Recently, I listened to a new podcast about Orlando area theme parks. One of the hosts recounted speaking to a theme park rookie regarding Orlando area theme parks. The rookie said something to the effect that Orlando theme parks probably are empty on Christmas Day, right? The host said he worked hard not to laugh. He proceeded to present the reality to this theme park rookie friend. If you are unaware, Christmas week is one of the busiest times at Orlando area theme parks. Bad news for visitors starts with how crowded the parks will be. Good news rises about this time of year also. This time of year, theme park resorts feature special events and dining options. For example, the Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer special Christmas Day dining. Every level of Universal resort hotel offers Christmas Day special dining.
VALUE LEVEL HOTELS (Endless Summer Resorts-Dockside and Surfside)
Both Beach Break Café and Pier 8 food courts offer a Christmas Deal meal special. This special meal will cost guests $15/adult and $9/child. This particular meal will be served from 2-10pm on December 25th.
VALUE PLUS HOTELS (Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura)
Both hotels offer a slightly more upscale Christmas Day meal than the value hotels. They will serve a holiday menu for $19.99/adults and $10.99/children. Guests may order this unique meal from noon to closing on December 25th.
SAPPHIRE FALLS
Amatista Cookhouse at Sapphire Falls offers a Christmas Day breakfast buffet and a lunch/dinner buffet. The breakfast buffet costs $25/adults ($15/children) being served from 7-11am. The main buffet serves guests from 11am to 9pm. Adults will pay $62, and children cost $30.
ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT
Jake’s American Bar offers a special Christmas Day breakfast buffet from 7-11am. The pricing matches the one at Amatista. The Islands Dining Room provides a special Christmas Day buffet from 11am-9pm with same pricing scale as similar offering at Amatista.
HARD ROCK HOTEL
The Kitchen full-service dining location bring guests a Christmas Day brunch from 7am to 2pm. Guests will pay $60/adults and $25/children. Also, The Kitchen offers a family style Christmas Day dinner from 4-10pm. Diners will pay $75 (and $35/children)
PORTOFINO BAY RESORT
Trattoria del Porto serves a Christmas Day buffet on December 25th from 11am-9pm. Guests will be charged $75 ($25/children) for this excellent dining experience. Mama Della’s Ristorante will offer a special Christmas Day meal from 5:30-10pm. Diners will pay $65/adults and $20/children.
Universal Orlando recommends reservation for these fine dining options. You can call 407-503-3463 or the concierge at 407-503-1200.
Pirates & Princesses (PNP) is an independent, opinionated fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer's point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of PNP, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. PNP is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.