Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

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

Spring Crowd Levels at Universal Orlando Resort

March

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

Expect long lines (at least120 minute waits) for favorite rides and attractions, especially during Spring Break season.

April

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

In the first week of April (end of Spring Break/Easter period) expect crowd levels to be busy, then slow back down for the remaining weeks. For moderate crowd levels expect longer waits for popular attractions (about 30 – 60 minutes). Park hours will typically remain the same on slow to moderate days.

May

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

With the start of the summer breaks for school expect the month to start kind of quiet and then then increase to very busy which means Express passes could sell out. Expect long wait times for the popular attractions, but also extended park hours.

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

With the start of the Summer season expect the month to start busy then increase to very busy which means express passes could sell out. Expect long wait times for the popular attractions, but also extended park hours.

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 usually starts busy with summer winding down. However, the last 2 to 3 weeks of the month can be expected to be slow. Crowd levels are much smaller, so lines will be 30 minutes or less.

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 in this month.

October

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

Expect Halloween Horror Nights evenings to have busier crowd levels in this month.

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

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.