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Disney World Orlando or Universal Orlando? Let's Compare The Two Parks

07/06/2023

EXPLORING FLORIDA'S theme parks

When considering a visit to Florida's main theme parks, the two most popular options are Disney World in Orlando (owned by the Walt Disney Company) and Universal Orlando (owned by NBC Universal).

Disney World, which opened in 1971, was an ambitious project that Walt Disney himself dreamed of during his lifetime, although he didn't live to see it come to fruition. Universal Orlando, on the other hand, was established much later, in 1999, and has seen significant expansion, which continues to this day.

Both destinations offer unique and engaging experiences that will surely spark unforgettable thrills and memories. The choice of which park to visit depends on the individual theme park's characteristics, described below, and the visitor's preferences.

EDITOR'S NOTE: if you want to visit any of these theme parks without too many crowds, we advise you to avoid national holidays.

PARK SIZE AND AVAILABLE ATTRACATIONS

The main difference between the two famous Orlando theme parks concerns their size. Disney World sprawls over a vast area that covers over 38 square miles (about the size of San Francisco). It hosts various attractions:

Four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios),
Two large water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon),
27 Disney resorts, in addition to numerous other hotels for overnight accommodation,
One campground, four golf courses, shopping, and dining areas.

On the other hand, Universal Orlando's attractions are contained within a considerably smaller area of about 1.3 square miles. This area includes::

Two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventures),
Universal City Walk Orlando (a portion of the park dedicated to nighttime entertainment),
Four Loews hotels (Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, and Cabana Bay Beach Resort).

Therefore, it's clear that exploring Disney World in its entirety would take several days, while Universal Orlando requires a much shorter time. Besides available time, the choice also depends on other factors, such as the attractions of the theme parks and the individual preferences of visitors.

DISNEY WORLD AND UNIVERSAL ORLANDO: COMPARING TWO WORLDS OF FUN

The atmosphere of the two parks is incomparable as they offer very different experiences. Disney World in Orlando stands out for its engaging storytelling, attention to detail, and vast array of experiences that go beyond mere rides. This is achieved through partnerships with franchises like Pixar, Star Wars, and Avatar.

Within its vastness, the park houses countless attractions such as the New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom's roller coasters, the Twilight Zone "Tower of Terror", and the Rock'n'Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, not to mention Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari adventures in the Animal Kingdom.

Universal Orlando's attractions are also inspired by a variety of extremely popular franchises: the beloved Harry Potter (visitors can immerse themselves in the Wizarding World by visiting Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade), Jurassic Park, Fast & Furious, The Simpsons (with an impressive reproduction of the city of Springfield), Men in Black, Shrek, and many others.

TICKET PRICES AND HOW TO PLAN YOUR VISIT: DISNEY WORLD VS UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

The ticket prices for the two theme parks are almost identical. Entry to Disney World in Orlando starts at $109 to $189 per adult and $104 to $184 per child; for Universal Orlando, it's $109 to $139 per adult and $104 to $134 per child. These prices are per day and are dynamic which means they will increase depending on season and demand.

It's helpful to know that Disney World in Orlando has introduced a new ticket-issuing process called My Disney Experience which simplifies the visit. Instead of a traditional ticket, visitors receive E-tickets that can be added to their Apps or alternatively, a Magic Band (a wristband with an electronic chip) that holds useful information such as admissions, hotel room key, and dining information.

In addition to the Magic Band, a specific paid feature called Genie+ (replacing the previous Fast Pass + and Fast Pass apps) is available and will allow you to join the virtual queue at several rides and attractions with a simple tap on your smartphone.

Thanks to its smaller size, planning a visit to Universal Orlando's attractions is much simpler. The park offers a service called Express Access Pass, which allows for shorter lines, significantly reducing waiting times. Various types are available, including a standard Express Pass, which allows one express entry per attraction, and the Unlimited Express Pass, offering unlimited entries.

THEME PARKS IN ORLANDO: THE MAP

HOW TO GET AROUND INSIDE THE PARKS

Getting around Disney World in Orlando, despite its vastness, is straightforward. The park provides visitors with an excellent free transportation system, facilitating travel between different areas of the park and hotels. Shuttles, buses, ferries, and monorails cover distances within a time frame of 10 to 30 minutes.

On the other hand, Universal offers an even simpler transportation system due to its smaller size. To get around Universal Orlando's attractions and hotels, you can use the free shuttle buses or water taxis that navigate through the canals.

In conclusion, both Disney World and Universal Orlando offer their visitors captivating and engaging experiences, albeit very different attractions. A theme park enthusiast could choose to devote time to both facilities to maximize their entertainment experience in the city of Florida.