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One of the most common questions I get when friends are planning a trip to Orlando is “Should we visit Disney World or Universal?” My usual answer is to try to combine both, but only do both if you have a long enough visit to truly enjoy everything. To decide between Disney and Universal, it really comes down to preferences.
Let me preface by saying that Disney World and Universal Orlando are both awesome resorts. I have been a pass holder at one or the other (and sometimes both at the same time!) for most of my life.
Here’s what you need to know to pick for yourself!
Which is Better, Disney or Universal?Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are both fun vacation destinations for families, adults, and groups. Families with younger children often prefer Disney World, and adults are more drawn to Universal Orlando. Overall, Walt Disney World is a better resort because it offers more things to do, restaurants, and places to stay.
If you have enough time, you can combine both Disney World and Universal in one trip. But if you have to decide and still can’t make up your mind, keep reading for more differences between the two. First, let’s start with an overview of each:
Overview of Walt Disney World 🎡 4 theme parks ⛲ 2 water parks 🏨 25+ Disney hotels 🚌 Complimentary bus, boat, Skyliner, and monorail transportation ✨ 50+ attractions with no height requirements 🎢 9 rollercoasters ⛳ Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk, 4 miniature golf courses, and 4 golf courses ⚡ 3 Lightning Lane pass options (additional cost) 🍽️ 100+ table service restaurants Overview of Universal Orlando 🎡 3 theme parks ⛲ 1 water park 🏨 10 hotels 🚌 Complimentary bus and boat transportation ✨ 9 attractions with no height requirements 🎢 12 rollercoasters (1 more opening in 2027) ⛳ CityWalk, 2 miniature golf courses ⛔ Express Pass (additional cost) 🍽️ 25 table service restaurants Walt Disney World is Best For: 👨👩👧 Families with young children and infants ✨ Immersive vacation experience 💖 Romantic weekend Universal Orlando is Best For: 💸 Budget travelers 👨👩👧 Families with older children ✨ Thrill seekers
Universal Orlando
Disney and Universal actually share a lot of the same pros and cons. Oftentimes, it comes down to which place has your favorite characters and movies. However, sometimes the little details can help sway your decision.
FeatureWalt Disney WorldUniversal Orlando🏆 WinnerFamily FriendlinessGeared mostly towards children and familiesBalances adult and child entertainmentDisney WorldHotels25+ hotels at various price points10 hotels for different budgetsDisney WorldTransportation OptionsBus, boat, Skyliner, monorail, walking (complimentary)Bus, boat, walking (complimentary)Disney WorldDining Options100+ quick-service, 80+ table-service (including Michelin recommendations)80+ quick-service, 25 table-serviceDisney WorldFandoms/CharactersDisney, Pixar, Marvel, Star WarsHarry Potter, DreamWorks, Dr. Seuss, How to Train Your DragonTieThrill RidesOnly a few options, most are family-friendlySeveral rollercoasters and dark ridesUniversal OrlandoThings to Do4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, and more3 theme parks, 1 water park, CityWalkTieParkingFree to hotel guests, $35 per day at theme parks$26-$36 per day for hotel guests, $35 per day at theme parksDisney WorldLine-skipping options$11-25 Single Pass, $15-$45 Multi Pass, $129+ Premier Pass$90+ Express Pass, $120+ Express UnlimitedUniversal OrlandoEntertainment DistrictDisney Springs has family-friendly shopping, restaurants, and activitiesCityWalk has shops, restaurants, and nightlifeTieWalkabilityOnly select Deluxe resorts are walkable to parks or Disney SpringsSeveral hotels are walkable to parksUniversal OrlandoHeight Requirements50+ attractions with no height requirements9 attractions with no height requirements (many do not allow infants)Disney WorldAirport TransportationMears Connect $26-32 round-trip from MCOSuperStar Shuttle $36-39 round-trip from MCOTieOk, now let’s dive into a detailed discussion of each of these features:
Which is More Family-Friendly?🏆 Winner: Disney World
My son’s favorite ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Both Disney World and Universal Orlando Resorts have attractions for guests of all ages, but Disney definitely caters more to families. In addition to dozens of attractions with no height requirements, Disney also has lots of shows and entertainment for all ages.
Universal has some lands within its parks that are entirely themed for children, such as Minion Land at Universal Studios and Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure. Even so, it is disappointing that lap infants are not allowed on most rides.
As a mom, we choose to spend our theme park time at Disney World because there are so many things we can do together as a family. You can read my guide to what to do at Disney World with a toddler for more ideas.
Which Has Better Hotels?🏆 Winner: Disney World
Pop Century at Disney is fun and colorful
This really comes down to preference and budget. However, Disney World has over three times as many hotels as Universal, giving you plenty of diverse options. Disney also offers Vacation Club villas, which are a great choice for families who need a kitchenette and more space.
Staying at a Universal or Disney hotel also comes with perks. Universal hotel guests receive early theme park entry, and those staying at select hotels receive free Universal Express Unlimited passes.
Disney hotel guests enjoy early entry into the parks and an earlier booking window for dining reservations. Deluxe resort and DVC guests can also access extended evening hours at the parks on select nights.
At Disney, I love the Polynesian Village Resort, Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, and Coronado Springs Resort. At Universal, my favorite hotels are the Hard Rock Hotel and Sapphire Falls Resort.
Are There Complimentary Transportation Options?🏆 Winner: Disney World
The monorail running through Epcot at Disney
Luckily for all guests, both Universal and Disney offer complimentary transportation between the hotels, entertainment districts, and parks.
Universal has bus transportation for all the hotels, and several hotels also have boat transportation. Most of the hotels are within walking distance of CityWalk and at least one park. Epic Universe is farther away from the other 2 parks, so only a couple of the hotels are within walking distance, while the others require bus transportation.
I prefer Disney’s transportation options because they are more enjoyable and you stay on Disney property (vs the busy roads of Orlando connecting Epic Universe to the rest of Universal Orlando). In addition to buses and boats, Disney also utilizes a monorail system and the Skyliner (gondolas) to connect several resorts and theme parks.
Which Has Better Dining Options?🏆 Winner: Disney World
Nothing beats Mickey waffles for breakfast!
Just in numbers alone, Disney takes the cake on dining options. There are so many places to choose from between snack stands, quick-service restaurants, and table-service dining. Whether you want a simple hamburger or a Michelin star meal, everything is delicious.
That is not to say that Universal doesn’t have good food. In my opinion, the food in the theme parks is average and fine to fuel your day. However, CityWalk has some fantastic restaurants! The Cowfish is a must-stop whenever I’m at Universal.
What Characters Can I See?🏆 Winner: Tie
Beloved Harry Potter characters can be found on the attractions in The Wizarding World (photo: Photo Spirit / Shutterstock)
As expected, characters from your favorite Disney movies can be found at the Disney theme parks. Some characters are available for meet and greets while others can be seen in shows or on attractions. Marvel and Star Wars characters are also found in the parks.
At Universal, the characters and lands are more diverse. Their lands include characters from NBC, DreamWorks, Harry Potter, Dr. Suess, and more. Even classic cartoon characters like Popeye and Scooby-Doo are at the parks.
Neither park wins in this category because it all depends on which characters you want to see! The biggest fandoms represented are Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Harry Potter at all three Universal Orlando parks.
Which Has More Thrill Rides?🏆 Winner: Universal Orlando
The Incredible Hulk Coaster has been my favorite since I was a kid (photo: Eudaimonic Traveler / Shutterstock)
Universal definitely wins when it comes to thrill rides and roller coasters.
Disney has some rollercoasters and thrill rides but most are “muted down” to make them more family-friendly. The best thrill rides at Disney are Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Expedition Everest, and TRON Lightcycle Run.
On the other hand, Universal has tons of thrilling rides to get the blood pumping. Some of the best are The Incredible Hulk Coaster, the VelociCoaster, and Stardust Racers.
Which Has More Things to Do?🏆 Winner: Tie
The Festival of Fantasy parade runs daily at the Magic Kingdom
Simply put, Disney World has more things to do than Universal Orlando, but not by much! Disney has four theme parks and two water parks to Universal’s three theme parks and one water park. This can be good or bad.
There is so much to do at Disney that some people feel overwhelmed trying to fit it all into their vacation. However, Universal is a more manageable destination for shorter (3-4 day) trips.
Regardless of which resort you visit, I always recommend NOT trying to do it all. Stressing and running between attractions isn’t fun for anyone, so focus on quality over quantity. I’ve planned an entire itinerary for Disney World to help you get started if you’re overwhelmed figuring out what to do with all the options available.
How Much Does Parking Cost?🏆 Winner: Disney World
Characters make remembering your spot fun at both Disney and Universal
At the theme parks, parking is the same for Disney ($35/day) and Universal ($35/day). The biggest difference is for hotel guests.
Disney hotel guests get complimentary parking and not just at their hotels. If they choose to drive to the theme parks, they can park for free as well. I have an entire guide to parking at Disney that can help make things even easier!
Universal hotel guests have a nightly parking fee of $26-$36.
In addition to the price of parking, I find Universal’s parking garages to be a pain. Universal uses one set of garages for CityWalk, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park.
You must take a bus to the water park after parking in the garage. Additionally, it is a long walk from the parking garages to the theme parks.
What Are the Line-Skipping Options?🏆 Winner: Universal Orlando
Universal’s Express Pass helps you get on rides, like Ripsaw Falls, faster (photo: Mia2you / Shutterstock)
Disney and Universal have similar systems for their expedited wait time options, but with different price ranges.
Disney has 3 passes – Lightning Lane Single Pass, Multi Pass, and Premier Pass. The Premier Pass costs $129-$449+ and allows you to access Lightning Lanes at participating attractions one time per day (no scheduling necessary). The Multi Pass ($15-$45) operates like the old FastPass+, where you can pre-book return times at 3 attractions and add more throughout the day (but you are not guaranteed Lightning Lanes for all attractions).
I think the Universal Express pass is a much better value. It is a little cheaper than the equivalent Premier Pass at Disney. Additionally, the Universal Express Unlimited is similarly priced to Disney’s Premier Pass, but you can use the pass multiple times at each attraction (versus Disney’s single use per attraction).
Which Has a Better Entertainment District?🏆 Winner: Tie
CityWalk has eateries, shops, and bars – something for everyone
Disney Springs is one of my favorite places to hang out. It has great shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. It is very family-friendly and has diverse food options. Best of all, parking is free.
I think of CityWalk as Disney Springs’ edgier counterpart. It also has shops and restaurants, but it comes alive at night. There are several bars and lounges for adults to enjoy. Plus, parking is free after 6 pm (on non-special event nights).
I would recommend Disney Springs for a daytime outing and CityWalk for an adults’ night out.
How Walkable Are the Resorts?🏆 Winner: Universal Orlando
Disney’s Boardwalk is a walkable area connecting 5 hotels and 2 parks
With how much walking people do at theme parks, it’s a surprise that anyone would want to get in more steps but some people do. I love walkable areas so I don’t have to wait on transportation.
There are a couple of walkable areas at Disney. For example, the Magic Kingdom has a walking trail to the three resorts around the lagoon. Disney’s Boardwalk hotels are connected to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Overall, many of the hotels and parks are not walkable and must be accessed by transportation.
At Universal, all but two of the hotels are connected to at least one park by walking paths. However, guests at the farther resorts should plan for up to 30 minutes of walking each way.
In addition to the hotels, two of Universal’s theme parks and CityWalk are all connected. This makes it easy to quickly walk between them. However, Epic Universe is about 3 miles away from the other parks/CityWalk, and walking between the two locations is not recommended.
How Many Attractions Do Not Have Height Requirements?🏆 Winner: Disney World
The Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom is perfect for all sizes
A majority of the rides at Disney World (50+) do not have height requirements. This makes sense because the parks tend to be geared towards families and younger children.
In addition to the rides, Disney also has plenty of shows and entertainment options that are perfect for all ages to enjoy.
Universal only has 9 attractions with no height requirement. However, many of these require a guardian for guests under 48” and do not allow lap-sitting infants.
Do Either Offer Airport Transportation?🏆 Winner: Tie
Neither Disney nor Universal offers complimentary airport transfers, even though Disney did in the past.
Mears Connect costs $26-$32 round-trip and will drop guests off at Disney hotels.
Universal has the SuperStar Shuttle for $36-39 round-trip.
Both shuttles are similar, but Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle can be added to your vacation package, which is easier than booking separately.
Final VerdictIt is the easy way out, but I have to say – Disney and Universal are both fantastic! But if I am forced to pick a winner, I would choose Disney World because it is larger and has more to offer for all kinds of travelers. Families with teenagers and thrill seekers will probably prefer Universal Orlando though.
The iconic Cinderella Castle
What is better for families?
Disney World is a better destination for families with young children. There are tons of attractions for all ages and heights. Universal Orlando has more thrill rides and is great for families with teenagers.
What is better for adults?It depends. In general, Universal theme parks have more adult rides and focus than Disney. However, Disney also offers alcoholic beverages and some thrill rides.
What is better for a short trip?Universal Orlando is a better place for a short trip to Orlando. Since there are fewer parks and attractions, you can see and do more during a short stay. Plus, it is very easy to park hop between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
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Overall, it is very easy for people to love both Disney World and Universal Orlando. The resorts are similar, but different enough to appeal to a wide variety of people. Be sure to check out my guide to all the best attractions in Orlando before you go!