First week of August

[trompettecon]

What is it like at Universal the first week of August? Crowd levels? Hotness level? Of the temperature not the crowds

 

[AJA]

Miserably hot with high humidity and high crowd levels.

Any way you could push your visit to the 3-4 week of August? It will be just as hot and miserable but the crowds start to thin slightly as Southern schools are mostly back in session by the 15th (with a lot in session by the 10th).

The summer months can definitely be done. Just be fully prepared for the 90+ degree heat and the high humidity. Plan on early mornings and evenings in the parks with afternoon breaks.

If you stay onsite it is very easy to take long afternoon breaks and head back in to the park in the evening.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Miserably hot with high humidity and high crowd levels.

Any way you could push your visit to the 3-4 week of August? It will be just as hot and miserable but the crowds start to thin slightly as Southern schools are mostly back in session by the 15th (with a lot in session by the 10th).

The summer months can definitely be done. Just be fully prepared for the 90+ degree heat and the high humidity. Plan on early mornings and evenings in the parks with afternoon breaks.

If you stay onsite it is very easy to take long afternoon breaks and head back in to the park in the evening.

This is all true. We went at the end of August, and the crowds were lower than earlier in the summer.
BUT…that also means the park hours are reduced. Early in August, both parks will have EPA, and go until late in the evening. When the crowds drop, it goes to one park EPA, and closing at 7 or 8pm. We enjoyed the lower crowds, but EPA didn’t start until 8am, and both parks closed before dark, so no cooler hours and no nighttime show, either.

 

[trompettecon]

Very torn. We postponed our Jan trip to 1st week of March but I'm pretty sure my son and his gf will not be able to come then... The only other week they could come is the 1st week of August. Maybe we could stay a few days xtra and do the parks early am and late at night and hang out by the pool or VB mid-day...

 

[AJA]

This is all true. We went at the end of August, and the crowds were lower than earlier in the summer.
BUT…that also means the park hours are reduced. Early in August, both parks will have EPA, and go until late in the evening. When the crowds drop, it goes to one park EPA, and closing at 7 or 8pm. We enjoyed the lower crowds, but EPA didn’t start until 8am, and both parks closed before dark, so no cooler hours and no nighttime show, either.

Yes the Covid changes of the last 2 years could affect hours! Pre Covid end of August the hours were usually 8-9 pm. Hopefully things get back to normal this year!
Nighttime shows at Universal are definitely much more seasonal than Disney. If you are visiting at a moderate or slower time the shows might be weekend only or none at all.

 

[AJA]

Very torn. We postponed our Jan trip to 1st week of March but I'm pretty sure my son and his gf will not be able to come then... The only other week they could come is the 1st week of August. Maybe we could stay a few days xtra and do the parks early am and late at night and hang out by the pool or VB mid-day...

I would include them in the planning and have them look at the historical temps/weather/crowds and see if they are interested. Some people aren’t really bothered by the humidity and for some people (my husband) it is a miserable experience.

Watch some YouTube videos of August touring and see what you think. Again it is doable, TONS of people visit then.

If it is in the budget at all Express passes would absolutely be worth it that time of year.

 

[fivikse]

We have done that week several times (always with hotel express passes). I don't mind the heat, but we are from a hot location and have had all summer to prepare (we live in Texas). I think those from colder climates seem to have more trouble with the heat. At Universal you have the water rides, hotel pools, and a lot of indoor spaces. With the Express passes, the crowds haven't been an issue for us.