Universal Orlando Holiday

Your Guide to the Holiday Season at Universal Studios Orlando 2022
November 14, 2022

Merry... Grinchmas? Step into the world of Who-ville at Suess Landing in Universal's Islands of Adventures! Located at Universal Orlando Resort, fans of "Harry Potter" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" can both come together for the holidays.

This year is also your last chance to enjoy your beloved attractions in Woody Woodpecker's KidZone as Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, Dreamworks Destination and Shrek and Donkey's Meet and Greet will all permanently close on Jan. 16, 2023. New family entertainment is on the way - stay tuned for more details.

For more of an inside scoop on what you can expect for Holidays this year at Universal Studios Florida, check out the Cupcake Castles Travel Company guide below.

Christmas in Who-Ville

Who-ville is decorated with Holiday decor, themed bites, interactive one-on-one experiences with the Whos and the sourpuss himself... THE GRINCH! Your favorite Green guy (sans Max) is available for special meet and greets in his lair at Honk Honkers. Meet the Grinch through the virtual queue via the Universal app. Don't fret as times pop up throughout the day and in the meantime, you can wander through Who-Ville and interact with some Whovians.

The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular is also a favorite. On December 3, 4, 10, and 11, Mannheim Steamroller will perform a concert version of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and other holiday hits live at Universal Studios Florida. Performers bring the Seuss favorite to life through your favorites songs and fun dances. PRO TIP! The theater to watch the show is a fair distance. Plan to be in line 30/45-minutes prior to showtime. 

Add even more awesome to your holidays with special fun created just for the season. Treat yourself to a tasty morning with Breakfast with the Grinch & Friends, or experience Universal's Holiday Tour and enjoy access to all sorts of seasonal sights on a 4.5 guided stroll through the parks. Breakfast includes a buffet with themed foods - including Green Eggs and Ham, of course! - with a visit from the Grinch to your table while you eat. Reservations are required, expect a 90-minute experience. Both of these experiences are subject to availability, so reach out to your Magical Memory Maker if you are interested in availability. 

Breakfast with the Grinch & Friends

Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogsmeade at Universal's Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida both transform into a Holiday Harry Potter wonderland this time of year! The decor is fantastical and every big of magic as the movie. The decor team for Universal works all year long for the decor throughout the park, and you can tell by their keen eye to detail for your favorite HP Movies

Seasonal entertainment includes The Frog Choir with special concerts in Hogsmeade  featuring Christmas songs straight from the spell books, as well as muggle holiday tunes such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." In Diagon Alley, don't miss Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees and four original songs including "My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas." Get there early and you can enjoy a sit break right next to the stage.

Make sure you stay long enough to catch the nightly projections on the castle. Muggles and wizards alike can be dazzled the "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle" - an eight-minute long show that plays intermittently from dusk until park close each night. Pay attention and you'll see some of your favorite "Harry Potter" scenes! 

Holiday Decor at Loews Portofino Bay

Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Food & Beverage

One thing Universal does well is specialty food & beverages around special holidays. From Caramel Hot Chocolate Acorn Bombs to the Roast Beast Sandwich, Universal is home to lots of Grinch-themed goodies. 

And what's a visit to the Wizarding World without Butterbeer? Butterbeer is a must and even though you can get it hot year-round, the perfect time to enjoy it is when it's cold outside (or at least Florida "cold"). Find this tasty beverage at The Leaky Cauldron, the Hopping Pot, Three Broomsticks, and the Hog's Head Pub. 

Butterbeer

Universal's Holiday Parade

Don't want to suffer through the cold of New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? You don't have to! Universal Orlando Resort brings the iconic parade to life daily with larger-than-life floats, characters from your favorite movies, and Santa, of course!  

This is the parade's 20th year, so expect a lot of excitement! For a prime spot, get to the route at least an hour prior to start on busy nights and weekends. Check the Universal app or reach out to your Magical Memory Maker for the start time as it varies by night. 

Universal's Holiday Parade

Holiday Decor at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

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