Santa, for Christmas this year… I want a VelociCoaster! Pretty please? It’s been a little while since we’ve visited Universal Studios Orlando, and we wanted to check out their holiday offerings. Plus, I can’t pass up the opportunity to check up on the hotly anticipated Jurrasic World-themed roller coaster. Let’s take a tour around USO and Islands of Adventure, and take a peek at the exciting Nintendo land headed to Japan!
VelociCoaster Update
It’s been a minute since we touched on the hard-to-miss roller coaster construction in Islands of Adventure. In late September, Universal finally officially announced the Jurassic Park-themed VelociCoaster will welcome dino-lovers and thrill-seekers in Summer 2021!
And just this week, they shared a first look at the ride vehicle!
FIRST LOOK: Here’s what you’ll be riding when you join the hunt on the Jurassic World #VelociCoaster, opening 2021. pic.twitter.com/2AfKiVcQ6I
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) December 4, 2020
During our recent visit to the park -and since the entire coaster is out in the open for all to see— we couldn’t help but check in on how construction is progressing…
Netting has been installed along areas of the track near walkways.
Check out that jagged rockwork!
It’s always fun to see work happening on a new ride.
Wrapped palm trees in front of the Discovery Center are ready to spread their fronds.
From the Jurassic Park area, most of the construction walls have been removed. Okay, it may be just some dinosaur gates and rockwork, but you have to admit it’s pretty impressive!
Walls may have been cleared away anticipating holiday crowds for better social distancing.
Just a few more walls remain:
The VelociCoaster will be full of dramatic speed, twists, turns, and drops, coupled with the presence of raptors… oh boy!
Speaking of Construction…
Have you seen what Universal Studios Japan has been cooking up?! They’ve officially announced their Super Nintendo World will open February 4th, 2021. (The land was originally scheduled to open Summer 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic.)
Super Mario World will feature an augmented-reality Mario Kart ride, a Yoshi ride, shops, restaurants and interactive experiences.
No additional information for the other versions of the land have been shared. While construction over at Universal Studios Hollywood is well underway, the future of the Orlando version is uncertain. The Nintendo project in Orlando was supposed to go into Universal’s 4th gate, Epic Universe. But that park is on hold (thanks to the pandemic).
Epic Universe was originally slated to open in 2023, but it’s now looking like sometime after 2024. We’ll just have to be real patient… or travel to Japan once it’s safe again!
Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort
Christmas is a mere two and a half weeks away, and Florida’s theme parks are already decked out! We took some time over the last few weeks to visit both parks and share how each are celebrating the season. (As always, we visited on weekdays to ensure less crowding. Lately, both parks easily hit capacity on the weekends.)
Approaching Universal Studios, we see the first bit of decorations, a ginormous wreath and garland studded with lights and ornaments:
In the Hollywood and New York areas, buildings are trimmed with wreaths and garland among windows, columns and rooftops.
Marilyn poses for a quick shot!
A cheery Margo, Edith and Agnus wave from their float parked in Hollywood. Just look at Agnus in that angel costume!
Back over in New York, pharaohs on stilts socialize with guests:
The wait for Revenge of the Mummy wasn’t long (it’s one of my favorites!), and I couldn’t turn down a quick ride! Upon exiting through the gift shop, this elaborately Egyptian-themed tree caught our eye.
The mummy hands holding up the golden garland is a nice touch.
There are some ancient artifacts strewn about the tree as well.
Back out in New York, lights topped with Santa hats lead the way to the tallest tree in the park:
Just behind this massive tree is the first-ever holiday-themed Tribute Store!
A New Tribute Store
In a matter of days, Universal transformed their Tribute Store from Halloween Horror over to a holiday theme! A socially distanced line typically forms outside earlier in the day – but it is pretty quick-moving!
We waited about 5 minutes before entering.
Upon entering through a giant nutcracker’s mouth (you don’t say that every day), the first thing you see is a toy workbench:
I recognized this precious dollhouse from the creepy attic room from HHN’s Tribute Store! It’s been dusted and beautified with brighter lighting and bottlebrush trees:
The first room of the “Christmas Market” feels like you’ve stepped into a winter wonderland snowglobe.
Here you can shop nutcrackers, miniature Christmas scenes, classic Universal merchandise and gingerbread ornaments.
Plus, there’s a Santa Claus Mold-A-Rama machine! For $6 this retro figure can be yours, hot and fresh from molding!
Not sure if you can tell what the next room’s theme will be… he’s a mean one…
In this room, plenty of holiday-themed Suess and light-up merch is available, featuring the Grinch himself with a huge pile of presents:
Look, another Mold-A-Rama machine!
I need to go back and pick up one of those mint green snowmen – too cute!
I see the door out to the next few rooms…
Just over a month ago, this hallway was lined with posters and photos from HHN’s past, now vintage Christmas posters, photos and advertisements from Universal are here!
Onto the next room, a magical Christmas at Hogwarts!
Snowy trees fill the room, along with plenty of Christmas and non-Christmas themed Potter merch. Holiday stockings and easy stocking stuffers, sweaters, scarves, t-shirts, ornaments, and Hedwig plushes.
Finally, some sweet treats are available at Earl’s Tree Farm:
Everything looks jolly good!
We picked up one of the cookie dough cone trees and enjoyed it outside. It was scrumptious! Plus, I’m a sucker for special sprinkles, look how detailed they are!
Macy’s Balloons
While the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons were pulled by trucks this year instead of volunteers, you can see them up close in this new experience at Universal Orlando!
Feels like we’re heading into a HHN house…
Once inside, you’ll see seven supersized balloons and five parade floats, along with some Christmasy characters, including Santa himself!
Ho, ho, ho! Since Santa is inside, he’s donning a bright red mask. You still are maintaining 6+ ft. distance from the stage.
This experience was really enjoyable. It’s not every day you can see these massive floats up close, and at your leisure!
Diagon Alley
Now walking over to Diagon Alley… I like how the musical “construction workers” are also in the holiday spirit by hanging lights off their scaffolding!
Of course, more garland and wreaths line the buildings of London:
I love the holiday details of Diagon Alley: each shop possesses their own themed-wreath, like the Wool Shop with balls of yarn, and Ollivander’s with strands of whittled wood for wand-making.
The Ukrainian Ironbelly sits atop a garlanded Gringott’s:
How about this random collection of baubles on the wreath outside the Museum of Muggle Curiosities:
We’re excited to hopefully check out this decor all aglow after sundown! However, Universal has been closing at 5PM on weekdays lately.
Islands of Adventure
Merry Grinchmas from Suess Landing! The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular show isn’t happening this year, but there is still some who-cheer to be found.
Just about every nook and cranny of Suess Landing is decorated for the season, and some residents of Who-ville are socially distanced off to the side, playing, greeting and posing for photos.
Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers has some limited-time treats:
Along with their typical fudge fare. Has anyone tried these? Any must-tries? I’m not brave enough yet.
The whirly Truffula trees are extra festive. Here you can see two Who-ville residents playing mini golf of some sort with their canes:
And the Lorax in a big pink bow!
Christmas decorations are always better at night, right?
Hogsmeade
We enjoyed some hot butterbeer in Hogsmeade, taking in some of the decorations.
As always, this area was busier in the earlier part of the day so we planned on returning in the evening for some nighttime views.
It’s simply magical.
The Magic of Christmas Projection Show isn’t happening this year, however wintery projections are added to the castle after sundown each day:
For Your [Christmas List] Consideration…
Besides the Tribute Store, the Universal Studios Store is a one-stop-shop chock full of holiday goodies for anyone on your Christmas list.
Throwbacks to classic Universal attractions are always a must.
And they have a plethora of new holiday-themed face masks to choose from:
Moving deeper into the store, a Hogwarts Christmas! Here you’ll find just about anything for the Wizard or Witch in your life.
I can just imagine a tree decked out with candy and cake-themed ornaments complete with that Honeydukes ribbon cascading down. It would be real… sweet.
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Let’s Hear From You
Whew! You made it to the end of today’s long update! There certainly was a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of holiday decorations to take in. Are you looking forward to the VelociCoaster? Do you think a Nintendo World will eventually be built in Orlando? Impressed with the holiday offerings? Share your thoughts in the comments below!