After 6 weeks of holiday chaos, the crowds finally ease up. Here's what our data shows for January 17-19.
Based on 523,000+ Wait Time SamplesSkip is watching Epic Universe in real time—see current waits and get drop alerts for your must-rides.
Open live waits in RideReadyEveryone assumes 3-day weekends mean 3-hour waits. But MLK weekend isn't Christmas week. It's not even close.
We tracked every wait time through the holidays. Now we're watching the patterns shift. Families have exhausted their vacation days, schools are back in session, and the "tourist fatigue" sets in. This creates a unique window for smart travelers.
We tracked every holiday period at Epic Universe since opening. Here's how they stack up:
| Period | Avg Wait | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| December Regular Weekend | 24 min | Ghost town |
| Thanksgiving Weekend | 48 min | Manageable |
| Christmas Week | 62 min | Busy |
| NYE Week | 68 min | Busy |
| Columbus Day Weekend | 72 min | Packed |
| First Week of January | 74 min | The Trap |
The surprise: First week of January was the worst, not Christmas. School breaks linger longer than you'd think.
What this means for MLK: By mid-January, that chaos is over. Vacation days are spent, kids are back in school, and the "I need a break from my break" exhaustion kicks in. You're looking at crowds closer to Thanksgiving than Christmas.
Take this strategy with you. We'll send you a printable PDF with day-by-day timelines, ride priorities, and wait time expectations.
Bonus: the app updates this plan live as waits change.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.
No spam. Just the guide. Unsubscribe anytime.
Locals who were blocked out or avoided holiday crowds return. Expect steady attendance but manageable queues. Evening drop-offs will be less sharp than usual as locals stay for dinner.
Data Pattern: Sundays have consistently been 25-30% lighter than Saturdays. Tourists fly home, and locals have work/school prep. This is your best bet for big headliners.
Schools and banks are closed, but many businesses aren't. It's a mix of a "Sunday vibe" and a "Saturday crowd." Plan for a slow morning and a busier afternoon.
If you have 1 Day: Target Sunday (Jan 18). Rope drop isn't strictly necessary if you stay late (past 7 PM), but it helps.
If you have 2 Days: Use Saturday for exploration, shows, and Nintendo. Use Sunday for Ministry and high-demand rerides.
Tell Skip your must-rides, group details, and how long you’re visiting—he’ll generate a plan that fits your day.
Skip updates your plan as waits change.