Universal Studios vs Disney World – these two parks may be crossing your mind if you’re planning a trip to Florida and trying to decide between them.
Luckily, you’re in the right place to help you decide.
Universal Studio vs Disney World, which is better? – If you’re a thrill seeker, you may prefer Universal Orlando’s more intense rides and attractions. On the other hand, if you’re traveling with young children or are a fan of classic Disney characters, Disney World may be the better choice.
In this post, I’ll be sharing some similarities and differences between these two great theme park resorts, and offering some personal recommendations to help you decide which one is the best fit for your vacation.
I hope this post will provide some useful information as you plan your trip to Florida and decide between these two amazing destinations.
So let’s get started!
(The Ultimate Guide to Disney World)
Universal Studios vs Disney World: Major Differences
Both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World offer a mix of thrill rides, entertainment, and relaxation, and are located in the Orlando area, making it easy to visit both as part of a single trip.
However, there are some major differences to consider when deciding which one to visit, such as the theme parks, price, time needed to visit, and intellectual property featured at each resort.
At Walt Disney World, you’ll find Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, while at Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll find Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
So if you’re looking to visit a specific park or ride, make sure you book the right resort.
Another major difference between the two resorts is the price.
In general, Walt Disney World is more expensive than Universal Orlando.
For example, a June stay for four hotel nights and three days of park tickets (with park hopping) at the least expensive hotel costs $863 at Disney, compared to $742 at Universal.
And at the most expensive hotel (cheapest room), the cost jumps to $3454 at Disney, compared to $2906 at Universal.
It’s worth noting that the 3-day ticket at Disney World grants access to four parks, compared to two at Universal, but either way, you’ll need to factor in the cost when deciding which resort to visit.
In terms of time needed to visit, you could spend anywhere from one to seven days at either resort and have a great time, but realistically, four full days at Disney World and two full days at Universal Orlando are good lengths to visit each resort.
This is based on spending one full day at each theme park.
Keep in mind that Disney World will likely take longer to visit, as it has four theme parks to explore, compared to two at Universal Orlando.
Another key difference between the two resorts is the intellectual property featured at each one.
If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you’ll want to visit Universal Orlando, while if you’re a fan of Star Wars, Disney World is the place to be.
Both resorts offer a variety of attractions based on popular movies, TV shows, and characters, so be sure to consider which ones interest you the most when deciding which resort to visit.
In addition to the theme parks, price, time needed to visit, and intellectual property featured at each resort, there are a few other differences worth considering when deciding between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.
One difference is the layout and transportation options at each resort.
As mentioned earlier, Universal Orlando is more compact and has a variety of transportation options, including water taxis and walking, to get around the resort.
On the other hand, Walt Disney World is much larger and has a variety of transportation options, including buses, monorails, and boats, to get around the resort.
Keep in mind that the layout and transportation options at each resort may affect how much time you need to allow for travel between destinations.
Another difference to consider is the age range and attractions geared towards younger children.
As mentioned earlier, Disney World tends to have more options specifically geared towards younger children, particularly at the these 10 best rides at Magic Kingdom park.
This may be a key factor to consider if you’re traveling with young kids and are trying to decide between the two resorts.
Finally, it’s worth noting that both resorts offer a wide range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options beyond the theme parks.
Universal Orlando’s CityWalk and Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs offer a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options that are worth checking out.
In summary, there are many differences to consider when deciding between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, including the theme parks, price, time needed to visit, intellectual property, layout and transportation options, age range and attractions for younger children, and dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Universal Studio vs Disney World: Recommendations
Now that we’ve covered some of the major differences between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, let’s talk about personal preferences and recommendations.
As someone who has visited both resorts, I can say that both have their own unique charms and offer a great vacation experience.
Personally, I really enjoy Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter-themed attractions and the overall atmosphere of the resort.
On the other hand, I also really enjoy the classic Disney magic and the wide range of attractions and entertainment options available at Walt Disney World.
When it comes to making a recommendation, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a vacation.
If you’re a thrill seeker, you may prefer Universal Orlando’s more intense rides and attractions.
On the other hand, if you’re traveling with young children or are a fan of classic Disney characters, Disney World may be the better choice.
Final thoughts on Universal Studios vs Disney World
In conclusion, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World are two great theme park resorts located in the Orlando area that offer a variety of attractions, entertainment, and relaxation for travelers of all ages.
While both resorts have some similarities, such as theme parks, water parks, hotels, and shopping/dining districts, they also have some major differences to consider when deciding which one to visit.
These differences include the theme parks, price, time needed to visit, and intellectual property featured at each resort.
Ultimately, the decision between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World comes down to personal preferences and needs.
Both resorts offer a fantastic vacation experience and have something to offer for travelers of all ages. It’s important to consider what you want out of your vacation and choose the resort that best aligns with your preferences and needs.
Whether you choose Universal Studios vs Disney World, you’re sure to have a magical vacation that you’ll never forget.
