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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."
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 2019 and 2020. It also outlines the more crowded times to visit.
The Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020
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 park plans and 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.
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 2019 and 2020 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.
Determining the Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020
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 2019 and 2020.
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).
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.
The Arrival of Star Wars Land and Crowds
Yes, we know this is a post about Universal and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is headed to Disney World, but we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge that the opening of this highly-anticipated land would have an impact on crowds. Once it opens, many people will plan trips to experience it, but they will also still see other parks during their vacation, too. The land is set to open some time in fall 2019, and while we don't yet have an opening date, we have adjusted later fall crowd levels in anticipation of this opening. The best dates to visit likely won't change (nor will the worst dates), but we expect all crowds will be more elevated.
So When Is the Best Time to Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020?
The very best times to visit Universal Orlando in 2019 are ...
- Jan. 6-10, 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)
The very best times to visit Universal Orlando in 2020 are ...
- Jan. 6-16, Jan. 27-Feb. 13
- Feb. 24-March 6
- 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 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 2019 are ...
- Jan. 1-6, Jan. 17-21
- 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
The worst times to visit Universal Orlando in 2020 are ...
- Jan. 1-5, Jan. 18-20
- Feb. 14-23
- March 7-April 19
- Weekends in May
- June
- July
- The first half of August
- The week of Thanksgiving
- The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
The big variable for spring is when Easter falls. When it's earlier in the season, there is generally a shorter, more intense "spring break" as school districts narrow down the week they give kids off. When it's later in spring, there is generally a longer but less intense "spring break" season as school districts have more variance in the week they give kids off. In 2019, Easter falls on April 21, making it a longer season than 2020, when it falls on April 12. That is still relatively late and therefore will be slightly more intense in 2020, but still not as bad as it is when Easter lands in March.
Holiday Crowds at Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020
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 has also become a bigger deal at Universal Orlando than in past years with the arrival of Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Muggles and wizards alike are flocking to the parks to enjoy the holiday decorations, entertainment and food in Hogwarts and Diagon Alley.
Universal Orlando's Most Crowded Holidays:
- New Year's Day - Jan. 1
- Easter - April 21, 2019, and April 12, 2020
- July 4th
- Thanksgiving - Nov. 28, 2019, and Nov. 26, 2020
- Christmas Eve - Dec. 24
- Christmas - Dec. 25
- New Year's Eve - Dec. 31
Best Holidays to Visit Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020
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.
- Labor Day - Sept. 2, 2019, and Sept. 7, 2020
- Columbus Day - Oct. 14, 2019, and October 12, 2020
- Veteran's Day (and Veteran's Day Observed) - Nov. 11, 2019, and Nov. 9, 2020 (observed)
Now you know the best time to visit Universal Orlando in 2019 and 2020. 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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