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Welcome to the OI Universal Orlando crowd calendar, part of the OI Universal Center. Please review the calendar legend below, and then scroll down to find the month you are interested in.
The information below is based on years of knowledge and experience. However, it is an estimate only. Because there are an infinite amount of factors that may effect your individual experience at the parks on a given day, we cannot make any warranties whatsoever.
Last calendar update
May 16, 2012
A note about changes to park operating hours
Please be advised that Universal Orlando does not have a mechanism for alerting the media of changes to its published operating hours. (Indeed, I think we might be the only website that tracks their hours.) This means, when they change hours, the only way for us to know is either to spot it ourselves or to have it brought to our attention by someone in our community.
While we do our very best to provide accurate park times, we strongly encourage you to contact Universal directly a week before you travel to confirm the operating hours of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. You can reach Universal Guest Services directly by dialing 407-224-4233 and choosing option 2 when prompted. It’s also a good idea to double-check park hours the day before you arrive.
Should you find a discrepancy on our calendar, we’d really appreciate it if you could send us a quick email by clicking here. Thank you!
Crowd calendar legend
Theme parks are at their busiest. Expect huge crowds, very long lines for the popular attractions with wait times over 90 minutes, and extended park operating hours. Extra shows and other complimentary entertainment will be in full swing. Express Passes are HIGHLY recommended and are likely to sell out in advance. Typically, during very busy days, USF is open until 9:00pm and IOA is open until 10:00pm. In addition, IOA may open to the general public at 8:00am, an hour earlier than usual. (Need a touring plan?)
Theme parks are busy. Expect large crowds and long lines for the popular attractions with wait times between 60 to 90 minutes (lines will be noticeably shorter in the very early morning and late evening). Extra shows and other complimentary entertainment will likely be in operation. Express Passes are recommended and may sell out in advance. Typically, during busy days, USF is open until 8:00pm and IOA is open until 9:00pm. (Need a touring plan?)
Theme parks are moderately busy. Expect ample crowds and long lines for the popular attractions with wait times between 30 to 60 minutes (lines will be shorter in the very early morning and late evening). Extra shows may have reduced schedules as will any other complimentary entertainment. There is a chance that less popular shows and attractions will be closed, such as IOA’s Triceratops Discovery Trail. Express Passes are recommended only for those guests who really don’t want to deal with lines, or who are trying to visit both parks in one day. Typically, during moderate days, USF is open until 7:00pm and IOA is open until 8:00pm. (Need a touring plan?)
Theme parks are slow. Expect few crowds and minimal lines with wait times for popular attractions 30 minutes or less. There is a very good chance that less popular shows and attractions may be closed, such as IOA’s Triceratops Discovery Trail. Express Passes are not recommended–and since there is no chance of them selling out in advance, you can always buy them at the park if you decide you want them. Typically, during slow days, USF is open until 6:00pm and IOA is open until 7:00pm.
Scheduled operating hours for Universal Studios Florida (USF). Please be aware that theme park operating hours may change at any time without notice. If no park hours are listed for a particular date, then Universal has yet to make them available to the public.
Scheduled operating hours for Islands of Adventure (IOA). Currently guests with Early Park Admission are able to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the listed opening time. Please be aware that theme park operating hours may change at any time without notice. If no park hours are listed for a particular date, then Universal has yet to make them available to the public.
There are certain days when Universal Studios Florida and/or Islands of Adventure opens and/or closes unseasonably early. This generally happens when the parks are hosting a private event. The park operating hours for these days will have a darker shade of gray. Please note that early closing hours are not always marked by dark gray. This shade is only used when the parks are closing unseasonably early. If you plan on visiting Universal during one of these dates, I strongly encourage you contact Universal directly a day or two before your visit to verify the hours.
Special events, which may require a separate ticket. In this example Halloween Horror Nights is scheduled from 6:30pm to 12:00am.
A few more notes
Please be aware that the calendar dates overlap as you go from month to month. For example, you will find the first week of September at the bottom of October’s calendar and at the top of September’s calendar.
Also, while the calendar below is based on Universal Orlando’s schedule, the overall crowd level trends stand true for all Orlando theme parks.
Should you find an inaccuracy or if you have a suggestion, please shoot us a quick email by clicking here. Thank you!
May 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
IMPORTANT:Â The Grad Bash and Gradventure event nights have been added to the calendar. However, please note that these events are not open to the general public (that is why they are marked as E for notes).

June 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.

July 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.

August 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.

September 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calendar for Rock The Universe and Halloween Horror Nights have been confirmed.

October 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Halloween Horror Nights have been confirmed.

November 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Halloween Horror Nights have been confirmed. However, the dates for Universal’s Holiday celebrations are estimates only!

December 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Holiday celebrations are estimates only! Universal has not announced the official dates for these events.

January 2013 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Holiday celebrations are estimates only! Universal has not announced the official dates for these events.

February 2013 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Mardi Gras are estimates only! Universal has not announced the official dates for this event.

March 2013 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Mardi Gras are estimates only! Universal has not announced the official dates for these events.

April 2012 – Universal Orlando crowd calendar, park hours & special events
Quick reference: a) crowd levels–please be advised that crowd estimates are for regular operating hours b) Universal Studios Florida park hours c) Islands of Adventure parks hours d) special events e) notes. Major U.S. holidays are also listed.
No park hours are listed because Universal has not made them available yet. View the calendar legend toward the top of the page for park hour estimates based on crowd levels.
IMPORTANT: The dates included on this calender for Mardi Gras and Grad Bash are estimates only! Universal has not announced the official dates for these events. In addition, please note that the Grad Bash events are not open to the general public (that is why they are marked as E for notes).

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- Forbidden Journey: Ultimate unofficial guide – Book 1
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- The very best way to experience Forbidden Journey
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- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill (full-service)
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- Confisco Grille & Character Breakfast (full-service)
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- Blondie’s: Home of the Dagwood (quick-service)
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Dan is an Orlando destination specialist, former Universal team member, student at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and founder of Visitus Media LLC. Originally from St. Paul, MN, Dan lives in Celebration, FL with his wife Rosie and their new daughter Noa.
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