Around the Universe December 2023 – Universal Orlando News & Discounts

Queue up Muppet Family Christmas on YouTube and make that Hotty Toddie, it’s time for the holiday coverage here at Around the Universe! We have an advent calendar full of Universal Orlando discounts, news, construction updates, and more. So press play and get toasty, we have a lot to cover.

Holidays at Universal Orlando 2023

Are you excited for flow-flying pineapples, Santa, garland, and holiday cheer? Universal is ready for you to get Yuel Tide on with the Holidays at Universal Orlando. Experience the magic of The Christmas Lights at Hogwarts Castle light show, the over-the-top antics of The Grinch in the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, the grand Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and much much more. Our guide to the 2023 Holidays at Universal Orlando has all the information you need to party like a Who [Blog – Getting to Know Holidays at Universal Orlando 2023].

Universal’s holiday offerings are included with park admission, unless otherwise specified, and operate daily from November 17 through December 31, 2023.

DreamWorks Construction

🚧 Dreams at work 🚧 It's all coming together – experience it in 2024! pic.twitter.com/bN2NZmj92E

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) November 21, 2023

Universal Studios Florida is adding a new DreamWorks-themed kids land to the park for 2024 featuring Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, Puss in Boots, Gabby’s Playhouse, and more. Last week Universal unveiled the sign for the entrance to this new land, pictured above.

Paving work has begun at the lands entrance. Gone is the large stage space from KidZone, in its place is Shrek’s House for a meet and greet.

Universal has yet to announce the attractions in this new land but we are expecting a retheme of the Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster to Trolls, interactive play areas themed to Shrek and Kung Fu Panda, a dance party show, and meet and greets. DreamWorks Land is expected to open in the summer of 2024.

New Parade for 2024

Universal has trademarked a word mark for UNIVERSAL MEGA MOVIE PARADE, for use in theme parks. The mark application includes a graphic. pic.twitter.com/qhK2QbJUhZ

— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) November 22, 2023

Permit Princess Alicia Stella of Orlando Park Stop discovered a Universal trademark for “Universal Mega Movie Parade” for use in theme parks. Universal Mega Movie Parade is the likely name for a new parade debuting in the summer of 2024 at Universal Studios Florida. What sort of Mega Movies are we expecting in the parade? Look for movies featured in Universal Studios Florida in the past, currently, and in the future.

Epic Update

South on Universal Blvd is Universal’s biggest expansion in nearly 30 years – Epic Universe. This new theme park features 11 new rides, three new shows, interactive elements in each land, and dozens of new restaurants. A full reveal is expected in 2024, but for now, we have Bioreconstruct in the air providing us with amazing photos, like the one above of the park looking from the Helios Grand Hotel to the front of the park in the background – Wizarding World is to the left and Dark Universe is on the right.

Universal’s Epic Universe theme park is scheduled to open by the summer of 2025.

Discounts

Universal Orlando frequently offers discounts on multi-day tickets and hotel stays. These are the latest discounts available to guests:

Tickets

• All Guests – Buy Three Day Ticket, Get Two Days Free starting at $336 per adult plus tax
• FL Residents – Buy a One Day, Two Park Ticket and Get a Day Free
• FL Residents – Add a Day at Volcano Bay for $25

Hotel

• FL Residents – 40% off hotels based on availability
• All Guests – Save up to $444 on a 4-night stay or longer at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
• All Guests – Save 20% on Suites at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort and Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Packages

• All Guests – 25% off 3-park, 5-night Vacation Packages

For more deals, including discounts on vacation packages, visit the Universal Orlando website.

Refurbishments

The following attractions are closed for refurbishment:

• High in the Sky Suess Trolly Ride (Green Side) – Now through January 15, 2024
• Hogwarts Express – December 10 – 16, 2023
• Jurassic Park River Adventure – January 8 – February 1, 2024
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – February 5 – March 8, 2024