If you want to enjoy Universal Orlando when it’s less crowded and when Florida’s weather is cooler and more inviting, head to its theme parks and resorts in January. As a bonus, you could get some of the lowest rates of the year at Universal-owned hotels.
Holiday events offered by the parks in November and December end in January, and seasonal decorations are reduced. But, the celebration generally continues until the first week of the month.
During most of January, the theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, are generally open ten hours a day, usually 9 a.m. M. A 7 p. M. During the first week of the month (to accommodate residual holiday crowds) and beyond On Martin Luther King Day weekend, parks tend to be open longer. Because it is low season and the days are shorter, the Volcano Bay water park is generally open seven hours a day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Universal Orlando Weather in January
The following temperature averages can help you get a rough idea of what the weather would be like in January and are helpful for planning months ahead of time. January tends to be the coldest month of the year, but the days are still warm. It is not the rainy season so you should be able to maximize your time in the parks without any weather interruptions.
- Average High Temperature : 72 degrees F
- Average Low Temp : 52 degrees F
- Rain : less than 3 inches
At the extremes, Orlando’s record low temperature was 19 degrees F, and its record was 87 degrees F.
What to pack
Either long pants or shorts would work. If you plan to stay in the parks all day, you will want to bring layers as it would probably be cool in the early mornings and late afternoons. Regardless of the time of year, you should bring comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot. While rain is unlikely, bring a hooded raincoat or poncho with you if the forecast is forecast. Even if it’s not raining, rain gear would come in handy for the Islands of Adventure water rides.
Florida residents generally stay out of the water in January, but if you’re a hardy visitor to colder weather, you may want to bask in Florida’s relative heat and enjoy the pool at your hotel. Or you can visit Universal’s wonderful water park, Volcano Bay, which stays open, weather permitting, throughout January. If that sounds like you, be sure to bring a bathing suit or two.
January Events at Universal Orlando
- Celebrate the New Year with Eve, a party at Universal CityWalk. This event features live music and DJs, unlimited food, and special parties at CityWalk clubs and on an outdoor stage. Please note that the event is for guests 21 and older and requires a separate ticket.
- Holiday events, including Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, and Universal’s Holiday Parade with Macy’s, generally continue through the first week of January, depending on the day the New Year falls.
- In recent years, Universal hosted a Harry Potter celebration in January, but the event has ceased.
January Travel Tips
- January is one of the less crowded times of the year to visit Orlando, Florida, so you should take advantage of the low crowd levels this month and enjoy some of the resort’s best attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with minimal wait in The tail.
- You wouldn’t need to splurge on a frontline pass this month, as the lines should be reasonable at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando. But you’ll want to buy the multi-park ticket so you can ride the popular Hogwarts’ Express between the two theme parks. The rail attraction linking Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure to King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios should also be less crowded this time of year.
- You should consider staying on property at one of Universal’s resorts, as the rates are among the lowest of the year. If you splurge on one of the resort’s luxury properties, Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Royal Pacific, all guests would get complimentary Universal Express front-line passes, which would be a great value.
- Although restaurants in the parks, at Universal CityWalk, and in hotels may be less crowded in January, you’ll still want to book reservations in advance to ensure you have a seat for dinner. Despite the low number of tourists at this time of year, many restaurants fill up quickly at dinner time.
