Universal Just Gave Epic Universe a Bigger Christmas—And That's Only Half of This Week's Park News

Universal Orlando used the first week of August to plant its flag on the 2026 holiday season, confirming that Epic Universe’s newest lands will get Christmas decor for the very first time and that the whole resort lights up a week earlier than last year. Out in California, Disneyland threw open bookings for its priciest Halloween add-on, and at Walt Disney World, ESPN’s gloriously ridiculous “The Ocho” turned ten. Here are the three stories from the last two days that actually change how you’d plan a trip.

Universal Orlando’s 2026 Holidays Push Christmas Into Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk

The headline reveal: for the first time ever, holiday decor is expanding into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe, joining the returning Christmas displays in Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. According to Universal Orlando’s official press release, the destination-wide celebration runs November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027 — kicking off roughly a week earlier than the 2025 run, which gives guests several extra days to work the season into a fall or early-winter trip.

The rest of the lineup leans on Universal’s proven hits: “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” projection show returns to Hogsmeade, Grinchmas takes over Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s rolls through Universal Studios Florida. Universal confirmed the guided Universal Holiday Tour starts at $69.99 plus tax (with a $10 passholder discount), and a Florida-resident 2-Park Unlimited ticket is priced at $199 plus tax.

Having watched Epic Universe’s first holiday season in 2025, we think folding Nintendo and the dragons into the mix is the real story here — it signals Universal is treating Epic as a full holiday destination, not a half-decorated newcomer. Source: Universal Orlando’s official holiday press release.

Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party Bookings Just Opened at $94 a Head

Reservations for the 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party opened August 6, and this is the package to grab if you want a guaranteed seat for the new Haunted Mansion street party. Per Disneyland’s official reservation page, the dessert party costs $94 per guest ages 2 and up (tax and gratuity included), with children under 2 free on a lap, and the experience begins August 18 on select nights.

The price buys reserved seating in a preferred viewing area for Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party, plus themed treats, beverages, and one alcoholic drink (wine, beer, or an Oogie Boogie specialty cocktail) for guests 21 and older. The catch worth flagging: you must already hold a valid Oogie Boogie Bash party ticket to book, and full payment is due at the time of reservation — no holds.

This is the follow-on to the bigger news we covered when Disneyland replaced the Frightfully Fun Parade with the Madame Leota street party. On our past Oogie Boogie nights, the parade viewing scrum was the single most stressful part of the evening, so a paid reserved-seat option — pricey as it is — solves a real pain point. Source: Disneyland Resort’s official Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party page.

ESPN8 “The Ocho” Turns 10 at ESPN Wide World of Sports—And It’s Free

Quietly, Walt Disney World hosted one of its most delightfully weird annual events on August 7: ESPN8 “The Ocho,” the tongue-in-cheek celebration of obscure sports born from the movie Dodgeball, marking its 10th anniversary under the “OCH10” banner. According to the event announcement, admission and parking at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex were free, with the action running 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The one-day slate packed in 10 back-to-back competitions, from the Big League Wiffle Ball World Series and Turf Wars Adult Kickball to the Pop-A-Shot National Championship and a Slippery Stairs “Primetime Chaos” finale. The broader ESPN8 programming block ran August 6–9 nationwide with 74.5 hours of coverage across ESPN networks, according to ESPN’s press room.

We mention it because it’s the kind of thing that rarely shows up on a Disney World itinerary but absolutely should if your dates line up: air-conditioned venues, free entry, Disney character appearances, and Minnie Van service via the Lyft app for on-property guests. For a family looking to break up a hot August park day without buying another ticket, a few hours at the ESPN complex is an easy, low-cost win.

The Bottom Line

The through-line this week is holidays and Halloween arriving earlier than ever — Universal’s Christmas footprint keeps growing, and if you’re weighing an Orlando fall trip, our Epic Universe holiday coverage is the best place to start planning.