Walt Disney World vs. Universal Orlando
First, if you think these two locations are the same - we have a lot more to discuss, because they are not!
Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are two distinct resort and theme park locations in Orlando and aren’t owned by the same entities. Many clients, especially when planning their first trip in a long time, will schedule time at both locations, but they are distinct properties and will require separate tickets.
It is no secret that I am a big fan of Walt Disney World (WDW). I travel here multiple times a year and am an annual passholder, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy Universal Orlando (UO) as well. Both locations can be great for families or adults, but there are pros and cons for each type of traveler. Let’s go over what each location has to offer, who it is best for, and recommendations.
Size
Disney
WDW is comprised of over 25 resorts, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 3 golf courses, Disney Springs (over 60 dining locations and retail shopping), and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It’s BIG and there is so much to do that you cannot do it all in a week’s stay.
The 4 theme parks:
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
The 2 water parks:
Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon
Universal
UO is smaller in comparison to WDW, but not small at all. It is comprised of 8 resorts, 2 theme parks, 1 water park, and City Walk (over 30 dining locations and shopping). UO overall is more compact than WDW with the two theme parks connected via the Hogwarts Express or walkable between the two.
UO is made up of Universal Studios FL, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
Resorts
Disney
The resorts at WDW start as low as $119 per night at a Value Resort like All-Star Movies and go up to over $1,000 per night for 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom villas.
There are resorts walkable to all the parks except for Animal Kingdom, and all resorts have complimentary transportation to all of the parks and Disney Springs. Bus transportation is the most common, but the Monorail connects the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
The Skyliner connects the Riviera, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, and Art of Animation directly to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. The Beach Club, Yacht, Club, Boardwalk Inn, Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are all short walks to the Skyliner.
There is boat transportation available at the Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom. The Friendship Boats connect the Beach Club, Yacht, Club, Boardwalk Inn, Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
With a wide variety of theming, there is a WDW resort that will fit your needs.
Universal
The resorts at UO start as low as $96 per night at Endless Summer Dockside Inn and go up to over $1,000 per night for 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom villas. The pricing is pretty similar between WDW and UO, but with much lower inventory, UO’s least expensive rooms can book up very quickly. Keep in mind that the cheapest resorts (Endless Summer) are not connected to the rest of the UO property. The theme parks and City Walk are only accessible via bus.
Most UO resorts have walking paths to connect to City Walk and the theme parks. Half have access to water taxis that run about every 10-15 minutes to City Walk, and the rest are a quick bus ride.
There’s really a room to fit any budget at either WDW or UO depending on how flexible you can be with the dates for your trip.
Families
Disney
WDW is known for being a family-friendly location. There are fewer “thrill” rides at the WDW parks than UF. Thrill rides in this context are more intense rides with tall height requirements. These rides include:
Tower of Terror - Hollywood Studios
Rockin’ Roller Coaster - Hollywood Studios (only inversion at WDW)
Expedition Everest - Animal Kingdom
Cosmic Rewind - EPCOT
TRON - Magic Kingdom (officially opens April 4)
Space Mountain - Magic Kingdom
There are some attractions that younger children can go on, but may still be scared of due to small drops, darkness, or storylines. These include:
Test Track - EPCOT
Flight of Passage - Animal Kingdom
DINOSAUR - Animal Kingdom
It’s Tough to be a Bug - Animal Kingdom
Rise of the Resistance - Hollywood Studios
Barnstormer - Magic Kingdom
Pirates of the Caribbean - Magic Kingdom
Frozen Ever After - EPCOT
Overall, WDW is centered around guests of all ages. You can learn about Rider Switch for when your child is too small or scared to ride an attraction others would like to ride. Magic Kingdom has the most attractions for the smallest of guests - it also has the most attractions of the 4 parks.
The resorts have lots of activities for children of all ages and many have activity centers where anyone in the family can partake in crafts, games, or a movie. At WDW, the cast members strive to make you feel like you’re part of their family.
Universal
UO does have family and kid-friendly attractions, but its biggest draw are the intense, thrill rides and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Many roller coasters at UO are high speed and include inversions which younger guests are not tall enough for or are scared of (so am I!). That doesn’t mean UO isn’t right for a family trip though.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has a big draw due to the popularity of the franchise. The smallest guests won’t be able to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike or Forbidden Journey, but most guests 5 and over should have no problem riding Flight of the Hippogriff, Escape from Gringotts, and the Hogwarts Express. Just keep in mind that Gringotts’ storyline may be scary for younger children.
Islands of Adventure has a whole land dedicated to the stories and characters of Dr. Seuss which is appropriate for the youngest of children. Warning, you will likely get wet on One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. You’ve been warned.
Even if your children are too small for some attractions, they will still enjoy the theming in areas of the parks such as Jurassic Park. My son loved the Jurassic Park Discovery Center though he was too short for either of the rides in the land.
Many of the attractions at Universal Studios are motion technology rides where a group of guests are seated in a “car” with 3D glasses and are moved around from scene to scene. How your children handle it will depend on their overall feeling for these types of attractions.
Overall, I find UO to be geared more toward teens and above, but there are additions like Dr. Seuss that will entertain your younger children. You can learn about Child Swap for when your child is too small or scared to ride an attraction others would like to ride.
The UO resorts are family friendly, but do not have the additional added touches of child activities that the WDW resorts have. No pool activities, no activity centers, but there was still nightly movies at the pool. These movies may not be PG though. Jaws was shown on the last night of our recent trip. Do with that what you will.
Adults
If you’re on an adult-only trip - good for you! I love visiting the parks with my kids, but I also enjoy the parks without them just as much (just don’t tell them). The two types of trips are just focused on different things.
Disney
It’s a common misconception that WDW has dry parks. The Magic Kingdom is the only park where you can only get alcoholic beverages at table service restaurants, but all of the other parks and Disney Springs have lounges or drink stands. EPCOT is known for festivals such as the International Food and Wine Festival where you can “drink around the world.”
There are fewer thrill rides at WDW compared to the amount of attractions. Many adults enjoy the nostalgia of the rides and are looking for the magic feel as opposed to the thrill of the rides. The parks are definitely a place to escape to your inner child or to feel as if you’re part of the Disney magic.
Dining around the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs can be casual or as high end as 5 Michelin Stars at Victoria and Alberts. Foodies flock to some of the restaurants and reservations can be hard to come by.
Universal
With some more adult theming and City Walk’s dining establishments geared more adult, UO tends to cater to teens and older guests the most. With attractions like Velocicoaster, the Incredible Hulk, Rip Ridin Rocket, Dr. Doom’s Fearfall, and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, younger guests and guests who don’t prefer these intense rides can’t or don’t partake.
During the fall, UO is known for Horror Nights. Where WDW skews to the not-so-scary side of Halloween, UO embraces the Horror and has multiple haunted houses and horror shows to thrill guests. Nights with these events are actually the perfect time for families to visit during the day because crowds are low and don’t show up until dusk.
You’ll also find night clubs at City Walk where you won’t find that type of nighttime entertainment at WDW.
Recap
Whether you’re traveling with children or just adults, you can have a wonderful time at both WDW and UO. If clients are trying to choose between the two, I will usually recommend WDW for those with younger children who are staying for at least a few days. For those with teens who have already been to WDW, UO can be a great choice if they are thrill seekers or Harry Potter fans.
If your schedule allows, try booking a 7-10 day trip and splitting it between the two locations. Staying at WDW for 4-5 days to experience the 4 parks and the remaining days at UO with its 2 parks and 1 water park. This option will give you the best of both worlds.
If that’s not in the budget, let’s discuss your family’s wants and needs so that I can help you make the right decision for your trip.
