Welcome to Theme Park Insider! Join the community or log in
Theme Park Insider
Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube

What are the busiest months in Orlando?

Universal Orlando: I was thinking of going early to mid June but a friend told me this is a busy period.

From steve cox
Posted March 11, 2006 at 12:26 AM
could anyone give me the throughput of people per month at universal studios. I was thinking of going early to mid June but a friend told me this is a busy period. If someone has throughput figures this would make my options for when I go to Orlando much easier


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Scott Seal
Posted March 11, 2006 at 8:35 AM
They say that early July is the busiest. The later in the summer you wait, the fewer crowds there will be. Shool starts in August for central Florida kids, so that's always a good time to go - late August. However (and I know it doesn't happen often) hurricanes come in late summer as well. Far more in August and September than in the other summer months. Florida is prime Hurricane target, and, although Disney World has closed onlyy once for them, they do occassionally strike Orlando, and seeing as how you'd have no way of knowing whether one would or wouldn't strike, it seems to me that you'd be better off avoiding them all together.

Also, don't know if you've ever been, but it rains everyday in the summer in Orlando. About 4:30 every afternoon. Keep that in mind when planning your daily schedules and such.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted March 11, 2006 at 9:10 AM
Yeah, Scott hit it right on the head about crowds and stuff. He is right about the rain, but it usually isn't too bad most of the days. It also tends to be pretty hot during that time as well so rain is a nice welcome!

From Gareth H
Posted March 11, 2006 at 9:12 AM
Yeah, go to water parks early if you want to swim!!
Fantastic storms though!!

From Chris Walton
Posted March 11, 2006 at 10:05 AM
Well...I have the crowd patterns for WDW which should be relatively the same for Universal Orlando. According to Birnbaum's 2005 Official WDW Guide the most crowded times are Presidents' week, 3rd week of March through 3rd week of April, June through Labor Day, and Christmas through New Year.

Attendance is considered "average" in the 1st week of January, 2nd week of February until President's week, end of February through the 2nd week of March, Last week of April through May, and Thanks giving week.

The parks are "least crowded" in the 2nd week of January through 1st week of February, week afte Labor Day until Thanksgiving, and the week after Thanksgiving through the week before Chrstmas.

Seeing as how these numbers most likely represent the general tourism in Orlando during these seasons I would imagine that they would apply to Universal as well.

From Gareth H
Posted March 11, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Bear in mind that The British are on "vacation" from late july until early september. Anytime after mid spetember will be much quieter!

From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Posted March 13, 2006 at 6:56 AM
December! Christmas and New Year! It's a big time where family just go to Orlando. I still remember Tower of Terror was 140 minutes, Rock was 185 minutes, Test Track was 210 minutes, Mission was 245 minutes, Maelstorm was 90 minutes, Big Thunder was 165 minutes, Splash Mountain was 145 minutes, Space Mountain was 140 minutes. However, the magic happened when I was in Animal Kingdom. Kali River Rapids was 5 minutes, Dinosaur was 30 minutes, Primeval Whirl was 45 minutes, Bug was 5 inutes, except Kilimanjaro Safaris which was 145 minutes. When you go in the peak-season, you don't haveto rush. But you can if you want to. It's Christmas and you should enjoy what you've got.

From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Posted March 13, 2006 at 6:56 AM
December! Christmas and New Year! It's a big time where family just go to Orlando. I still remember Tower of Terror was 140 minutes, Rock was 185 minutes, Test Track was 210 minutes, Mission was 245 minutes, Maelstorm was 90 minutes, Big Thunder was 165 minutes, Splash Mountain was 145 minutes, Space Mountain was 140 minutes. However, the magic happened when I was in Animal Kingdom. Kali River Rapids was 5 minutes, Dinosaur was 30 minutes, Primeval Whirl was 45 minutes, Bug was 5 inutes, except Kilimanjaro Safaris which was 145 minutes. When you go in the peak-season, you don't have to rush. But you can if you want to. It's Christmas and you should enjoy what you've got.

From TH Creative
Posted March 13, 2006 at 12:13 PM
When I first worked at the Magic Kingdom (1982 - 1984) the best time to visit was the first week of December.

Then we went the first week of December a few months ago.

Oh ... my ... God!

It was CRAZY MOBBED. Wall to wall crowded. 90 minute wait for Peter Pan's Flight.

We were at Typhoon Lagoon yesterday and the crowds were moderate. We were not amused to find that they are letting hotel guests into the park an hour earlier. Doesn't seem fair. Unlike the theme parks, by letting the hotel guests in first all of the shady spots get taken -- meaning a day guest or AP holder do not get the chance to enjoy the same level of comfort as the hotel guests. In the theme parks while the hotel guests get to ride first the regular guests still have the opportunity to enjoy the same experience. not so when all the shady spots are taken.

Bummer.

Further, there is the awkward effect of having the regular guest stand behind a rope while they watch the hotel guests frollicking around in the wave pool and the lazy river. At least at the theme parks you don't actually see the hotel guests living La Vida Loca while we wait.

From Theresa Lee
Posted March 23, 2006 at 9:30 AM
If you have to go in June, the best time is to go the first week in June, not as many people. Best time ever to go has to be Middle January first Febuary, end of Sept. and first of Oct.

From Rob Lawshe
Posted April 2, 2006 at 7:35 PM
Theresa Lee is correct... as a local.. that is the BEST time to go:)

From Trevor Pearce
Posted April 23, 2006 at 4:02 AM
Were coming from the U.K. the 2 weeks before Christmas

From Trevor Pearce
Posted April 23, 2006 at 4:02 AM
Were coming from the U.K. the 2 weeks before Christmas

From Trevor Pearce
Posted April 23, 2006 at 4:04 AM
Were coming to Orlando the 2 weeks before Christmas,going home on the 23rd. Does anyone know what to expect crowd wise at that time ? It seems the time betweem xmas and new year is busy. Also being a Brit and obsessed with the weather LOL, whats it like then ? We've "done Florida" most months of the year except Nov,Dec and Jan. Cheers.

From Chris Walton
Posted April 23, 2006 at 8:38 AM
According to Birnbaum's official WDW Guide, the week after Thanksgiving through the week before Christmas is listed as one of the least crowded seasons. Weather in central Florida in December is pretty mild on average mid 50's to mid 60's. Chances of rain is highly unlikely.

From Chris Walton
Posted April 23, 2006 at 8:44 AM
Occasionally, the temperature can drop into the low 40's / high 30's,but not too often.

From Gareth H
Posted April 23, 2006 at 3:00 PM
Trevor, lets face it, as a Brit, living in FLorida, I know what the weathers like at that time of year in both areas, and I'll just assume you're from the South UK, so best case scenario British Weather..

England that time of year-- Suns out? Bitterly cold! They'll be a slight wind, causing the tears (caused by cold the air) in your eyes, to sting. Walking wil be difficult because its hard to see.. You'll be wearing 3 layers on top, tee, jumper, jacket. You'll be very uncomfortable. If Alton Towers were open at this time of year you'd bever go...
No Sun - Means Rain - Means 5 times to misery that I just described (With name like Trevor you may possbily be from South Wales, in that case triple the above)

OR----FLORIDA

So it May be at the very very worst mid 30's lowest (I'd say about 5c min). Its not going to rain, you'd only need 2 laters. The sun wil be out so you'll be hot anyway, as long as we don't get the Atlantic Breeze it won't be that bad...
I'd suggest you bring your t-shirts as planned, but bring a couple of Medium jumpers and 1 overcoat (Not too thick)...
Don't expect tropical weather, it won't happen, but be grateful you won't be suffering the miserable British weather I left behind over ayear ago..

Oh, I guess the main thing is, the parks will be ok. Queues won't be that bad. Wel done for not spening Christmas day out here, that is one very busy day indeed.

Have fun & feel free to ask any question. :-)

From Gareth H
Posted April 23, 2006 at 3:09 PM
Just noticed you're in London.. I lived in Loughton so ignore the Welsh part but take heed of the Southern part.

From Trevor Pearce
Posted April 26, 2006 at 12:13 PM
Thanks for your info Chris and Gareth. Gareth how small a world is it ? i lived in Loughton for 11 years, (Algers RD ). I now live down the road in Buckhurst Hill. By the way I love Alton Towers, Air, oblivion, Nemesis. And yes i've been there in the rain, and it hurts!! Its in lovely green English countryside so that goes some way to compensate.....well sort of! But roll on December i'll be fighting with my kids for the front seats on Hulk !!!

From Chris Walton
Posted April 26, 2006 at 3:45 PM
Front seat is the only way to go on the Hulk.

From Gareth H
Posted April 26, 2006 at 8:23 PM
Was brought up in Lewes, E.sussex, met my wife in Brighton & moved to Loughton to be with her..

Its a small world after all (See what I did there??)

Get in contact in December and I'll ride front row with you..

Have fun..

From rosemarie branda
Posted May 3, 2006 at 8:31 AM
this is our 4th time going to disney and univesal, the first time we ever went was during easter break and i thought the crowds were moderate and easy to handle, but the next time we went (we're from New Jersey) our kids are off from school the sencond week of november and i can not imagine going any other time. we did not need to fast pass anything at disney, but we were unaware of super soap weekend at MGM and that was mobbed. Univeresal was dead too, we literally got off a ride and got right back on. We are going again from 11/6 -11/13 and super soap weekend is 11/11-11/12 so i will just avoid MGM on those days

From Lucina Joseph
Posted April 19, 2007 at 9:24 AM
Im going to disney may 3-10 is this a busy month?

From Karin S
Posted April 19, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Disney in mid-May should be okay - Epcot has it's Flower show going on and that attracts a crowd.

That being said, it seems that the parks are much busier now during off-peak times than they were in the past. Does anyone else think so, or is it just me and bad timing?

From Iris Hernandez
Posted April 19, 2007 at 12:16 PM
I think you are right about the parks seeming busier in the off-peak times than they did before. Maybe its because more people are taking time off of work during this time to go on vacation because they know its off-peak season. You see what i'm saying? THe more they do that, the more the parks will fill up during off-peak times.

If you check out Disney's website you will see a link to " Wonderful Weeks of Disney "or something like that, that tell you when the off-peak seasons are and give you all the special pricing on hotels, tickets, etc....If the specials are that good, families will make the neccesary sacrifices to get their"dream"vacation. (ie: pulling kids out of school during non-vacation time). Universal Studios always has killer specials during off-peak seasons, even their express pass plus gets considerably cheaper.
My point is, the parks are fuller now during off-peak times than they were before, and I do think that this is Disney's and Universal Studios's goal anyways.

This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.