If you know, visiting Universal Orlando is at the top of your trip list this year. Still, if you are running on a budget (don’t worry, me too), knowing the cheapest times to visit Universal Orlando can be incredibly helpful to ensure your vacation doesn’t strain your wallet.
Plus, with money saved on park tickets and accommodations, you might be able to take to home an extra souvenir or two (I know an interactive wand is calling your name).
Park and ticket prices fluctuate, so keeping in mind the busiest times to avoid will help keep your costs low.
- Avoid school holidays.
- Avoid federal holidays.
- Avoid Halloween, Christmas, and the New Year.
When the goblins of Gringotts are calling your name, and the prehistoric roars from the VelociCoaster have invaded your dreams, Universal Orlando is the place to be.
Let’s lay out the cheapest times to visit so you and your wallet can visit the park happily.
Best Times To Visit on a Budget
1. When School Is in Session
Some of the busiest times at Universal Orlando, and thus the most expensive, are during school vacations when parents can take their kids without worrying about excused absences and missed homework.
If you don’t have children and aren’t in school, avoiding school breaks can be a real luxury when saving money.
Spring break and the summer holidays have a huge influx of park visitors, thus a spike in park ticket and accommodation prices. However, your wallet will surely thank you if you can get time off work when others are in school.
2. Avoid Federal Holidays
Federal holidays where students and employees have the day off are always pricier than your average Tuesday. However, while single-day federal holidays might not be the best for long vacations, they are often-times the only days those in the workforce can find time to visit the parks.
Your visit will be cheaper if you have spare vacation time and can plan your trip outside of any federal holidays. However, if you have trouble remembering some of these dates, click here for a comprehensive list.
If other people are likely to have the day off work, your tickets might be more expensive. Do your best to avoid these dates if you are on a budget.
3. Ditch Halloween, Christmas, and New Year
I would be lying if I said I didn’t LOVE the Halloween and Christmas decorations and events at Universal Orlando. Theme parks during the holidays are one of my favorite ways to get in the spirit.
However, Spooky Season and the winter holidays are not your friends when traveling on a budget to Universal Orlando. Because park and accommodation prices fluctuate and the parks are much busier during this time of year (understandably so – Halloween Horror nights is a hit for a reason), visiting October, November, December, and early January will be more expensive than other times of the year.
So Which Months Are the Best?
Late August, September, January, and February are the months to go for the lowest prices! This is because they fall right after peak visit times.
Children are back in school after the summer, during late August and September, and Halloween prices haven’t yet started.
Late January and February mark the end of the parks’ winter holiday season so most families will have headed home after their Christmas vacations and gone back to work and school.
Takeaway
Visiting Universal Orlando on a budget is feasible if you remember the cheapest times. Avoiding major holidays and school breaks will ensure prices are more affordable for your park tickets and accommodations.
Plan your trip for the least busy months of the year (late August, September, January, and February), and you will save money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Time of Year Is Universal Studios Less Crowded?
You are in luck if you are on a budget and struggle with crowds! The same months that Universal Studios is cheapest also happen to be the least crowded.
What Days of the Week Are Less Crowded?
As might be expected, Universal Studios has fewer crowds Monday through Thursday since most people have more free time on weekends.
A midweek trip to the park is a great way to wait in shorter lines and bump elbows a little less.
