Disney World vs Universal Studios: Pick The Park For You
When headed to Orlando, the theme park capitol of the world, it can be tough to decide which theme parks to go to. I can tell you from first hand experience that Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are the best!
I love Disney for the nostalgia. I can’t sit through Pirates of the Caribbean without hearing my mom point out the pirates yelling “We want the red head!” (I have red hair btw). Even though that part is taken out of the ride, that memory is relived every time I ride it. Just like when I ride Haunted Mansion. I still hear my mom pointing out all the funny things so it was less scary. Now, I get to do that for my daughter!
As someone who has been going to Disney World since I was a baby and Universal since I was a teenager, I can tell you from experience what to expect at each park. I am also the oldest of four siblings and now have a toddler of my own so I can also tell you what a day at the theme park is like with littles, teenagers, and adults!
But which one is best for you? Let’s dive deep into the differences of Disney World and Universal Studios so you can make the best informed decision for you and your travel group.
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Disney World vs Universal Studios: Which Is Better?
It’s tough to pick a favorite between Disney World and Universal Studios. Although they are both theme parks that put 110% into every aspect of your experience, they are pretty different. The atmosphere, the rides, and movie inspired lands will help you pick the best park for you.
Years ago I was asked if Disney or Universal is my favorite. I came to this conclusion, I love going to Disney for the atmosphere, magic, and nostalgia. I love going to Universal for the thrill rides and immersive experiences of favorite movies like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and How to Train Your Dragon.
Since I am the oldest, I remember bringing my brothers when they were little and now I bring my daughter. I’ll never get over experiencing the magic and excitement, that both parks bring, again and again through their eyes.
Which is Better For Adults?
If you are an adult that loves thrill rides, Universal is the park for you. The immersive themed roller coasters and rides are amazing, entertaining, and fast. Most rides have a minimum height requirement.
Halloween is especially fun and spooky if you love haunted houses. Halloween Horror Nights is a specially ticketed night event. Some rides remain open while most are closed to make way for top notch haunted houses. Halloween Horror Nights is super scary and you must be 13 years or older to attend.
Learn more about Fall Festivities at Disney World vs. Universal Studios.
If you’re an adult that gets motion sickness and does not enjoy thrill rides, then Disney is the way to go! There are some fast rides, but there are far more calm rides and shows to experience.
Which is Better for Kids?
In recent years, I have noticed that both Disney and Universal accommodates anyone of any age. I feel Disney is enjoyed by everyone while Universal is geared towards adults but has recently added more entertainment for young kids as well.
If you are travelling with young kids I recommend Disney. There are more rides they can go on and more character meet and greet opportunities.
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If you are traveling with littles and thrill seeking teens, Disney had more rides the whole family can ride together, while Universal has the roller coasters for the teens and kid friendly areas for the littles. There are less rides at Universal that small kids can go but, there are lots of splash pads! Especially with the recently opened DreamWorks Land that also has more character meet and greet opportunities.
Another thing I appreciate about Universal is the way they do Rider Swap. In the line que of most major roller coasters is a “Family Room” where a parent or guardian can wait with a small kid who can’t ride, while the rest of the party rides the attraction. This allows your whole party to wait in line together until you reach the “front” of the line and the “Family Room”, then the parent and guardian waiting will branch off and wait for everyone else to ride the ride. When the rest of the party gets off the ride, they meet up with the parent and child in the family room to “swap” so that parent also gets to ride without waiting in line again.
Head To Head Comparison
Aside from the rides and immersive themes, there is so more to look at before you decide between Disney or Universal.
Let’s take a look at the cost, resorts, amenities, and entertainment other than rides.
Overall Experience
Disney
Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks and 2 water parks. The 4 main theme parks are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. The water parks are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
Overall, Disney is extremely family oriented. The whole family can ride together on most rides and enjoy the many exciting live shows together. The themed atmospheres of each land allows you to escape reality in a way that makes you feel at peace. And of course, there is also the iconic Mickey shaped food that makes stopping for a bite to eat, way more fun.
Even if you have never been to Disney World before, but you grew up watching the movies, you will feel a sense of nostalgia, belonging, and of course, Disney magic.
Universal
Universal Orlando has 3 theme parks and 1 water park called Volcano Bay. The 3 main theme parks are Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe.
Universal’s adventurous atmosphere is exciting. I love walking around each land feeling completely immersed in the fantasy world. Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, and Jurassic Park are some of my favorites.
There are also many interactive spots around the parks to keep you entertained even if you’re just walking around.
Cost & Value
Here is a very general comparison to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Prices do vary throughout the year and depend on the level of on-site hotel you choose, I go into more detail on that later.
It’s important to look at the amenities more than just the price alone. For example, Express Passes at Universal apply to every participating attraction in the park. Plus, three of the Signature Collection hotels include an Unlimited Express Pass with your stay. Disney Lighting Lane (LL) Passes vary by single rides, multiple attractions, or all participating attractions.
Dining plans are available at Disney but there are currently none available for Universal.
A few similarities, Both have free bus transportation to and from the parks once on site and both have early entry and/or extra hours if staying on site. Both also offer travel protection insurance. Disney’s varies by package total and Universal’s is $59 per person.
Activities & Rides
Disney
A lot of rides are themed from classic Disney movies that everyone loves. Some of the original rides even inspired the movies! Like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise.
Some rides are interactive like Buzz Lightyear, while some are calming boat cruises like the Na’vi River Journey.
Aside from the family friendly rides, Disney has a few interactive shows where the kids can talk to Crush the Turtle or help Mike Wazowski tell jokes!
Some other fun activities are walking through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse or through the Journey Water inspired by Moana. There are also some playgrounds around!
Universal
Most of Universal’s rides are taking you on a mission. It’s more than just a ride. Maybe you need to help Harry, Ron, and Hermione escape Gringotts, test out Hiccup’s dragon wings, or become one of Gru’s Minions. No matter what, you are experiencing more than just a roller coaster.
There are also interactive experiences, like Olivander’s Wand Shop, where Olivander will choose one lucky guest to pick out a wand. Most fun, is probably the interactive wands in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Power-Up Bands in Super Nintendo World. These items allow you to get immersed even more in the worlds by casting spells and playing a real-life Mario game.
There are also fun splash pads and playgrounds for the kids to run around and enjoy.
Shows & Entertainment
Disney and Universal has many Broadway style live shows in each park that are only 20-30 min long and perfect for families to watch together and sit for a while. Most are even indoors with A/C so its a perfect refreshing mid-day rest! Showtimes can be found on the app or at the show entrance.
Disney also has nighttime shows usually at the center-point of the park. In Magic Kingdom, the show, Happily Ever After, projects directly on to Cinderella’s Castle ending in a spectacular fireworks display! EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom all have nighttime shows but, vary throughout the year. Be sure to check the showtimes on the app when you’re there as they change depending on the day and weather.
Parades are also common at Disney and Universal parks. But, just like with nighttime shows, schedules and time vary by day and weather so it’s best to check the app when you are there!
Also throughout the day, both Disney and Universal have small street performances around the parks. From singers, to dancers, and drummers, there is always something entertaining going on!
Food & Drink
Both Universal and Disney have amazing award winning restaurants and renowned chefs!
If you or someone in your group has an allergy, both Disney and Universal are accommodating. Most restaurants have a special allergy-friendly menu to make ordering easier.
Most table service and quick service restaurants have a selection of dietary options if you are vegan, vegetarian, kosher, etc…
Disney has an option to add a dinning plan to your package and everyone will get a reusable resort mug to use throughout the parks! The dinning plans allow you to pay ahead of time for your food and enjoy the ease of redeeming credits while at the parks and resorts.
Throughout the parks, Disney Springs, and City Walk, there are many non-alcohol and alcohol themed beverages.
On-Site Hotels
Disney
Disney has three categories of on-site hotels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe.
All hotels include early park admission, transportation to parks and Disney Springs, and the ability to book dining 60 days in advance, and Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance.
The Deluxe resort guests also get extended hours, better transportation options, bigger rooms, and better pools.
Universal
Universal also has three on-site hotel categories: Value, Prime Value, and Signature Collection.
All three hotel categories include early park admission, transportation to the parks, and resort-wide charging with a room key and delivery to your hotel from the shops.
Three of the four Signature Collection hotels also include priority seating at restaurants and an Express Unlimited Pass at two of the four parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
In Park Amenities
Both Disney and Universal have many amenities in the parks to help you throughout the day.
Family Centers and/or First Aid centers are air conditioned and are stocked with first aid tools and baby supplies for purchase. Some even have private rooms for nursing mothers.
Each park has large lockers for rent at the front of each park if you need to store items.
Some Universal rides require you to store any loose items. There will be designated lockers at those specific rides free of charge.
Picking Your Park
Here are a few tips to help you pick the park for you!
Tip 1 – Pick a Park Based off Your Interests and Favorite Movies
Don’t underestimate the power of picking your park off of your favorite movies. If you love Harry Potter, go to Universal. You will enjoy being immersed in your favorite fictional places or meeting favorite characters.
Tip 2 – Do You Have Limited Time?
If your only going for a few days but want to maximize your parks, Universal might be the way to go. With Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Park right next to each other and the Hogwarts Express connecting them, you can easily hit both parks in one day.
Tip 3 – Go to Both!
For years my family has been going to both on many trips. The parks are only 20-30 minutes apart so it’s easy to do. We will spend a few days on Disney property before hopping over to check into our Universal hotel and do a few days there.
Another easy way to do both is to stay at Universal and use the Take Two Quickservice Shuttle to head to a Disney park for a day. This shuttle will pick you up from your Universal Hotel and Take you to the Disney Park of your choice then bring you back at the end of the day. The Take Two Quickservice Shuttle Shuttle is available as an add on feature to your Universal Vacation Package.
FAQs
Still can’t decide? Here are a few Frequently asked questions to help you out.
Which one is better, Disney or Universal?
Just like comparing apples to oranges, it’s impossible to say one is better than the other. As I said before, I love Disney for the atmosphere and nostalgia, and I love Universal for the thrill rides and immersive lands.
Which one is better FOR YOU? Here’s a few questions to help determine that answer:
If you answered yes to all of these, you can visit both places 😉
What is more expensive, Disney or Universal? [H3]
Again it all about the amenities. If you were to do a value hotel and a base ticket with no extra add-ons, the price would not vary too much between Disney and Universal. The only difference would be if you drive there, you would have to pay for parking at Universal but not at Disney.
Should I take my kids to Disney or Universal? [H3]
If you are traveling with young kids and toddlers, I recommend Disney. There is a lot more to do at Disney that the whole family can enjoy together.
If you are traveling with pre-teens to late teens, I recommend Universal. Not because they wouldn’t enjoy Disney, but because teens are now old enough and tall enough to experience the thrill rides and appreciate more of the movie themes behind the attractions.
Recap: Disney World vs Universal Studios: Pick The Park For You
When deciding between Disney and Universal, it’s important to look at how long you plan to be there, your favorite movies and characters, and all the amenities each park has to offer.
And remember, you can do both in one trip 😉
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