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Universal Studios Hollywood to remain open for Thanksgiving, Christmas

By Robert Niles
Published: October 14, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Just got the news from Universal Studios Hollywood that, for the first time ever, USH will open this year on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Universal Studios Hollywood, unlike its Orlando children, had been a "363"-day-a-year park, closing for those two holidays, while remaining open the other days of the year.

No news yet if the change also will mean an increase in holiday-themed programming at the park, to take advantage of the park being opened those two extra, important days. Universal Studios Florida's run very popular Grinchmas and Macy's parades in previous year. (Although, we here in SoCal are a bit more partial to another famous holiday parade....)

Readers' Opinions

From Anthony Murphy on October 14, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Are there alot of people willing to go to the parks in CA? One thing I noticed that last time I was over there was that there were alot of local people at the parks. Just wondering, but good for them!
From Robert Niles on October 14, 2008 at 11:41 AM
The crowds at the SoCal parks tend to be locals, overwhelmingly. But there are something like, 15 million of us around here, so there's plenty of folks to draw from.

Annual passes drive attendance in this market. Universal's aggressive with its "buy a day, get the year free" promotions early each year (though those would be blacked out on the holidays, I believe.)

Universal could pick up a lot of out-of-towners during Christmas, especially, given its proximity to Pasadena (home of the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade). Disneyland traditionally owns the Christmas market around here, so I wonder what, if anything, Universal might do to position itself so that locals think "Universal Studios" when they think of where to go for Christmas or Thanksgiving, the way they now think of Disneyland.

From Joshua Counsil on October 14, 2008 at 12:01 PM
They must be appealing to the out-of-towners looking for a less crowded place to party. Unless they really go all out, like Disney does with the televised parade, this seems like an odd move.

But kudos to them for trying something new.

From Jacque Doubleyou on October 14, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I just feel bad when places are open on those holidays because that means you are taking those employees away from their families.
From Robert Niles on October 14, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Actually, I had a blast every day that I worked on Christmas at Disney World. If I worked the early shift, we did the holiday stuff at home in the evening. If I worked the evening shift, we had Christmas morning together.

But I also got to spend a good part of the day with my friends at work, and with thousands of people on an absolute holiday high. It was intoxicating, really. Some of my favorite work days ever.

Now, if you want to talk depressing, then let's talk working at a newspaper on Christmas. Ugh. Been there, done that and didn't enjoy those days nearly as much.

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