Before I ever set foot in Universal Orlando, I wondered if a devoted Disney fan could truly enjoy it. If you’ve followed this blog or my social media, you know we’re about as Disney as it gets. We love the movies, the characters, the theming, the music, the food, the resorts, and being completely immersed in the Disney bubble.

So, could we venture over to the “dark side” (a playful nickname many Disney fans use for Universal), dive into something completely different, and actually enjoy it?

Well, let’s find out.

Disney World vs. Universal Orlando: A Comparison

Disney and Universal are both hugely popular theme park companies, but they each have their own style and strengths. For this comparison, we’ll look at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Themes & Atmosphere

• Universal Orlando: Immersive, movie-based worlds like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss, and Transformers. The focus is on stepping right into your favorite films.
• Disney World: Classic fairy tales, iconic characters, and magical, fantasy-filled settings. Designed to appeal to all ages.

Rides & Attractions

• Universal Orlando: Known for high-tech, high-intensity rides that bring thrills and adventure.
• Disney World: A wide mix, from gentle family rides to innovative, story-driven attractions.

Entertainment & Shows

• Universal Orlando: Fun, movie-themed shows with engaging performances and special effects.
• Disney World: Famous for world-class parades, live shows, and nighttime spectaculars with unforgettable music.

Character Interactions

• Universal Orlando: Offers character meet-and-greets, but they’re not the main focus.
• Disney World: Meeting characters is a huge part of the experience and a highlight for many guests

Let’s dive into what the Universal Orlando Resort has to offer—and I’ll share my thoughts along the way.

Universal Orlando is made up of three theme parks: Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and the brand-new Epic Universe, plus their water park, Volcano Bay. The two original parks sit right next to each other, so it’s easy to hop between them either on foot or by riding the Hogwarts Express.

Just a heads-up: you’ll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express. And trust me—you don’t want to skip it. Be sure to ride it in both directions for the full experience!

In Islands of Adventure, you’ll find Hogsmeade, an entire land themed to Harry Potter with multiple attractions and dining options, as well as a kids’ area called Seuss Landing. The park also features several water rides, a Spider-Man ride, the Hulk coaster, and probably the best roller coaster in Orlando, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, plus many more exciting attractions.

Over at Universal Studios Florida, you’ll discover Diagon Alley, which is beyond impressive for any Harry Potter fan. The park also includes Minion Land, E.T. Adventure, The Simpsons Ride, Fast and Furious, Men in Black, and much more.

Epic Universe offers even more excitement with five distinct lands to explore. Guests can enjoy Super Nintendo World, full of interactive rides and attractions; Dark Universe; Celestial Park; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Each land is designed to fully immerse guests in its story, continuing Universal’s tradition of movie-themed adventures.

Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay water park is enormous and packed with things to do. Many visitors consider it the best water park in the Orlando area. Universal refers to Volcano Bay as one of their theme parks, and it’s easy to see why with all the slides, pools, and attractions.

CityWalk
Universal’s CityWalk dining and shopping area is conveniently located next to the two main parks, making it easy to step out for a meal or some shopping. It offers a mix of familiar popular food chains and unique dining options, giving guests plenty of choices.

What Do Disney Fans Think of Universal?

First, Universal is incredibly easy to plan. With its smaller footprint, you can see most of the parks in 3-4 days. Walking around is convenient, and because it doesn’t require as many days to tour, it’s often less expensive than Disney.

Universal also offers a line-skipping paid option called the Express Pass. There are two types:

• Universal Express Pass: Skip the regular lines one time per participating ride, costing anywhere from $89.99 to $349.99+ depending on the date.
• Universal Express Unlimited: Skip the regular lines unlimited times at participating rides, with prices ranging from $199.99 to $379.99+ depending on the date.

It’s true that these passes can be expensive, but they are extremely easy to use. No need to book rides or plan ahead—show up and have your ticket scanned. Express Pass is not available on some rides, so check before purchasing.

Express Passes are limited per day, so it’s best to purchase early. Prices can also increase as your visit date gets closer, so buying ahead can save both money and stress.

Now, here’s where Universal really shines. Guests staying at their Premier Resorts receive FREE Universal Express Unlimited, allowing them to skip the regular lines at participating rides. Many of these Premier Resorts are very reasonably priced, and every person on the reservation gets free Express Passes on both check-in and check-out days. That means you could book a one-night stay and enjoy Express Passes for two days, making it a fantastic value.

Another perk for hotel guests is Early Park Admission, giving access to one park an hour before official opening. Check their app for times before your visit.

Universal’s resorts are divided into Value, Prime Value, Preferred, and Premier categories. The Value and Prime Value hotels are particularly impressive, with many offering interior room entry rather than motel-style exterior entrances. All Universal resorts provide free transportation via shuttles or water taxis, and a few are even within walking distance of the parks. While Disney resorts are famous for their elaborate theming and unique transportation options, Universal’s hotels offer excellent value overall.

How is the theming of the parks?

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas are absolutely incredible. These sections are the most elaborately themed areas in both parks, and the Hogwarts Express ties them together perfectly. The theming elsewhere in the parks is good, though at times it can feel a bit disjointed. While visiting Universal Studios, I was occasionally reminded of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Epic Universe takes theming to a whole new level. Every land is extremely detailed, fully immersing guests in its story and world.

For avid Disney fans, it’s natural to compare every detail to Disney, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how well-themed the Universal parks are overall.

How are their rides and attractions?

There’s something in both parks for everyone. Most rides are geared toward tweens or older, but there are also areas and attractions for younger kids. If you have thrill-seekers in your group, Universal is the place to be.

My one complaint is that several rides are screen-based, which can cause motion sickness (it does for me) and means some rides aren’t quite as elaborately themed as Disney attractions, since they rely on screens. I say this coming from the perspective of a diehard Disney fan, for whom over-the-top theming and immersion are very important.

That said, Universal really knocked it out of the park when it comes to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas in both parks. Full disclosure: we aren’t huge Harry Potter fans. We’ve read the first book and seen the first movie, but we aren’t avid fans. Even so, we were completely blown away by the theming. I could spend hours in Diagon Alley just taking in all the details. And don’t get me started on Butterbeer—the frozen and warm versions are incredible. Dare I even say I might like it more than LeFou’s Brew at Disney? Go ahead and clutch your pearls at that!

How is their dining?

Making dining reservations at Universal is very easy, and most restaurants don’t fill up far in advance. Reservations can be made online or through the Universal Orlando app, and they don’t require a credit card to secure them. We’ve really enjoyed the places we’ve dined and appreciate how easy it is to change plans at the last minute while still finding plenty of options.

I do think Disney still has the edge when it comes to dining, but that’s mainly due to the sheer number of options available there.

Overall Thoughts

Ultimately, the choice between Disney and Universal comes down to personal preference.

If you love classic characters and immersive theming, Disney may be the better choice. Disney is great for all ages, but it really shines for younger kids, with so many themed areas and rides for families to enjoy together. Disney’s Halloween Party is very family-friendly, so I’d recommend it if you’re visiting with little ones. Because Disney World is so large, with so much to see and do, it usually requires a longer stay to fully appreciate everything.

If thrilling rides and popular franchises are more your style, Universal may be the better fit. Their Halloween Horror Nights are designed for a more mature crowd. Universal has a more party-like atmosphere and feels more laid-back when it comes to planning and touring the parks. If you have a Harry Potter or Jurassic Park fan in your group, a visit to Universal is a must.

But who says you have to choose? Universal is less than 15 miles from Disney World, making it easy to visit both in a single Orlando trip. Both offer great onsite hotels and resorts with perks and benefits for their guests.

Because of their close proximity, many visitors stay onsite at Disney and take a day or two to explore Universal. An ideal trip to both parks would include a split-stay, so you can enjoy the onsite perks at each resort.

So there you have it—yes, you can absolutely enjoy Universal as an avid Disney fan. We love both and will continue to visit Universal, in both Orlando and Hollywood!

If you’re a diehard Disney fan, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Universal. You can email me at [email protected].

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