Walt Disney World v. Univeral Orlando
Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, both in Florida, are two distinct resort and theme park locations in Orlando. Many, especially when planning their first trip, will schedule time at both locations, but they are totally separate properties and will require separate tickets.
Both locations are great for families and adults. Let’s go over what each location has to offer, who it is best for, and recommendations.
Size
Disney
Walt Disney World 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
Universal Orlando is smaller in comparison to Walt Disney World, but it’s 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). Universal Orlando overall is more compact than Walt Disney World with the two theme parks connected via the Hogwarts Express or walkable between the two.
Universal Orlando is made up of Universal Studios FL, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
Resorts
Disney
The resorts at Walt Disney World 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. 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 Walt Disney World resort that will fit your needs.
Universal
The resorts at Universal Orlando 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 Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but with much lower inventory. Universal Orlando’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 Universal Orlando property. The theme parks and City Walk are only accessible via bus.
Most Universal Orlando resorts have walking paths to connect to City Walk and theme parks. Some have access to water taxis that run every 10-15 minutes to City Walk, and the rest are a quick bus ride.
There is room to fit any budget at either Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando depending on how flexible you can be with the dates for your trip.
Families
Disney
Walt Disney World is known for being a family-friendly location. There are fewer “thrill” rides at the Walt Disney Parks parks than Universal Orlando. 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
- Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom
- Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT
- TRON – Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain – Magic Kingdom
There are some attractions that younger children can go on, but they 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, Walt Disney World is centered around guests of all ages. You can learn about Rider Swap 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 Walt Disney World, the cast members strive to make you feel like you’re part of their family.
Universal
Universal Orlando 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 Universal Orlando are high-speed and include inversions that younger guests are not tall enough.
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.
Islands of Adventure has a whole land dedicated to the stories and characters of Dr. Seuss which is appropriate for the youngest of children.
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.
Many of the attractions at Universal Orland 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.
Overall, we find Universal Orlando 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 Universal Orlando resorts are family-friendly, but do not have the additional added touches of child activities that the Walt Disney World resorts have. No pool activities or activity centers.
Adults
If you’re on an adult-only trip – have fun! This will give you time to focus on what YOU are interested in vs. the kiddos.
Disney
It’s a common misconception that Walt Disney World has dry parks. At the Magic Kingdom, alcoholic beverages are available at table service restaurants. 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 Walt Disney World compared to the number 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 more adult theming and City Walk’s dining establishments geared more towards adults, Universal Orlando tends to cater more to teens and older guests.
During the fall, Universal Orlando is known for Horror Nights. Where Walt Disney World skews to the not-so-scary side of Halloween, Universal Orlando 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 nightclubs at City Walk where you won’t find that type of nighttime entertainment at Walt Disney World.
Recap
Whether you’re traveling with children or just adults, you will have a wonderful time at both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. If you are deciding between the two, Walt Disney World is usually recommended for those with younger children who are staying for at least a few days. For those with teens who have already been to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando 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 Walt Disney World for 4-5 days to experience the 4 parks and the remaining days at Universal Orlando with its 2 parks and 1 water park. This option will give you the best of both worlds.
