Exploring Holiday Fun at Universal Orlando Resort

Intro

I was just at the very end of my Thanksgiving weekend trip, and after going to Cartagena, Colombia, and visiting the Aviario Nacional, I was already back in the United States, but not New York. This time I did a quick stop in Orlando. Also, it was cheaper to enter through this city thank flying to New York. Thanksgiving flights were super expensive by the time I got to buy them. Regardless, I was trying to decide if it was worth to go to the parks in Orlando, since I was arriving to Orlando past 2 PM and the flight was around 9 PM to New York. I also had literally the next weekend, another trip to Orlando, this time with a friend.

So yes, I decided to take an Uber, go real quick to Universal Orlando Resort, since I have the Annual Pass, and just spend a few hours there, especially seeing the Thanksgiving crowds, and the new Christmas decorations.

Arriving to Islands of Adventure

It felt weird coming here just as a stop for a few hours, but having the Annual Pass makes the decision less difficult. After being dropped off by the Uber, I walked into this Sunday crowd around CityWalk. Which park I’d do first is never a question, especially in tight times like today, of course I was going to go to Islands of Adventure first, the home of my favorite attractions in the northern campus of the Universal Resort.

There was an odd meet and greet in CityWalk with Earl the Squirrel, the Christmas mascot of Universal, besides of course, The Grinch. The Origin Story of this mascot: Years ago (around the mid-2010s), Universal’s entertainment/technical team kept noticing that sections of the huge 80-foot Christmas tree’s lights (especially the blue ones) would mysteriously stop working. After investigating, they discovered a real squirrel had gotten inside the tree, made a nest, and chewed through the wires — causing the outage!

Time to enter the park, and go through Seuss Landing, where they were showing Grinchmas, a beautiful show, but I would not have time to see unfortunately.

It seems there were many meet and greets this afternoon, and even King Julien XIII from the Madagascar movies, was present at the park.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

I made it to where I wanted to go: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, where I was going to for sure, ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. It seemed like the Single Rider line was closed…

But I knew where it would go, so I just went in it regardless. Since it was physically closed I was the first in line. They immediately opened it since it seemed they would be needing single riders now.

With this trick, I was able to ride it twice in no time. My favorite ride of all Orlando, it was so much fun.

Time to say goodbye to this land, and of course I had to take a picture of the amazing castle, the OG Hogwarts Castle.

Jurassic Park

Right next to Harry Potter land, we can find Jurassic Park, a nice big area with multiple attractions. Although my favorite one is of course, Velocicoaster, probably my second favorite ride in Orlando.

Single Rider was not opened so I just jumped in the regular line and thank God, cause the next week I was not going to be able to ride it, since my friend was going to be too scared to ride it as well. At least, I got to do it this time around.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Before heading out of the park in this quick checklist of a day, I went to pick my exclusive Annual Pass pin at the AP Lounge in Toon Lagoon. It was free and it was cute 🙂

And from there, I walked to ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Marvel Super Hero Island. Still weird to see these MCU Disney characters in a Universal Park. I wonder when these contracts are going to expire.

Green & Red Coconut Club

Left Islands of Adventure, and instead of taking the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios Florida, I chose to walk through CityWalk. The sunset colors were starting to show, and the Holiday ambience was more noticeable during these hours.

For example, there was all the decorations around this area, the Universal version of Disney Springs.

I remembered I had to go check a place that had been very recommended during the holidays: Green & Red Coconut Club. Located upstairs, I was able to check the beautiful sunset over Islands of Adventure.

The Green & Red Coconut Club is the festive holiday-themed transformation of the Red Coconut Club, a popular lounge and nightclub located on the second level of Universal CityWalk. Every Christmas season (typically from late November through December 31 or early January), the venue gets a complete merry makeover, turning into a cozy, over-the-top holiday hotspot — most recently themed as the Mistletoe Pines Ski Lodge.

The decorations were amazing, and there were plenty of photo spots perfect for the gram.

So beautiful. I did not get a drink because I had places to be, but I would come back literally the next weekend.

Universal Orlando Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s

As my time to go to the airport was approaching faster and faster, and having my suitcase literally saved in the Lost and Found in Islands of Adventure, I was not going to be able to do much in Universal Studios Florida, but at least I wanted to check the Universal Orlando Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, which I think I had never seen.

By the time I arrived it was already happening and almost finishing. It was a very odd sequence since I do not think I had seen any parade in either of these parks before. It’s like when HHN happens and everything looks so different and out of place.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s is one of the most magical highlights of the Holidays celebration at Universal Orlando Resort, bringing the iconic spirit of the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade right to Universal Studios Florida. This beloved nighttime spectacle runs daily during the holiday season. It usually kicks off around 5:30 PM (times can vary, so check the park app or schedule on arrival), lasts about 30 minutes, and is included with regular park admission. Completely free despite the versions in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

The parade winds through the streets of Universal Studios Florida (often looping through areas like Production Central, Hollywood, and New York), featuring:

• Larger-than-life Macy’s balloons — towering inflatable characters inspired by the NYC parade, including favorites from Universal/DreamWorks films like the Minions from Despicable Me, Shrek & friends, Madagascar characters (such as King Julien or Rico the penguin), and classic holiday-themed ones like stars, snowflakes, or Gingy.
• Elaborately decorated floats — festive, glowing creations showcasing holiday cheer with snow-covered swamps, Christmas trees packed with Minions, Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, and more.
• Hundreds of performers — energetic dancers, stilt walkers (like snowflakes or elves), and beloved characters waving to the crowds.
• A grand finale with Santa Claus himself, often arriving in a spectacular sleigh atop a rooftop scene, leading to the lighting of the park’s massive 80-foot Christmas tree!

Santa Shrek was super fun!

Shrek’s Donkey and Dragon’s kids, the Dronkeys, are also featured in this parade.

And of course, The Gingerbread Man from Shrek is also present.

After the beautiful parade, it was nice to just explore the park, and see the beautiful lights. This area really reminded me of New York somehow, it was beautiful.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

I could not leave the Universal Orlando Resort, without also going to the other HP land: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. One of the most immersive lands ever, and not only I wanted to see the Christmas decorations, but also I was hungry, so wanted to check the Leaky Cauldron to see what was up.

And yeah, without hesitation I got the Kids version of the Fish And Chips. You know I love this dish haha, and with a butterbeer nonetheless.

Tribute Holiday Market

As I walked all around the park, I came to the Hollywood area, which was beautifully decorated for Christmas. Last time I was around here, it was during the Halloween Horror Nights.

But the whole point was to go to the Tribute Store, now named Tribute Holiday Market.

The Tribute Holiday Market (also known as the Holiday Tribute Market or Holiday Tribute Store) is the immersive, seasonal pop-up shopping experience during the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort. Located in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida, this year’s version transforms into a charming, snowy holiday village market — think cozy artisan workshops, twinkling lights, faux snow-covered woods with Northern Lights projections, a bustling town square, and a hilarious finale in Earl & Gerg’s Nutcracker Lodge and Emporium & Museum packed with hundreds of creative nutcrackers!

The Nutcrackers were famous photo spots during this whole season.

There were just so many

And the treats were amazing, but I chose not to buy any this time.

It’s giving Monsters Unchained at Epic Universe.

Wicked Store

And just almost walking out of the park, I had to go into the Wicked Store, since Wicked: For Good had just come out in theaters.

Loved all the props and replicas from the movies. This is definitely a test to see if a Wicked land is viable in either of the Universal parks.

The store is huge and full of all kind of paraphernalia from the movies.

Even Glinda’s outfits and bedroom.

I could not leave the park without going back into New York, and seeing the Christmas Tree lit up for the night. It was so amazing, huge!

From MCO to JFK

Time to call an Uber from the Universal Parking Garage, and heading into MCO. I was worried that the Thanksgiving crowds were going to be difficult, but it seemed that most people had left the city already. The immense Christmas tree in MCO was beautiful.

Did not get to go to Disney this time around, but at least I had the store at the airport.

And well, also, the Universal Orlando Resort store in MCO.

The list of flights delayed or cancelled was crazy! I got worry for a second.

But my flight was not delayed, and was able to get into JFK in no time. I was back in New York City after an amazing time in Colombia and Orlando. This was a Thanksgiving trip that was planned in the last minute and had crazy flights, but at least I got to see my family and enjoy overall.

For now, as I was getting out of the JFK Airport, I was encountered with this ad of the Disney Destiny cruise. Maybe I would go on it soon 😉