Universal Orlando gets into the dessert party game

December 19, 2018, 12:50 PM · We told you last week about Universal's plan to catch The Mouse by spending more than a billion dollars a year on its theme parks. Well, one more way that Universal is catching up to Disney is by giving you one of Disney's favorite ways to get you to spend more of your money at the parks.

Yup, it's time for dessert parties at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal today announced a special one-week run of dessert parties for the Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy's and Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration shows. The parties will run during the parks' busiest week of the year, from December 24 to December 30, at Universal Studios Florida. Tickets are on sale now at Universal's website: $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children, ages 3-9.

The parties start at 7pm and include reserved viewing areas for both the light show at 8pm and the parade at 9:45pm. It starts with non-alcoholic beverages before the parade, then moves onto a dessert and sparking wine (and cider) party before the lagoon show.

As with almost all dessert party events, separate admission is required to get into the park, in addition to your party ticket. But this is the first dessert party that I can recall that includes reserved viewing for two different theme park shows. (Correct me in the comments if I've missed one, please.) Given how crowded the park can be during the week between Christmas and New Year's, some fans might consider the 45 bucks to be a deal just for the two reserved show viewings alone, with the all-you-can-eat sweets and drinks a nice bonus.

But is this event a one-off or a trial for future dessert parties at Universal? I suppose that the number of tickets the resort sells to this will provide that answer.

Replies (2)

December 19, 2018 at 6:16 PM

Very disappointing Universal is dipping it's toe in these kind off trash offerings. Very disappointing and I hope it'll fail.

December 20, 2018 at 10:49 AM

Reserved seating and deserts! Yes please! If we went to Orlando during this time of the year I would certainly take part just to not worry about getting good seats. We always go during HHN though so unfortunately I won't ever be able to try this. We do enjoy the scare-actor dinner during HHN though.

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