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This is what Universal Orlando Resort trip planning sounds like around the frog pond:
"We have to do Forbidden Journey first."
"Are you crazy? Escape from Gringotts!"
"I was thinking of splashing into the pool at Cabana Bay Beach Resort right after we check in."
"If I may add my two croaks, I'd hit Ko'kiri Body Plunge first."
"Whaaaat?"
"It's as if you don't even know us."
Yes. Even us savvy trip planners can get hung up on how to tackle a Universal Orlando vacation. One of the few things we can agree on is WHEN to visit. Crowd levels have a big impact on everyone's theme park vacation. This post outlines the very best times to visit Universal Orlando in 2018 and 2019. It also outlines the more crowded times to visit.
The Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando in 2018 & 2019
As we've said before with visiting Disney World, there's never a bad time to visit Universal Orlando. The Frog Family has hopped down during every season and successfully managed the crowds. We stick with our basic plan — get to the park at opening, take breaks in the afternoon when the parks are at their busiest, make use of our wait-time app and use Universal Express.
We highly recommend you consider staying on site at one of Universal’s official hotels that offer Universal Express Unlimited, basically unlimited skip-the-line access on most rides at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The Universal hotels that offer the benefit are Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal's Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. For more reading, check out our guide on when to use Universal Express
Having a plan also helps manage crowds, which is why we've put all of our experience into these handy-dandy Universal Orlando park plans. There's no magic to our methods (well ... snacks and caffeine help). Simply follow our advice and you'll find the crowds manageable even during the busy times.
We know that the word "crowds" can conjure up visions of hour-long waits for the popcorn cart. While that's a little extreme, there's no denying that there are better times to visit Universal Orlando than others. It should come as no surprise that the best time to visit Universal Orlando in 2018 and 2019 falls along school schedules. Generally, when the tadpoles will be out of school, there will be crowds at Universal. This is as true for a one-day holiday such as Martin Luther King Day as it is for a week-long spring break or the big draw — summer vacation. We won't judge you for pulling your kids out of school for a vacation (we have done it ourselves), but here are some things to consider.
Determining the Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando in 2018
Before booking your vacation to Universal on our site, we recommend you check our Crowd Calendar. You can get a view of the crowd levels by day, month or the whole year. You'll also find individual park recommendations. So you can easily see at a glance the best time to visit Universal Orlando in 2018.
Special events should also be a consideration in deciding the best time to visit, and they are also displayed on the crowd calendar. For example, Halloween Horror Nights can scare up a good crowd (yes, I went there). You might want to plan your visit around this event if you're into haunts, but be aware that it will bring in others as well.
Another consideration is Universal's Volcano Bay. Universal's third theme park has splashed onto the scene, and many visitors are extending their trips to experience it. (Check out our complete guide to Volcano Bay if you're planning to visit.) And, yes, it is open year round.
So When Is the Best Time to Universal Orlando in 2018 & 2019?
The very best times to visit Universal Orlando in 2018 are ...
- Jan. 8-12, Jan. 17-25
- Jan. 29- Feb. 15, Feb. 26-March 1
- Weekdays in May
- The second half of August
- Most weekdays in September (minus Fridays with Halloween Horror Nights)
- Most weekdays in October (minus Fridays with Halloween Horror Nights)
- Weekdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
- Weekdays in December (minus the week of Christmas and New Year's Eve)
The very best times to visit Universal Orlando in 2019 are ...
- Jan. 7-11, Jan. 23-Feb. 14
- Feb. 25-March 8
- The second half of August
- Most days in September (minus Fridays with Halloween Horror Nights)
- Most weekdays in October (minus Fridays with Halloween Horror Nights)
- Weekdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
- Weekdays in December (minus the week of Christmas and New Year's Eve)
Historically, September has been the very best of the month of the year to visit Universal Orlando in terms of crowds because the kids have just returned to school. It is still our pick for best month to visit, however, the popularity of Halloween Horror Nights has brought in more crowds, and the event regularly sells out. If you're visiting the resort for that time, and specifically for that event, make sure you purchase your tickets first and book your hotel early. Those weekends could see more guests who come in for the event and spend their daytime hours inside the parks.
September is also the height of Orlando's rainy season. You should prepare for daily afternoon thunderstorms and possibly more rain than that. Come prepared with ponchos. With those caveats out of the way, we still feel that fall is a good time to visit Universal Orlando.
The Most-Crowded Time to Visit Universal Orlando
The worst times to visit Universal Orlando in 2018 are ...
- Jan. 1-7, Jan. 12-15
- Jan. 26-28 (heavier concentration of crowds in the Wizarding Worlds for A Celebration of Harry Potter)
- Feb. 16-25
- March 12-April 15
- Weekends in May
- June
- July
- August until the 12th
- The week of Thanksgiving
- The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
The worst times to visit Universal Orlando in 2019 are ...
- Jan. 1-6, Jan. 17-21
- Late January, during A Celebration of Harry Potter - Dates TBD
- Feb. 15-24
- March 21-April 7, April 20-27 (elevated crowds March 16-April 27)
- Weekends in May
- June
- July
- The first half of August
- The week of Thanksgiving
- The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
Following a successful 2017 event, the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl was again held in Orlando on Jan. 28. While some of the Pro Bowl activities were being held at Disney, it bring more additional people to all of the parks. It also coincided with A Celebration of Harry Potter. Typically during the Pro Bowl, we would expect Saturday to be the busiest theme park day, with the game day being less crowded. It is not certain that the Pro Bowl will return to Orlando for 2019, so for now, we'll just have to wait and see. The annual Celebration also brings additional people to the parks, but generally many are attending the special Q&As with film talent, panels and demonstrations. Expect more crowds in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade for all of the Celebration dates.
Let's hop forward to spring break for a moment. In 2018, Easter falls on April 1 and will likely mean a slightly shorter, but more crowded spring break. Take those crowds into consideration when planning your visit.
Holiday Crowds at Universal Orlando in 2018 and 2019
Holidays bring crowds, and for good reasons. People are off from work and want to enjoy their time in the parks. Many families make it a tradition to gather at Universal Orlando to celebrate everything from Easter to Thanksgiving. Universal Orlando Resort has festive and frightening holiday events.
We've already mentioned the impact of crowds from Halloween Horror Nights. Christmas will be a BIG DEAL at Universal Orlando Resort in the coming years. Muggles and wizards will flock to Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which will bring holiday decorations, entertainment and food—welcome back warm Butterbeer! Universal's Holiday Parade will debut at Universal Studios, and the popular Grinchmas will once again return to Islands of Adventure.
Universal Orlando's Most Crowded Holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Easter - April 1, 2018, and April 21, 2019
- July 4th
- Thanksgiving - Nov. 22, 2018, and Nov. 28, 2019
- Christmas
- New Year's Eve
Best Holidays to Visit Universal Orlando in 2018 and 2019
Stock up on those precious personal days and consider visiting on these less-crowded holidays. It will still be busy, but not as noticeable as Christmas. (Pro Tip: Don't use a sick day for a visit and then post a pic of you enjoying a Lard Lad donut.)
- Labor Day - Sept. 3, 2018, and Sept. 2, 2019
- Columbus Day - Oct. 8, 2018, and Oct. 14, 2019
- Veteran's Day
Now you know the best time to visit Universal Orlando in 2018 and 2019. Wondering how crowds will be during your trip? Check out our Crowd Calendar. You'll find more resources to help you plan your Universal Orlando vacation on our When to Visit Orlando page inside the Orlando Planning Timeline!
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