Universal Orlando may still be in summer mode right now, but behind the scenes, the resort is already preparing for Christmas. The company recently posted a casting call searching for performers for Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and it says a lot about where the resort is heading as it continues expanding its seasonal entertainment lineup.
The holidays have become one of the biggest battlegrounds in Orlando theme parks. Disney has spent decades turning Christmas into a major event at Walt Disney World, especially with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the newer Disney Jollywood Nights event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests travel from all over the country specifically to experience the decorations, specialty entertainment, and limited-time offerings.
Universal clearly wants a larger piece of that market.
The new casting call shows Universal searching for dancers, character performers, stilt walkers, and puppeteers for its holiday parade. Performers would need to be available for rehearsals beginning in mid-October, with performances running from November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
That is a huge seasonal operation.
A lot of guests still think of Universal primarily as the “thrill ride” resort, but the company has spent the last several years changing that image. Holiday entertainment has become a major part of the strategy. Grinchmas continues growing in popularity every year, especially for families, while the Macy’s parade has become one of the biggest seasonal offerings anywhere in Orlando outside of Disney property.
And honestly, some Disney fans are starting to notice similarities between the two resorts.
Disney’s Christmas parties rely heavily on live entertainment, dancers, singers, atmosphere performers, and exclusive entertainment offerings that make the parks feel different at night. Universal seems to be leaning further into that same model now that the resort has become a much larger vacation destination thanks to Epic Universe.
That expansion matters.
With four theme parks now operating at Universal Orlando Resort, the company needs guests staying longer and visiting during more parts of the calendar year. The holiday season is one of the easiest ways to make that happen. Families are already traveling during November and December, and both Disney and Universal know that guests are increasingly splitting vacations between both resorts instead of choosing just one.
The competition is becoming much tighter.
Years ago, Disney dominated holiday conversations almost automatically. Universal had decorations and a few offerings, but the experience was much smaller overall. That is no longer true. Between the Wizarding World holiday experiences, Grinchmas, seasonal food offerings, and the Macy’s parade, Universal now has a full Christmas identity of its own.
The interesting thing is that both companies are starting to follow similar strategies. Disney continues expanding after-hours events and entertainment-heavy experiences, while Universal keeps adding more seasonal performers and large-scale productions.
For fans, that probably ends up being a good thing.
The more these companies compete during the holidays, the more both resorts continue investing in entertainment, decorations, and exclusive offerings. Universal searching for performers this early shows just how serious the company is about making Christmas one of the biggest seasons of the year at the resort.
