Park Pulse is USA TODAY's weekly guide to what's happening across America's national parks and major theme park destinations, including Disney and Universal.
There’s a scene early in “A Christmas Story,” where Ralphie Parker and his friends stand outside the window of Higbee’s department store, staring in wide-eyed wonder at the mountain of mesmerizing toys inside.
That's how it feels watching faux snow swirl through the air along Main Street, U.S.A. or wandering around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade when it’s draped in garland and twinkly lights. Like stepping into a greeting card.
But dazzling decor is just one of the things that make Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort extra magical around the holidays.
Here’s how
both Florida resorts are celebrating the season and what to know before deciding on a destination.
Holidays at Walt Disney World
Disney World’s holiday season officially runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 6, but some experiences have different start or end dates, and not everything is included with standard admission.
Two key events to be aware of:
- Disney Jollywood Nights, starting Nov. 7 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which kicks off Nov. 8 at Magic Kingdom
Both are specially ticketed after-hours events, held on select nights when their respective parks close early to daytime guests (plan accordingly).
Each features exclusive entertainment and dining, shorter than usual attraction wait times, and the chance to meet rarely seen Disney characters. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also includes cookies and drinks at select locations throughout the event, and for much of the season, it's the only time guests can see Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show. (Traditionally, both have been offered during regular operating hours around Christmas, after the last party.)
Here's what's included with standard admission throughout the season:
Festive entertainment
- At Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle transforms into an icy palace during the nightly “Frozen Holiday Surprise” stage and projection show.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns Nov. 27 through Dec. 30 with its beloved celebrity-narrated Candlelight Processional and JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season concerts. Guests can also enjoy live music, storytelling, and snacks honoring holiday traditions around the world.
- At Hollywood Studios, nightly Sunset Seasons Greetings will light up the facade of the Hollywood Tower of Terror.
- At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, playful Merry Menagerie puppets will delight guests in Discovery Island.
Holiday overlays
- At Magic Kingdom, Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise. Several other attractions get holiday overlays during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
- At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will play holiday tunes on board from Nov. 25 until Jan. 6, and Living with the Land will become Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses during festival dates.
- At Hollywood Studios, the recently reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams will both play holiday tunes on board from Nov. 4 through Jan. 6. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will have a special holiday finale. And the walk-though experience Walt Disney Presents will showcase artifacts from Disney holiday films and play holiday-themed Disney shorts in its theater. Also, the Hollywood & Vine restaurant becomes Minnie’s Holiday Dine.
- At Animal Kingdom, nightly Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition projections will illuminate the park’s centerpiece.
Other celebrations
- Throughout the season, the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex will host its annual Christmas Tree Stroll, live entertainment, and festive treats at various eateries, including Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which gets a holiday makeover.
- Many guests also like to visit Disney’s resort hotels to see their holiday decorations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, BoardWalk Inn and Contemporary Resort typically host gingerbread displays. Grand Floridian has retired its oversized gingerbread house following the redesign of its lobby, but will have smaller displays. Visitors should note resort hotel parking is limited to guests with lodging, dining or experience reservations, but free resort transportation is available from all four Disney theme parks.
Holidays at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando’s holiday season runs from Nov. 14 through Jan. 3, and it’s about as close as it gets to celebrating Christmas at Hogwarts or Who-ville.
All of these experiences are included with standard park admission:
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe will feel especially enchanting with whimsical decorations and entertainment.
- At night, Hogsmeade is the place to be for the “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” projection show.
Grinchmas
- Meeting the Grinch Who Stole Christmas has become a must for many guests, who appreciate his sassy sense of humor. Expect a long wait for the popular character greeting at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure, which gets all decked out. You may also encounter citizens of Who-ville out and about.
- Make sure to also line up early for the popular live stage show “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.” One year, I had to circle back three times because I kept arriving after the line had been cut off.
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
- Live performers, massive helium balloons and floats inspired by Illumination and DreamWorks Animation films will wind their way through Universal Studios Florida each evening, pending weather.
- This park is also where guests can meet Earl the Squirrel, an original holiday character at the resort who, in a full circle moment, will also debut as a balloon in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
- While you’re there, don’t miss Universal’s Holiday Tribute Store, a sprawling seasonal pop-up shop with attraction-level theming and fun photo opps.
Other celebrations
- Nearly all of Epic Universe’s worlds will feature holiday decorations this year, including for the first time, Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, which franchise fans may know observes Snoggletog.
- Outside the parks, the Red Coconut Club transforms into the Green and Red Coconut Club with festive drinks and photoshoot-worthy decor at Universal CityWalk.
- Universal’s resort hotels also get into the spirit with seasonal decorations, food and experiences like menorah lightings during Hanukkah.
Win, win
It may look like Disney World has more holiday offerings than Universal, but when you compare them park to park, it’s very close.
You can’t really go wrong with either resort, but if you have to choose, I’d consider who you’re traveling with and what you love.
Disney World has historically been popular with families with young children, but Universal also has kid-centered areas in each of its parks. On the flip side, Universal is known for skewing a little older with big thrills, but Disney World has its fair share of high-speed rides, too.
Holiday offerings aside, Disney World is a clear choice for fans of Mickey Mouse and Friends, Disney Princesses, Star Wars, Muppets, “Frozen” and other Disney Animation, “Toy Story” and other Pixar films, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avatar,” and wildlife and marine life, with Animal Kingdom and EPCOT’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
Meanwhile, Universal is a sure bet for fans of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park/World, Dr. Seuss, “How to Train Your Dragon,” Super Mario, Minions, DreamWorks films like "Shrek," Universal Monsters, and perhaps surprisingly, The Simpsons and classic Marvel, which are both owned by Disney but licensed to Universal on the East Coast.
I’d whole heartedly recommend either destination.
Eve Chen is a senior consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY, based in the Atlanta area. You can reach her at echen@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Holidays at Disney or Universal? What to do, how to choose
