Universal experts, End of August/early September?

[allaboutthemouse]

How crowded do you think the last week of August/first week of September (week before Labor Day, 8/29 - 9/5) will be this year, 2021? Express Pass needed?
TIA!

 

[Lynne G]

With many schools going back after Labor Day, I’d say the week days in the week after Labor Day would not be busy. Local kids come after school, and many locals come for the weekend, so would say those times you’d see more people.

For years, with school age kids, we vacationed at end of August due to summer camps ending 2 weeks before school started. You knew it was low crowd days as the first time I had wondered why the parks on week days, closed at 7 pm back then.

Eh, either way, we have always stayed at RPR or PBR and one time at HRH, to get the express passes. Twice I alone stayed at SF that did not have express pass, and mornings were best to get lowest lines, and used single rider where I could. That was start of October both times.

What we all recommend is that the purchase of an express pass is best to do inside the park if you think you want it. That is because they are date and park/parks specific. The unlimited kind are more expensive. No refunds. Otherwise, the purchase of an express pass is a one per ride use. Or if you buy before, it is because you know for sure you are going that day, and have only that day or a short time at the park(s). Know that the new Hagrid ride, Bourne show, and the Flyer kids ride all do not take express.

Anyway, my thoughts FWIW.

 

[greg9x]

Crowds are slightly lower (in normal times) as some schools go back before Labor Day...but it is still crowded. Crowds don't drop until after the Labor Day weekend.

 

[cfoxga]

One gauge I use is hotel prices. For Aug 30 - Sep 3 and Sep 6-10, RPR shows $314 for the Seasonal Rate on a standard room. If you look at early August (before kids are back in school), it is $419. So I would expect slightly lower crowds than the summer.

 

[nkereina]

We've been that week in years past and found it pretty manageable in terms of crowd levels. IMO, EPs would still be beneficial even if crowds are manageable because it will get you out of the heat or rain and inside the rides faster. The biggest concern that time of year is not the crowds, but the oppressive heat and humidity and high probability of rain. Its also peak time for hurricane season.

I know a lot of southern schools go back before Labor Day so they're inclined to be in session by then which helps with crowds. Here in NY, kids don't go back until after Labor Day. But this year, I can't picture tons of people traveling and especially not the week before school starts. It would be a greater risk they could get sick, assuming covid is still of the same concern at that point.