Crowds....what crowds ?

Universal Orlando: Just seen photos taken at Universal Studios in the last day or two and it's absolutely bereft of visitors.

Even taking into account seasonal variations in the number of visitors to Universal Studios Orlando I was amazed at the scenes of almost total desolation this March. ( refer to : orlandoparksnews )
Not so long ago we were discussing the overcrowding issue at neighbouring Islands of Adventure and now, in complete contrast, this.
Surely it can't just be down to the popularity of Harry Potter drawing visitors away from the Studios or can it ?
You guys probably know the answer so let's have it.

The rule for theme parks is school days = small crowds.

After the week of President's Day, crowds diminish until schools start getting out for Spring Break, which typically starts in mid-March and runs through late April. Then you'll have another three weeks of low crowds until the summer vacations start in late May.

Weekends will be a bit busier until then, especially with special events such as Mardi Gras bringing in locals. But on weekdays? Ride now, before the crowds come back!

First time I went to Universal Studios was 1st or 2nd week of March 2005. The crowds were non existent. We had fast passes because we stayed on site but we didn't need them.
Jaws was walk on so we road it about 15 times just because. So was E.T. and Men in Black of all things only had at MAX 5 minute fast past line. Ive been on that ride in fast past and waited more then 35.
Mummy was pretty much walk on. Maybe on group in front of us each time.

The next year however we went in May after recital and it was a different story. While it was still relatively less than summer crowds it was still 10-15 minute waits on most fast pass lines. Meaning for hulk, MIB, spiderman, Mummy. others were less than 5 still. Lunch crowds were kind of crazy.

I wouldnt fret much Universal will get busy with time again. I do think that WWOHP does take some business away from US though. Just last September we could only choose 1 park to go to so we chose IOA.

I've been at both parks a few times in the past week, and there was a 45 minute wait at HRRR and the Jaws line was the longest I've ever seen it. Wait til the Spring Break crowds.....hahahaha

The school holidays obviously have a far greater impact than I'd imagined.
I do remember being at Universal for the week 12th -18th December and the crowds were very light but it wasn't empty like now.
But I wonder if WWOHP is still busy despite the kids still being in the classroom.

School holidays are definitely a cause, as others have said. We went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion for 4 days last year (Saturday through Tuesday of Memorial Day weekend). . . packed Saturday-Monday, no one on Tuesday. Literally walked on to the front of Intimidator 305.

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