So you never ended up getting an acceptance letter from Hogwarts. That’s a shame, but you can still ride the Hogwarts Express, shop for treasures on Diagon Alley, and more at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort (as well as other Universal Studios locations around the world). Deciding whether you should go is the easy part—a better question is when?
Crowds, weather, and prices fluctuate throughout the year. Here’s a glance at the tourist seasons:
High Seasons: May through August, late October, and Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day
Shoulder Seasons: March through April, September through mid-October, and most of November
Low Season: January through February
Visiting during the busy periods means waiting in long lines and paying high prices. Then again, some of the events that draw big crowds—such as those celebrating Halloween and Christmas—also make the attractions extra special. Here’s when to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, depending on the kind of trip you want.
Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds
One thing about Universal Orlando is that it stays busy throughout much of the year. Not long after the spring breakers withdraw, the summer crowd comes, then the Halloween crowd, and then the Christmas and New Year crowd. January and February are about the only times when the resort is pretty quiet.
After the holidays are over, visitors are treated to shorter lines at the best Universal Orlando rides as well as bargains since ticket prices tend to surge during the busy season. If winter travel isn’t your thing but you still want to avoid peak times, visit during the shoulder periods: March, April, and September, as well as the earlier weeks of October and November (excluding spring break, Halloween, and Thanksgiving).
Whatever time of year you go, remember that crowds wax on the weekends and wane midweek. The time of day also matters, with crowds reaching their peak at the hottest time of the day, about noon to 3 p.m. (so, there are two good reasons to take a break at this time). The resort is quietest first thing in the morning. You can even get in before the gates open with early admission, available for an extra fee or free to guests of any Universal Orlando Resort hotel. With this perk, you’ll get to access certain attractions one hour before the other parkgoers get access.
Best Times to Visit for Good Weather
If you don’t like heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms daily, then avoid Orlando in the summer. Weather is another reason to go during the shoulder season—particularly September and October, when the high temperatures cool to around the mid-80s, as opposed to the 90s, and the daily rains tail off. Orlando continues to get drier and cooler throughout the fall and winter, although daily highs rarely drop below 70 degrees and the sky remains bright and sunny. By April, it’s in the 80s again but still relatively dry. Spring is another great time to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for good weather.
Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices
Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida is always going to cost you a ticket to Universal Orlando Resort. Harry Potter attractions are spread over three parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Islands of Adventure.
A one-day park-to-park ticket includes access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but not Epic Universe. If you’d like to visit all three parks, you’ll need either a two-day pass (which offers one separate day at Epic Universe and one day for both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) or a three-day pass that allows you to move between all three parks freely. Tickets to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios include access to the Hogwarts Express, which travels between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley in the two parks.
The price of park tickets depends on the time of year. The least expensive months are usually January and most of February, excluding the days surrounding the New Year, winter break, and Valentine’s Day. Other inexpensive times include the beginning of March and many weekdays through September and October. Keep in mind, however, that Halloween Horror Nights draw big crowds—especially on weekends during the long-running event and as Halloween gets closer.
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Best Times to Visit for Events
Events are certainly not the quietest times to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but they’re most definitely among the most fun. The two biggest events take place around Halloween and Christmas.
Diagon Alley becomes a cesspit of Death Eaters during Halloween Horror Nights, which typically run for more than two months starting in late August. You can celebrate the season with thrill rides featuring lifelike dragons and by dabbling in the Dark Arts in the Harry Potter-themed lands of the resort; however, the most popular event is perhaps Christmas in The Wizarding World. Unlike the ticketed Halloween Horror Nights event, this wintry celebration is entirely accessible with a park-to-park ticket.
Any Potterhead knows Hogwarts is most nostalgic over the holidays, and Universal Orlando’s version of the castle encapsulates that feeling with lights, decor, and fireworks. Diagon Alley is also bedecked, and the Butterbeer is ever-so-warming. Of course, the parks are busy and surge pricing is typically in play over the holidays. Go as early in the season as possible for a quieter experience.
Worst Time to Visit
The worst time to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is arguably the peak of summer, when the climate is hot and sticky, the crowds are at their thickest, and prices are at their highest. You’ll probably pay more to get into the parks and to travel to Orlando and stay in or near the resort during this time. There aren’t many events that make the high season special, either, and most parts of The Wizarding World are best enjoyed during fall and winter—seasons largely associated with the beloved books and movies.
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