Help picking dates - 2026

[StephPlum]

I've looked at some crowd calendars but am getting conflicting advice. Does anyone have a crowd calendar that they really like? I am very flexible with my dates. I want to go at a less crowded time (first priority), warm but not overly oppressive (second priority) but also I'd love to see some Christmas decorations (third priority). September is probably slow but I've done that and melted in the humidity + hurricanes.

Right now I am deciding between first week of Nov 1-6, second week of Nov 8-13 or Nov 30 - Dec 5. First thought was Nov 30 - Dec 5 as it is the week after Thanksgiving and hopefully less crowded + get Christmas vibes. But I am seeing beginning of Nov as being predicted less crowded (though not sure since the second week covers Veterans Day).

Should I stick with week after Thanksgiving or try the beginning of Nov? How early do the Christmas decorations go up?

 

[The Gatekeeper]

I look at Universal's information when trying to figure out crowds. Look at ticket prices and the price of express passes to see what Universal's internal information is indicating.
Without looking, my gut is saying the difference in those dates is probably negligible. I would take slightly more crowds in order to enjoy the Christmas decor.

 

[Skippyboo]

Beginning of November isn’t going to have the Christmas stuff going on like the holiday parade, Grinchmas etc. They are going be getting rid of the HHN stuff.

 

[StephPlum]

Thanks. Looking at hotel prices, seems like beginning of Dec should be lower crowds. Interestingly, the ticket prices are about the same but hotels are $100-200 (or more) higher per night.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Have done both your Nov weeks at Universal. They are fairly slow I'd say similar crowd levels.

The first Nov week will be more or less holiday decorated at Islands. Almost definitely the last HHN night on Sun Nov 1, which would be a "slower" HHN night if that interests you. Studios will get a little decorated before you leave.

The 2nd Nov week will be holiday decorated at Islands and increasingly holiday decorated at Studios, the big tree should go up before you leave. No holiday shows or happenings. IME unlikely to have the nighttime show but the first week is really unlikely to have nighttime entertainment going.

Weather should be shorts weather during the day, anywhere from nice/warm to hot, and variable at night. Difference is more yearly luck of the draw. Early Dec is most likely shorts weather at least half the time, could also get cool days. Luck of the draw for sure. Over a week you should have at least a few good days. Having just flown home, I will say that the outdoor pool temps in Dec are just unacceptable if you are offsite in an unheated pool. Onsite will be fine whenever the air temp is reasonable for swimming, since those pools are all heated.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Also to note, if you are trying to fly the Sun after Thanksgiving, that is a crazy busy travel day and I would expect high prices for flights.

 

[StephPlum]

Also to note, if you are trying to fly the Sun after Thanksgiving, that is a crazy busy travel day and I would expect high prices for flights.

It would be Monday after Thanksgiving to avoid the craziness!

 

[liamthompson]

We just got back - checked in Saturday after Thanksgiving with park days Sunday, Monday, Tuesday at IoA and studios. It was incredibly uncrowded with full decorations and christmas entertainment. My plan is to book for the same week next year. We did not visit epic and wait times still looked crazy during our visit.

I was watching the wait times on the app before our trip and I would avoid the week of veterans day.

Take a look at thrill data, you can filter by certain dates and then drill down to a specific ride or all the rides in a park.

If you're planning on staying on-site, keep an eye out for the fluctuating hotel prices. I originally had not planned to book Saturday night but the price fell to something reasonable and I ended up adding an extra night and saving $150. It might be cheaper for you to fly Saturday too.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

checked in Saturday after Thanksgiving with park days Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

Do you mean Sat 11/29 or Sat 12/6?

 

[liamthompson]

Sat 11/29