I will be going with my family December 22nd-27th....I was wondering if I should buy that Universal version of the FAST PASS? Is it worth it? or is it not as crowded as Disney is at Christmas?
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Universal at Christmas? Any hints or help?
- Thread starter disneydiva72
- Start date
tdonald
Active Member
Hey, you asked the right person. :wave: I went to Universal in 2006 on Dec 22, 23, 27, and 28, and in 2007 on Dec 28, 29, and 30.
My very strong advice to you is to be at the parks AT LEAST 30-45 minutes before opening (probably 9:00, but check because the parks usually open at 8:00 from Dec 26-31). If you get there early, you will have a fantastic time with walk-ons until about 10:00 or maybe 11:00.
At Universal, everybody tends to do the same thing at the same time in the same order (Hulk to Spiderman to Dr. Doom, etc), so if you can be one step of most people, you'll see most of the park in only a couple hours, and you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and not rushing from ride to ride, like the other 99% of people at Universal. :brick:
I don't really see a reason to buy Universal's Express Pass if you get there early, especially since that time of year it's about 45 or 50 bucks a person. Though I definitely recommend that you do get there as early as possible, if you can't, and you really want to see the entire park (and money is no object), then get it. It does get you on virtually every ride in the park, but it's just really expensive.
I guess if you're going to Universal for four or five days (or even three), then there really is no reason to get Express Passes, because even if you only go to the park for the first three or four hours after opening, you'll still probably be able to see almost everything.
But whatever you do, DON'T MISS SPIDERMAN!!! :sohappy:
P.S.: Shrek 4-D and Jimmy Neutron usually open 15 minutes before opening! :lookaroun
My very strong advice to you is to be at the parks AT LEAST 30-45 minutes before opening (probably 9:00, but check because the parks usually open at 8:00 from Dec 26-31). If you get there early, you will have a fantastic time with walk-ons until about 10:00 or maybe 11:00.
At Universal, everybody tends to do the same thing at the same time in the same order (Hulk to Spiderman to Dr. Doom, etc), so if you can be one step of most people, you'll see most of the park in only a couple hours, and you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and not rushing from ride to ride, like the other 99% of people at Universal. :brick:
I don't really see a reason to buy Universal's Express Pass if you get there early, especially since that time of year it's about 45 or 50 bucks a person. Though I definitely recommend that you do get there as early as possible, if you can't, and you really want to see the entire park (and money is no object), then get it. It does get you on virtually every ride in the park, but it's just really expensive.
I guess if you're going to Universal for four or five days (or even three), then there really is no reason to get Express Passes, because even if you only go to the park for the first three or four hours after opening, you'll still probably be able to see almost everything.
But whatever you do, DON'T MISS SPIDERMAN!!! :sohappy:
P.S.: Shrek 4-D and Jimmy Neutron usually open 15 minutes before opening! :lookaroun
Michael72688
New Member
Generally before Christmas isn't bad but starting the day after it can be very busy, especially in Seuss for Grinchmas but it is a must do at Christmas time. Enjoy your visit!!
I cant tell you how much I appreciate all your advise! THANK YOU!!
I didnt want to get the Universal version of fastpass because we are a family of four and wow, it just seems extra expensive and Im paying more for a room to be there at Christmas, so, you know...
We went to Universal last year right after Thanksgiving and it was like we had the entire park to ourselves... Of course, I dont expect that this year. lol
But Disney is just such a MAD HOUSE at Christmas and we heard Universal was not as crowded so we opted for something different.
I didnt want to get the Universal version of fastpass because we are a family of four and wow, it just seems extra expensive and Im paying more for a room to be there at Christmas, so, you know...
We went to Universal last year right after Thanksgiving and it was like we had the entire park to ourselves... Of course, I dont expect that this year. lol
But Disney is just such a MAD HOUSE at Christmas and we heard Universal was not as crowded so we opted for something different.
tdonald
Active Member
MagliteL13
Active Member
Don't forget about Macy's Holiday Parade (USF) and Grinchmas (IOA).
OH! That reminds me, does anyone know what time the Macys Parade starts? I want to make dinner reservations and try to make them not conflict with each other.
crazydaveh
Active Member
If memory serves me correctly, it was at 5pm last year.
JROK
Member
It's been 5pm since 2003, so chances are it'll be 5pm this year. The parade usually lasts 45min.
One thing though, they are constructing a new rollercoaster by the soundstages where Macy's usually enters and exits from, so this could change the way the parade is ran.
Thank you!! 
kcnole
Well-Known Member
If you're going to be eating in the park there really isn't anywhere inside the park that needs reservations although if you're eating in citywalk it might not be a bad idea.
Also are you staying in a Universal hotel or somewhere else? If you're on a universal hotel your hotel room keys will act like an unlimited express pass.
We are actually staying at the Polynesian Resort in Disney, we love the Poly. I did look into the royal Pacific in Universal but I couldnt get a deluxe room, they had no rooms available, we figure if we are spending Christmas at a resort we want a DANG NICE room. :lol: I also dont like the fact that Universal hotels do not have a food court, just to grab a quick somethin-somethin, that is so helpful with little kids, you do not always want to eat restaurant style. I also have SUCH a problem with being charged parking at the hotel Im paying out the nose for in the first place.
tdonald
Active Member
I forgot to say be SURE to eat a Mythos Restaurant at IoA! It is by far the best food at Universal Orlando, and is as good as (if not better) than most of Disney's theme park restaurants, but not nearly as expensive. The Mixed Greens salad is the best salad I have ever had in my entire life. I wish I was there now...:slurp:
BelleWannaBe77
Member
FOR SURE invest in the express passes!!! they are about $50 a person a day i believe, but so worth it. if you don't, a lot of your time will be wasted in loooong lines....especially since the simpsons ride just opened. if your budget is tight, dont get one the first day and see if you dont mind the waiting. trust me on this!!!
NemoRocks78
Seized
Start off at park opening and do as much as possible by 10:30-11, which is when the park starts to get busy. If you can't make it though, check out wait times when you get to the park and decide from there. It'd definitely be worth it if you don't want to wait in any lines.
tdonald
Active Member
DON'T LISTEN TO THIS! She probably never arrived at the park early enough. If you get there early enough, you can do both parks in two days easily.
BelleWannaBe77
Member
Umm calm down there a little bit turbo. :lookaroun I actually arrived at citywalk everyday i vacationed there 45mins-hour early to take pictures and wait. So, the person can decide what they want to do. If you want to see everything and really appreciate the park rather than just the rides, get the express pass. It all depends if you don't mind waiting in lines...I also enjoy taking my time and exploring the non-ride part of the parks, but I wouldn't have been able to do that without the pass. Why not get there early then decide in the afternoon if you want to buy the passes? The best of both worlds!! Have fun!!!!