Why Universal Studios Gives You Way More Bang for Your Buck Than Disney World – The Ultimate Showdown

Universal’s holiday tour has become an essential part of my holiday season, and I look forward to it every year. For $100, the tour offers an unforgettable experience with a variety of exclusive perks. The ticket covers five hours with a knowledgeable tour guide, special meet-and-greet opportunities, a delicious dinner, a festive dessert, and more. One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to meet Santa Claus, which is a rare opportunity at Universal Orlando, as he only appears during this special event. While Santa does make nightly appearances in the holiday parade, the tour provides a more personal experience with him.

Though the Universal holiday tour is less expensive than some of the Disney events, it does require a separate park ticket, unlike Disney’s after-hours parties. At present, a one-day, single-park ticket to Universal costs around $120. Fortunately, since I have an annual pass, I was able to use it for access and avoid the extra cost of purchasing a day ticket.

Before the tour began, I also had some extra time to explore the park on my own and enjoy a few of the other holiday attractions and offerings, further enhancing my experience at Universal.

One of my favorite aspects of visiting theme parks is getting photos with the characters, so during my visit to Jollywood Nights, I made sure to join the lines for some of the exclusive meet-and-greets offered at the event. One of the highlights for me was meeting Duffy Bear, dressed as Santa, which was a unique experience only available during the event.

However, it’s not necessary to have a special event ticket to encounter holiday-themed characters at Hollywood Studios. Throughout the day, some beloved characters, like Chip and Dale and Woody, are dressed in their festive holiday outfits and can be found greeting guests in the park. This makes it easy for everyone, regardless of whether they attend the event, to enjoy the holiday magic and snap a few memorable photos with these characters.

Universal truly embraces the holiday spirit with a Grinch-themed celebration that takes over the park during the season. One of the major highlights is the chance to meet the Grinch himself, either through a special meet-and-greet or at a character breakfast, where guests can enjoy a fun and festive meal with the notorious holiday character. Additionally, the “Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular” show is a must-see, bringing the story of the Grinch to life in a lively, entertaining performance that captures the magic of the season.

Throughout the park, you’ll find the Grinch making appearances everywhere, from themed sweet treats and snacks to exclusive merchandise, ensuring that his mischievous presence is felt at every turn. Another key figure in Universal’s holiday celebrations is Earl the Squirrel, a character inspired by a real-life squirrel that once made its home in the Christmas tree at Universal. Earl has become a beloved part of the holiday festivities, with his own signature holiday charm adding to the season’s excitement.

At the Jollywood Nights event, there were some unique entertainment offerings that made the evening extra special, including a festive sing-along to “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” However, even for those who visit the park during the day, there are plenty of holiday-themed activities to enjoy.

One standout is the “Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” which gets a special holiday makeover, adding a seasonal twist to the beloved show. Additionally, Santa makes appearances throughout the park, offering a chance for guests to meet him at It’s A Wonderful Shop, where they can snap a photo and share their holiday wishes. These seasonal offerings ensure that whether you’re attending the special event or visiting during regular hours, there’s plenty of holiday magic to enjoy at Hollywood Studios.

For me, one of the highlights of the holiday season at Universal is watching the “Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular” show. This charming performance brings to life the beloved characters from Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring the Grinch himself, the Whos of Whoville, and even a real-life version of Max, the Grinch’s loyal dog. The show is a heartwarming treat for guests of all ages, and the best part is that anyone with regular park admission can enjoy this Broadway-quality performance. The show features a festive soundtrack by Mannheim Steamroller, adding to the holiday atmosphere, and it runs multiple times a day throughout the entire holiday season, ensuring plenty of opportunities to experience the magic.

In addition to the Grinchmas show, the park also hosts a spectacular holiday parade. This vibrant parade features a variety of DreamWorks characters, stunning floats, talented entertainers, and even Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-style balloons, making it a must-see attraction for visitors looking to immerse themselves in the festive spirit.

The holiday food offerings at Disney are truly unmatched and provide a delightful culinary experience for visitors. During Jollywood Nights, I had the chance to indulge in exclusive treats that are available only during the event, such as a unique kimchi-pimento cheese dip and a delicious tot poutine.

However, Disney’s holiday-themed food isn’t limited to the special event — there are plenty of festive dishes available to park guests throughout the day as well. From a rich and indulgent red-velvet holiday shake to a spiced winter whoopie pie, Disney goes all out with limited-edition foods that capture the flavors and spirit of the season. These special holiday offerings give visitors a chance to try something new and uniquely Christmassy during their visit, making the experience even more festive and memorable.

Universal offers a few holiday-themed treats during the season, such as Max-shaped cookies and a roasted-turkey-dinner crepe, which add a festive touch to the park’s offerings. However, in comparison to other seasonal events, I found that the variety of holiday-themed food was somewhat limited. If you’re truly looking to indulge in a wide array of creative, themed food at Universal, I would recommend visiting during events like Mardi Gras or Halloween Horror Nights.

During these times, the park is packed with food stands offering a much larger selection of delicious, festival-inspired bites, making it an ideal time for food enthusiasts to explore the unique culinary experiences Universal has to offer.

Choosing the perfect souvenir at a theme park is always a challenge, but it becomes even more difficult for me during the holiday season. At Hollywood Studios, nearly every gift shop was filled to the brim with holiday-themed items, from Mickey-shaped ornaments to cozy, festive sweatshirts, creating a truly magical shopping atmosphere.

In addition to the regular merchandise, there were also special pop-up areas set up throughout the park, offering even more seasonal items. With so many charming, holiday-inspired gifts to choose from, it’s hard to resist picking up a little something to remember the festive experience.

Similar to Disney World, Universal goes all out with holiday-themed merchandise, offering a wide range of seasonal items that bring extra magic to the park. This is especially evident in the themed lands, such as Seuss Landing and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the holiday spirit is embraced in full force.

During this time of year, both “Grinchmas” and “Holidays at Hogsmeade” unveil a variety of limited-time offerings that are exclusive to the holiday season. From festive decorations to unique holiday-themed products, these areas of the park are filled with special merchandise that captures the essence of their respective holiday celebrations, making it the perfect time to find something truly unique.