Orlando Weather/Crowds
When planning any vacation, it is always a good idea to think about the weather, if for no other reason than to be prepared. When headed to Disney World or Universal Studios, you probably want to think about crowd levels too. Although, we can’t always plan our trips around these things, it is at least helpful to know what you will be walking into at any given point throughout the year.
Unfortunately, for everyone that is a hyper planner, (like myself) Florida weather can be quite unpredictable. Even outside of the “rainy season” random down pours still happen. When it comes to crowd levels, the same is true. The reality is, everything has become more and more unpredictable. There used to be very clear busy times and not busy times throughout the year. While that is still true to an extent, it now feels like there are always large crowds to navigate.
So, here are some important things to keep in mind if you are taking a trip to visit either Walt Disney World or Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. (Both are incredible! Don’t make me choose!)
Need to Know
There is always a chance of rain and unexpected down pours. (Note: they typically, don’t last long in the off seasons)
Due to the rain and heat combined, humidity is high. It is especially noticeable if you reside out of state. I often feel like Monica Geller in Barbados. (Fans of the Friends TV Show will know what I mean).
Crowds are inevitable and always feel busy regardless of the season. So, have a game plan.
[Pictured: taken at Universal Studios in November. My husband and I thought we were going at a great time, but we just so happened to experience tons of rain in this typically light season.-Pro Tip: Wait it out with a delicious butter beer]
Basically, anyone who tells you that they can fully predict crowd calendars for every single day of the upcoming year is pulling your leg (aside from cast members or team members who work in the parks and are tracking ticket sales). Most of the information out there is based on the prior year and is a person’s best guess, but things change. This year might be completely different than years past. If you are truly prepared, you will expect crowds no matter what. The same goes for the weather. It is best to be ready for anything.
With all of that being said, here is a general break down of the weather and crowd levels throughout the year. This is about as precise as you should get, otherwise you are just setting yourself up for disappointment.
(Included in my Detailed Tips and Tricks Guide on Etsy, along with other crowd tips and weather information)
To wrap up a want to share an important crowd note. Light does not mean none! Especially when it comes to these wondrous theme parks, it only means potentially less. My heart is telling me I need to clarify even further because I feel that there is so much misleading information out there.
Less does not mean small. Disney and Universal theme parks will always be busy. There will always be long lines. Making a plan for navigation will always be a necessity. Some seasons are just scaled back. So, if you go in February and think “Oh my goodness! Why is it so crowded? Emma told me crowds would be light.” My response to you will be “Trust me, it is so much worse in the summer or during the holidays! Enjoy what you can.”
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