Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

Crowd levels at Universal Orlando Resort can vary from season to season for the four Universal Orlando Resort Theme Parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay. This guide is a great way to see what time of year is best for your family to go.

Summer Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

June

Universal Studios – Busy to Very Busy
Islands of Adventure – Busy to Very Busy
Volcano Bay – Busy to Very Busy

Summer kicks off with high crowd levels at Universal Orlando Resort, and attendance typically increases throughout the month. With the grand opening of Epic Universe on May 25, 2025, even more guests are expected in 2025. Popular attractions will likely have long wait times, and Universal Express Passes may sell out. However, extended park hours provide more time to enjoy everything the parks have to offer.

July

Universal Studios – Very Busy
Islands of Adventure – Very Busy
Volcano Bay – Very Busy

August

Universal Studios – Slow to Busy
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Busy
Volcano Bay – Slow to Busy

August at Universal Orlando Resort begins with higher crowd levels as summer vacations wrap up. However, the final two to three weeks of August typically bring lower crowd levels, making it one of the best times to visit. Guests can expect shorter wait times — often 30 minutes or less — for most attractions.

Fall Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

September

Universal Studios – Slow
Islands of Adventure – Slow
Volcano Bay – Slow

Expect Halloween Horror Nights evenings to have busier crowd levels during September and October.

October

Universal Studios – Slow to Moderate
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Moderate
Volcano Bay – Slow to Moderate

November

Universal Studios – Slow to Busy
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Busy
Volcano Bay – Slow

Visitors can expect mostly slow days until Thanksgiving week. Crowd levels will pick up due to schools being closed, then drop back down.

Winter Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

December

Universal Studios – Slow to Very Busy
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Very Busy
Volcano Bay – Slow

December will be mostly slow until the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Expect crowd levels to be busy during the holiday weeks, as the parks celebrate the holiday season.

January

Universal Studios – Slow
Islands of Adventure – Slow
Volcano Bay – Slow

February

Universal Studios – Slow to Busy
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Busy
Volcano Bay – Slow

Spring Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

March

Universal Studios – Very Busy
Islands of Adventure – Very Busy
Volcano Bay – Very Busy

During Spring Break season at Universal Orlando Resort, expect long lines for top rides and attractions, with wait times often reaching 120 minutes or more.

April

Universal Studios – Slow to Moderate
Islands of Adventure – Slow to Moderate
Volcano Bay – Slow to Moderate

The first week of April at Universal Orlando Resort, which marks the end of the Spring Break and Easter season, typically sees busy crowd levels. As the month progresses, attendance usually drops to moderate levels. During this time, guests can expect wait times of 30 to 60 minutes for popular attractions. Park hours generally stay consistent on slow to moderate crowd days.

May

Universal Studios – Moderate
Islands of Adventure – Moderate
Volcano Bay – Moderate

As school summer breaks begin, early summer at Universal Orlando Resort starts with moderate crowds but quickly becomes very busy. High attendance can lead to long wait times for popular attractions, and Universal Express Passes may sell out. However, extended park hours provide more opportunities to enjoy the parks.

The Mouse For Less Tips

• For the busy, to very busy seasons, Express Passes are a great way to shorten your wait times. Especially if you are trying to visit more than one park in a day.
• When you download the Universal Orlando Resort app, you can see real wait times for each attraction.
• Parks may open at 8:00 a.m. during peak seasons.
• During slow days, ride maintenance may be happening, so 1 or 2 of the more popular rides could close for a short period.
• Volcano Bay is open all year round, weather permitting. If you plan on visiting during a cold month, be sure to check the Volcano Bay operating hours for that day.