How Busy Is Universal Studios on Christmas?

If you are thinking of spending Christmas at Universal Studios in Orlando, you won’t be alone! The Christmas holidays in the U.S. are one of the busiest times of the year for Florida’s theme parks.

After living in Orlando for more than a decade, I can tell you firsthand that Christmas is one of the most crowded weeks at the theme parks and in all of Orlando! The traffic for two weeks around Christmas is crazy busy! If you are going to be part of those Christmas crowds, or are trying to avoid the busy season, read this helpful Guide for Visiting Universal Studios on Christmas.

In 2022, crowds started getting noticeably larger on December 17, the weekend before Christmas.

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Is Universal Studios Open on Christmas?

Yes, Universal Orlando Resort is open on Christmas Day.

The Orlando theme parks do not close for any day of the year, except for severe weather such as hurricane threats.

What Hours Is Universal Open for Christmas?

Universal Orlando Resort has three theme parks that are open on Christmas. Expect extended opening times during the holiday to accommodate larger crowds.

Universal Orlando has officially released their official opening hours for December and Christmas 2022. They are:

Universal Studios Theme Park

Saturday, December 24: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, December 25 (Christmas): 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday, December 26: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday, December 27: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Wednesday, December 28: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday, December 29: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, December 30: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, December 31: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Islands of Adventure Theme Park

Saturday, December 24: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, December 25 (Christmas): 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday, December 26: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday, December 27: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Wednesday, December 28: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday, December 29: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, December 30: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, December 31: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Check their Theme Park Hours calendar to see dates that have been released and confirm operating hours.

How Busy is Universal on Christmas?

Christmas Day and the week before and after Christmas is one of the most crowded times of the year in Universal Studios. Expect crowds that are similar to Thanksgiving at Universal Studios and New Years Day.

Major holidays are the busiest times at Universal Studios. Even Labor Day at Universal Studios and the Fourth of July are crowded. The theme parks often reach capacity by mid morning, which means they cannot allow anyone else to enter the parks until someone leaves.

Once you are inside a theme park, you can stay all day until closing, even if the parks reach capacity levels. However, if maximum capacity levels have been reached, expect very long lines for attractions, food and shopping.

While wait times are often 1-2 hours for the most popular attractions at Universal theme parks normally, you might encounter wait times of 2-4 hours for one attraction on the holiday.

We suggest bringing your own snacks into Universal Studios on days like this so that you can eat while waiting in line and not waste time ordering foods. Here are some great snack ideas for theme parks.

Avoiding crowds on the holidays is just one of the 38 Best Universal Studios Tips and Tricks that we share. Be sure to see them all!

Traveling with an Elf during the holidays? These Harry Potter Elf Prop Ideas are perfect for the traveling elf – or any Harry Potter fan!

Christmas Week Crowds at Universal Studios: What to Expect

Christmas Day (December 25) is not the only day that is busy at Universal Studios. The entire week before and after Christmas will have unusually high crowds and longer wait times.

Many people try to visit Orlando theme parks during school holidays. Schools have winter breaks over Christmas and New Years, which means there will be more visitors than normal. Orlando and Florida residents that have family coming to see them for the holidays will be looking for something fun to do, too, and will likely visit the theme parks or Universal CityWalk.

Expect more crowds than normal starting the week before Christmas. Peak crowds seem to start around December 22.

Most people who come to visit over Christmas will stay for the week until New Years. So expect the entire week after Christmas to potentially have record crowd levels.

How to Guarantee Getting into Universal Studios on Christmas

The only way to guarantee to get into Universal Studios on Christmas Day or during the weeks around the holiday is to get to the theme parks very early. Do not arrive at opening time. You must arrive at least 30-45 minutes before official opening opening to get parked, get in line, and potentially be allowed early entry.

This is when staying at an official Universal Orlando Resort hotel can pay off. You will be given early entry as a hotel guest, which helps you beat the crowds and get inside the park.

You are also guaranteed entry into the theme parks as a Universal Orlando Resort hotel guest. Even if they have reached capacity.

Be advised that hotel shuttles and shuttle boats from Universal Studios hotels will be very busy as everyone is trying to get in early. Expect longer than normal lines.

If you have a park hopper pass and have already gotten into a theme park (whether or not you are a Universal Orlando Hotel guest), you will still be able to go between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure even if they are at capacity.

You can also expect more traffic driving into parking at Universal Studios.

While there is no guarantee that a theme park will definitely reach maximum capacity, it happens almost every year at all Orlando area theme parks. It is best to plan your day accordingly.

If you decide to leave the theme parks during the day after you have got inside, you might find it difficult to re-enter Universal Studios, so keep that in mind.

Does Universal Cost More on Christmas?

Universal Studios has not introduced dynamic pricing, where the prices increase as demand increases. Therefore, the base ticket price to enter Universal Orlando theme parks is the same as it is every day of the year.

However, the cost for Express Pass at Universal does increase with the expected crowds. You do not need to purchase an Express Pass to enter the theme park. However, if you are worried about standing in long lines, an Express Pass will allow you to skip the line.

With the theme parks being so busy, you can understand how everyone will want to use this benefit. Therefore, the cost of Express Pass is more expensive during Christmas weeks.

Express Passes often increase in price as it gets closer to the date of your visit. It is smart to buy an Express Pass as soon as you know for sure when you are visiting Universal Studios. As of August 2022, the cost of an Express Pass on Christmas Day 2022 is currently $179.99 each person, with the week after Christmas starting at $189.99 per day.