Cheapest Time to Go To Universal Orlando in 2026

Cheapest Time to Go To Universal Orlando in 2026

Cheapest Time to Go To Universal Orlando in 2026

This article is your guide to the cheapest time to visit Universal Orlando in 2026! In our analysis below, we compared the average 3-Park 3-Day Universal Orlando ticket pricing to help you find the cheapest times to visit Universal Orlando. What we found is that, as a general rule of thumb, September is the cheapest month to visit Universal Orlando Resort, with 18 of the 30 cheapest days of the year being found in that month alone. However, we also find August, January, and early November can be very affordable times to plan a Universal Orlando vacation.

For guests who are visiting during some of the busier months, the cheapest days for tickets and hotels are always going to be Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, and Wednesday, which are also some of the best days to visit Universal.

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SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation, be sure to check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Universal Orlando 2026?

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As a general rule of thumb, most of September, August and January tend to be some of the cheapest times to visit the Universal Orlando parks. As a whole, September has the most affordable Universal Studio ticket prices on average, with 18 of the 30 cheapest days of the year being found in this month alone. This makes sense, as September has the lowest crowd levels of the year at Universal Orlando, due to kids returning to school. Therefore, Universal typically tries to incentivize families to visit during that month. On the flip side, we would say that guests can also time their purchase to get a better deal on their Universal Orlando vacation, and we have seen Universal release some great promotions in January over the past few years.

For families looking for the exact cheapest weeks to visit Universal Orlando, we would look at September 13th through the 19th, August 30th – September 5th, and November 29th – December 5th. When you look at the numbers, we find that families who pick one of these three weeks compared to the most expensive week of December 20th through the 26th will save up $133 per person on the tickets alone.

The cheapest weeks to visit Universal Orlando Resort?

  • September 13-19: $414.58 (the absolute lowest full week)
  • August 30 – September 5: $440.44
  • November 29 – December 5: $455.20

The most expensive weeks to visit Universal Orlando Resort?

  • December 20-26 (Christmas week): $548.32
  • March 29 – April 4 (Spring Break): $536.90
  • November 22-28 (Thanksgiving week): $521.23

The cheapest months to visit Universal Orlando Resort, from best to worst

Month Average Ticket Price
September $408.19
August $427.15
January $442.22
November $449.59
October $453.25
February $454.03
May $455.41
June $455.72
April $460.66
July $464.93
December $479.31
March $481.41

What are the Cheapest Days to go to Universal Orlando Resort 2026?

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We understand that families can’t always change the month that they will be visiting the theme parks. However, families can still pick the cheapest day of the week to start their tickets. As a general rule of thumb, we find Monday, Tuesday or Sunday to be the cheapest days to visit Universal Orlando. Based on the numbers, simply picking Monday over Friday can save the average family $18 per person. The prices below reflect the discount Universal 3-Day 3-Park Base Ticket pricing found on The Park Prodigy and are subject to change and availability.

Cheapest Day of the Week to Visit Universal Orlando

Month Average Ticket Price
Monday $444.41
Tuesday $445.53
Sunday $449.57
Wednesday $450.53
Thursday $458.12
Saturday $458.34
Friday $462.61

10 Cheapest Days to Visit Universal Orlando in 2026

  • Monday, August 31, 2026 – $354.99 ⭐ (Absolute Lowest)
  • Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – $359.99
  • Monday, September 14, 2026 – $364.99
  • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – $368.99
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – $371.99
  • Sunday, August 30, 2026 – $375.99
  • Wednesday, September 9, 2026 – $377.99
  • Sunday, September 13, 2026 – $379.99
  • Monday, September 21, 2026 – $380.99
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – $385.99

Related post: Guide to Halloween Horror Nights: Universal Orlando’s Halloween Event

Tips and Tricks for Picking The Cheapest Time to Visit Universal Orlando

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Pay attention to ticket prices

Universal Orlando ticket prices fluctuate based on the day you first plan to visit the theme parks. This means Universal will adjust its ticket pricing during the busier times of the year and also adjust ticket pricing during the Universal Orlando off-season. So, one of the easiest ways to spot the cheapest time of year to visit Universal Studios Orlando for both hotel and tickets is by looking at the one-day Universal Orlando ticket pricing!

Plan your trip right after the kids go back to school

Some of the cheapest times to go to Universal Orlando are typically right after kids go back to school from any major break. The most popular ones will typically be at the beginning of September, right after summer break, or in January after Christmas break. Timing your trip right after this break makes it an optimal time to go to Universal Studios Orlando for several reasons. First, the parks are generally less crowded, as families have concluded their summer vacations and children are back in school. Second, you’ll find that ticket prices and hotel rates are often more affordable during these off-peak times.

Look for deals on vacation packages

Not only will Universal run deals on vacation packages during the off-season, but it can be one of the cheapest ways to visit Universal Orlando. Guests might be able to take advantage of up to 30% off a vacation package depending on the time of year you visit. The second is that some of the Universal Orlando hotels come with free express passes. These hotels are Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific, and Loews Portofino Bay. Although the hotels typically cost more per night, the savings on the express passes, along with the opportunity to skip the lines, will allow you to get so much more done in a short amount of time.

Always buy your tickets in advance

One of the cheapest ways to go to Universal Orlando without purchasing a vacation package is to buy your tickets in advance. All guests who purchase their tickets in advance will take advantage of savings when compared to the price of tickets at the gate.

Visit Early for the Holidays

Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida have their own holiday celebrations, which means higher ticket pricing closer to the holidays. Both parks put up their decor early, which means you can beat the crowds, have lower wait times and enjoy cheaper pricing while seeing Universal for Christmas. It’s always a great time to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and see the lands with lower crowds too!

Related Post: How to Visit Universal Orlando on a Budget

Cheapest Time of Year to Visit Universal Orlando FAQ

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Q: When is the Cheapest Time to Buy Universal Orlando Tickets?

A: As a general rule of thumb, Universal typically releases the best deals in January and February and then again in early fall. Some of the most recent deals that Universal Orlando has run have been buy two days, get two days free.

Q: What is the off-season for Universal Orlando?

A: Another important question regarding this topic is, what is the off-season for Universal Orlando? As a general rule of thumb, we do find September, January, February, and the end of August. The main reason is that these are the times of year when most kids return to school after major summer or holiday breaks.

Q: How can I know the cheapest time of year to go to Universal Studios Orlando?

A: If you’re looking for some money-saving tips for Universal Orlando, start with planning around the time frame. Our Universal Crowd Calendar can help determine how busy the parks will be during a specific month, week, and even day. This reliable source will help break down crowd levels, park hours, and average weather. Our calendar helps by being the cheapest way to book Universal Studios Orlando tickets by showing the cheapest times. Since ticket prices change daily, the calendar will show the cost of a one-day ticket.

Q: When is the most expensive time to visit Universal Orlando?

A: The most expensive times to visit Universal Orlando Resort will typically be during major breaks from school, such as the Spring break months of March and April or June and December.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!