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Parks at Christmas busy

Wanting to spend Christmas on international drive. Our main attractions will be Universal, is it mega busy over the Xmas period getting on rides and volcano bay

Thank you

Visiting Universal Orlando and Volcano Bay during the Christmas period is generally very busy. Christmas week is one of the peak times of the year for Orlando theme parks due to families being on holiday and tourists traveling to Florida for the festive season.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Crowds: Both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure will be crowded, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Expect long lines for popular rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
  • Volcano Bay: The water park can be crowded, particularly in the early afternoon. Lines for popular slides may be long, although the park usually spreads visitors across multiple pools and slides.
  • Special holiday events: Universal decorates extensively for Christmas, which adds to the crowds. Nighttime shows, holiday parades, and character meet-and-greets are very popular.

Tips to manage the crowds:

  • Arrive at the parks early (park opening) to experience the most popular rides with shorter wait times.
  • Consider purchasing Universal Express Passes if your budget allows; they allow you to skip the regular lines on most rides.
  • Plan your day by using the Universal Orlando app to monitor wait times and make ride selections efficiently.
  • For Volcano Bay, try to arrive early or later in the afternoon when crowds are slightly lower.
  • Stay on-site if possible; early park admission and proximity can save a lot of time.

In summary, yes, it will be very busy, but with careful planning, early arrival, and potentially using Express Passes, you can still enjoy a great visit to Universal and Volcano Bay during Christmas.

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