals, outdoor fire pits and a “Florida holiday tradition” of lounging by the hotel pool!
6 – Come Do Your Holiday Shopping With Us
No last minute runs to the mall for that final gift this year. At Universal, there are so many unique themed gift shops throughout our entire resort destination. You can find popular finds, including fan favorites like a classic Jurassic Park T-shirt, an interactive wand to cast spells in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and basically any piece of merch with the Grinch’s face on it.
And if you really want to amp the shopping up 10 levels on the festive scale, then you have to check out the Holiday Tribute Store. It’s four rooms decked from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, and shelf-to-shelf with holiday goodness. Enjoy traditional goodies in the Bavarian Holiday Festival room; whimsical finds you can only find in the Grinch-inspired room; magical gifts and decor in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter inspired room; and holiday snacks and treats from Earl the Squirrel’s Tree Farm.
Bonus Activity – Scavenger Hunt. As you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift in the parks, why not make it a scavenger hunt as well? Purchase a brochure for the Holiday Tree Hunt and discover 16 themed trees throughout Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. Collect all 16 stamps and you’ll get an exclusive holiday ornament prize. Ask your Enchanted Destinations Travel Advisor for more details.
5 – Indulge in Holiday Feasts and Treats
If your favorite part of the holidays is the food – you are in luck at Universal Orlando!
New this year is the Holiday Treat Trail. Grab a trail brochure, gather your treat stamps, and enjoy favorites like the holiday ornament doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut. Once you finish, you get a special completion treat on us!
Universal CityWalk is the place to get whimsical holiday goodies like eggnog cocktails, Peppermint Beignet Sundae from Pat O’ Brien’s, the savory Caribbean dish of Brown Stew Chicken from Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, and more.
Special Agent Recommendation – Gingerbread Milkshake: It’s the very definition of Christmas in a cup. This milkshake from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen has gingerbread, vanilla soft serve, caramel, cinnamon, chocolate ganache, and topped with a gingerbread-man cookie.
4 – Take Advantage of Florida “Winter” Weather
Instead of having to worry about wearing extra layers of clothing, all you have to worry about is an extra layer of sunscreen. Florida “winter” is the perfect time of the year to get outside and enjoy cooler temperatures while soaking in that gorgeous sunshine. Nothing beats being able to lay out by the hotel pool in the dead of winter. Plus, less clothes packed also means more room for shopping goodies!
3 – Instead of Sleigh Rides, Do Thrill Rides
There’s one thing I can guarantee your holiday vacation will have that others won’t: roller coasters! Don your Hogwarts house scarf and fly through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Put Santa’s sleigh to shame by racing through the air at 67 miles per hour on The Incredible Hulk Coaster in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. And you have to try singing Jingle Bells on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios — it takes Christmas caroling to the next level!
2 – Capture the Best Photo for Your Holiday Card
The holiday season is all about creating lasting memories with your family and friends. It’s the one time of the year where families still send an actual card with photos. Universal has the perfect backdrops for all your holiday photo needs. Ditch the traditional fireplace and snap a pic in front of a fire breathing dragon instead. Make it whimsical with the colorful twists and turns of Seuss Landing, complete with festive decorations. And you can’t beat a matching family PJs pic in front of the Universal Globe.
Agent Recommendation: Oh, Christmas Tree! Holiday card photos are typically in front of the tree, but how often do you see a photo with an 80 ft. tree? The tree in Universal Studios is the perfect spot for a family pic. Add a fun twist by getting a photo of your reflection in one of the giant ornaments.
1 – Ditch the Stress, Make the Memory
Escape the reality of the day to day and find extra joy this holiday season. Ditch the stress typically felt around this time with the shopping, the decorating, the cleaning up for visitors, the cooking, the calories, school winter break, working, and all 50 of the different family activities. Let Universal Orlando take that stress off your shoulders and be your home away from home for the holidays.
You’ll be pampered at our hotels with comfy beds you don’t have to make every day. No need to drive when you’re here with Water Taxis and shuttles that get your around. There is an endless number of fun toys, trinkets, and apparel you could ever want for your Christmas list all in one place. There are dozens of restaurants with all varieties of cuisine for you to enjoy a meal at and not have to wash dishes after. Also, calories don’t count on vacation so… Universal has the decorations, the tree, the eggnog, and the songs. All you have to do is let loose and have fun, safely.
Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort start Nov. 14 – Jan. 3, with hot Butterbeer and beautiful weather staying even longer! Contact your Enchanted Destinations Travel Advisor and let us help you plan the perfect holiday getaway!