Before you book your hotel and transportation for your visit to Orlando and its world-class theme parks, there’s something you should think about first: the crowds. This may not seem like a big deal to you, especially if you haven’t ever been to the Disney or Universal theme parks before, but trust us, it makes all the difference.
In peak times, the popular rides at these parks get extremely backed up, with two to three hour wait times being the norm. You may only get through one or two attractions before lunch—possibly only a fraction of the wonderful things these parks have to offer. If you truly want the full experience and to get the most out of your expensive admission ticket, come when the crowds subside.
Least Busy Times
The trick is coming when most adults are at work and kids are in school. If you want to check for a particular month or week of the year, there are plenty of websites that keep statistics of attendance for Disney and Universal. The undercovertourist.com is probably the most helpful and comprehensive guide tracking the crowds at Orlando theme parks. It’s findings show that the best times to visit the attractions are the following:
- Late January to Mid-February (after New Year’s to Valentine’s Day)
- Late August to Mid-October (after kids go back to school)
- Early to Late December (after Thanksgiving to Christmas Week)
Busiest Times
A good rule of thumb is to avoid all holidays. Major holidays are always worse than minor ones. Avoid Thanksgiving week, Christmas week up until New Years, and Spring Break weeks like the plague if you plan on getting to most of the attractions. Summer is also a terrible time to visit, since that time draws a ton of out-of-state and international tourists on top of residents on summer break. And, during the regular school and work year, days like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Valentine’s Day, and other one day holidays typically see above average crowds. To summarize in order of most importance:
- Avoid major holidays when people like to take vacations
- Avoid the summer for the same reason
- Avoid minor holidays when Florida residents like to come for the day
- Avoid weekends
If you have the luxury of planning your Orlando vacation during tourist downtimes, you’ll be able to get the most out of your days at the theme parks. At least, do your best to avoid coming during major holidays and the summer when the attractions are packed to the gills.
Looking for a perfect place to stay near Orlando’s amazing theme parks? The Rosen Inn is right off the highway mere minutes from the Universal attractions. Save money without sacrificing comfort or quality at our locally-owned hotel. We will do our best to make sure your stay is as wonderful and memorable as possible. To book your room today, please call 407-996-4444.
