At Universal, the wait times can be long for the bigger roller coasters, but the parks themselves are generally much less crowded. There's usually more room to space out and breathe without other guests crowding around you.
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For thrilling theme park staples, go with Universal. Disney offers a tamer, more family-friendly experience. After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure.
However, the Universal Studios age recommendation is a fairly mature 8 years-old. If they're younger they probably won't be able to appreciate much of the entertainment or be able to go on many rides, but families do have a fun experience when taking a trip together.
Universal Prices. Another very popular question we receive is, is Disney or Universal Cheaper? And as a general rule of thumb, Universal is cheaper than Disney in almost every category, from tickets to theme park food, and the most noticeable being hotel rooms.
While a Universal vacation tends to be slightly less than a Disney vacation, food is going to cost you about the same at either resort. A family of four at Disney can expect to spend between $200-$300 a day on dining, depending on what restaurants they go to. The same goes for Universal.
Universal's Attendance Grew More Than Disney's in 2022, Report Reveals. For nearly twenty years following its 1971 grand opening, Walt Disney World remained an unchallenged titan in the Orlando theme park industry. But Universal Orlando Resort has slowly chipped away at Disney's market share over the past few decades.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood is great for a concise getaway, but ultimately, nothing beats Universal Orlando when it comes to the full magical experience. Those looking to enjoy the best of all the flavor, fun, and attractions will want to head to Orlando to find it.
If you're more interested in large rides like roller coasters, Universal is going to be your best bet. The same is true if you're a big fan of Harry Potter. If you don't mind some of the more family-friendly rides or you have little ones to bring along, Disney may be a better option.
Home to some of the world's most advanced and amazing attractions and rides, Universal Orlando Resort allows guests to experience favorite films and television shows like never before.
As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows.
As happens every year around this time, crowds are starting to fall before Fall 2023 at Walt Disney World. This wait times report covers data for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
For that reason, we recommend devoting a minimum of a full day to each Universal Orlando theme park, especially if this is your first visit. Three days is ideal, particularly with a park-to-park pass, as it will allow you to fully explore each park and revisit your favorite attractions.
Food & BeverageYou should expect to pay roughly $50 a day per adult and $30 per child plus tax on food costs. This includes two counter-service meals per day, no full service meals, and no alcohol.
We typically recommend about $200 per person per day for the Universal Studios cost in 2023. That's why we put this article together to help you come up with the average cost to go to Universal Studios in 2023, which will include your Universal Orlando tickets, hotel room, and daily meals.
Theme parks are busy. Expect large crowds and long lines for the popular attractions with wait times between 90 to 120 minutes (lines will be noticeably shorter in the morning and evening). Express Passes are recommended but not necessary with good planning.
If you're more interested in large rides like roller coasters, Universal is going to be your best bet. The same is true if you're a big fan of Harry Potter. If you don't mind some of the more family-friendly rides or you have little ones to bring along, Disney may be a better option.
Granted, we know that not all adults are thrill seekers when it comes to attractions. But if perhaps you're looking for rides you can't typically get on if or when you've had a little one in tow on a different trip, Universal Studios is your best bet.
In fact, Disney World is only about 9 miles away from Universal Studios, which means, if you are driving the most direct route in good traffic, the journey time is only approximately 15 minutes. Universal Studios is located closest to Orlando, found towards the Southwest of the city.