What’s The Difference In Disney And Universal?

Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort are 15 miles apart in Orlando, Florida. Although they are both places where the whole family can have fun together and create memories, there is a major difference in Disney and Universal: Walt Disney World is an experience while the Universal Orlando Resort is an attraction. While there are some similarities between the two, Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort are very different.

For the purpose of this article, Walt Disney World is referring to the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) while the Universal Orlando Resort includes Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

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Similarities Between Disney And Universal

• Comparable Prices

  • Disney and Universal use a ticket system based on the number of guests they project to have. The higher the guest projection, the higher the ticket price.
    • Disney: 1 Day, 1 Park Ticket starts at $99
    • Universal: 1 Day, 1 Park Ticket starts at $67

• Visit More Than One Theme Park Per Day

  • Both parks allow you to visit more than one theme park per day with a special ticket. Walt Disney World calls their ticket option a “Park Hopper” while the Universal Orlando Resort calls theirs a “Park To Park Ticket”.
    • Disney: 1 Day, Park Hopper starts at $162
    • Universal: 1 Day, Park To Park starts at $165

• On-Site Properties

  • Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort have great on-site hotels. Prices vary, but they all provide free transportation to the parks. Although there are lots of perks to staying on property, transportation is the biggest.

• Skip The Lines

  • Both parks allow you to skip the regular lines.
    • At Walt Disney World, guests pick three attractions in advance to “FastPass” on their visit. Your FastPass will have a designated time and all you have to do is show up at the ride when it is time. After redeeming your initial three FastPasses, you can select one attraction at a time to FastPass until the park closes.
    • The Universal Orlando Resort sells an “Express Pass” that allows you to skip the regular line at participating attractions once, cutting your wait time in half. Upgrade to the Express Unlimited Pass to skip the regular lines as many times as you want at participating attractions.

• Special Events

  • Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort have fabulous special events throughout the year!
    • Disney: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (March-May), Star Wars Galactic Nights (April), Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (August-November), Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (August-November), Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December)
    • Universal: Celebration of Harry Potter (January), Mardi Gras (February-April), Halloween Horror Nights (September-November), Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort (November-January), Grinchmas (December)

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Differences In Disney And Universal

Walt Disney World

• Character Meet And Greets

  • The character meet and greets at Disney are more formal and the lines are much longer. You can use a FastPass to meet several of the characters.
  • Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Princess Tiana, Winnie The Pooh Cast, Belle, Gaston, Ariel, Alice In Wonderland, Mulan, Anna and Elsa, Aladdin, Aurora, Baloo, Buzz Lightyear, Chewbacca, Chip & Dale, Sophia The First, Merida, Olaf, Pocahontas, Rafiki, Snow White, Tinker Bell, Woody, and more.

• More Ground To Cover

  • Walt Disney World is 43 square miles (27,520 acres)… that is huge! Because there are four large, intricate parks, planning a Disney vacation takes more work.

• Magical Moments

  • Disney strives to create magical moments for the entire family. Whether it is a cast member going out of their way or having the whole family watch the nighttime fireworks show above Cinderella’s Castle, Disney is all about making sure you have a vacation to remember.

• Nighttime Experience

  • Walt Disney World’s parks are open much later than Universal’s (Magic Kingdom is typically open until 12 AM). As a result, there is a lot of nighttime entertainment at Disney World, including parades, fireworks, and stage shows. You can visit Walt Disney World during the day and have a completely different experience visiting at night when all of the attractions are lit up.

• More Immersive Experience

  • Walt Disney WORLD is an immersive experience. You are supposed to feel as if you are inside the world of Disney. The attention to detail at all four parks is unparalleled.

• Wider Array Of Entertainment

  • Walt Disney World is an experience; there is much more to explore than just rides. You could spend an entire week at Disney World and still not see everything. Whether it’s meeting characters, playing Sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom, riding rides, taking family pictures in front of Cinderella’s Castle, drinking around the World Showcase, watching a parade, petting animals, eating a themed meal or food from around the world, getting a haircut, seeing stage shows, or checking out the architecture that reflects your favorite Disney movie/show, you will never run out of things to do at Walt Disney World.

• Most Restaurants Require Reservations

  • Majority of the restaurants at Walt Disney world are themed. The restaurants are very cool (and your whole dining experience is incredibly unique!), but most of them require reservations. Reservations can be made 180 days in advance, which requires you to plan your visit even further out.

Universal Orlando Resort

• Character Meet And Greets

  • A notable difference in Disney and Universal is that the character meet and greets at Universal are much more relaxed and informal. The characters will appear throughout the park and you stand in a short line to meet them.
  • Characters: Curious George, Dora, Diego, Despicable Me Cast, Marilyn Monroe, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, The Men In Black, The Simpsons Cast, Shrek, Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Cat In The Hat, The Grinch, The Lorax, SpongeBob SquarePants Cast, and more

• Less Ground To Cover

  • Since the Universal Orlando Resort is only 840 acres, it is much easier to plan your visit. You don’t need to plan your rides or meals in advance; you can just show up and enjoy your day as it unfolds!

• Thrills For The Whole Family

  • The attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort are awesome! Although thrill ride enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies will have the time of their lives, there is plenty for the rest of the family to do (little ones included). If you are a fan of water rides, Islands of Adventure has several.

• Can Visit Both Parks In One Day

  • If you purchase an Express Pass, you could visit, and enjoy, both parks in one day. It will be a long day, but it is definitely doable.

• Getting Around Is Simple

  • The Universal CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios are all in the same location. You can get between parks quickly and branch out into the CityWalk for meals. The Universal CityWalk has tons of delicious dining options!

• Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

  • A big difference in Disney and Universal is that the Universal Orlando Resort is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Islands of Adventure has Hogsmeade (the town at the foot of Hogwarts) while Diagon Alley is at Universal Studios. The attention to detail is incredible; you are truly immersed into Harry Potter’s world. Enjoy a butterbeer while shopping at Borgin and Burkes, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Scribbulus, and the Owl Post. If you are a die-hard Harry Potter fan, pick up a wand in Ollivanders and cast some spells throughout the parks.
  • Ride the Hogwarts Express between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios (admission to both parks is required).

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Difference In Disney And Universal

I hope that this article has helped you see the difference in Disney and Universal. They are both worth a visit! 68 million people visited Orlando, Florida last year largely in part to Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort.

During a week vacation to Orlando, I would spend 1-2 days at the Universal Orlando Resort, 3-4 days at Walt Disney World, and 1-2 days sightseeing around Orlando, enjoying your hotel, and resting. If you have another difference in Disney and Universal please let us know!

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Taylor Pittman Hardy wrote this article.

Check out some of our other Disney posts:

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My First Visit To The Universal Orlando Resort

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