Universal Studios Christmas 2022

I was a bit apprehensive about making a trip to Universal Studios on the actual week of Christmas, but we had a friend to entertain! In the end, we had nothing to worry about, even without Express Passes. We arrived right when the park opened and hustled down to the Lower Level for Jurassic World, The Mummy, and Transformers rides — we’ll have to come back in February for the opening of Super Nintendo World! As you can see, Jurassic World was pretty much empty, probably because nobody wanted to get drenched first thing in the morning. We didn’t think that far ahead, but the shivers really added to the thrill haha. The Mummy was sooo much fun; we rode it two times without having to line up. By the time we got to Transformers, the lines started forming.

With the Lower Level complete, we journeyed up the escalators to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the Upper Level. I could have spent the rest of the day strolling around Harry Potter World — not even riding the rides (the Harry Potter rides are a bit tame and I’ve already done them in Japan anyway), just enjoying the shops and ambience. Shout out to the Fizzing Whizzbees! They’re bee-shaped milk chocolates with strawberry pop rocks and they’re SO good. I wish they came in cute keepsake tins, but I’d stock up on them regardless.

We probably walked in and out of Harry Potter World five different times, but we also went on other Upper Level rides (Kung Fu Panda) and saw some shows (Water World, Special Effects Show, Studio Tour). The park didn’t start feeling overwhelmingly chaotic until evening — maybe because of the evening light shows, plus the park started restricting the traffic to one-way only, so we had to walk in circles to get around — and that was our sign to turn in for the night.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

new york street - universal studios | brunch at audrey's