These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 78. Click below to listen, or find it on your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

Want some quick Disneyland advice? Here’s ten things to know before you go.

Go Informed Podcast episode 78: Disneyland Christmastime trip report

These photos are from my November 2022 trip to Disneyland. The holiday season was in full swing, officially starting in the middle of November each year.

We spent 4 days at Disneyland, staying in the Grand Californian Hotel. Here are a few things I highly recommend, based on our experience on this trip.

As always, we made a few blunders on this trip, which you’ll hear me discuss on the podcast. A couple of them even made my top ten park touring mistakes list here. If you want to know what NOT to do, be sure to check it out.

Stay in a Disneyland hotel

The hotels

The Disney-operated hotels at Disneyland are:

• Disneyland Hotel
• Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Early theme park entry every day

Guests staying in one of the three Disney-operated hotels receive a 30 minute early-entry into the parks every day. Even though it doesn’t seem like much time, it’s actually a huge advantage.

We were able to leverage early admission to get a double rope drop each day. This gave us a head-start on Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance, even though these two headliners are not included in Disneyland’s early entry. Find out how we did it here.

Convenience

The Disneyland hotels are all within easy walking distance to both the Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. Disney’s Grand Californian hotel is the closest to both parks and even has its own entrance into California Adventure.

Fly into John Wayne/Santa Ana airport

The closest airport to Disneyland is John Wayne/Santa Ana (SNA), less than 30 minutes from the resort. If your trip is only to Disneyland you won’t even need to rent a car, just catch a quick Uber or Lyft ride, then do everything on foot.

How far apart is everything at Disneyland? Check out this post for maps and common Disneyland walking distances.

Use Genie+ at Disneyland

Genie+ is Disney’s new version of FastPass. It allows guests to reserve time slots to skip long attraction wait times (this is called Lightning Lane). It’s not free, and you’ll have a less-than-simple app to deal with, but it really does make Disneyland touring much easier.

The first day of our trip was during a holiday weekend but we still had no problem reserving Lightning Lanes for top attractions. You can add Genie+ to your Disney vacation package so it’ll be activated automatically on every day of your trip.

At Disneyland, Genie+ also includes unlimited PhotoPass photos, which includes ride photos and those taken by the PhotoPass photographers around the parks.

Quick start guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lane

Disneyland Christmastime photos

Here are photos of some of the locations and Disneyland Christmas decorations mentioned in this podcast episode.

The Disneyland Christmas tree

Disneyland’s Main Street USA at Christmastime

The Disneyland castle during Christmastime

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday

BTW, Halloween is also an amazing time to visit Disneyland. Here are 13 reasons why you should consider visiting Disneyland during Halloween season, from my newsletter.

The spectacular holiday lights on It’s a Small World

The Disneyland castle Christmas lights

Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel lobby Christmas tree

Giant gingerbread house in the Grand Californian Hotel

Christmastime in California Adventure’s Cars Land

Disney’s California Adventure Festival of the Holidays

Early theme park entry for Disneyland hotel guests

More theme park touring tips

Here on GoInformed.net, and on the Go Informed Podcast, you’ll find tons of tips for your trip to Disney and Universal. Here are a few of the most popular posts:

• Top ten all-time Disneyland tips
• All about Avengers Campus at Disneyland
• Disneyland walking distances and training tips
• How Universal Studios Hollywood compares to Universal Orlando
• How to rope drop
• 8 Disney park reservation quick tips

Join the mailing list for twice-monthly bonus tips

Want more tips, delivered straight to your inbox? Be sure to join my email newsletter list here!

Catch my weekly live Disney parks discussions on Facebook

This post and podcast episode were originally shared in a live Facebook chat. Tune in to my @goinformednet Facebook page Thursdays at 11am Pacific to join the conversation!

Thank you Joey McGirr, also known as The Disney Hack, for joining me in the live discussion. You can find more of Joey at TheDisneyHack.com.

This post contains affiliate links.

The post My Epic Disneyland Christmastime Photos and Trip Report appeared first on Go Informed.

Way more than a zoo, Disney World offers an abundance of adventures for animal lovers. The resort boasts an entire theme park designed around the wonder of animals, an aquarium full of aquatic friends, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a safari lodge complete with grazing zebras and giraffes. Here are some of the many places to find animals at Disney World.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 74. Click below to listen to the episode and get the complete details.

Watch this chat on Facebook video

This post and podcast episode were originally produced as a Facebook live chat. You can watch the original video here.

Enchanting animal encounters at Disney World

Animal Kingdom theme park

Celebrating creatures of all stripes, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a must-see for every animal lover. The largest theme park in the world, Animal Kingdom houses about 300 different animal species in a lush natural setting.

Kilimanjaro Safari

A huge highlight in Animal Kingdom is the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. Open-air vehicles carry guests though the African savanna for close-up views of everything from lions to rhinos to bighorn Ankole cattle. Using the best of Disney magic, even the cheetahs appear to have no boundary between them and the guests.

The safari is a real treasure for photographers. For the best shots, sit on the side or in the back row. Often the animals come right up to the safari trucks and sometimes stop in the road, bringing the whole tour to a halt.

Because the animals are free to go about their business, every safari ride is different. Make time to try a few different times of day. Early and late are especially interesting on the savanna.

Watching the animals can be a great way to slow down and relax during your busy day. Here’s a list of 7 more ways to find some Zen on a theme park vacation.

Animal Kingdom walking trails

With so much space, Animal Kingdom offers miles of walking trails to explore. The trails are highly themed and feature all sorts of animals. For tiger fans, be sure to venture through the Maharajah Jungle Trek. To see gorillas, hippos, and a very cool aviary, take the Gorilla Falls trail near the safari.

The area around Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life also offers the chance to discover animals. Check out the Oasis and Discovery Island trails to see exotic birds, lemurs, and wallabys. You may also run into a famous Disney character here, like Mogli, or Kevin from Up.

You may have guessed, there is a lot of walking at Animal Kingdom. Here are my tips for how to get ready to walk at Disney, along with some common distances you’ll want to prepare for.

Conservation Station

For a behind-the-scenes look at animal care, hop on the Wildlife Express steam train to the Conservation Station. On this end of the park you’ll see cotton-top tamarins – basically the cutest monkeys on the planet – as well as an indoor education center.

The Conservation Station features windows into a veterinary lab, science center, and a kitchen where food is prepared for the animals. Animal caretakers are often available to interact with guests and answer questions. This is a must-see for any aspiring veterinarians in your group.

Tours at Animal Kingdom park

If you really want to get up-close, consider booking a special tour at Animal Kingdom. Disney offers several options daily. Here are the current tours at Animal Kingdom park:

• Caring for Giants – an up-close look at the elephants on the savanna
• Savor the Savanna – you’ll have a picnic amongst the animals!
• Up Close with Rhinos – behind-the-scenes tour of the rhino enclosure
• Wild Africa Trek – a privately-guided walking tour through the savanna

Get more info about the tours on Disney’s website here.

There are more than just animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Listen to my virtual audio tour of the park right here.

Epcot’s Seas Pavilion

Animal Kingdom isn’t the only Disney World park where you’ll find wild animals. Epcot is home to one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. It’s part of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction and is a must-see for anyone who loves fishy friends.

Epcot’s aquarium

Epcot’s main aquarium tank is home to over 2,000 sea creatures, ranging from tropical fish to rays and sharks. Cast members are almost always on-hand to answer questions about what’s swimming by. Be sure to look for a hidden mickey on the bottom of the tank.

You may also see snorkelers or scuba divers in Epcot’s aquarium. This is because guests can take guided tours inside the tank. Learn more in this post I wrote for my friends at Disney Park Princess.

Dolphins

Dolphins also live at the Seas pavilion and frequently during the day you’ll see them swim into view. Watch for training sessions where the dolphins’ human assistants demonstrate the incredible brain power of these sleek swimmers. You’ll see it in the main tank area.

Manatees

Epcot is home to a couple of rescued manatees named Lou and Lil’ Joe. These quiet giants love to paddle around their tank, which you can view from above and below. The manatees are tucked away in a corner of the building, so be sure to seek them out.

Coral Reef restaurant

Stop for lunch at Epcot’s Coral Reef restaurant, which has windows that look straight into the main aquarium tank.

Animals at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Main Street horses

Even at Magic Kingdom guests can encounter live animals. Watch for horses pulling old-fashioned trolleys down Main Street USA. You can hop on for a ride and enjoy a throwback form of transportation found these days pretty much only at Disney.

Fantasy animals

Magic Kingdom is of course home to a menagerie of fantastical animals. Not only will you encounter a very famous mouse, but almost every attraction includes an animal element.

Some of the best places to see Disney animatronic animals include the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

You could even make your own scavenger hunt by trying to find all the animals in Magic Kingdom.

Animal experiences at the Disney World resorts

Besides the parks, Disney World’s hotels offer some delightful animal encounters. For animal lovers, it’s hard to beat a stay at Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, or especially Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Want to learn more about the Disney World hotels? Be sure to read my Disney World hotel guide here.

You don’t have to be staying at these resorts to visit the animals, so these are great activities for non-park days.

Animals at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge

Tri-Circle-D ranch

The Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge resort area has a working horse stable, called the Tri-Circle-D ranch. This is where Magic Kingdom’s Main Street horses live. Guests can walk through the stables to view the many horse breeds, including Clydesdales, Belgians, Appaloosas, and Shetland ponies.

From the ranch, guests can take guided horseback and pony rides.

Wagon, carriage, and sleigh rides

Take a quiet horse-drawn carriage ride through the Fort Wilderness landscape, or go with a bigger group on a horse-drawn wagon. During the holidays, your carriage becomes a festive “sleigh” ride.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna rooms

Animal lovers of all ages will delight in the savanna view rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Built in homage to the great African safari lodges, Animal Kingdom Lodge features a soaring lobby with open fire and a backyard filled with African wildlife.

All of the savanna view rooms look out onto the open prairie where zebras, giraffes, kudu, and exotic birds roam. It’s hard to beat waking up right on the savanna, especially for an animal lover.

Dine with the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge can also book a special safari dinner that takes place on the savanna. Or just make a reservation at the excellent Sanaa restaurant and watch the animals while you eat.

Horse-drawn carriage rides at Port Orleans resort

At Disney World’s Port Orleans Riverside resort, guests can take a relaxing horse-drawn carriage ride along the shore of the Sassagoula River.

Get ready for your Disney vacation

Here on GoInformed.net and on my Go Informed podcast, you’ll find tons of tips to help you have a fantastic Disney vacation. Start with these recommend posts:

• 55 things to know before you visit Disney World
• Disney World walking distances
• How to add Universal to your Disney World vacation
• 33 things to know before you visit Universal Orlando

Join the mailing list

Join the mailing list to get my twice-monthly bonus tipsheet delivered straight to your inbox. Here’s where to sign up.

Live Disney chats

This post and podcast episode were originally produced as a live discussion on Facebook. You can join me, along with my friend Joey – the Disney Hack – most Tuesdays at 11:00am Pacific time on my Facebook page. Scroll up to the top of the page to watch the video.

You can catch all our archived discussions here.

The post Where to find animals at Disney World appeared first on Go Informed.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 73. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Comparing Universal Orlando to Universal Studios Hollywood

There are many factors to consider when comparing the Orlando and Hollywood Universal theme parks. Here we’ll look at how location, size, diversity of attractions, accommodations, and pricing stack up between the two destinations.

There are a lot of details here, so check out this table of contents if you want to skip to your top considerations.

A super-quick comparison of Universal Orlando vs Hollywood

Here’s a 60-ish-second guide to how Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood stack up against each other

Location and size of Universal Orlando compared to Universal Hollywood

Let’s first start with the most obvious difference between Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood: location. Location affects more than just how far you’ll travel to get to the park. It also includes the weather, the total size of the resort, and what else there is to do nearby.

Location

Universal Orlando is located about 20 miles west of Orlando’s airport (MCO). Universal Studios Hollywood is about 25 miles from LAX, but only 7 miles from Burbank airport (BUR).

Both Orlando and LA have plenty of other things to do and see besides the Universal theme parks. And visitors to these cities might consider Universal just a small part of a bigger vacation. However, Universal Orlando especially could be an entire destination on its own, as you’ll see below.

Weather

One of the big differences between Orlando and Southern California is the weather. Where LA spends most of the year moderately warm and dry, Central Florida weather is often exceedingly hot and humid.

Always take a look at the projected weather for your travel dates and prepare accordingly. You should have much less impact in the SoCal climate than in Orlando. If Florida is your destination, be sure to read my top weather tips and pack the right gear.

Proximity to a Disney park

Combining Disney with Universal is a natural fit for a theme park vacation. If you want to do both, know that it’s a LOT easier in Orlando.

Universal Orlando is not far from Disney World

Universal Orlando is only about 10 miles from Disney World. This is almost always less than a 30 minute drive, which makes it easy to add Disney World to your Universal Orlando vacation.

It’s a long car ride from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland

In California, the Disney and Universal parks are not close to each other. Distance is about 35 miles, which in LA traffic will easily add up to much more than an hour drive. Park opening time, and often Universal Hollywood’s park closing time, will put you directly in LA rush hour traffic.

If you plan to combine Disneyland and Universal Studios on your LA visit, seriously consider splitting your stay. Spend the night close to whichever park you want to visit in the morning.

Quick look at Avengers Campus

If you’re heading to Disneyland you will definitely want to spend some time at Avengers Campus. Here’s a quick look.

Size

When it comes to size, Universal Orlando Resort dwarfs Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Orlando has two theme parks, a water park, eight Universal-owned hotels, and a large shopping and entertainment district. Universal has also begun construction on an enormous third theme park in Orlando, adjacent to the current resort.

Universal Studios Hollywood has one theme park, a working film studio, no Universal-owned hotels, and a large shopping and entertainment district.

Universal Orlando’s attractions vs Universal Studios Hollywood

Even though Universal Orlando is much bigger than Universal Hollywood, both have lots of world-class attractions. And each coast has unique offerings not found anywhere else.

Universal Orlando has two theme parks, plus a water park

The Universal Orlando parks are located right next to each other and are easy to hop between. A quick shuttle away is the extraordinary Volcano Bay water park.

In 2025, an entirely new third park will open at Universal Orlando. Dubbed Epic Universe, this addition will feature five new immersive lands and three new hotels. All indications is that it will be an incredible destination. Here’s a quick overview of what’s coming to Epic Universe at Universal Orlando.

Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure features themed lands ranging from Suess Landing to Jurassic Park to the Wizarding World’s Hogsmeade Village. If you like roller coasters, this is your park. Three major coasters – the Hulk, Velocicoaster, and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure – are all at Islands of Adventure.

Here’s my audio tour of Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Florida

Like its Hollywood counterpart, Universal Studios Florida is themed after movies and TV. However there is no working studio here so therefore no studio tour. Notable attractions include the Mummy roller coaster, Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon, Transformers, and the Wizarding World’s Diagon Alley.

Listen to my Universal Studios Florida audio tour here.

Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is a highly-themed water park which Universal bills as their third Orlando theme park. A giant volcano houses three water slides and a water roller coaster, plus there are numerous raft rides, a lazy river, and a sandy beach for relaxing.

Here’s a 60-second look at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is so big that there are a bunch of cool things you could easily overlook. Check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter to find out about 9 of my favorite Universal Orlando hidden gems. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Universal Studios Hollywood is a single theme park

Universal Studios in Hollywood is one park that combines some of the best of the Orlando resort with a few unique attractions. It was the first of the Universal theme parks and was originally founded purely as a tour of the Universal movie and TV studios.

Attractions you’ll find at Universal Studios Hollywood but not at Universal Orlando

The Universal Studio Tour

Of all the world’s theme parks, Universal Studios Hollywood is the only one with a working film studio tour. You’ll ride a tram behind-the-scenes through famous movie and TV sets, learning about how and where many iconic scenes were staged. The backlot tour runs continuously throughout the day and takes about an hour.

Along with the informative tour, the trams take a few wild turns that Orlando’s Studio park has made into stand-alone attractions. Both the Fast and Furious and Kong attractions are woven right into the tram tour. These experiences exist in Orlando, but as their own rides.

The tour is a must-see for most visitors to the Hollywood park. It’s a great way to get off your feet for an hour and you never know if you’ll see an actual movie star.

Super Nintendo World

The world of Mario and his pals has come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood. This new land includes the super-headliner Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge attraction, dining, shopping, and character interactions.

The land itself is also an immersive interactive game. Get yourself a power-up band to complete challenges and capture coins.

Super Nintendo World is anticipated to be a big hit, which means you should expect higher-than-usual crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. Be sure to use my rope drop tips, know how to ride single, and consider Universal Express if you’ll be visiting in 2023.

Jurassic World – the Ride

Jurassic World is like a super-charged version of Splash Mountain. Guests ride boats through a jungle full of huge dinosaurs, culminating in a spectacular roller-coaster-style drop. Bring a poncho: you WILL get wet.

Orlando’s Islands of Adventure also has a Jurassic park water ride, but California’s is way more intense and at least as wet.

More rides you’ll find in California but not in Florida

Other attractions you can currently experience at Universal Studios Hollywood but not at Universal Orlando are Secret Life of Pets and the WaterWorld stunt show. Universal Studios Hollywood also has different walk-around characters than in Orlando.

Comparing the Wizarding World in Orlando vs Hollywood

One of the biggest differences between Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you want to visit Diagon Alley you can only see it in Orlando. Both locations have Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle.

Did you know you can pre-purchase a photo package for Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood? Probably not, because Universal doesn’t make this easy to find. Never fear, here’s a quick look at how it works, where to get current prices, and how to buy the Universal Orlando photo package and the Universal Studios Hollywood photo package.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood

Hogsmeade Village at Universal Studios Hollywood is almost exactly the same as at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, often with lighter crowds.

Here’s what’s in the Wizarding World at Universal Hollywood:

• Hogsmeade Village
• Hogwarts Castle – including the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride
• Flight of the Hippogriff family coaster
• The Three Broomsticks and Hogs Head pub
• Shopping at Ollivander’s, Honeydukes, Zonkos, and more

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World is split between both the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios parks. Hogsmeade Village is in Islands of Adventure, while Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios. The Hogsmeade Express runs between the parks.

Because of the layout, you’ll need a two-park ticket to see the entire Orlando Wizarding World. Be sure to read my post about Universal Orlando ticket options before you buy your park admission.

Here’s what’s in the Wizarding World at Universal Orlando:

• Hogsmeade Village – Islands of Adventure
  • Hogwarts Castle – including the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride
  • Flight of the Hippogriff family coaster
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure roller coaster
  • The Three Broomsticks and Hogs Head pub
  • Shopping at Ollivander’s, Honeydukes, and more
  • Hogsmeade station – the Hogwarts Express runs between the parks
• Diagon Alley – Universal Studios
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Knockturn Alley
  • The Knight Bus
  • 12 Grimmauld Place
  • The Leaky Cauldron
  • Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour
  • Shopping at Madam Malkins’, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Borgin and Burkes, and more
  • King’s Cross station – the Hogwarts Express runs between the parks

Note that in 2025, a third addition to Orlando’s Wizarding World opens at the Epic Universe park. Learn more here.

Here’s a quick look at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World

Listen to my audio tour of Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter here

Staying on-site at Universal Orlando compared to Universal Studios Hollywood

If you want to stay close to the park gates, Universal Orlando offers way more options compared to Universal Hollywood.

Universal Orlando hotels

The Orlando resort has eight Universal-owned hotels all offering guest perks such as easy transportation and early park admission. Several of these hotels are within a quick walk to the park gates and even offer free Express Pass to guests.

Here is my complete guide to the Universal Orlando hotels.

Universal Studios Hollywood hotels

Universal Studios Hollywood has several hotels within about a mile of the gate, but none are operated by Universal and there are rarely special guest perks like early admission. Closest to the main gate is the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.

Remember LA’s notorious traffic when you decide where to stay for your visit to Universal Studios. As mentioned above, Disneyland is a very long drive from Hollywood. Consider choosing a nearby hotel for the time you’ll be visiting Universal.

Can you do it in one day?

A lot of visitors are adding Universal to a larger vacation. How much of it you can see in one day is much different in Orlando than in California.

Universal Orlando is really a multi-day destination

Universal Orlando in one day

Yes, you can see a lot of Universal Orlando in one day. If this is your aim, you’ll need a solid plan of the top things you want to do, and you’ll need to be there from park opening to closing. Express Pass can also be your best friend if you only want to spend one day at Universal Orlando.

Here are a few resources to help you navigate Universal Orlando in a day:

• Single rider tips
• How to rope drop
• All about Universal Orlando Express Pass
• How to add Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation
• The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando

Two or three days is best at Universal Orlando

Because Universal Orlando is so big (see above), most guests have a much better experience by spending at least a night on-site and touring for two or three days. When you’ve got several days to see everything, it allows for a slower pace and the chance to loop back for a second ride.

Universal also often offers discounts on multi-day tickets, such as buy 2 days get 2 free, which can make adding a day or two to your trip a lot more affordable. Be sure to check out these resources when you start planning your multi-day trip to Universal Orlando:

• 33 things to know before you visit Universal Orlando
• How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets
• Universal Orlando hotel guide
• Universal Orlando first-timer tips
• The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando

You can do Universal Studios Hollywood in a day

Even with the hour-long studio tour, you can see most of Universal Studios Hollywood in just one day – if you visit on a relatively low-crowd day. Two days is more than enough time to see everything and even go back to some favorites.

Busiest days will be weekends and school holidays, so if you’ll be visiting then you’ll want to consider a second day, or utilize tactics like rope drop, single rider, and Express Pass.

Single rider is a good way to skip the regular lines, and several of the headliner attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood have this option. This includes Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the Mummy, and Jurassic World.

Get a jump-start on your vacation research with my 60-second theme park quick start guides. Find them all here.

Comparing costs and ticket options between the Orlando and Hollywood Universal parks

Cost is of course a major factor in determining whether to include a Universal park in your vacation. Comparing Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood ticket costs involves a few factors.

Multi-day tickets

How many days you want to visit will determine a lot of the cost difference between Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood. While you may be satisfied just spending one day at Universal Studios Hollywood, a multi-day ticket often makes more sense for Universal Orlando.

If you’ll be staying on-site at Universal Orlando, I highly recommend considering an annual pass, even if you’re from out-of-state and don’t have a return visit planned. This is because Univeral Orlando’s annual passholder hotel savings often add up to much more than the added cost for the pass. Here’s a quick example of how it works.

Check for special ticket deals

Obviously, more days means more cost. But if you want to compare apples to apples, be sure to check the current ticket prices for Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood before you make an assumption. Universal Orlando almost always has discounts on multi-day tickets.

Here is my complete guide to Universal Orlando park tickets

Spending more than one day at Universal Hollywood? Consider an annual pass

At Universal Studios Hollywood you won’t find a multi-day ticket option. Only single-day or annual passes. So if you plan to visit for two days, you’ll have to buy two one-day tickets. Or you might find it’s actually cheaper at Universal Hollywood to buy an annual pass! That’s because annual passes here are priced at around the cost of two one-day tickets.

Book in a hotel package and save on your total trip

If you’re planning to stay in one of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels, or in one of the Universal Hollywood partner hotels, consider booking your room and park tickets together in a package. You can book a package through the Universal website or through a travel agent.

Universal’s hotel packages always offer whatever special ticket deal is available, so you won’t miss out on this by bundling everything together. There is often an additional discount built into the package price.

Another advantage to booking in a package is that you don’t have to pay for it all up front. You’ll just pay a deposit at booking, then the remainder 45 days prior to your trip. Compare this to purchasing your park tickets up front to lock in a deal, and a package may make more sense for you.

Comparing Universal Express Pass in Orlando vs Hollywood

Express Pass is Universal’s system that allows guests to skip the regular line. It’s an add-on that is like a VIP pass for most of the attractions both at Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood. If you hate standing in line or just want to move through the park extra-efficiently, consider adding Express Pass to your park admission.

There are a few nuances to Express Pass which I cover in this post and podcast episode. The Express line works the same in both Orlando and Hollywood, with the main difference being how you acquire an Express Pass.

In Orlando, Universal Express is a separate ticket – and you can get it for free

At Universal Orlando, Express Pass is an add-on to your park admission. You’ll choose this option when selecting your tickets, along with how many days and parks to include.

Here’s my guide to how Universal Orlando park tickets are structured.

One crucial difference between Express Pass at Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood is the opportunity for free Unlimited Express Pass. On-site guests at Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, and Portofino Bay hotels automatically receive Unlimited Express Pass as part of their stay. There is no need to purchase this, your room key is your pass.

The free Express Pass perk in Orlando offers a huge touring advantage for these hotel guests, and should really be considered – especially if your trip is in the summer or another busy season.

Here’s more insight about the free Express Pass benefit at Universal Orlando’s hotels.

In Hollywood, Universal Express is its own one-day ticket

For Universal Studios Hollywood, the one-day park ticket with Express is called a “Universal Express” ticket. This admission includes once-per-attraction access to the Express line for the day. If you want Unlimited Express, which gives unlimited access to the Express line, you can choose to upgrade your park ticket after you add the Universal Express ticket to your cart.

Unlike Orlando, there are no free Express Passes offered for hotel guests. If you’re not sure if you want Express Pass, there is also the opportunity to upgrade once you get into the park. But beware that the cost will likely be higher than purchasing in advance online, and Express Pass can sell out.

More tips for your Universal theme park vacation

Here on GoInformed.net there are lots more tips to help you have a great vacation. Check out these other posts:

• 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando
• How to get your family up early for a day at the parks
• Getting ready to walk at the parks
• Universal Orlando hotel guide
• How to add Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation

Are you a Marvel fan? Learn all about Disneyland’s Avengers Campus here.

The Go Informed Podcast

Get your theme park advice on the go! Listen and learn more on the Go Informed: Build a Better Vacation podcast. Catch my episode about Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood on your favorite podcast app, including:

• Apple podcasts
• Google podcasts
• Spotify

Bonus content direct to your inbox

Want to save money, avoid hassles, and have more fun on your theme park vacation? Sign up now to get two bonus mini-posts every month, exclusive to the Go Informed mailing list!

Click here to join the list.

Add this to your bucket list: Disneyland Paris

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The post Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood appeared first on Go Informed.

Meet Ric, a Disney World superfan who visits multiple times a year and even has his own Disney fan podcast. But he’s never been to Universal Orlando. On this episode of the Go Informed Podcast, we dive into all the Universal Orlando first-timer advice Ric should know for his long-overdue adventure.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episodes 69 and 70. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Go Informed Podcast episode 69

Episode 69 is my discussion with Ric before his first trip to Universal Orlando. You’ll hear lots of frequent first-timer questions answered here.

Go Informed Podcast episode 70

Episode 70 is Ric’s post-vacation trip report. Catch his stories and advice from his trip here.

Universal Orlando first-timer Ric’s trip plans

Ric’s heading to Universal for a 5 day stay in early August 2021. He’s visiting with his wife, daughters age 19 and 11, and son age 9.

As a huge Harry Potter fan, this visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to be the trip of a lifetime. With 5-day park tickets, Ric’s family should have tons of time to explore all of the Wizarding World along with everything else at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Staying on-site at Royal Pacific Resort

Ric’s family will be staying on-site at Universal Orlando’s Royal Pacific Resort. Royal Pacific guests receive free unlimited Universal Express Pass, plus an hour early park admission every morning. By choosing an on-site Express Pass hotel, theme park touring will be way more relaxed for the entire group.

Besides the Express Pass and early admission perks, Royal Pacific is one of the closest hotels to the Universal theme parks. Ric’s family can easily walk to the park gates in about 15 minutes, or take a free water taxi or paid pedicab.

How far apart is everything at Universal Orlando? Here are some common walking distances with maps.

My advice is to use that early park admission as many days as Ric’s family can manage it. Early admission is the perfect time to experience the Wizarding World before summer crowds roll in. It’s also the best time to encounter Olivander in his wand shop, and to ride the Hagrid’s Magicial Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster, since these are among the few attractions with no Express Pass entry.

Early admission at Universal Orlando is different than at Disney World

For Disney World fans, Universal’s early admission is a bit different. Universal opens an hour early for on-site hotel guests, some annual passholders, and selected outside visitors. Even though one or both of the theme parks are open early, only a limited part of the parks will actually be operating during this hour. In general, this is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions along with one or two other rides.

Be sure to consult Universal Orlando’s early park admission calendar to find out what attractions will be open early during your visit. If you notice both the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios parks opening early, that’s an indication that Universal’s expecting a busy day – even more reason to take advantage of your head-start.

Click here for a great hack you can use if you’ve got early admission at Universal Orlando, from my Go Informed newsletter.

Universal Express Pass advice for Disney fans

Ric and I discussed Express Pass compared to Disney’s FastPass system. Here are a few things to keep in mind about Express Pass:

• Like Disney’s FastPass, Express Pass allows guests to skip the regular line and board an attraction within minutes.
• Unlike Disney’s FastPass, Express Pass is not necessarily free. Universal sells Express as an add-on to park admission. However guests staying at certain on-site hotels receive Unlimited Express Passes for free during their stay.
• Guests can use Express Pass throughout the day whenever it’s convenient. There are no assigned times to use an Express Pass.
• Almost every attraction at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida has an Express Pass entrance. Notable exceptions are the Velocicoaster and the Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure coaster.
• Unlimited Express Pass, which hotel guests like Ric get for free, means you can ride any attraction through the Express Pass entrance as many times as you wish.
• The Volcano Bay water park also has Express Pass, which is purchased separately for that park.

Hey guys, since I first wrote this post Disney has re-vamped their skip-the-line system. Click here for a quick overview of how it works now.

Wizarding World advice for a first-timer

One of my top tips for Ric is to take it slow and really enjoy the immersive environment of the Wizarding World. Since he has five days in the parks, and Universal Express Pass, there is time to see and do pretty much everything.

A visit to Olivander’s Wand Shop will be top of the list on the family’s itinerary. I recommend picking up at least a couple of interactive wands to share. Experiencing the magic of casting spells in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade is a huge part of the Wizarding World atmosphere.

Since the Olivander’s Wand experience does not have Express Pass, this is a good thing to do first thing in the morning during Universal’s Early Admission. There is also no Express queue for Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure so this is another attraction best tackled first-thing during early admission.

If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express, which runs between the two parks, you’ll need a park-to-park ticket. Learn all about Universal Orlando’s tickets here.

Be sure to listen to the podcast audio from this episode, and also my audio tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for lots more advice about a first visit to this magical land.

Universal Orlando first-timer FAQ’s

Here are some of Ric’s questions, that are commonly asked by Universal Orlando first-timers.

Is early admission worth it?

Yes, early admission is a great way to beat the crowds at Universal Orlando. I advise taking advantage of this extra hour every morning. Guests at any of the Universal Orlando on-site hotels receive early admission throughout their stay.

Here’s a quick explanation of why staying on-site at Universal Orlando can make your day so much easier, from my Go Informed theme park tips newsletter.

What should we do first during early admission?

Go Informed Podcast episodes 23 and 26 are all about how to make the most of early admission at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. For advice specifically for early entry to Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure, check out episode 46.

Should we go to the parks on arrival day?

Especially for guests staying at one of Universal’s Premier resorts, it’s easy to visit the theme parks for just a few hours at the end of the day. In fact, on Sundays through Thursdays, after 4:00pm offers some of the lowest crowd levels of the day.

Can you dine in CityWalk & easily go back to the parks?

Yes, CityWalk is literally right outside the entrances to the two Universal Orlando theme parks. Click here to view maps and get more Universal Orlando walking distances.

Are the interactive wands worth it?

Oh yes, the interactive wands are pretty amazing. You get to do your own magic and add to the special atmosphere in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village. Plan to visit Olivander’s and buy at least one for your group.

What else is there to do besides Harry Potter?

The Universal Orlando theme parks include lands dedicated to Marvel, Jurassic Park, the Simpsons, Dr. Seuss, and many of your favorite movies and TV shows. There is definitely something for everyone.

Want to get the lay of the land? Check out my audio tours of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. They are Go Informed Podcast episodes three and four.

Should we worry about motion sickness on the Universal rides?

Universal is known for it’s wide use of screens in many attractions. Especially on 4-D movie attractions like Minion Mayhem and Race Through New York, a lot of guests have issues with motion sickness.

If you have a sensitive member in your group, you can use Universal’s rider swap system to give the ride a test-run. Here’s how to do it.

Do we lose much experience by using the Express Pass queue?

Because you are skipping the regular line, riders using Express Pass may miss some of the pre-show queue experience. The regular queues for Skull Island: Reign of Kong and the Mummy coaster probably have the most detail you will miss. However, you will also be missing many minutes of waiting in line.

For the Harry Potter attractions inside Gringotts Bank and Hogwarts Castle, the Express Pass line goes through all the same detailed rooms as the normal line. The only thing you’ll miss here is the long, snaking queues outside the buildings.

What should we know about water rides?

Water rides at Universal Orlando are no joke. Be ready to get really wet. The worst (or best, depending on how you look at it) are Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. Not only are both of these attractions on/in water, there are water cannons to the side that other guests can use to drench riders passing by.

The Jurassic Park River Adventure can also be very wet. Although it looks like a Jungle Cruise type boat ride, the ending is more like Splash Mountain on steroids. Especially if you sit up front, be ready for wet shoes and probably much more.

Quick tips for a Universal Orlando first-timer

• When you first arrive at Universal Orlando, buy a lanyard for everyone in your group. This is a great way to keep your park ticket and Express Pass safe and accessible.
• For the attractions with a high degree of motion, especially the roller coasters, Universal requires all loose items to be stored in a locker. Free lockers are provided near the entrance to these attractions and anything you can’t fit in your pockets must be stashed away in a locker.
• The following attractions require EVERYTHING to be in a locker, not just in your pockets. You will pass through a metal detector to be sure there is nothing on your person.
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • Jurassic World Velocicoaster
• There is a secret song list for the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Here’s how to hack it.
• Go Informed Podcast episode 7 is all about what to expect on your first day in the Universal Orlando parks.

Universal Orlando is so big that there are a bunch of cool things you could easily overlook. Check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter to find out about 9 of my favorite Universal Orlando hidden gems. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Ric’s top Universal Orlando first-timer advice

I talked to Ric after his trip and these are the top tips he has for other first-time Universal Orlando visitors.

Use the hotel water taxi in the morning

The security line might look long for the early water taxi but it moves much faster than at the main entrance to CityWalk. Once you’re on the boat, you don’t have to go through any more security to get into the parks.

Express Pass is awesome

Because they had unlimited Express Passes, Ric’s family could tour the parks however they wished. This freedom was a huge perk, especially with a group of five.

Stay in an Express Pass hotel

By staying in the Royal Pacific Resort, Ric’s entire family got free Unlimited Express Passes for their entire vacation. Even accounting for the higher room rate, Ric figures he saved about $2000 over choosing a non-Express hotel and purchasing the passes separately.

Get a park-to-park ticket

Universal’s park-to-park ticket allows you to go between both parks on the same day. Ric’s family loved this option.”We could go back and forth without a second thought”.

Check out Ric’s Monorail Tales Podcast

Big thanks to Ric for sharing his trip plans with us! Be sure to check out the Monorail Tales Podcast, which Ric hosts with a delightful gang of Disney enthusiasts. You can even catch the episode featuring me!

Find the show on your favorite podcast app or at MonorailTales.com.

Follow Ric on Instagram and Facebook

Here’s Ric’s social media links:

• Monorail Tales Facebook page
• Monorail Tales Facebook group
• On Instagram: @MonorailTales and @MagicIntheHills

60-second quick guide to Universal Orlando

More tips for your first trip to Universal Orlando

Here on GoInformed.net and on the Go Informed Podcast, you’ll find lots of tips to help you have a fantastic first trip to Universal Orlando. Check out these top posts:

• 33 things to know before you visit Universal Orlando
• How Universal Orlando compares to Universal Hollywood
• Universal Orlando walking distances, maps, and training tips
• How to add Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation
• Complete guide to the Universal Orlando hotels

Bonus tips straight to your inbox

Join the Go Informed mailing list for twice-monthly topical tips delivered straight to you. Click here to sign up.

The post Universal Orlando First-Timer Advice for a Disney World Wizard appeared first on Go Informed.

As one of the biggest movie franchises in the world, Marvel is a natural for theme park attractions. In the USA, guests can experience Marvel attractions and meet characters in both Universal and Disney theme parks. Here’s where you can find Marvel and what to expect at each location.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 68. Click below to listen, or find the show on your favorite podcast player.

In the USA, Marvel attractions can be found at Universal Orlando, Disney World, and Disneyland

Good news for Marvel fans – whether you visit Disneyland, Disney World, or Universal Orlando you can rub shoulders with your favorite superheroes. Yes, Disney owns the blockbuster franchise today, but due to a pre-existing contract with Universal Orlando, there is an entire Marvel land located in the Islands of Adventure theme park.

Technically, Universal is supposed to have the theme park rights to Marvel in any park east of the Mississippi. However, Disney has found a loophole and is introducing selected characters at their Epcot park. So now Orlando visitors can experience unique Marvel attractions at both Universal and Disney.

On the west coast, Disney has opened a Marvel-themed land at Disneyland’s California Adventure. Dubbed the Avengers’ Campus, this land is an immersive visit into the MCU.

Why are all the parks working hard to bring Marvel to life? In our podcast chat, Joey shared some stats that show Marvel is by-far the highest grossing movie franchise of all-time.

Marvel at Universal Orlando

Marvel Superhero Island is Universal Orlando’s Marvel-themed land. It’s located in the Islands of Adventure theme park and feels like a journey into a Marvel comic book. Characters interact with visitors like action-figures come to life, rather than lookalikes from the movies. There are three major attractions in Marvel Superhero Island.

Marvel Attractions at Universal Orlando

• Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

Listen to my audio tour of the Islands of Adventure theme park here.

Marvel at Disney World

Thanks to a complicated loophole, Disney is also able to offer Marvel attractions in Orlando. The big Marvel-themed ride at Disney World is Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This highly-themed indoor roller coaster opened in 2022 and is by far the most popular attraction in the park.

Want an at-a-glance look at Disney World? Check out my 75-second quick guide right here.

Marvel at Disneyland

Avengers Campus

Located in California Adventure, Avengers’ Campus is Disneyland’s Marvel complex. Immersive theming includes a Headquarters building topped by a full-size Quinjet, an Ancient Sanctum featuring encounters with Doctor Strange, and two major attractions. Movie lookalikes interact with guests and perform stunts throughout the day.

Even the dining options are fully themed. At Pym’s Test Kitchen, guests can enjoy huge chicken sandwiches and giant pretzels.

Marvel Attractions at Disneyland

There are two major attractions at California Adventure’s Avengers Campus:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
• Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Disneyland Avengers Campus Quick Guide

Go Informed Podcast episode 75 is all about Avengers Campus. Click here to read the related show notes.

More theme park tips from Go Informed

Here on GoInformed.net you’ll find lots of info to help you have a great vacation in the Disney and Universal parks. Be sure to check out these posts:

• Universal Orlando vs Universal Hollywood
• 33 Things to know before you visit Universal Orlando
• 55 Things to know before you visit Disney World
• Park maps, walking distances, and how to train for your theme park vacation
• How to add Universal to your Disney World vacation

Bonus tips delivered straight to your inbox

Be sure to join the mailing list so you’ll get my twice-monthly bonus tipsheet, delivered straight to you. Click here to sign up for these exclusive tips, and to read what you’ve missed so far.

More episodes with The Disney Hack

• Christmastime at Disneyland trip report
• Comparing Disneyland and Disney World
• How to hack TripAdvisor One-Star Reviews

This post contains affiliate links.

The post Marvel Attractions in the Disney and Universal Parks appeared first on Go Informed.

When it comes to a Disney World vacation, one of the biggest investments you’ll make is the theme park tickets. Disney World park tickets are priced to compete with top-tier entertainment like Broadway shows, NBA games, and music festivals.

When you start your vacation planning, knowing how Disney World park tickets are priced, and what the options are, can really help your Orlando itinerary fall into place.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 65. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Disney World ticket options

At Disney World, you’ll need to decide more than just how many days you want to visit. Tickets are priced based on:

• How many days do you need admission?
• How many parks would you like to visit on any given day?
• Do you want to include water parks or golf in your ticket?
• What is the first date you’ll spend in the parks?

Let’s take a closer look at each of these options, so you can be ready with the right decision when you buy your tickets.

How many days will you visit the Disney World parks?

One of the first things you’ll need to decide is the number of days you’ll spend in the Disney World parks. You can choose a park ticket covering admission from one to ten days total, beyond that you’ll want an annual pass.

One-day park tickets are always the most expensive option at Disney World

On a per-day basis, tickets that are only good for one day’s admission are always priced the highest. Here’s an example:

• One-day one-park ticket for April 7, 2021 is $140
• A two-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $271
• A three-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $389
• A four-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $475
• A five-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $506
• A six-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $521
• A seven-day one-park-per-day ticket starting April 7, 2021 is $539

Note that these dates are in the heart of spring break season. As we’ll discuss in a moment, Disney World’s ticket prices are based on the time of the year you will visit. These Spring Break dates are at the top of the pricing scale.

Incremental price goes down a lot once you get to a five-day ticket

You can see in the example above that as more days are added, the incremental increase goes down, especially when you get out beyond a four-day ticket. Here the cost to go from four days in the parks to five is only an extra $31. Thirty-one dollars for an entire day (or even part of a day) in one of the Disney World theme parks is a fantastic deal.

Staying on-site at Disney? Cover your arrival or departure day in your park ticket

Depending on your travel plans, you may be able to spend time in the Disney World parks on the day you arrive or the day you depart. Especially if you stay on-site, this can be a great way to take that last extra ride on a favorite attraction or get a jump on your vacation.

There are a lot of great reasons to stay in a Disney World hotel, and a top one is convenience. It’s easy to spend a partial day exploring a park when you just have a quick trip from your hotel.

If you’re planning to stay on-site for three nights or more, it can make a lot of sense to upgrade your park ticket to a four or five day admission. At $31, even just a few hours in a park on that fifth day can be totally worth it.

Disney World multi-day park tickets don’t have to be used on consecutive days

If you purchase a multi-day park ticket from Disney, you’ll have a few extra days to use it up. Here’s the rules:

• Two day park ticket must be used within 4 days
• Three day park ticket must be used within 5 days
• Four day park ticket must be used within 7 days
• Five day park ticket must be used within 8 days
• Six day park ticket must be used within 9 days
• Seven day park ticket must be used within 10 days
• Eight day park ticket must be used within 12 days
• Nine day park ticket must be used within 13 days
• Ten day park ticket must be used within 14 days

Adding the Park-Hopper option to your tickets

So far we’ve just talked about the “Standard” ticket option at Disney World. A standard park ticket allows admission to any one of the four Disney World theme parks per day. If you leave that park during the day you can re-enter, but that’s the only one you can visit all day.

Park-hopper allows you to visit up to all four of the Disney World theme parks on any given day.

Want to get more familiar with the four parks at Disney World? Episode 9 of the Go Informed Podcast is an introduction to the entirety of Disney World. Listen here or on your favorite podcast app.

How much does it cost to add park-hopper to a Disney World ticket?

Let’s go back to our sample prices and take a look at what it costs to add the park-hopper option.

For multi-day tickets, park hopper doesn’t cost that much more

As you can see from the numbers, the park hopper option is a flat-rate addition to your Disney World ticket. If you are only visiting for one day, adding park hopper will increase your ticket price by around 50%. But for multi-day tickets the increase is not nearly as great.

By the time you get up to a four day ticket, the option to hop between the parks is around $20 a day. So the question you need to ask is how much do you want to be able to visit multiple parks in the same day?

Why add park hopper?

Here are a few reasons you may want to consider adding park hopper to your ticket:

• You want to rope drop an attraction in one park but eat dinner in another
• You want the flexibility to move to another park if the one you start in feels too busy
• You like the challenge of seeing more than one park in a day
• You only have a couple of days but want to at least step foot in every Disney World park
• You really want to see a certain park after dark but don’t want to spend the entire day there

What you need to know about park hopping at Disney World during 2022

As with a lot of things right now, park hopping is not quite as simple as it sounds. During Disney World’s COVID-19 operations, there are a few limitations to know about.

Park hopping is allowed at Disney World beginning at 2:00 pm

Guests with park hopper tickets are free to hop to a second/third/fourth Disney World park beginning at 2:00 every day. BUT you must have a reservation on that day for a first park, and you must enter that park before you will be allowed to hop to a second one.

Beginning at 2:00, you can switch to any other park, and can go on to visit all the parks that same day if you wish. Keep in mind that during the current operations, hours and capacity is limited.

Park capacity and hours are limited during COVID-19 operations

If the second park is at capacity you won’t be able to hop there. However, this is an extremely rare possibility – even on the most busy days there have not been capacity issues with park hopping at Disney World.

Note the park hours for your visit. Some parks may be closing at 7:00pm or 8:00pm. This still allows lots of time even if you can’t switch until 2:00, but the old challenge of visiting all four parks on the same day is currently a lot harder to accomplish.

Another new twist you’ll want to know about: Disney Genie and Lightning Lane. This is the replacement for Disney’s classic FastPass system. Get the basics here.

Other add-ons to your park ticket

If you plan to spend time either in one of the Disney World water parks, or at the Oak Trail golf course, consider adding this right into your park ticket. You can select the Water Park and Sports option (one theme park per day ticket), or the Park Hopper Plus Option (adds water parks and sports to your park hopper ticket) when you buy your tickets.

Note that it is also possible to simply buy a one-day water park ticket separately. Same with using the golf course. So if you’re not sure if you’d use these add-ons you can skip this when buying your park tickets.

Especially if you are planning to include the water parks in your vacation, adding these right to your ticket can save some money. Play around on Disney’s ticketing site early and do the math to see what makes the most sense for you.

Disney World tickets are priced based on the date you will be visiting

Higher demand = higher price

You can actually tell how busy Disney expects the parks to be on your dates just by pricing out the tickets. Peak dates can top out at around $160 for a one day standard ticket. The lowest one day ticket price you should see is around $110. (spring 2021 pricing)

When selecting your tickets, you’ll have to choose the date you intend to first be in a park. Take a look at the pricing calendar on Disney’s ticketing page and you’ll see a whole month of different prices.

You can use this pricing as a hack to help decide which dates to choose for your vacation. If you have flexibility, go for the dates with lower prices. This is Disney’s prediction so should be pretty reliable.

If the tickets for your dates are on the top end of the pricing, this means you need to plan for busier parks. I’ve got tons of tips for this here on the site – a good place to start is with this post. You’ll also want to get those tickets early so you can lock in your park reservations.

Buy your park tickets early

Disney World is currently operating with a park reservation system that requires guests to choose which park they will start in each day. You cannot make this reservation unless you hold a valid park ticket. And you cannot start your day in a park without that reservation.

Be sure to check Disney’s park reservation calendar before you lock in your dates, so you know ahead of time which parks still have available reservations. Waiting until the last minute to make park reservations can result in limited options, or even no available parks on your dates. When is the last minute? It totally depends on the date you want to go.

Purchasing your tickets in a package with your Disney World hotel is a great way to lock down your itinerary without a big cash outlay. When you book in a Disney package, just a $200 deposit is required – and once you’ve made that deposit you technically have park tickets. This allows you to make those park reservations right away.

Learn more about how Disney World vacation packages work here.

Purchasing Disney World tickets at a discount

There are a few ways to find discounted Disney World tickets. Usually it’s not directly from Disney, although they will occasionally offer promotional pricing in vacation packages.

One thing to keep in mind is that one-day park tickets are pretty much never discounted. If you’re planning to visit for just that one day you’ll be paying full price. See my examples above.

When you purchase through a third-party just be sure to stick with a reputable source like AAA/CAA, a large retailer, or a long-time Disney partner. Discounts are usually modest but can really add up if you’re purchasing multiple tickets.

More tips for your Disney World and Orlando vacation

Now that you’ve figured out the tickets, it’s time to get ready for the rest of your vacation. Get lots more tips here on GoInformed.net, including:

• 55 things you should know before you visit Disney World
• Ultimate Disney World hotel guide
• Tips for Disney World during COVID-19
• Adding Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation
• How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets

The Go Informed Podcast

Theme park tips and info on the go! Be sure to look for the Go Informed: Build a Better Vacation podcast on your favorite podcast player.

From audio theme park tours to my best Disney World and Universal tips and hacks, you’ll find it all on the Go Informed podcast.

The post How to Choose Your Disney World Park Tickets appeared first on Go Informed.

Understanding how Universal Orlando park tickets are priced can drive a lot of decisions about your vacation. Which tickets you choose will impact the number of days spent at Universal, whether you’ll want to stay on-site, and even which hotel you ultimately select. Therefore it’s very important to begin early on in the planning process to decide which park tickets you’ll need.

With a seemingly bewildering array of options, Universal Orlando’s ticket site can be quite overwhelming. In this post and podcast episode I break down each option step-by-step so you can get the right tickets at the best price. And make those delightful decisions about how much time to spend in the parks and where to stay.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 65. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Universal Orlando theme park ticket options

At Universal Orlando, you’ll need to decide more than just how many days you want to visit. Tickets are priced based on which parks you want to include and the dates you intend to use them. When you purchase the tickets, you’ll need to know the answers to these questions:

• How many days do you need admission? Click to jump to this step
• How many parks would you like to visit? How many on any given day? Click to jump to this step
• What is the first date you’ll spend in the parks? Click to jump to this step
• Do you want to add Universal Express to your tickets? Click to jump to this step
• Is an annual pass right for you? Click to jump to this step

Let’s take a closer look at each of these options, so you can be ready with the right decision when you buy your tickets.

Three theme parks

Universal will tell you they have three theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are traditional theme parks, Volcano Bay is a highly themed modern water park. All are worth a visit and you will need to determine how much time you wish to spend in each.

Now’s the time to get familiar with what’s at Universal Orlando. Check out Go Informed Podcast episodes 3, 4, and 5 for audio park tours. Another great resource is the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando.

Here’s my 60-second guide to Universal Orlando

How many days park admission do you want?

Universal offers park tickets ranging from one to five days. Beyond that, you’ll be looking at an annual pass.

Unless you’ll be staying off-site and know for sure you only need a one-day ticket, there are a few things to consider here.

Look for ticket promotions

When deciding how many days to spend at Universal Orlando, park ticket pricing should be one of the first things you consider. This is because Universal often offers ticket promotions that include free days in the parks. This should be especially true in 2021.

For instance, under the promotion running at the time of this post, if you purchase your park tickets by April 27, 2021 you will receive a 4-day park ticket for less than the standard 2-day price. This is valid for admission up to December 17, 2021.

Even if you don’t intend to spend four days at Universal, this deal can make a multi-day visit much more feasible.

Where to find park ticket discounts on the Universal Orlando site

On Universal Orlando’s website, the promo tickets are usually listed right on the main park tickets page. The site will sometimes automatically give Florida resident pricing first – so be sure you unselect this if you notice anything that says “Florida resident”. (Unless of course you live in Florida and have ID to prove it).

One-day park tickets are always the most expensive option

On a per-day basis, tickets that are only good for one day’s admission are always priced the highest. Here’s an example:

• One-day one-park ticket for March 17, 2021 is $140
• A two-day one-park-per-day ticket starting March 17, 2021 is $249
• A three-day one-park-per-day ticket starting March 17, 2021 is $270

You can see in the example above that as more days are added to the ticket, the incremental increase goes down. Here the cost to go from two days in the parks to three is only an extra $21. Twenty-one dollars for an entire day (or even part of a day) in one of the Universal Orlando theme parks is a heck of a deal.

Note that these are not the promotional discount ticket. At the current promo offer, a four-day one-park-per-day ticket starting March 17, 2021 is actually $225!

Staying on-site? Get a park ticket to cover your arrival or departure day

Depending on your travel plans, you may be able to spend time in the Universal Orlando parks on the day you arrive or the day you depart. Especially if you stay on-site, this can be a great way to take that last extra ride on a favorite attraction or get a jump on your vacation.

Guests staying on-site get early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on every day of their stay. So if your flight leaves Orlando late in the day you can still have lots of park time even on that departure day. Same for your arrival day, if you arrive into Orlando early enough or split your stay from another destination.

As you can see from the example above, it doesn’t cost that much more to include that extra day or two in your park ticket. And if you can score a multi-day promo deal it’s almost a no-brainer to spend that extra few hours in a park.

Multi-day tickets don’t have to be used on consecutive days

If you purchase a multi-day park ticket from Universal, you will have a few extra days to use it up.

• 2-day ticket must be used within 5 days of start date
• 3-day ticket must be used within 6 days of start date
• 4-day ticket must be used within 7 days of start date
• 5-day ticket must be used within 8 days of start date

The post How to Choose Your Universal Orlando Park Tickets appeared first on Go Informed.

Choosing where to stay is one of the biggest decisions for any vacation. With about two dozen on-site Disney World hotel options, guests face a huge host of choices. This post gives you the information you need to decide where to stay, how to save money on your Disney World hotel, and how to make the most of your Orlando vacation.

First we’ll discuss why you should choose a Disney World hotel, and how to sift through the choices. Then I share some advice for booking your vacation. And finally a complete listing of every Disney World resort with a quick guide to what makes each property special. Be sure to bookmark this article for future reference.

Why you should stay in a Disney World hotel

Hear me discuss the basics about Disney World’s hotels on Go Informed Podcast episode 59. You can listen right here or on your favorite podcast app.

The Disney Bubble

There are a lot of choices for accommodations in Orlando, so why should you choose to stay on-site at a Disney World hotel? One of the top reasons is the “Disney Bubble”. The Disney Bubble is the concept that once you enter the Manhattan-sized Disney World property you are leaving the real world behind.

By staying in a Disney hotel, you don’t have to leave the bubble even when you leave a park. All of the Disney resorts exude the same service, attention to detail, and touch of fantasy that you’ll find in the theme parks. Disney provides free transportation to all the theme parks, including some very unusual modes, so you don’t even have to drive. All of this adds up to a complete vacation experience that keeps the real world out for awhile.

Convenience

The on-property hotels are the most convenient to the Disney theme parks, both in terms of physical location and transportation. Some are just a monorail, boat, or Skyliner ride away from the park entrance. A few are even within walking distance.

If you choose to book your hotel in a Disney vacation package, you’ll have the convenience of making payments instead of purchasing your park tickets up front. And you’ll have one number to call if you need to make a change or have a question.

Staying on-site can also make your mornings a little easier. From room service to character wake-up calls, the Disney hotels offer tactics to get your family up and moving with less drama. Check out 7 simple ways you can improve your Disney morning here.

Perks at the parks

Disney offers lots of extra benefits for guests staying in their hotels, including:

• Priority for park reservations
• Convenient free transportation from the hotels to the Disney parks and Disney Springs
• Exclusive 30-minutes early theme park entry to every park every day
• An hour or two morning head-start on booking Individual Lightning Lane selections
• Extended evening hours for guests staying in Deluxe resorts, and the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin hotels
• Charge your purchases in the parks and Disney Springs to your room. Pre-order a Magic Band and you’ll just tap to pay.

Did you know you can leverage Disney’s early admission to beat the crowds twice in the same morning? Find out how to double-up your rope drop here.

The Disney World hotels are true vacation destinations

Every one of the Disney hotels is a true resort property, much more than just a bed for the night. From the most luxurious to the budget-friendly options, every property has unique theming, postcard-worthy swimming pools, meticulously landscaped grounds, and tempting dining options.

Anywhere else, these resorts would be destinations on their own. The sort of hotel where you could spend a long weekend just hanging out on the property. Make some time in your Disney vacation to explore and enjoy your resort.

How to decide which Disney World hotel is right for you

The Disney World resort categories

Disney splits their lodging options into several categories: Deluxe, Moderate, Value, and DVC Villas. While there are some distinct differences between the types, guests will enjoy the convenience, resort experience, and “Disney Bubble” at any Disney World property.

Deluxe

The Disney World deluxe resorts are high-end luxury properties with the pricing and amenities you’d expect at any five-star hotel. All of the deluxe resorts feature multiple dining options, including fine dining and often character meals.

At the Disney deluxe hotels you’ll find spectacular lobbies and the largest rooms on property. The only hotels within walking distance to a theme park* are deluxe resorts. These resorts also have on-site amenities like fitness centers and spas, which are not found in the other categories.

Disney World’s Deluxe resorts also include a very special perk: extended evening park hours at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This benefit is only open to guests staying in the Disney Deluxe hotels.

*The Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin, which I categorize as moderate, are the exception to this rule. And one more exception – the moderate Coronado Springs has a fitness center. You can get all these details in the hotel listings later in this post.

Moderate

Disney World’s moderate hotels provide lots of on-site amenities with a more casual design. Rooms here are smaller than at the deluxe resorts, soft goods like towels and sheets are a bit more pedestrian and the dining options are mostly less formal. Many of the moderate hotels are on sprawling grounds with lots of activities, like fishing, jogging trails, and bike rentals.

Most of the moderate hotels feature multi-story buildings with outdoor corridors. Don’t let this “motel” appearance fool you. Sited on park-like acreage, your room is more likely to look out on greenery than a parking lot.

Value

Often at rates that compare to chain off-site options, the Disney World value hotels provide all the delights of the Disney Bubble along with some of the most heavily themed environments. Dining options are extensive food courts, and buildings are low-rise with exterior corridors.

The value resorts take up lots of land, which allows room for incredible theming elements like a life-size homage to the Cozy Cone motel and huge themed pools. Rooms are the smallest on property and the towels are not Egyptian cotton, but for theming and atmosphere these are some of Disney World’s top options.

The DVC Villas

If you’re looking for a luxury condo-style accommodation on the Disney World property, you’ll want a DVC Villa.

DVC is the Disney Vacation Club, a time-share program that rents out excess inventory through the Disney World booking system. You absolutely do not have to be a DVC owner to stay in a villa, and you don’t have to worry about getting sucked into a time-share pitch if you book a villa for your stay. If you book your villa through Disney’s system, your reservation will be just the same as if you book any other hotel room.

The villas are located at most of the deluxe resorts and at a couple of all-villa properties. These are apartment-style units that range in size from studio to three-bedrooms. All have kitchen facilities and most have in-room washers and dryers. The villas share all the amenities of their adjacent resorts, so you get all the space of a condo with the experience of staying at a Disney property.

Questions to help you choose your Disney World hotel

When choosing where to stay, don’t assume one category is automatically the right one for you. Consider a few questions first to narrow down your options, then explore the properties that fit best your needs and budget.

What’s your budget?

The farther ahead you plan, the more opportunity you’ll have to find something within your budget. The Disney resorts usually range in price from about $100 per night at the campground to over $1000 per night for a large Deluxe Villa. There are LOTS of choices in between.

For real-time pricing, be sure to scroll down to the hotel listings later in this post for links to Disney’s website.

Don’t forget to include the price of your park tickets in your budget. Keep in mind that once you get beyond a three or four day ticket, the incremental cost to add another day can be very low. Booking your hotel and tickets in a Disney vacation package can sometimes save money on the total. If you use a travel agent, they can help you figure out the most economical way to purchase your Disney vacation.

Learn more about the different Disney World park ticket options, and how they add up, in this post.

Check out my tips below for more advice about saving money on your hotel stay.

What size room do you need?

How many guests are in your party? Will you all stay in one room or spread out?

Room size is biggest at the Disney World Deluxe resorts, but some of the value hotels have economical family suites that sleep up to 6.

Even for a typical family of 3 or 4, a DVC villa may be the best choice. Villas include a kitchen, separate living space, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms (depending on the size you choose). This means more space for your group and makes it easier to get everyone going in the morning.

What amenities do you want?

While some amenities depend on the resort category (for instance, if you’re looking for fine dining and room service, you’ll want a deluxe hotel), every Disney World hotel has something unique to offer. If on-site activities are important, check out a resort like Fort Wilderness. If you want a fitness center, look for a deluxe or stay at the moderate Coronado Springs.

Be sure to scroll down to my hotel listings below for a synopsis of each resort.

75-second Disney World Quick Guide

What’s your favorite Disney World park?

If you have a theme park where you expect to spend the most time, look for a resort nearby or with easy transportation to that park.

Disney World hotels most convenient to Magic Kingdom are:

• Grand Floridian
• Contemporary
• Polynesian Village
• Wilderness Lodge
• Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Fort Wilderness Campground

Disney World hotels most convenient to Epcot are:

• Yacht and Beach Club
• Boardwalk Inn
• Riviera
• Saratoga Springs
• Old Key West
• Caribbean Beach
• Port Orleans French Quarter
• Port Orleans Riverside
• Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation

Note that Epcot is the most centrally located theme park at Disney World, resorts near Epcot are therefore most equally distant between the other parks.

Disney World hotels most convenient to Hollywood Studios are:

• Yacht and Beach Club
• Boardwalk Inn
• Riviera
• Caribbean Beach
• Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation

Disney World hotels most convenient to Animal Kingdom are:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Coronado Springs
• All-Star Movies, Music, Sports

Do you want a hotel with lots of theming?

If you want the full 24/7 Disney experience, choose a hotel with lots of theming. In many cases these are not the most expensive resorts. In fact, some of the best theming on the property is at the value Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts.

Most of the deluxe resorts have understated theming, but not all. The Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful reproduction of a Western US National Park lodge, and at Animal Kingdom Lodge you can watch zebras graze right outside your room.

For animal lovers, some of the best options are Fort Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Be sure to read my animal lover’s guide to Disney World for more info.

I’ve noted the theming at each resort in my listings below.

The post Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels appeared first on Go Informed.

You don’t have to wait until December to experience Christmas at Universal Orlando. Once the Halloween Horror Nights die away, Universal’s parks transform into a living holiday movie. By the middle of November most every corner of the resort is flush with Christmas decor.

Christmas at Universal Orlando combines a delightful mixture of classic holiday traditions with fantasy worlds like Harry Potter and Dr Seuss. From the Macy’s parade to the Who’s in Whoville, a magical Christmas atmosphere flourishes throughout the resort.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 58. To get the whole story, be sure to listen to the audio below or find this episode on your favorite podcast player. Thanks so much for tuning in!

Christmas in the Universal Orlando theme parks

Universal Orlando is all about bringing our favorite movies, TV shows, and stories to life. At Christmas, the parks abound with references to those holiday specials and Christmas movies we’ve all seen a million times.

Featuring its own version of the Macy’s holiday parade as well as concerts and other special events, Universal has a lot to offer visitors during the Christmas season. And there is no extra ticket charge for the holiday events in the Universal Orlando parks.

Universal Studios Florida: Rockettes and Macy’s Balloons

At Christmastime, the New York neighborhood at Universal Studios transforms to a big-city holiday celebration. A giant Christmas tree (with a cheeky surprise inside) anchors the square in front of Macy’s department store.

Street performers, including a talented group of Rockettes, entertain here throughout the day.

Be sure to explore the tree. Hidden inside is Earl the Squirrel, who pops out now and then to surprise unsuspecting guests, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” style.

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In the evenings, Universal Studios Orlando hosts its own version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade complete with gigantic balloons. Guests over age 18 can even volunteer as balloon handlers!

Some nights also include live Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concerts. All of this is included in regular park admission.

Earl is one of many hidden gems at Universal Orlando. Check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter to learn 9 of my favorite Universal Orlando experiences you could easily overlook. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Islands of Adventure: Grinchmas

Suess Landing is the heart of the Christmas celebration at Islands of Adventure. During the holidays, all the Whos in Whoville celebrate Grinchmas.

It’s hard to walk through this lavishly decorated land without encountering a few Whoville citizens, or even the Grinch himself.

The Grinch also stars in his own Broadway-style show called “Grinchmas”. Playing multiple times every day, this original musical production features many of the same Whos you’ll meet on the street in Seuss Landing.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogwarts projection show and hot butterbeer

Located in both Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade Village) and Universal Studios Florida (Diagon Alley), the Wizarding World of Harry Potter takes on a magical air of holiday cheer.

With its permanently snow-covered rooftops, Hogsmeade Village naturally feels more Christmas-y than Diagon Alley. Both wizarding communities are decked out with pine garland and other holiday decor.

A special “Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” projection show runs on Hogwarts Castle after dark. (Not in 2020 sadly) It’s about a 10-minute long show that’s well worth stopping to watch.

Hot butterbeer is a special treat only available during the winter months at Universal Orlando. Be sure to try a cup. You can find hot butterbeer at the Hogs Head Pub and the Leaky Cauldron, and usually at a few of the street carts in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village.

Christmas at the Universal Orlando hotels and CityWalk

Since many of the holiday events in the parks take place after dark, Christmas is a great time to stay on-site at Universal Orlando. Staying next to the parks means easy access to your hotel bed when the day is done.

Early park admission is another good reason to stay in a Universal Orlando hotel at the holidays. Christmas and New Years are the busiest days of the year, so having an extra hour in the parks before the crowds arrive is a huge advantage. Some hotels also provide free Unlimited Universal Express Pass to all guests.

Be sure to read my post about the Universal Orlando hotels here.

Additionally, the Universal hotels offer special holiday buffets and activities for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And of course lots of festive decor.

Universal CityWalk hosts a holiday tree hunt, and a huge New Year’s Eve party for guests age 21 and over.

Tips for visiting Universal Orlando during the Christmas season

• Buy a two-park ticket so you can visit all of the Wizarding World in the same day. You’ll need a two-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express.
• Plan to be in the parks after dark. Evening events include the Macy’s parade, Hogwarts projection show, and Mannheim Steamroller concerts.
• Stay on-site for convenience and to get early admission and other perks to help you beat the crowd.
• Be sure to watch the weather forecast when you pack for your trip. December in Orlando can be 80 degrees or literally freezing at night.
• Know that the holidays at Universal Orlando are a big tradition for local Orlando residents. Expect weekends to be busy.
• Christmas 2021 will likely be more popular than ever since many of the traditional holiday events did not take place in 2020.
• Since Christmas spans from November to the end of the year, if you have the flexibility to visit during a low-crowd week you can see everything without the holiday crush. Best dates are usually the beginning of November and the beginning of December.
• Christmas and New Years Eves/Days are usually the busiest days of the year at Universal Orlando. If you choose to visit at that time, be sure to have a plan for dealing with the crowds.

More tips for your Universal Orlando vacation

• 33 things you should know before you visit Universal Orlando
• Universal Orlando hotel guide
• Universal Orlando compared to Universal Hollywood
• Adding Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation
• 55 things you should know before you visit Disney World

75-second quick guide to Christmas at Disney World

Curious about what it’s like to visit Disney World at Christmas? Take a quick look right here.

What’s Christmas like at Disneyland? Check out this trip report and photo album.

The Go Informed Podcast

Theme park tips and info on the go! Be sure to look for the Go Informed: Build a Better Vacation podcast on your favorite podcast player.

From audio theme park tours to my best Disney World and Universal tips and hacks, you’ll find it all on the Go Informed podcast.

This post contains affiliate links.

The post Christmas Stories Come to Life at Universal Orlando appeared first on Go Informed.

Christmas at Disney World is an extra special time of year. Spanning the months of November and December, the holiday season brings special theming and events to every corner of the resort. If you are searching for a way to make your next Christmas extra festive and memorable, it’s hard to beat spending it at Disney World.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 57. To get the whole story, be sure to listen to the audio below or find this episode on your favorite podcast player. Thanks so much for tuning in!

If you want an over-the-top Christmas experience, this is the place for you

Christmas is a magical time of year, and nobody does magic and fantasy better than Disney. From the theme parks, to the resorts, and everything in between, at Disney World you’ll find Christmas charm throughout.

Christmas at Disney World begins immediately after Halloween

You don’t have to wait until December to experience Christmas at Disney World. The theme parks transform virtually overnight from Halloween to Christmas, and by the middle of November most every corner of the resort is decorated for the holidays.

Christmas in the Disney World theme parks

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom theme park is where you’ll find the classic Disney Christmas experience. Especially on Main Street USA, the park is decorated with garlands, trees, and bows.

In Magic Kingdom you’ll see the characters dressed in holiday finery, and find special Christmas treats and merchandise. The castle is traditionally covered in lights for extra magic after dark.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special after-hours event in Magic Kingdom. It takes place on select evenings in November and December (sometimes even in October!) and there is an extra ticket price to enter. Because it’s a special ticketed event, the crowd level during the Christmas party will be lower than during a typical day.

The Christmas party includes a special parade and fireworks, plus treats like hot chocolate and cookies. At the party you can meet the characters in their Christmas costumes. And you can enjoy the holiday decor after dark, which is really spectacular.

Be aware that the Very Merry Christmas Party usually starts in the early evening, around 5:00pm, so if you don’t have a party ticket you won’t be able to stay in the park after dark. If you’re planning a Disney World trip in November or December, watch the Magic Kingdom park hours and be sure to plan around the party.

Magic Kingdom is the only Disney World park that charges an extra ticket price for its Christmas event.

Here’s a link to Disney’s information about the Very Merry Christmas Party.

Epcot

Epcot also has a lot going on during the Christmas season. Most of the holiday activities take place in the World Showcase end of the park, officially known as the ‘Epcot International Festival of the Holidays’, and there is no extra charge to enjoy it.

Focusing on the winter traditions in each of the represented nations in World Showcase, extras include kiosks with special food and beverage offerings, plus holiday entertainment and theming.

Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is a re-telling of the traditional Christmas story. Presented multiple times most evenings, this event takes place in the outdoor theater at the American pavilion.

A hugely popular Epcot tradition, the Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator and a large choir. Guests often wait hours to get seat for the show. One way to avoid the wait is to book a dining package that includes reserved seating at the processional. You can also eavesdrop on the show by walking by – if you just want to catch a glimpse.

Know that the Candlelight Processional is a big holiday tradition for Orlando locals, so if you visit Epcot in the evening in November or December it is likely to be extra crowded. Be sure to make your dinner reservation well in advance, or plan to eat from the kiosks and stay nimble.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom’s holiday theming has a charming home-spun quality. You will find Christmas and other internationally inspired winter holiday decorations throughout the park.

One of my favorite areas is on Discovery Island, where the shops are enhanced by rooftop lanterns. Here you’ll also find cast members with puppets telling wintertime stories in mime.

The other spectacular site from almost everywhere in the park is the projection show on the Tree of Life. During the Christmas season, there is a special cycle of projections accompanied by wintry music every night. Be sure to make time to see this park after dark.

Besides the main theming on the tree and at Discovery Island, Animal Kingdom surprises with a few unexpected decorations. When you wander around the park, look for Christmas lights on the dinosaur skeleton entrance to Dinoland and near the gift shop in Pandora. There are also special lanterns in Asia and other delightful touches that look like they were left by the locals.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has Christmas decorations almost everywhere in the park. OK, not in Galaxy’s Edge, but basically everywhere else. This is a park where Christmas comes to life after dark, so I highly recommend visiting at night.

Echo Lake, in the center of the park, boasts a huge Christmas tree and numerous floating decorations. All are lighted at night.

Of course there’s also Christmas music. At Hollywood Studios you’ll hear lots of classic pop Christmas tunes from crooners like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

The projection show in Hollywood Studios is on the side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel (which houses the Tower of Terror ride). This show runs constantly after dark, and you can see it from a lot of areas in the park. Your best viewing angle is on Sunset Boulevard in front of the Tower, where you may even get snowed on if your timing is right!

The Disney World hotels during Christmastime

Christmas doesn’t stop at the theme parks at Disney World. All of the hotels feature special theming, and even if you aren’t staying there I recommend making time to visit a few to take in the extravagant holiday decor.

Explore all the Disney World resorts in this Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels.

Grand Floridian Resort at Christmas

The Grand Floridian is probably the most decorated resort on Disney World property. If you only visit one hotel, I recommend this one.

In the Grand Floridian lobby you’ll find numerous Christmas trees, including one that is about three stories high! All are highly decorated and photogenic.

You might think that Christmas tree would dwarf everything around it, but it meets its match in the form of a giant gingerbread house. Every year (except sadly 2020) the Grand Floridian culinary team builds basically a life-size house from gingerbread.

Made from over 1000 pounds of honey and 800 pounds of flour, this has to be one of the largest gingerbread houses anywhere. Smoke pours from the chimney and there’s even a cast member selling cookies from inside the house!

Between the delightful smell of gingerbread and the elegant classic Christmas decor, the Grand Floridian lobby truly is a holiday fantasy. It’s just a short walk or monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, and I really recommend making time for a visit. You’ll want at least an hour to take it all in.

If you want to go all-out for your next family Christmas, consider splurging on a stay at the Grand Floridian. Waking up to that lobby and passing through it at the end of each night would surely be a magical holiday experience.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

The other resort I highly recommend visiting during Christmas is the Wilderness Lodge, where the soaring lobby contains a Christmas tree worthy of a mountain forest. Pine garland accentuates the hewn wood railings, and the scent of fireplace smoke permeates the air, creating a cozy feeling of coming in from the cold.

Here you can buy a cup of hot cider and sit by the huge hearth, or explore the many levels that extend above the lobby floor. This is another resort that I think would be a wonderful choice for a November or December stay.

At the adjacent Fort Wilderness campground, guests are known to decorate with Christmas lights and even host a golf cart parade at the holidays. This is another fun and affordable option during the Christmas season.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs also has lots of Christmas cheer. All the shops have special holiday merchandise, including the restaurant gift shops. You can also meet Santa here, and you can see a special exhibition of Disney themed Christmas trees.

The Christmas trees are called the Christmas Tree Trail, and sometimes it’s a trail or sometimes the trees are together in one end of Disney Springs. In any case, the trees are completely decked out in your favorite Disney themes.

Some of my favorites were the Haunted Mansion tree and the Disney Villains tree. Of course, at the end of the trail most of the ornaments are available for sale. These make great souvenirs and gifts for friends back home.

Tips for visiting Disney World during the Christmas season

• A lot of the Christmas theming is best at night. Make time to be in the parks after dark.
• Stay on-site to really experience being in the Disney World Christmas bubble. Find out which hotels have the most expansive holiday theming.
• Be sure to watch the weather forecast when you pack for your trip. December in Orlando can be 80 degrees or literally freezing at night.
• Know that the holidays at Disney World are a big tradition for local Orlando residents. Especially Epcot will be crowded at night so be sure to make your dining reservations well in advance.
• Since Christmas spans from November to the end of the year, if you have the flexibility to visit during a low-crowd week you can see everything without the holiday crush. Best weeks are usually the beginning of November and the beginning of December.
• Christmas and New Years Eves/Days are usually the busiest days of the year at Disney World. If you choose to visit at that time, be sure to have a plan for dealing with the crowds.
• Allow time to visit some of the hotels and Disney Springs.

Want to know what Christmas is like at Disneyland? Check out this trip report and photo album.

Disney World Christmas anytime

YouTube has tons of videos to help you experience the magic of Disney World’s Christmas anytime. The music loops make great background when you want a little holiday spirit from the parks. Here’s one from Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA.

More tips for your Disney World vacation

• 55 things you should know before you visit Disney World
• Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels
• How far will you walk at Disney World?
• Adding Universal Orlando to your Disney World vacation
• 33 things you need to know before you visit Universal Orlando

The Go Informed Podcast

Theme park tips and info to go! Be sure to look for the Go Informed: Build a Better Vacation podcast on your favorite podcast player.

From audio theme park tours to my best Disney World and Universal tips and hacks, you’ll find it all on the Go Informed podcast.

This post contains affiliate links.

The post Believing in The Magic of Christmas at Disney World appeared first on Go Informed.