THURSDAY PARK GUIDE
Hey, thanks for reading!
I thought I would try out something a bit different this week. As you know I send the traditional weekly update out on Monday/Tuesday and I thought it might be fun to send out another Thursday/Friday edition that’s more guide/commentary focused.
Since the holidays are starting this week, I thought it would be cool to write up a guide on how I would do a single holiday filled day at both parks to get the most out of it.
If you enjoy this, let me know if you want me to write more guides like this!
Intro
You have one day at Universal during the holidays. You want to see the parade, catch the Grinch, soak in Wizarding World Christmas, and still ride more than three things. The good news is that you can absolutely have a very “holiday heavy” day without turning it into a 16 hour death march.
This is how I would structure that single day.
What this guide is for
This plan is for:
Groups who have one park to park day during the holiday season, sometime between November 21 and early January.
People who care more about holiday atmosphere and “we did a lot and had fun” than about ticking off every marquee coaster.
Families who can handle an early start and a later evening, with a proper break in the middle.
If you have very young kids who melt after 8 pm, you can still use this guide, but you may choose a shorter evening or skip a big coaster or two.
MORNING
Start in Islands of Adventure
Goal for the morning: Get your high priority rides in while the park is coolest and lines are short, then slow down and soak in holiday theming.
Here is how I would approach it:
Be at the gates before opening. Whether you have Early Park Admission or not, getting there early is the single best way to see more and wait less.
Head to Hogsmeade first.
If Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a must for you and is operating, rope drop that.
Treat the rest of Hogsmeade as an opportunity to walk through, enjoy the decorations, grab a Butterbeer, and snap a few photos before crowds thicken.
Loop Seuss Landing for Grinchmas vibes.
Even before showtimes, Seuss Landing feels extra alive during the holidays, with Whoville style decorations and characters around.
If you want to see The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, check showtimes early and plan which performance you will catch, then build around that instead of hoping to stumble into it.
Use the rest of the morning for one or two more big rides.
Prioritize something like The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man or Jurassic World VelociCoaster, depending on your group’s thrill tolerance.
The idea is to be “done with the hardest to get rides” by late morning.
By noon, I want you walking toward a break, not starting another multi-hour grind.
MID DAY
Reset, recharge, and ride smart
Midday is when parks get hottest and lines feel the longest. Instead of trying to brute force your way through it, I would:
Take a real break.
Sit down for a longer lunch at CityWalk or at one of the table service spots in the park.
If you are staying on-site, this is a great time to go back to the hotel for a swim or a nap.
Use your app to choose flexible, nearby options.
After your break, pick a cluster of mid-tier attractions that do not all have the longest waits. Think things like Men in Black Alien Attack or The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida, or Cat in the Hat and other Seuss rides in Islands if you are still on that side.
Avoid stacking too many shows back to back.
You have a parade and nighttime offerings coming. Do not run straight from show to show all afternoon or the evening will feel rough.
By the time afternoon hits, your main job is to protect your energy for the evening.
EVENING
Head to Universal Studios Florida
For the evening, I would pivot fully into Universal Studios Florida and treat it like a “holiday block” of time.
Move to Universal Studios Florida by late afternoon.
Give yourself time to grab a snack, use the restroom and get your bearings before parade and show crowds build.Catch the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Check the day’s parade time and be in your chosen spot at least 20 to 30 minutes early.
For kids who want to see characters up close, pick a spot closer to the front of the park where floats move a bit slower around turns.
Ride between entertainment windows.
Use the time before and after the parade to pick off a couple of priority rides like E.T. Adventure, Transformers, or a lap on a family coaster.
Avoid sprinting to a headliner right as the parade ends, which is when a lot of other guests do the same.
Finish with Wizarding World at night if you have the energy.
If your group is still going strong, walk over to Diagon Alley after the parade. The land at night with holiday decor feels like a different place, and it is a very good way to end the day.
If I were traveling with younger kids, I would decide ahead of time whether we are prioritizing the parade or Diagon Alley at night and be okay skipping one if energy is fading.
ADD ONS
When to consider add ons
The Universal Holiday Tour
This guided experience bundles reserved parade viewing, reserved Grinchmas show seating, a Grinch meet and greet, and priority access to one attraction at Universal Studios Florida, plus some snacks.
Worth considering if you want guaranteed viewing and you really dislike camping out for a spot.
Less necessary if you are comfortable arriving early and being flexible.
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast.
A seated breakfast in Seuss Landing with The Grinch and Whos, plus some specialty menu items.
Great fit if your kids are all-in on the Grinch and you like starting your day with a fixed schedule.
If your priority is rides over character time, I would skip it and focus your early morning on attractions instead.
I see both of these as “nice to have upgrades” rather than essentials. You can have an excellent holiday day without spending extra beyond your park to park ticket.
Quick Wins
If you do not remember anything else, keep these in your notes:
Use Islands of Adventure for your morning, hit Hagrid’s if you can, then lean into Hogsmeade and Seuss Landing vibes instead of chasing everything.
Plan a true midday break, even if it is just a longer sit down meal and an hour back at the hotel.
Set one clear evening goal at Universal Studios Florida: the parade, Diagon Alley at night, or both if your group can handle it.
Aim to be in your parade spot 20–30 minutes early instead of trying to squeeze in last minute.
Treat up charge experiences like the Holiday Tour as optional shortcuts, not mandatory buys.
Still confused?
If you are staring at your holiday trip dates and feeling overwhelmed by all the options, hit reply and tell me:
Your exact dates
Ages in your group
Whether you are park to park or single park
I can help you sketch out a realistic one, two, or three day layout that actually matches your family’s stamina.
Closing note
Holiday days at Universal can feel chaotic if you go in trying to do everything at once. With a loose plan and a couple of things you are willing to skip, they turn into some of the most relaxed, memorable days you can have in a theme park.
– Bradley