We love this time of year at Universal Orlando Resort! One of the best ways to experience all of the holidays at Universal Parks is with the Universal Holiday Tour. Scroll down to learn all about the Universal Orlando Holiday Tour. ?

Universal’s Holiday Tour

On select dates, guests can enjoy a guided tour filled with unique experiences and special access to the beloved holiday entertainment taking place across Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, such as:

• Meeting the maven of mischief, the Grinch, and his faithful dog, Max, while enjoying a delicious hot cocoa bar with small bites and desserts at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Access to reserved seating at the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” – a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Enjoying a meet-and-greet and photo opp with Santa Claus in Universal Studios Florida (includes one digital download photo)
• Capping off the night in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with an exclusive, after-hours showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” – a stunning projection of holiday spirit and Christmas moments inspired by the beloved “Harry Potter” stories brought to life on the majestic Hogwarts castle

Universal’s Holiday Tour is available on select dates beginning November 13 through January 1, 2023.

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

The popular dining experience, The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, is back this year for Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration – allowing guests to start their day with a delicious breakfast and appearances by some of their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including the Grinch.

Guests also receive access to one digital download photo as a keepsake from their encounter with the Grinch during this special opportunity.

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast takes place in Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal’s Islands of Adventure on select dates from November 12 through December 29, 2022.

The Holiday Festivities Continue at Universal’s Hotels

The awesomest celebration of the season continues at all eight Universal Orlando Resort hotels, complete with festive decor that perfectly complements each hotel’s individual theme, holiday feasts and special activities filled with holiday cheer for the whole family.

Universal hotel guests can enjoy special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays, menorah lighting ceremonies, holiday crafts for kids and more. Plus, select hotels offer additional holiday entertainment that includes Christmas tree lightings, strolling carolers and more.

Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration kicks off Saturday, November 12 and runs daily through Sunday, January 1, 2023, and features an amazing collection of festivities that range from traditional merriments to irreverent twists on holiday classics – including Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and live concerts by Mannheim Steamroller (on select nights).

Let Yourself Woah at Universal Orlando Resort

When you’re ready to Let Yourself Woah, the place to go is Universal Orlando Resort.

For more than 30 years, Universal Orlando has immersed guests in amazing “woah” moments that free them from the stress of their worlds. Across the award-winning destination, they can let go and live in the moment with those they care about most as they embark on incredible theme park adventures, like causing mischief with the Minions from Illumination’s “Despicable Me,” coming face-to-face with ferocious dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, walking the corridors of Hogwarts castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and so much more.

Universal Orlando is home to three epic theme parks that feature some of the world’s most exciting and innovative experiences, including Universal’s Islands of Adventure – named the #1 Amusement Park in the World for five years in a row by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice; Universal Studios Florida – home to the most technologically-advanced stunt show yet, The Bourne Stuntacular; and Universal’s Volcano Bay – a tropical oasis like no other that features an actual beach right in the middle of Orlando.    

Universal Orlando’s hotels are destinations unto themselves and include the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites. And Universal’s entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers immersive dining and entertainment for every member of the family.

Call our Universal Experts at 877-918-8941 to book your Universal Orlando Tour today!

Sponsored Post

We love planning vacations to Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise, and even Adventures by Disney. These are some of our favorite family vacations. We like to see the excitement in our kids’ faces. It is like Christmas everyday on a Disney vacation.

As a mom, I like to create a little extra magic for my kids. I like to countdown our vacation, celebrate occasions, and even decorate our resort room. However, as a mom I do not have a lot of time. I wanted to share some easy ideas on how to create magic with Lovepop.

Have you heard of Lovepop cards? Lovepop creates cards that pop up in 3-D cards. They are a card and a decoration, all in one. We love these cute cards!

Here are a few ways to create a little extra magic for your Disney vacation.

Countdown to Disney Mail

One of the first ideas is counting down to your Disney vacation. This builds excitement for your family vacation. Planning a Disney vacation can be just as exciting as the vacation. One of my favorite Lovepop cards is Disney The Haunted Mansion Pop-Up Card.

Haunted Mansion is one of our family’s favorite rides at both Disney World and Disneyland. This is a fun card to mail to your child. Kids of all ages (yes, even teens) love mail. You can mail this card to your child or children. You can always drop it off at the post office or just a nearby post box with your address. Your kids are going to get so excited that they got mail and this cool Haunted Mansion card that they can display.

Countdown to Disney Movie Night

We love hosting a movie night to get excited about a Disney vacation. A really fun movie is the Disney-Pixar movie called UP. You can actually meet Kevin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. It is definitely a must do at Disney World. Hosting an UP movie night is a fun way to countdown to your vacation.

You can get this UP pop up card for your family at Lovepop. It is both a card and a decoration. You can then grab some popcorn and watch UP with your family.

Celebrating a Birthday

Are you celebrating a birthday during your Disney vacation? It can be tough to pack presents in your luggage, especially if you are cruising or traveling with Adventures by Disney. Our favorite gifts are the Lovepop cards. They are flat, so easy to pack and hide in your suitcase.

One of our favorite Lovepop cards is Disney’s Mickey Mouse Birthday Cupcake Pop-Up Card. This card is so adorable! You open it to a Mickey Mouse cupcake. ??

Holidays at Disney World

We often visit Disney World or Disneyland during Halloween or Christmas. The kids like to decorate the room to get excited about the holiday. It is always tough to pack decorations, since your luggage needs space for clothes, shoes, and sunblock. LOL!

As we mentioned with the birthday cards, Lovepop cards are flat. They are an easy card and decoration to pack for a Disney vacation. I love the Disney’s Mickey Mouse Holiday Wreath. It is the perfect touch of Christmas for your resort room.

They also have a thank you cards collection. This is perfect to give to mom or dad to thank them for taking you on vacation or to give to a Disney Cast Member for the extra magic during your vacation. These thank you cards are extra magical!

Which Lovepop card is your favorite?

Get ready to rock, ride and rejoice! Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock the Universe returns on January 27-29. Fans and youth groups alike may join together at Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, enjoying moving performances by some of Christian music’s top artists, powerful worship experiences and thrilling theme park attractions during an unforgettable weekend of faith, fun and fellowship at Universal Studios Florida.

This year’s rocking weekend kicks off Friday night across Universal’s two stages, Music Plaza Stage and Hollywood Stage, with six feature performances from top Christian artists. The festival continues Saturday night with an additional six performances. This year’s musical guests will be announced at a later date.

Beyond the main stage performances, Rock the Universe attendees may enjoy worship experiences throughout the weekend – including a Saturday ceremony with a special message and moving musical performance, a powerful Sunday morning worship service to wrap up the faith-filled weekend, plus a dedicated FanZone presented by Coca-Cola, featuring live performances from up-and-coming acts throughout the weekend.

We can help you plan your youth group or church group trip to Rock the Universe. Plus, get a donation to your youth group or church with every booking. Call us at 877-918-8941 or request a quote online to start planning your group trip to Rock the Universe at Universal Orlando in 2023.

For the first time ever, multi award-winning artist The Weeknd joins forces with Halloween Horror Nights to inspire all-new, terrifying haunted houses based on his record-breaking “After Hours” album.

Beginning September 2, guests will spiral into the twisted mind of this mysterious artist to experience “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare.”

Global phenomenon, The Weeknd, is renowned for his groundbreaking music that blends daring, provocative lyrics with innovative sounds and ominous undertones. “After Hours” is The Weeknd’s fourth consecutive number one album and has spawned multiple chart-topping hits, including “Too Late,” “Heartless,” “In Your Eyes” and the wildly popular single “Blinding Lights” – which is ranked as the #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time by Billboard.

This fall, select tracks from the riveting album are being reimagined as a horror movie soundtrack for the outrageously haunting experience at Halloween Horror Nights.

The dark undercurrent behind The Weeknd’s enigmatic persona will permeate the all-new Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses on both coasts. With the eerie sounds of “After Hours” reverberating throughout the experience, guests will step into a surreal living nightmare filled with grotesque characters and themes inspired by The Weeknd’s music and short films.

As they’re stalked by slashers, bandaged maniacs, gruesome toad-like creatures and other unfathomable horrors from the mind of the artist, guests will be challenged to survive the night while trapped within the terrifying, unexpected world of “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare” – a place that only exists in The Weeknd’s vivid imagination and from which one may never escape.

“I always wanted my own Halloween Horror Nights haunted house as Halloween has always been significant to my music, so this is a total dream come to life. I feel like my music videos have served as a launching pad for a collaboration like this, and I cannot wait for people to experience this madness!” said Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye.

“We are thrilled to take guests inside of the mind of The Weeknd, who is a Halloween Horror Nights fan himself,” said John Murdy, Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.  “This is an unprecedented haunted house that is going to shatter the expectations of our guests and immerse them in an unforgettable experience that is equally unexpected and terrifying,” added Charles Gray, Senior Show Director for Entertainment Creative Development at Universal Orlando Resort.

You can experience The Weeknd through October 31 at Universal Studios.

Universal Orlando Resort invites guests to unwrap the awesome and let loose this holiday season during its Holiday celebration. Beginning November 12 and running daily through January 1, 2023, you can enjoy the magic of the holidays at Universal Orlando.

Throughout the entire destination, guests can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with an incredible collection of epic festivities featuring some of pop culture’s most beloved stories and characters – all brought to life in experiences that range from traditional merriments to irreverent twists on holiday classics that can’t be experienced anywhere else. 

This holiday season, theme park guests can witness a spectacular transformation of Hogwarts castle during “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, meet “the mean, green one himself,” the Grinch, during Grinchmas, watch larger-than-life balloons and floats take the streets during Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and so much more.

Holidays at Universal Orlando

Holidays at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The spectacularly themed lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will transform into wizarding wonderlands for the Holidays, complete with festive décor throughout the iconic streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley that includes themed decorations, garlands and lights.

Guests can also enjoy special holiday-themed performances from the Frog Choir, comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant croaking frogs, in Hogsmeade and the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensation, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, in Diagon Alley.

And once night falls in Hogsmeade, guests can revel in a spectacular projection of holiday spirit and Christmas moments inspired by the beloved “Harry Potter” stories in “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s

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.

Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure

The spirit of Grinchmas comes to life at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” – a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic starring the maven of mischief himself, the Grinch.

The celebration continues in Seuss Landing, which will be adorned in whimsical yuletide décor, including oversized candy canes, twisting Christmas trees, wreaths and beautiful tinsel ornaments. While strolling the land, guests can enjoy special appearances by the merry Whos from Who-ville as they prepare for their favorite holiday throughout Seuss Landing – and even meet the mean, green one himself, the Grinch, for a special photo opportunity.

Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios

The best-selling holiday artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller, returns to Universal Studios Florida to fill the air with the iconic sounds of the season with live performances on December 3, 4, 10 and 11.

More Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

There’s even more fun to be had this holiday season at Universal Orlando with holiday-themed merchandise, food and beverage offerings, character encounters, seasonal décor and celebratory activities at Universal’s hotels, and more.

Stay tuned for more details about holidays at Universal Orlando Resort will be revealed soon.

After a successful “inaugural fear,” Howl-O-Scream is coming back to SeaWorld Orlando, and this year promises to be bigger than ever before with more pulse-pounding haunts, thrills, and chills.

Howl-O-Scream 2022 features more coasters, more haunted houses, more scare zones and more unexpected frights.  SeaWorld Orlando is only scratching the surface, and guests will not know what will be lurking around every corner of the park.

There are several all-new attractions coming to this year’s haunt, along with fan favorites from last year and a few re-imagined experiences that were announced today.

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream Events

• ALL NEW! “Lurking in the Depths” show
• ALL NEW! “Sea of Fear” scare zone
• ALL NEW! “Cut Throat Cove” scare zone
• Re-imagined: “Captain’s Revenge – Drowned in Sorrow” house
• Re-imagined: “Frozen Terror” scare zone
• Re-imagined: “Longshoremen’s Tavern” bar
• Returning: “Beneath the Ice” house
• Returning: “Tormented” bar

Guests can also take their night of frights to another level by braving SeaWorld Orlando’s roller coasters at night. They can take a chilling ride on the park’s newest thrill ride “Ice Breaker”.  It was rated the #1 Best New Theme Park Attraction by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards and features the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida.

Joining Harmonious with an Oct. 1 debut is another new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park. Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment.

Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.

The show’s stirring soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Philip Lawrence, whose musical career began as a Disney cast member performing in Walt Disney World shows.

We loved this show at Magic Kingdom. You can enjoy this amazing show through 2021 and to the end of 2022. What do you think of Disney Enchantment?

The Disney World 50th Celebration has officially started. On Oct. 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened to guests for the first time. It is amazing that we are celebrating “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of Disney World’s 50th birthday.

This amazing celebration started on October 1, 2021 and runs 18 months. You have plenty of time to enjoy the new fireworks, shows, rides, dining, restaurants, and more.

Today, I am going to showcase some of the “what’s new” for the Disney World 50th Celebration.

Nighttime Spectacular Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park

One of my favorite new shows is Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom. This show will take guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, Disney Enchantment includes a projection show on Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA. You will also see spectacular fireworks above Cinderella Castle. You can watch the full show below.

Harmonious Reimagines Disney Music at EPCOT

Harmonious at Epcot is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park. This new show will bring the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. This show features lasers, fireworks, water fountains and so much more.

You can watch the full show below.

We love this new show. You can find a great spot to watch Harmonious around the World Showcase Lagoon.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT

Love the new ride celebration the Disney World 50th Celebration This new ride is called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. You can join Remy and his friends at Epcot. You will scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant as the size of a rat. Your whole family will love this adventure.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has 4-D effects including water splashing up on you! It is so much fun for the whole family! #disneyworld50 #epcot #DisneyWorld50 pic.twitter.com/LWlf8DucBa

— Jones Family Travels (@JonesTravels) October 8, 2021

Beacons of Magic Shine for the Disney World 50th Celebration

As part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” icons at each Walt Disney World theme park will transform into magnificent Beacons of Magic at night, coming to life with their own EARidescent glow*.

• Cinderella Castle will illuminate Magic Kingdom
• Tree of Life is magical with fireflies at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be awash in a brilliance evoking the golden age
• Spaceship Earth will glow at EPCOT

Disney KiteTails to Take Flight at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

A new kid friendly show called Disney KiteTails is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes. You may even spot a few 30 foot friends like Simba, Zazu, or Baloo soaring across the water.

This is my favorite part of KiteTails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. #disneyworld #disneyworld50 #animalkingdom #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/QJBN4Wrpx2

— Jones Family Travels (@JonesTravels) October 5, 2021

Golden ‘Disney Fab 50’ Appear Across the Theme Parks

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be part of a new collection of special golden character sculptures. You can find these statues at all 4 Disney Parks. Can you find all 50 of them?

For the Disney World 50th Anniversary, you can find gold statues throughout the Disney Parks. Dumbo is over at Magic Kingdom! It is fun to hunt for these gold statues. #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld50 pic.twitter.com/Z9UyFJ3tsJ

— Destinations in FL (@wdwfan) October 8, 2021

Mickey, Minnie and Friends Will Be Dressed for the Occasion

One of our favorite new additions for the Dinsey World 50th Celebration is new costumes for Mickey Mouse and friends. Their EARidescent fabrics glimmer in the sunlight. It is truly magical.

Are you looking forward to the Disney World 50th Celebration? Let us know in the comments below.