If you know me, you know I am a huge Halloween Horror Nights fan. I love Halloween. However, like most of you, when the clock strikes twelve on October 31st and it's November... I forget Halloween even existed and it's all about the Holiday season. Maybe it's the constant excuse to sip hot cocoa, or the pretty decorations and lights. Maybe it's the excuse to spend all my money on fun things for my family and friends, and honestly it’s because this is the time of year my whole family will be together that's my favorite!
One of our family traditions is packing up the crew and heading to Universal Orlando Resort to celebrate. You may ask, what happens at Universal Orlando during the holidays? Gorgeous weather and roller coasters top the list for us, but Universal also has incredibly fun holiday festivities. Between the Wizarding world and the holiday treats, let's look at some of the festivities at Universal Orlando
Celebrate Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Christmas hits the Wizarding World in full force with special events, new entertainment, enchanting decorations and best of all, hot Butterbeer
Twinkling lights and enchanting strands of garland and wreaths adorn the eaves and shop windows throughout Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Make sure to take a close look as each shop’s decorations are uniquely themed (even Knockturn Alley gets festive with a wreath).- You can’t celebrate properly without tuning in to hear Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform their holiday hits like “My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas” (my personal favorite) in Diagon Alley. Over in Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Frog Choir is taking the stage with their classic carols like “Christmas at Hogwarts”.- Take home a piece of the wizarding world with marvelous merchandise like Hogwarts house ornaments, stockings, and sweaters.
Hot Butterbeer: This seasonal drink has the same creamy flavor reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch you know and love. It’s perfect for warming you up when the weather gets chilly.
Universal’s Holiday Experience Featuring Macy’s Balloons
See the larger-than-life Macy’s balloons and floats depicting holiday moments inspired by fan-favorite characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar – along with larger-than-life balloons, dozens of colorful holiday floats and hundreds of festive performers – fill the streets of Universal Studios Florida during Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. Santa Claus also makes an appearance during the awe-inspiring parade – leading a picturesque finale that culminates with the lighting of the park’s dazzling 80-foot Christmas Tree.
Meet Your Favorite Characters
After enjoying your own personal Macy's parade, 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!
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.
Enjoy Holiday Decor and Festivities at Universal
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is not just riding rides or watching the shows. It's looking at all the unique decorations Universal has to offer. Everything has a perfect touch of Christmas mixed with Universal's unique flavor.
Loews Royal Pacific
Do the hotels decorate? You betcha. Each hotel has a uniquely themed tree in the lobby and hundreds of lights, garland, and wreaths throughout. Loews Royal Pacific is my personal favorite but they are all amazing to spend an afternoon to look at. Also, exclusive to the hotels are the holiday feasts they host in their restaurants. Whether you’re visiting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, there are specialty breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals that you can indulge in.- Nothing screams winter snuggles like cuddling up in front of a fire. The hotels have fire pits they light nightly, which is the perfect way to wind down after a day in the parks.
Come Do Your Holiday Shopping With Us
Another great perk about coming to celebrate at Universal? you can shop for the holidays as well! Do you have a Jurassic Park lover in the family? What about a Potter head? You will find things here that you can find no where else just for them and cross tot off other holiday list.
Looking for even more holiday shoping? Here are a couple places you can also check out while there:
The Holiday Tribute Store is opening its door in Universal Studios with four rooms decked from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, and shelf-to-shelf with holiday goodies! 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.
Indulge in Holiday Feasts and Treats
Santa’s Cookies and Milk “Shake” (available at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
My absolute favorite thing about Holidays at the parks is of course, the treats! Whether you are enjoying a Roasts Beasts Sandwich at Seuss Landing or this Cookies and Milk Shake at Toothsome, there is something for everyone to try durning the holidays and I plan to try them all!
Another super fun thing Universal has this holiday season is popcorn buckets! We all know how much we love a good popcorn bucket and this year is no exception. They have both Grinch and Minions ones that are just the cutest little things. You will want them both.
Another thing that is returning, Grinch and Friends character breakfast! Yep, you can dine with Mr. sour puss himself and see if maybe he really likes his green eggs and ham.
There is this and so much more at Universal Orlando Resort this holiday season!
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