Our information to Christmas at Common Orlando Resort affords suggestions for each theme parks–Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida–plus the resorts and CityWalk. It consists of Wizarding World of Harry Potter leisure, crowd ranges, meals, free issues to do, upcharge choices, decorations, suggestions & methods. (Up to date November 2, 2024.)
Common Orlando Resort celebrates Christmas starting on November 22 and operating each day by December 31, 2024. Unofficially, you’ll be able to count on a fair longer run than that. Decorations go up as Halloween Horror Nights ends, and can stay till early January 2025. The above date vary largely applies to scheduled leisure choices.
It’s a superb factor the vacation season is unofficially longer, as a result of it’s formally a lot shorter than regular. The November 22, 2024 begin date is the newest we’ve seen in latest reminiscence. That is a minimum of partially attributable to the late timing of Thanksgiving, however not completely. That vacation has occurred late in different years, and Christmas began earlier. Our greatest guess is that it’s a mixture of later Thanksgiving and price range cuts to cut back prices forward of Epic Universe opening in Summer season 2025. We’ve seen Common quietly cut back park hours and extra for this similar purpose, sadly. However on the plus facet, crowds have additionally been decrease!
When you’re visiting Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey as a part of an extended journey to Central Florida that features Walt Disney World, we’d begin by referring you to our Final Information to Christmas at Walt Disney World. Whereas Common Orlando is superior throughout the vacation season, there are extra “transferring elements” to planning for Walt Disney World. Most journey events doing each ought to select your dates, when to do every park, and extra primarily based on WDW.
To that time, the excellent news is that there’s great overlap on the subject of crowd dynamics at each Common Orlando and Walt Disney World. For each, November and December are curler coaster months for crowds, with the weeks round holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve) seeing elevated attendance and different weeks being extra average.
Principally, these two months have very excessive highs and likewise low lows; your aim ought to be selecting the ‘candy spots’ in between the height weeks. Try our listing of the 10 Finest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World. That features a number of weeks in November and December.
You may also learn extra about crowd forecasts in our November 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar and December 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar. Though these are geared in direction of Walt Disney World, the identical recommendation applies to Common Orlando, as effectively.
In regards to the largest distinction between the 2 is that you simply would possibly discover a variety of latest suggestions to go to Walt Disney World on Saturday and Sunday, which at the moment are the slowest days of the week attributable to Annual Cross blockouts. (This dynamic gained’t be as pronounced throughout the vacation season, for what it’s value.) Properly, the other is true at Common Orlando–weekends are among the many busiest days of the week. Walt Disney World and Common do have one pattern in frequent–Mondays are unhealthy at each!
Anyway, let’s flip to the primary attracts of Common Orlando throughout the vacation season…
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Vacation magic fills The Wizarding World of Harry Potter because the streets of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade remodel right into a wizarding vacation wonderland overflowing with festively themed décor, lights, garland and extra.
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Fortress is the spotlight in Hogsmeade at Common Islands of Journey. It is a gorgeous projection present that includes Christmas moments and vacation spirit impressed by the characters and tales of the Harry Potter movie franchise. The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Fortress runs kind of repeatedly each 20 minutes or so from nightfall to park closing.
There’s actually no technique obligatory for seeing the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Fortress, however we’ve discovered crowds to be lowest (and images best) proper at nightfall and once more at park closing. You additionally don’t really want to fret about timing–should you’re within the land between nightfall and park closing, you’re going to see it. When you miss the very starting, simply stick round for the subsequent loop. Don’t overthink it.
The Frog Choir, comprised of Hogwarts college students and their large croaking frogs additionally returns to Hogsmeade with a particular holiday-themed efficiency. That is the primary Christmas leisure throughout the day in Hogsmeade. As with all issues Harry Potter, I’ve no clue why this exists. Nevertheless, the language of frogs croaking is (to borrow a phrase) common.
The Frog Choir performs conventional songs that you simply’ll acknowledge, corresponding to “We Want You a Merry Christmas.” Along with that, they carry out authentic music and Harry Potter-infused remixes: “Christmas at Hogwarts,” “The Most Magical Yuletide Ball of All,” “I Forged a Spell on Father Christmas,” and extra. That is weirdly superior, and to not be missed. You don’t must “get” Harry Potter to like the Frog Choir.
The Diagon Alley facet of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Common Studios Florida likewise has its personal vacation leisure, within the type of Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. The particular vacation present by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees options 4 authentic songs, together with “My Child Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas” and “Nothing Like a Vacation Spell.”
As somebody who is aware of subsequent to nothing about Harry Potter, I’m most likely not the most effective individual to touch upon this present. I assume it’s a Hocus Pocus kinda deal–a pleasant theme park present about singing witches that’s superior to the supply materials that impressed it. I get pleasure from this for the high-caliber of the performers, but it surely’s not fairly as enjoyable because the Frog Choir. To every their very own, although–each are effectively value seeing.
Common’s Vacation Parade that includes Macy’s at Common Studios Florida – Beloved popular culture characters, together with these from Illumination’s Despicable Me, DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek, and Madagascar fill the streets of Common Studios Florida throughout Common’s Vacation Parade that includes Macy’s.
These beloved tales come to life as larger-than-life balloons, colourful vacation floats and a whole bunch of jolly performers embark on a picturesque journey that culminates in a shocking finale together with a particular look by Santa Claus and the lighting of the magnificent 80-foot Christmas tree.
Unsurprisingly, spots across the Christmas tree in New York replenish the quickest. (When you’re primarily a Walt Disney World fan, that’s like their Christmas parade’s Fundamental Avenue.) Although it requires arriving earlier and tenting out longer, we’d suggest grabbing a spot throughout from the Christmas tree. It’s an iconic backdrop for parade images, and seeing Santa mild the tree is a magical second.
You’ll need to arrive a minimum of half-hour prematurely (nearer to 45 minutes on busier days). When you don’t need to commit that a lot time, areas in direction of the start of the parade route–particularly ones that aren’t entrance row–will be obtained comparatively final minute.
Santa Claus at Common Orlando – As famous above, Santa Claus seems within the climactic moments of the Macy’s Vacation Parade.
To the most effective of our information, he now not meets within the parks for Christmas. You might even see images of him (just like the one above), however that’s from a couple of years in the past. We’ll replace this accordingly if Santa seems for meet & greets at Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey.
Christmas in New York – On this space you’ll additionally see the the Blues Brothers Christmas Rhythm and Blues Revue, which provides a seasonal twist to the favored efficiency by Jake, Elwood, Mabel, and Jazz from SNL and their movies. They sing festive favorites like “Santa Claus Is Coming to City,” “Blue Christmas,” and extra with snow on Delancey Avenue on the finish of every present.
The same present is Marilyn Monroe and the Diamond Bellas, which additionally has its personal Christmas version. The setup is that Ms. Monroe and the gals are filming a vacation musical quantity for the USO, and have costumes and songs to match. Each of those reveals are effectively value making a degree to see. You would possibly occur upon them, however we’d suggest consulting the Common Orlando app for efficiency instances.
Grinchmas at Common Islands of Journey – Revel within the spirit of Grinchmas at Common Islands of Journey the place the Grinch stars within the reside retelling of the Dr. Seuss vacation basic, the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.”
This musical stage present is sort of a mash-up of the basic How the Grinch Stole Christmas tv particular and the not-so-classic live-action Jim Carrey film, which is smart on condition that it melds the animated world with reside performers. “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” is roughly half-hour lengthy and is carried out a number of instances per day–test the instances information on the date of your go to for when performances begin.
“Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” is extremely fashionable with Common company. In case your schedule permits and also you’re visiting on a busier day, we’d suggest both seeing the primary or final displaying. On a slower day, you might need a bit extra flexibility on showtimes. In between performances, characters roam Seuss Touchdown interacting with company and posing for images. There’ll even be appearances from the Whos from Who-ville and a particular picture alternative that brings company face-to-face with the imply, inexperienced one himself, the Grinch.
As you’ll see within the images under of decorations, Seuss Touchdown is without doubt one of the most underrated lands in all of Orlando throughout Christmas. There are many decorations that transport company right into a whimsical ambiance decked out with outsized sweet canes, twisty Christmas timber, gorgeous tinsel ornaments and extra.
Mannheim Steamroller at Common Studios Florida – The highest-selling vacation artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller, returns to Common Studios Florida for Christmas to get company into the vacation spirit with reside performances on Saturday and Sunday nights in early December. Dates haven’t but been introduced for Christmas 2024, however we count on the next:
- December 7-8, 2024
- December 14-15, 2024
I’ll degree with you. Regardless of being large Mannheim Steamroller followers who love Christmas and have had Common Orlando Annual Passes for years…we by no means seen the group carry out at Common Studios Florida. Primarily based on what we’ve heard from mates and the stories we’ve seen on social media, it simply doesn’t seem “value it” to us. To every their very own, although. Sooner or later, we most likely want to do that for the sake of analysis, although.
If we had been going to see Mannheim Steamroller and had flexibility, we’d positively go to one of many Sunday evening reveals, and would arrive very early as viewing areas fill to capability. That’s actually about all we all know. When you’re going to courageous the crowds to see Mannheim Steamroller at Common Studios Florida, pack your persistence and good luck tenting out!
Common’s Vacation Tour – When you’re feeling such as you simply haven’t spent sufficient cash in your Christmas journey, you’re in luck–there are a few upcharge choices! Common’s Vacation Tour affords guided, VIP entry to all the vacation leisure experiences happening, together with:
- An unique meet and greet with the Grinch and his trustworthy canine Max;
- Small plates, delectable desserts and non-alcoholic drinks in Common Studios Florida;
- Reserved seating on the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” in Common Islands of Journey;
- An unique meet and greet picture alternative with Santa Claus in Common Studios Florida;
- An after hours displaying of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Fortress;”
- Precedence entry to Common Studios Florida’s latest attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast (topic to vary and primarily based on availability).
The Common Vacation Tour is offered on choose dates starting November 25 by December 29, 2024, and will be booked by visiting www.UniversalOrlando.com/Holidays. Pricing begins at $79.99 per individual (plus tax) and separate theme park admission with a 1-Day 2-Park Park-to-Park ticket is required.
Annual and Seasonal Passholders can get a $10 low cost per ticket per Passholder with a sound Annual or Seasonal Cross. Tickets for Passholders will be bought by the VIP Name Heart (1-866-346-9350) or by visiting the UOAP Lounge in Common Islands of Journey. Seasonal Passholder blockout dates apply.
The Grinch & Pals Character Breakfast at Common Islands of Journey – The opposite upcharge is “The Grinch & Pals Character Breakfast.” This fashionable character eating expertise permits company to begin their day with a scrumptious breakfast and enjoyable appearances by the Grinch and different fan-favorite Dr. Seuss characters.
Eating on scrumptious breakfast gadgets like Inexperienced Eggs and Ham and Cindy-Lou Who’s Belgian Waffles at this plated breakfast that takes place in Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Common Islands of Journey on choose dates starting November 22 by December 30 for $58.99 + tax per grownup and $32.99 + tax per baby (ages 3-9), and will be booked on-line at Common Orlando’s Holidays web site.
Availability is proscribed for the Grinch & Pals Character Breakfast, and we’ve heard some stories of individuals having problem with reservations aside from the very first seatings. Premier and Most well-liked Annual Passholders can obtain a 20% low cost on purchases of The Grinch & Pals Character Breakfast for choose dates by calling 407-224-7554.
We’ve by no means carried out both of those upcharges, so we can’t communicate credibly to their worth for cash or anything. If we had been to do one, it’d most likely be Common’s Vacation Tour. Not having to combat the group for parade or fort projection present viewing appears worthwhile, as do the picture ops with Grinch and Santa. However once more, we haven’t carried out both of those, so you could possibly say that we’ve already voted with our wallets on their worth for cash to us.
Christmas at Common CityWalk and Lodges – Friends can hold the celebration going at Common CityWalk with with specialty leisure and menu choices at choose venues, together with:
- The Inexperienced & Purple Coconut Membership at Purple Coconut Membership, the place company can get pleasure from reside leisure and themed vacation cocktails;
- A festive meet and greet with fan-favorite Earl the Squirrel throughout choose dates from November 29 – December 28 at CityWalk Plaza;
- Assorted seasonal meals and beverage at Bigfire and VIVO Italian Kitchen, and a seasonal milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen;
- And extra.
Plus, all eight Common Orlando Resort resorts might be decked out with festive décor that enhances every lodge’s theme – and the entire household can bask in vacation feasts and actions.
Whilst you’re in CityWalk (or the parks, for that matter), you’ll be able to take part within the all-new Vacation Nutcracker Hunt, which is a scavenger hunt seeking (you guessed it) themed Nutcrackers. Buy a map, discover the timber in every store, and accumulate a stamp in every location. As soon as your map is crammed company obtain an unique tree decoration.
Though unconfirmed, it seems this may substitute the traditional Christmas tree scavenger hunt for Christmas 2024. Whether or not that is well worth the cash is your name–we choose merely wanting on the timber and shopping for souvenirs of our selecting, however youngsters would possibly benefit from the construction and reward system of the particular scavenger hunt. (Walt Disney World does related scavenger hunts at Christmas.)
Moreover, particular menus might be obtainable at Common resorts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yr’s. Usually, these meals are solely obtainable on these dates themselves–so should you’re visiting on November 19 or December 22 or no matter random date throughout the vacation season, this isn’t related to you.
Choose resorts additionally provide particular vacation leisure like Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremonies, and strolling carolers. For essentially the most half, all of this happens the week of Christmas or Hanukkah.
Friends can now save as much as $450 on a four-night keep in a Backyard View room at Loews Portofino Bay Lodge, the place they’ll additionally obtain free Common Specific Limitless journey entry at Common Studios Florida and Common Islands of Journey. Florida Residents and Annual and Seasonal Passholders also can save 40% in any respect Common Orlando resorts on choose dates.
Common Eating Card Deal – Talking of offers, company can plan their go to with quite a lot of particular affords, together with the New Common Orlando Eating Card Trip Package deal Deal for 2024-2025, which incorporates theme park admission, lodge lodging and a meals and beverage eating card value as much as $1,000 to make use of at choose eating places and eating places all through the resort.
Although we’re Common Orlando Annual Passholders, and thus go to extra usually than most, it’s onerous to suggest this eating deal attributable to its period. Only a few individuals with weeklong journeys to Florida will need to allocate 4-5 days of that point to Common. Chances are high, you’ll need to do 2-3 days at Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida…which is exactly the purpose. Getting company to decide to 4-5 days as a substitute of 1-3 is definitely a win for Common.
Annual Passholder Specials – Along with reductions on choose vacation experiences, Common Orlando Annual Passholders will get particular entry to get pleasure from Common’s Holidays Parade that includes Macy’s from a viewing space only for Passholders, in addition to unique merchandise and early entry to the Holidays Tribute Retailer.
Holidays Tribute Retailer – Talking of which, the Holidays Tribute Retailer will return for Christmas at Common Orlando. The Tribute Retailer was initially created for Halloween Horror Nights as a solution to each pay tribute to these creations and get individuals to purchase stuff (therefore the title). It’s since been remodeled for each Mardi Gras and Christmas, following kind of that very same system.
Over time, the Tribute Retailer has gotten greater and higher, with a multi-room structure that has totally different themes in every space. Count on to see Christmas in New York, Earl the Squirrel, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Winter within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter represented. (The specifics change from year-to-year, however the strategy of Earl plus stylish metropolis plus film IP is kind of what you’ll see for Christmas within the Tribute Retailer.)
Along with elaborate shows which can be value seeing and Christmas merchandise to buy, we’d name your consideration to the Tribute Retailer as arguably the most effective spot in both park for Christmas-themed treats and desserts. There’s a big selection of choices, lots of which look and style nice.
With all the core Christmas information about leisure and different choices out of the way in which, let’s take a holiday-time stroll by Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, and showcase the decorations that go up across the parks…
Throughout from the Christmas Tribute Retailer is Common Studios Florida’s iconic Christmas Tree.
Moreover, many of the park is decked out for Christmas, together with Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Resulting from extra lands being decked out for the vacations, the ambiance is certainly extra festive in Common Studios Florida. That’s no knock in opposition to Islands of Journey–as with a number of lands in Magic Kingdom, it’s harder to embellish Islands of Journey in on-theme methods.
With that mentioned, the Diagon Alley appears festive for the vacations–however not on par with its counterpart, Hogsmeade. So a minimum of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is healthier at Christmas in IoA than USF.
I don’t have a lot fascinating perception in regards to the decorations, so listed below are some illustrative images:
Christmas decorations are nice all through Common Studios Florida. My solely actual criticism is that Jaws doesn’t get decked out for Christmas. Put a wreath round him!
Now let’s check out the Christmas decorations in Islands of Journey…
As famous above, Islands of Journey is extra restricted in its adorning than Common Studios Florida. This makes full thematic sense. I can’t think about severe vacation overlays meshing with Marvel, King Kong, Jurassic Park, and so on.
With that mentioned, the areas that do beautify for the vacations in IoA actually go all out!
As somebody who completely loves Christmas and dinosaurs, I actually want a vacation tie-in may very well be carried out with Jurassic Park. For the reason that IP is a theme park with a minimum of a modicum of actual world consciousness, arguably something may go right here. It’d most likely simply must be established as canon through the movies first.
If somebody at NBCUniversal is studying this, simply consider the probabilities: Peacock wants content material, and what higher solution to acquire streaming subscribers and marketshare than with a Jurassic Park vacation particular?
To actually compound the advantages, make the vacation celebrated on Isla Nublar both Festivus or Ludachristmas. Infinite synergy!
Once more, it’s value stating that no park at Walt Disney World has all of its lands adorned for Christmas. Even Magic Kingdom, which is mostly related to the vacation season, actually solely has a complete decorations package deal on Fundamental Avenue. The opposite lands are far more muted–or don’t have anything in any respect.
Not that we’re complaining or making excuses. It’s simply simpler to overlook since we’re extra acquainted with Walt Disney World, and take with no consideration that some lands don’t have or want decorations. The identical is true at Common Orlando.
By way of what really exists by way of the vacation season at Islands of Journey, we have now some mild decorations in Port of Entry, enhancing what’s already a top-notch and underrated space.
Port of Entry is the place you’ll additionally discover Starbucks, Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe, and different eating & retail.
These places promote brochures for the Vacation Tree Hunt and have pamphlets for the Vacation Deal with Path.
Let’s head into Seuss Touchdown, which is residence to Grinchmas.
At evening, the 2 white timber flank the doorway of Seuss Touchdown and have an array of synchronized designs (just like the Grinch) and dancing lights.
All issues thought-about, Seuss Touchdown is the best-decorated space in Islands of Journey.
A number of garland, tinsel, and lights adorning the constructing exteriors, strung throughout the road, and even on points of interest. It jogs my memory a little bit of Toontown at Disneyland. Very effectively carried out!
Then there’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
With its storybook structure and snow-covered rooftops, the core design of this land simply feels like Christmas.
All issues thought-about, Christmas is a good time to go to Common Orlando Resort. Each Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida are totally adorned for the vacation season, there are many seasonal treats, and sufficient leisure to reinforce the ambiance and make the parks really feel festive.
Maybe an unpopular opinion, however as a lot as we get pleasure from HHN, we choose Christmas to Halloween at UOR. It most likely helps that the climate is usually higher from mid-November by the tip of December, and that it’s an all-day, included with admission occasion as a substitute of an after-hours upcharge (that ceaselessly entails lengthy strains).
Streetmosphere, leisure & parades, characters & performers, projections, and becoming decorations make a lot of the parks come alive for Christmas. That is very true in Hollywood, New York, Seuss Touchdown, Port of Entry, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, all of which provide nice vacation ambiance. All in all, Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey are nice experiences at Christmas!
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? Be certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for the whole lot about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and far more, join our FREE electronic mail publication!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever been to Common Orlando Resort for Christmas? Some other highlights for you? Ideas on vacation crowds at Common Orlando for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Yr’s Eve, or the Mannheim Steamroller concert events? When you’ve visited each Disney and Common throughout the holidays, which do you assume is doing higher? Ideas on anything lined right here? Will you be visiting Central Florida this vacation season? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
