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How to do Disney World and Universal

How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

Are you planning a trip to Disney World and considering visiting both Disney and Universal? Both are great resorts with exceptional theme parks, so we have decided to look at How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios .

Related Posts:

  • Disney World vs Universal Orlando
  • Why You Should Book a Disney World Vacation
  • Books to Read Before Your Disney World Vacation

We have planned Disney and Universal vacations for our family in recent years. We will share our experiences of what we think is best to do so that you can plan for a fantastic Disney and Universal Vacation.

Can You Stay at Disney World and Universal During Your Vacation?

You can of course stay at both resorts during your vacation. You can either make these bookings yourself or use a travel agent. The benefit is mainly being on property as you enjoy each resort.

The key points to remember when staying at both Disney World and Universal are:

  • What do you want to get done at each park.
  • How much time will you need to achieve the above?
  • How will you get between each resort?
  • Establishing a budget for each resort?
  • What extras would you like to add to your vacation?
  • What benefits will you get from each resort?
  • Would you like to start your vacation at Disney World or Universal?

Hogsmeade at Universal's Islands of Adventure Park - Our Disney and universal Vacation

How Many Days Do You Need to Spend at Universal Orlando?

I would recommend four to five days at Universal. This will give you time to enjoy all the parks including Volcano Bay without feeling rushed. If you are staying at a Universal Resort, it will also allow you to enjoy the resort facilities too.

How many Days Do You Need to Spend at Disney World?

I would recommend at least 10 days at Disney World. It is such a large resort compared to Universal and there is so much to see and do that you could spend a month there and not see it all. We have a free 10 page Disney World Parks Guide that you can get by signing up to our newsletter using the link below. This will give you a great overview of what to expect.

Get our Free Disney World Parks Guide here.

Liberty Square with Cinderella Castle in the background - Our Disney and Universal Vacation

How Many Days for Disney and Universal?

Overall to enjoy a Disney World and Universal Vacation you will need to consider at least a 14 day vacation to fully enjoy both resorts and all the theme parks. 10 Days for Disney World and 4 days for Universal.

Getting to Universal from Disney World

Getting to Universal from Disney World and vice versa is fairly straightforward. Again, this is something we have written about previously. We usually use Uber but you can read more about it using the link below.

Find out more about getting Between Disney World and Universal here.

What’s the Difference Between Disney World and Universal Studios?

Disney World and Universal are different in many ways. If you have children who are younger, they might enjoy Disney more than Universal. If you are planning a Disney and Universal vacation with teenagers, they will probably prefer Universal. 

Disney World has Four Parks:

Plus, two water parks:.

  • Blizzard Beach
  • Typhoon Lagoon

Diagon Alley at Universal Studios - Disney and Universal Vacation

Universal has two parks:

  • Universal Studios
  • Islands of Adventure

Plus, one water park:

  • Volcano Bay

Each Resort also has its own shopping and dining districts. Disney World has Disney Springs and Universal has City Walk. Disney Springs is much larger than City Walk.

Disney World and Universal Vacation Comparison Image

You can find a Disney World Map Her e and Universal Maps Here too.

There are obvious differences but also subtle differences too. We have already written about this subject and you can find the article link below. We go into more detail on the differences between Disney and Universal in Florida so do take a look. 

Read our Disney World vs Universal Article Here

Disney World and Universal Vacation Options

When planning a Disney World and Universal vacation you have a few options when it comes to accommodation. Let’s take a look at them.

Stay at Disney World

You can stay at Disney World Resort which comes with its own benefits. This is the best option in our opinion if you will be spending most of your time on Disney World property. In our opinion the most magical accommodation option but can be the most expensive. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World

Stay at Universal

Universal Orlando Resort just like Disney has a variety of their own resorts that you can stay at. Again, like staying at a Disney Resort this is the best option if you will be spending more time on Universal property and it’s parks.

Stay off Property

Staying off property at a hotel, apartment or villa can save you some money . However, you will probably be located further away from the resorts during your Disney and Universal Vacation. This will possibly mean more travelling to and from each resort. You will probably need a rental car (or your own) to do so. This can be a popular choice for anyone wanting explore beyond Disney And Universal during their vacation.

How We Did Disney World and Universal Studios During – Our Vacation Experience

When we last stayed at both Disney World and Universal during the same vacation we learned quite a lot. We had booked an 18 day vacation stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Our first full day fell on a Wednesday, so we decided not to visit the Disney Parks until the Saturday as we had 14 day park tickets. 

A family photo in the Jurassic Park area at islands of Adventure

For the first two days we spent time at Disney Springs and at our resort. On the Thursday and Friday we went to Universal. Two days was a bit of a rush, but we managed to do everything we wanted to at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This was because we booked a one night stay at Hard Rock Hotel which included Express Passes that made getting on all the rides very easy.

In hindsight more days at Universal would have been better but the one night package for Hard Rock Hotel with park and express passes included made it a good deal. When we return will aim to spend a few more days at Universal. 

I think going forward and looking at our future vacations we will be looking at staying at Universal whilst we enjoy Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. From there we will aim to transfer across to a Disney World resort to get the full Disney World experience which we very much love to do.

Meeting Mickey Mouse during our Disney and Universal vacation

Tips for Planning a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

Here are some of the main things we have learned from visiting both Disney and Universal during the same vacation.

1. Allow Enough Time for Disney and Universal

Clearly, we pushed ourselves to do a lot in the two days we spent at Universal. We got a lot done but honestly more time was needed as we completely skipped Volcano Bay. Do allow enough time to fully enjoy Universal especially if you have never been before,

Skull Island - Reign of Kong at Universal's Island of Adventure

2. Plan Your Food and Drinks Budget

Make sure you plan a realistic budget for food and drink at both resorts. Dining can be expensive on property at both resorts. On our last trip we had the Dining Plan at Disney so decided to eat quick and counter service meals at Universal which worked out ok.

3. Try Not to Book Reservations at Both Resorts on the Same Day

Try not to book reservations or even Fast Passes at both resorts on the same day. If you have your own transport, then you will probably be ok but it can just add a little extra pressure to your day. You are on vacation so try to make it as easy going as possible. 

4. Do Disney World After Universal

We prefer to do Universal first then enjoy Disney World. With Disney World being the bigger of the two resorts and with a lot more to do we feel it makes sense. Doing Disney World second also allows you to slow down a little towards the end of your vacation when you can start to feel a little tired.

The Millennium Falcon at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

5. Use Uber or a Universal Resort Taxi to get Between Resorts 

We love using Uber in Orlando. The service is normally pretty quick and if you don’t have a car it is probably the most cost-effective way of getting around Orlando and between Universal and Disney World.

6. Get Universal Express Unlimited Passes

If you can get the Universal Express Unlimited Passes, then get them. They are the easiest way of getting on all the rides at both Universal Parks. They can be expensive to buy on the day so do shop around for deals before your vacation. 

There are three options of Express Pass at Universal

Universal Express Unlimited (from $89.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times on participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Express (from $69.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the regular lines one time per participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Volcano Bay Express (from $19.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the virtual line one time per participating ride at Volcano Bay.

You can find out more about Universal Express Tickets here on the Universal website.

Disney World Parks Guide

The Complete Guide on How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

I hope you have found this article on How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios helpful. Both resorts are different experiences but if you decide to plan for both I am certain you will have a great time. Please feel free to share this article on social media. It helps us to reach others who are planning their vacation . 

You can pin the Disney and Universal Vacation pin image below if you are a Pinterest user.

How to do a Disney World and Universal Vacation Pin

Thanks for Stopping by.

About the Author

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Darren Cater

I’m Darren, the editor of nextstopwdw.com. With years of Disney World adventures and countless memories made, I’ve mastered the art of planning a Disney World vacation. My articles are fueled by experience and a love for Disney World, aiming to turn your dream trip into a magical reality.

See author's posts

2024 Universal Orlando Planning Guide

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Our 2024 Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure planning guide offers park & ride strategy. It features tips & tricks to help you save money & time, avoid crowds, and have the best vacation or side-visit from Walt Disney World as possible. ( Updated January 7, 2024. )

We’re Universal Orlando Annual Passholders and huge fans of those parks in addition to Walt Disney World. Universal has improved a ton and upped its game in the last decade. This began with the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lands of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which were further enhanced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

That has been taken to the next level with the debut of Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and to a lesser extent, with the new Minions mini-land last year. This is once again going to be another big year thanks to the DreamWorks Animation Land Opening in 2024 at Universal Studios Florida. These recent and upcoming additions, not to mention an all-new theme park in 2025, are among the reasons why some Walt Disney World fans are openly asking:  Is Universal Beating Disney?

Suffice to say, we highly recommend spending a couple of days at Universal when vacationing at Walt Disney World. This is guide to Universal Orlando Resort contains everything you’ll need to know. Whether you’re doing both parks in a single day or making a trip of it with an on-site hotel stay and multiple days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, we have you covered with info and advice about attractions, dining, resorts, strategy, crowds, and more.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to make the most of a visit to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. We’re going to take a counterintuitive organizational approach to this guide, as we’ve found that many readers consult it while visiting Universal rather than during the planning stages of a trip. Accordingly, we’re going to front load with info you need to know if you’ve already touched down in Central Florida.

If you’re a Disney fan simply trying to determine whether a trip to Universal Orlando Resort is right for you in the first place, you might start by reading our Universal vs. Walt Disney World post, which covers some of the pros and cons of each, plus the differences between the two vacation destinations. Although they’re all theme parks located in Central Florida, each have strengths and weaknesses that will make them better or worse for certain types of families–ages, demographics, etc.

Similarly, if you’re debating between resorts at the two main theme park complexes, see our comprehensive breakdown: Universal Orlando vs. Walt Disney World Hotels . That should help you determine which is the better option for your vacation–or if a split stay might be best!

For what it’s worth, neither of these versus posts nor the one about whether Universal is “beating” Disney are pointless fan cheerleading or theme parks as polarizing team sports. The two versus posts are practical planning that objectively weigh pros and cons, whereas the “beating” one is an editorial (not useful for planning, but potentially interesting).

Anyway, here’s everything else you need to know about visiting Universal Orlando Resort…

What’s New & Next at Universal

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you have not been to Universal Orlando in a while (or ever), a lot has changed in the last several years. This includes a few attractions that have been added in the last several years: Bourne Stuntacular, Fast and the Furious: Supercharged, Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

In terms of what’s new, there are two hugely popular coasters in Islands of Adventure: Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in the Hogsmeade side of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Without question, VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s are two of the very best roller coasters in Orlando. (I’d personally put both above TRON Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World, but to each their own on that.)

As noted above, there’s also the new Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida . As the name suggests, this is an area based on the  Despicable Me  film franchise, and builds on the popularity of the existing Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem attraction. This is now an expanded avenue with the new Villain-Con Minion Blast ride and Minion Cafe restaurant, plus more retail, snack spots, meet & greets, placemaking, and more.

Next on the horizon is the aforementioned DreamWorks Animation Land that will feature characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse  and explore themed, interactive play spaces and attractions that bring popular franchises like  Shrek ,  Trolls  and  Kung Fu Panda to life.

Although unconfirmed, this is expected to feature a “Trollercoaster” (a Trolls-themed roller coaster, hence the name) and a Shrek’s swamp area. Construction permits put the end of work in March 2024, which makes sense–have the DreamWorks land open by Spring Break. (That opening timeframe is also unconfirmed, though–permits can be extended, but construction appears to be progressing quickly.)

These new additions are appetizers to the main course, which comes in Summer 2025. Universal is building a third theme park in Central Florida and construction is progressing fast . It’s full steam ahead on this project, and Universal’s Epic Universe Park is Opening by Summer 2025! This will bring Super Nintendo World plus more Harry Potter, Universal Monsters, How to Train Your Dragon, and much more to Universal Orlando in the coming years.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

In the here and now, another thing worth addressing in terms of what’s new is a return to normal in terms of attendance and crowds. After nearly two full years of pent-up demand driving wait times and prices higher, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have seen a slowdown.

With this, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have gotten more aggressive with discounts in an attempt to entice more people to visit their parks and stay in on-site hotels. We’ve mentioned repeatedly that  Walt Disney World already  has released a dozen different discounts for 2024 .

Universal has followed suit, shifting from discounts aimed almost exclusively at Annual Passholders and Florida residents to general public offers. There’s currently a “buy 2 days, get 3 free” ticket deal, resort discounts offering 20-35% off, and package deals offering up to $650 off.

These are worth pricing out for yourself, but we should warn that many have length of stay requirements of 5 days. That’s longer than most people will spend at Universal Orlando (which is part of why it’s being offered–to increase visit durations). In any case, we recommend using a travel agent– such as Be Our Guest Vacations –to price out different packages and deals, and help you figure out the best way to save, plan your trip, etc.

Now let’s turn to Universal Orlando’s advanced planning topics…

Where to Stay

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are a number of questions you have to ask yourself when planning a trip, and many of them will dictate where you stay. Do you want Unlimited Express Pass by staying at an eligible Universal Orlando hotel? Do you want to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel for the duration of your trip, or change hotels? Do you want to stay an an off-site hotel in the general vicinity of both Universal and Disney to save money?

We’ve recently stayed at every single on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort–here are our reviews:

  • Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Review (recommended)
  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Review (highly recommended)
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Review (good Express Pass eligible “budget” pick)
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Review (highly recommended)
  • Universal’s Aventura Hotel Review
  • Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Review (highly recommended)
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites Review (good budget pick)
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites (2-Bedroom) Review (good for larger families)

For insight into all of these hotels, their pros & cons, and how they compare and contrast with one another, see our Universal Orlando Hotel Rankings & Reviews .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

We are big fans of Universal’s hotels, and are particularly partial to the two “bay” resorts: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Both of those are in our top 10 hotels in Orlando, rivaling some of our favorite resorts at Walt Disney World.

Universal’s hotels provide great bang for buck, and even those that don’t include free Express Pass do offer Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before those parks open. That can be absolutely huge!

As for staying off-site, you generally will get the most bang for your buck when staying in an off-site hotel, as there are a lot of non-Disney and non-Universal hotels competing with one another. We have an Off-Site v. On-Site Walt Disney World Hotels article that goes into greater depth about the pros and cons of staying off-site, and it’s marginally applicable to Universal, as well.

As for simply staying at a Walt Disney World hotel for the duration of your trip regardless of where you go, we have written comprehensive reviews with our opinions and photos of the rooms. Check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page , for links to each of these reviews.

Ride Strategy for Universal Orlando

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Next, what to know while you’re at Universal Orlando. For starters, we strongly recommend that you do not “wing it” for your daily itinerary due to the aforementioned crowd issues. You don’t need to plan every movement so that there’s no spontaneity in your trip, just make sure you have at least a loose plan of what you’re going to do.

We have the following plans for each park that cover our perfect days:

  • 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Park Itinerary
  • 1-Day Islands of Adventure Park Itinerary
  • 1-Day Universal Park Hopping Itinerary ( both Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida )

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Those offer step by step touring plans for both theme parks at Universal Orlando, prioritizing the most popular rides and skipping what isn’t worth your time. Those will help you do Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and other must-do rides.

If you’d prefer to create your own itineraries and want an overview and review of every attraction at each of the parks, consult our Islands of Adventure Ride Guide and Universal Studios Florida Ride Guide . If you’re a fan spinners, you might want to check those out, as we don’t waste your time with that nonsense in the itineraries.

When to Visit

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you’re adding on a Universal Orlando visit to your Walt Disney World vacation, the answer to this is easy…whenever you’re visiting Walt Disney World. Crowd patterns at Walt Disney World translate pretty similarly to Universal Orlando.

The reasons are two-fold: first, because crowds tend to be predicated upon school schedules, which are the same for both; second, because Walt Disney World is the ‘whale’ in the Orlando market, so crowds for all theme parks are dictated by when guests plan their Disney vacations. In other words, you can refer to our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars post to determine when to visit, as that’s roughly applicable to Universal Orlando as well.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are only some exceptions to this, and they’re largely predicated upon special events that are unique to each of the parks. For example, Walt Disney World sees its crowds spike due to runDisney events, when its hotels are hosting conventions or youth sporting events, or during EPCOT festivals. By contrast, Universal sees its own spikes around Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and early December when it plays host to the Pop Warner youth football event.

In general, though, the big driver of attendance at both is school breaks. In particular, those of Orange County and other counties throughout Florida and the South. Of course, both are vacation destinations, so breaks for school districts in the Midwest and Northeast also have a significant impact. The obvious times like Spring Break, Easter, Summer, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are all busy.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

More under the radar timeframes like MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and more also see pronounced spikes in crowds. Again, reference the aforementioned crowd calendars if you’re looking to choose the best times to visit Universal Orlando.

Due to a surge of locals on weekends, we strongly recommend avoiding Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on Saturdays and Sundays. Mondays through Thursdays are the best days to visit, with much lower crowds then. However, that goes out the window during holiday weeks or anytime school is out of session, when it’s disproportionately tourists and every single day of the week is busy.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The one exception to this is if you want to see or avoid Halloween season at Universal, namely Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This is a hard ticket event that has a huge following among locals and fans of haunt season, in general.

During HHN, you step onto the set of some of your favorite horror movies, and walking through those sets as actors attempt to scare you. This event is not for children under the age of 13, and has absolutely nothing in common with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. See our Guide to Halloween Horror Nights for more .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Aside from this, the only noteworthy events are Mardi Gras and Christmas. See our Guide to Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios Florida . At this fun event, guests can experience a food festival with cuisine and entertainment inspired by international Carnaval celebrations.

Food booths serve up the flavors of Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Spain and other regions including, of course, New Orleans. Plus enjoy spectacular floats on display, street entertainment, music, beads and more throughout Universal Studios Florida.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Although HHN gets all the attention from the fan community, an equally popular seasonal event is Christmas at Universal Orlando . During this, Grinchmas and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s are the main entertainment draws. There’s also the Christmas Tribute Store, which is essentially a walk-through exhibit, plus Universal Studios Florida’s iconic Christmas Tree.

Perhaps the biggest draw is Winter in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which features unique decor and projections on Hogwarts Castle. There are also decorations around both parks in Seuss Landing, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Hollywood, New York, and San Francisco.

How Many Days?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

This one is going to vary widely based on a few variables. The biggest one is how receptive your party is to the type of attractions that are prominent at Universal Orlando Resort, namely, roller coasters and screen-based simulators. That’s reductionist, and there are many more things at Universal than those types of rides, but if your party is averse to either, doing more than 2 days at Universal is going to be tough.

If you love coasters or have teens, you can easily spend 3 days or more at Universal Orlando. Heck, I’m not huge on roller coasters or simulators, and I can easily do 2 days (or even 3) at Universal. Likewise, if you love Harry Potter, several days at Universal will be easy. The two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter alone can fill a good chunk of the day. I mean, Diagon Alley has a fire-breathing dragon …not liking dragons is distinctly unpatriotic.

Islands of Adventure also has a Jurassic Park area, which is basically a tribute to our greatest national treasure: dinosaurs. It’s not as good as a real Jurassic Park (that would be like the San Diego Zoo meets the Lincoln Memorial meets Tokyo DisneySea), but it’s an enjoyable area to explore. In other words, there’s plenty to do if you’re an “ambiance person” at the Universal parks.

Then, there’s also the question of how much “extra” vacation time you have. Assuming you’ve already allocated your time at Walt Disney World and are looking at “other stuff” to round out your trip to Florida, I’d probably look to spending more time at Universal than other parks like SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. That’s personal preference and all of these parks definitely aren’t trying to accomplish the same thing, but I find the Disney and Universal parks to be in a different league than all of the rest.

Universal Orlando Park Tickets

DSC_6440 as Smart Object-1 copy

If you’re looking for a deal on park tickets, Get Away Today will save you the most money on Universal Orlando tickets . This is especially true if you’re doing a longer trip, as Get Away Today has a ‘Buy 2 days, get 3 days free’ special. With more and more to do at Universal Orlando, spending several days in the parks is highly recommended–especially if you’re staying in a nearby hotel and want to do some partial days (also recommended).

I am a fan of the Park-to-Park tickets if you can swing spending extra. This is because Universal did something really ingenious when it built Diagon Alley, and that was connecting the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter via the Hogwarts Express.

You can only ride this train from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley (or vice-a-versa) if you have the Park-to-Park ticket. I’m no Harry Potter fan, but the experience of entering a train station in London, walking through a wall, and then taking a train to Hogsmeade is pretty awesome.

If you’re going for just one day and don’t want the park-to-park tickets, the best way to save money on Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida tickets is simply going to be buying tickets online on Universal Orlando’s website. The Universal tickets purchased online can be printed at home and used at the turnstiles–meaning no waiting in line to purchase tickets or exchange vouchers.

Express Pass

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Express Pass is Universal Orlando’s version of Genie+ or Lightning Lanes (a way to skip the lines) and is available as a ticket add-on or with select hotel stays. You can purchase two varieties of Express Pass, regular or unlimited. Almost all of the most popular attractions in each park offer Express Pass.

The regular version allows you to skip the line once per eligible attraction in either park, and costs $90 to $350 per person depending on the date. Universal Express Unlimited offers line-skipping privileges, as the name suggests, an unlimited number of times per attraction, and costs between $100 and $380 per person. Even at its most expensive, Genie+ at Walt Disney World costs under $40 per person. So, what’s the difference? Well,  a lot. 

Unlike Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, there is no tech component to Express Pass. While it’s significantly more expensive, it’s also frictionless. You simply go up to the attraction and use your Express Pass entitlement. There’s nothing to reserve or hassle with in an app. Express Pass involves zero screen time and headaches–but you’ll pay a lot more for it!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Whether Express Pass is worth the money largely depends upon what day of the week and season you’re visiting, and how you value your time versus your money. Personally, we would not pay for Express Pass most days. However, we also avoid weekends and holidays, arrive for park opening, and utilize an efficient park itinerary.

If you really want Express Pass, staying at an on-site hotel that offers Express Pass with your stay is absolutely the way to go. Unlimited Express Pass is available at the Universal Premier category resorts–meaning Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay–which are Universal’s most expensive hotels. Honestly, this is the only way we’ve ever “bought” Express Pass–we couldn’t justify the cost any other way.

All three of these hotels are nice, on par with Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts, and generally cost less. They’re still pricey, but they’re cheaper than Disney’s higher-end hotels, and absolutely worth the money–especially if you want the Unlimited Express Pass perk or a good location within walking or boat distance of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. If you’d be staying at a nice hotel anyway, this trio is definitely worthy of your consideration.

If you want to learn more about this line-skipping option and how it compares to Walt Disney World’s counterpart, see our guide:  Universal’s Express Pass v. Lightning Lanes & Genie+ at Walt Disney World .

Transportation

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

By far the most common questions we get concerning Universal Orlando Resort is: “what’s the best way to get from Walt Disney World Universal.” The answer is that there are a lot of options, but by far the best is Uber. We covered this in depth in our Uber vs. Rental Cars at Walt Disney World article. Here’s the pertinent portion of that post:

In the past, the best option we’ve found for those who don’t have rental cars the duration of their trips is either renting a car on-site for the day, or taking a pricey shuttle. Neither is cost-effective or all that appealing, especially when you add on that parking fee.

For those who aren’t renting a car for the duration of their trip, Uber or Lyft are the unquestionable best options for getting from Walt Disney World to Universal. The one-way cost of an Uber or Lyft from Walt Disney World will vary depending upon your exact location, typically costing under $25 each way and taking 20-25 minutes.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are some good restaurants in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but as a whole, I do not think the culinary experience is on par with Walt Disney World’s. The unquestionable highlights, in my mind, are the counter service restaurants in Diagon Alley (Leaky Cauldron) and Hogsmeade (Three Broomsticks) and the table service restaurant, Mythos, which is a great value.

Other in-park restaurants at Universal Orlando that we like include the Today Show Cafe (for lighter options) and Krusty Burger (for the exact opposite). Actually, there’s something for everyone in the Springfield area, which has a variety of dining options drawn from The Simpsons.

On the snacking front, you’re obviously going to want to try Butterbeer–perhaps all three varieties (frozen, hot, and regular). Most of the other snacks we enjoy are also in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour and Honeydukes.

Another thing you might want to consider is purchasing a refillable Coke Freestyle mug. I’ve done this, but I can really put down the Cokes to make it worth the money. I’m sure some day I will be toothless, but hopefully that’s at least 5 years away. These Coke Freestyle machines located throughout the parks are also a convenient way to get free water that’s cold and tastes great.

Other Things to Do

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s water park. It’s themed to the South Seas and features a giant volcano (hence the name) in the middle with water slides in it. For Walt Disney World fans, it’s a bit like Typhoon Lagoon water park mixed with Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Adventureland.

All the rides at Volcano Bay feature a Virtual Line instead of traditional standby queues. You tap in with your TapuTapu wearable (think MagicBand) to grab a ride time. Then go float, swim, splash, eat, shop or relax around Volcano Bay. Your TapuTapu will tell you when it’s your time to ride.

You will either  love  or  hate  the virtual queue system at Volcano Bay. That pretty much comes down to whether you beat the crowds or not. That can be accomplished by arriving and/or staying late, buying Express Pass, or visiting during the off-season. If you don’t do any of those things, you’ll likely think the virtual queue system sucks, and you won’t accomplish much. It’s definitely a system that creates winners and losers–they key is (obviously) to be in the former group and not the latter.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

In addition to the two theme parks and Volcano Bay water park, there’s CityWalk. This is Universal Orlando’s shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, which is a lot like Disney Springs. The big difference is that you walk through CityWalk to access Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, and it’s incredibly easy to exit the parks and eat lunch or dinner at CityWalk. No bus necessary!

There’s also a lot of relatively new dining at CityWalk, such as Red Coconut Club, Bigfire, Voodoo Doughnut, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, and VIVO Italian Kitchen–among other things. Toothsome is a fan-favorite for its over the top milkshakes and dessert concoctions (as well as the fun steampunk theme), and Voodoo Doughnut is a fun spot. With that said, we think both are slightly overrated.

For our money, the sleeper hits of the list are Bigfire and Cowfish, both of which offer great food at reasonable (by theme park standards) prices. We’d also give honorable mentions to Vivo and Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. While the latter is not our personal favorite, it’s better than the “blockbuster” touristy restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Nothing against any of those–but they’re essentially Applebee’s with more wow-factor. Good enough for predictably-prepared comfort food, but absolutely nothing special.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

One final note on attractions is that there are numerous attractions that don’t allow bags, but provide free lockers nearby for storing backpacks, cameras, small children, and whatever other random junk you might have on you. These are pretty convenient and there are larger lockers you can pay for at the front of the park, but the point here is for those of you who are used to bringing a small U-Haul worth of stuff into the Walt Disney World parks: you can’t do that at Universal. Pack for the parks a little lighter.

I think this is probably a good starting point if you’re planning on visiting Universal Orlando Resort as an add-on to your Walt Disney World vacation. If you would like to see some of these topics covered in greater depth, please let me know in the comments. We’re planning to tackle more on dining, special events, and Universal Orlando news in the coming months, so stay tuned for more of that!

Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for everything about those parks, resorts, restaurants, and so much more. For regular updates, news & rumors, a heads up when discounts are released, and much more, sign up for our FREE email newsletter !

Your Thoughts

Are you visiting Universal Orlando Resort in 2024? Excited for Epic Universe or other rumored additions in the next few years? What about Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, or the new rides that have recently opened? Have a favorite on-site hotel at Universal? Do you prefer staying on-site at Universal, or commuting from Walt Disney World? If you’re a first-timer, is there anything else you’d like to know? Chances are if you have questions still, so does someone else! Please share your thoughts in the comments

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  • Planning / Walt Disney World

Ultimate Guide to a Walt Disney World/Universal Trip

by David Mumpower · October 8, 2019

Universal Disney essential workers

When friends ask me about Walt Disney World vacations, one topic comes up frequently. I get asked about the subject often and was actually asked about it again this morning. Many travelers want to know whether a joint theme park vacation is possible in Orlando. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a joint Walt Disney World/Universal vacation.

A Joint Trip Is Possible but Challenging

I’ve done a joint Disney/Universal vacation and speak from experience here. This trip is absolutely possible. The question better falls along the lines of whether it’s a good idea or not.

Walt Disney World Packages

A Walt Disney World vacation requires a lot of commitment. The Disney campus hosts four theme parks, two water parks, two entertainment districts, and a sports complex. Unless you regularly visit, by which I mean at least annually, you’ll want to spend a lot of time at Disney. That way, you’ll get the most out of your vacation.

When you split the time between Disney and Universal, you’re limiting the number of things that you can do at Disney. It’s a significant trade-off that won’t pay for most people.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Still, I appreciate the lure of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’ve had my fair share of Butterbeer and waved my wand at many interactive objects. It’s an enticing opportunity for J.K. Rowling fans and the culmination of a lifelong dream to some.

Presuming that you’re set on this course of action, let’s examine other considerations.

You Must Take a Longer Vacation

This section and the next one are why many informed vacationers decide against a joint vacation. They’re the harsh realities of trying to do too much during your trip. And one of them is up to your employer inasmuch as you.

To experience a satisfying joint vacation, you’ll need to spend more time in Orlando. I always recommend a minimum of five days at Walt Disney World. That’s one day to focus on each park plus an extra day to spend doing whatever appeals to you. In a perfect world, you’d take a full week to explore Disney to the fullest, but that’s impossible for some.

Canadian Discount

On the Universal side, most people would need two days, one for each full park. I’ll suggest something different in a bit, but two days is the minimum for most.

The way that Universal sells tickets, they’ll try to incentivize you to visit for three full days. The park regularly sells tickets that are “buy two days’ of park admission, get one free.” When you have the available vacation time, you should consider it.

Universal

The drawback is that all the days you spend at Universal are ones where you’re missing out on Disney. And I’m devout in my belief that Walt Disney World is much, much better.

Universal Is Expensive

Here’s the other sticking point. While Disney has received many unflattering headlines in recent years about its price increases, they’re merely following Universal’s lead.

Universal Harry Potter

Ye, the smaller theme park, Universal Studios, initially introduced surge pricing as an option. And Universal’s prices are shamelessly costly for the number of unique attractions at the two parks.

When I helped one of my best friends estimate pricing on a joint Disney/Universal trip, he quickly realized something that shocked him. For a family with two adults and two children, Universal can easily cost $1,000 a day. The amount goes down with the length of stay, the same as Disney, but Universal charges more relative to what it offers.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

To receive the best benefit at Universal, the Universal Express Unlimited Pass, you must stay in one of their luxury hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific, their answer to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort . These properties cost roughly $400 a night to start. Are they worth that much? Well…

You’ll Want the Universal Express Unlimited Pass

I love Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, although the walls have speakers to pump in the music. It gets a little irritating after a day or so, but it’s not enough to detract me from wanting to stay here each trip. But what I really love is the Universal Express Unlimited Pass. It allows guests to skip roughly 90 percent of the line on most rides at the park.

Hogsmeade

You can imagine how valuable this pass is. And Universal knows this fact. So, they sell it at an extremely high price. You should expect to pay $100 a person for it. However, due to surge pricing, it could cost even more. For a family of four, it should cost at least $400. Yes, that much money somewhat prices you into a stay at a top resort. From a certain perspective, you’re spending half the money on a hotel room and cv half on the express pass. 

Universal sells two versions of the pass. One allows entry on a ride once, while the unlimited version obviously comes with limitless return trips. When you have a favorite, you can just ride it over and over again. The unlimited version costs at least $20 more per person, but you get it “free” with a hotel stay at their best properties.

Universal Express

I should stress that the Universal Express pass isn’t perfect. A few rides aren’t included, and three of them are Harry Potter attractions. You must wait in line for them, which somewhat negates the value. Still, this pass allows you to do more during a visit to Universal. You won’t waste a great deal of time standing in line. Even a 15-minute wait is rare on all but the most crowded park days.

A One-Day Visit Is Best

Given the above, you see where I’m going with this. One of the best strategies for a joint vacation is a one-day excursion to Universal Studios. Splurge on one of their fancy hotel rooms for the night. Then, show up as early as possible and plan to go hard for a single day.

Disney/Universal

After an appropriate amount of research, you’ll know which rides your family is most likely to enjoy. I’ll post a quick list in a moment to help. When you enter the park, target those attractions plus the Harry Potter rides that aren’t available on Universal Express.

Presuming that you don’t mind spending the full day at the park, you should check off most major Universal Studios attractions. Even though the resort hosts two parks, you can easily navigate both. They share the same entry point.  And you should be able to do 15-20 rides with the Universal Express Unlimited Pass, as long as you arrive at Rope Drop and stay until closing.

My Suggested Universal Rides

Here are the rides I would suggest are the best:

  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
  • Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
  • T. Adventure
  • Fast & Furious: Supercharged
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • Hogwarts Express
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • Jurassic Park: The Ride
  • Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
  • Men in Black: Alien Attack
  • Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • The Simpsons Ride
  • Transformers: The Ride 3D

Families traveling with children should also add the Dr. Seuss attractions, although they’re kind of disappointing. Another point is that some of the attractions are eerily similar to others, as Universal Studios operates a lot of motion simulation attractions akin to Star Tours. You may not want to do all of them.

Transportation Is Easy Thanks to Ride-Sharing

The one way I can ease your mind is in the transportation discussion. It’s simple. You’ll simply employ a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. You can’t use Minnie Vans since they don’t leave Disney property, though.

Your Uber/Lyft driver will know precisely what you want, as a trip from Disney to Universal is one of their most frequent rides. Expect to pay $30 or so on average, more during peak hours where you’ve got surge pricing in effect. The trip will only take about 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Your driver might even have a few tips about Universal Studios strategies! So, engage them in conversation just in case.

Don’t Expect Great Food

Think of this section as a final word of caution. As a Disney fan, you’re spoiled on what to expect during a theme park visit. Folks, Universal ain’t Disney. You’ll realize it in small and large ways.

Universal’s cleanliness is better than many theme parks, but it’s a far cry from Walt Disney World. Navigating the parks is far easier at Disney, too. And the food, well the difference in food quality is the difference between Justin Verlander throwing a baseball vs. Charlie Brown “throwing” it.

Disney/Universal

Your best bet for food is actually Universal Citywalk, which includes several chain restaurants. Inside the parks, you may choose the themed restaurants at Simpsons Land and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The food’s nothing special there either, though. In truth, the only place I wholeheartedly recommend within the parks is Mythos. Simply stated, you’re just not at Disney, and you’ll never feel more acutely aware of this than when you’re at Universal Studios.

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Best Strategies for a Universal Studios/Walt Disney World Split Stay

by David Mumpower · February 3, 2021

City Walk

I know that you’re a Universal Studios fan first and foremost. However, we all experience that temptation to mix things up during a vacation.

Universal Orlando Hotel Closures

Image Credit: Universal

The next time that you head to Orlando, you might even want to visit the two major theme parks in the area. And that’s totally possible!

Here are a few strategies for a Universal Orlando Resort/Walt Disney World joint vacation.

Shanghai Disneyland

Photo: Disney Parks

How to Decide Your Vacation Length

Several factors go into determining your vacation’s length.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Your budget, available vacation days (presuming you’re a worker rather than a student), and general ideas for your visit will all play a part.

One of the questions I get asked the most is whether someone can do everything at a Universal Orlando Resort park in a single day.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The answer is yes in a general sense, but you may miss some stuff. Crowds prove impossible to predict, even during the offseason.

Also, you never know when a ride may need maintenance that takes it offline for the day.

Universal Orlando

Photo: Universal Orlando

So, what I usually suggest is a three-night stay at Universal Studios. Two nights is the bare minimum, but that strategy comes with risks.

During a two-day trip, you may feel too rushed to savor all the glorious elements of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Wizarding World

Photo: Universal

About the Disney Side of the Trip

At Walt Disney World, you’ll likely want to visit all four theme parks. Obviously, that would indicate a four-night stay.

However, I realize that you may not possess the ability to spend seven nights in Orlando.

Disney World

As a Universal Studios fan, you should err on the side of three nights here no matter what.

You can do less at Disney and always return later if you like it, too. Not everyone does.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Vulture

I’m a diehard Disney fan and have written three books about the parks.

I have a friend who stays at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin twice a year for work. He never goes to any of the parks, even EPCOT, which is five minutes away.

Right now, the Disney parks you’re most interested in visiting (in order) are Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: AllEars.net

EPCOT is currently undergoing construction that makes it more challenging than usual, while Animal Kingdom’s main appeal is Pandora – The World of Avatar.

I mean, the animals are terrific, too, but you probably live close to a zoo.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The appeal here depends on the age of your traveling party and whether you have young children.

You WILL want to visit Magic Kingdom due to its sheer volume of high-quality attractions, though.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Undercover Tourist

Similarly, Hollywood Studios has Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge .

Schedule your days based on that information. Please remember that Disney doesn’t allow park hopping during the pandemic.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Disney Tourist Blog

So, you may only enter one park per day.

I suspect what you’re realizing here is that five nights is the minimum possible for a split stay vacation. And I’d strongly suggest six if possible.

How to Decide Your Travel Plans

Your travel plans will come in two phases, possibly even three.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

First, you must decide whether to fly or drive to Orlando.

Afterward, you’ll choose whether to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios to start your trip.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: TravelSavvy

Based on past experiences, I would suggest Disney.

The company offers Magical Express, which means that a bus will transport you from the airport to your hotel.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney offers this service free of charge, and, during non-pandemic times, Magical Express will even take care of your bags.

Universal Studios also offers airport pick-up, albeit for a fee.

You can schedule Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle Program for $39 per adult, $29 for children.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Magic Guides

Should you only need one-way service, the price drops to $23. Still, for a party of four, you’ll pay $100 or more.

At that price, you may choose to rent a car or investigate other airport transportation options.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Uber

Once you’re at your first destination, your next choice involves how to get from one theme park to the other.

Ordinarily, I’d recommend a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft. However, COVID-19 concerns may make you wary about this idea.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Lyft

In that case, a rental car makes a ton of sense. You can depart the airport without waiting for a shuttle/van.

Then, you can drive between resorts whenever you’re ready. You control the itinerary better this way.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

I’ll level with you, though. What we’ve found works best for us is to start our vacation at Walt Disney World.

Then, we transfer to Universal Studios for a few nights before ending the trip back at Disney.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

This way, we can do whatever we want while still getting Magical Express service both ways.

Universal cedes this race by not offering free transportation.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Theme Park Professor

Of course, if you drive to Orlando, none of this applies!

How to Decide Where You Want to Stay

I’ll lead with a pro tip that I feel strongly about. Your best decision is to stay at a Universal Premier Hotel.

Yes, they cost more, but these properties come with a valuable amenity. You’ll receive a free Universal Express Unlimited Pass per party member per day.

This baby pays for itself, as you receive front of the line access to most attractions at the two theme parks.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel

When you purchase a Universal Express Unlimited Pass on your own, you’ll pay at least $84.99 per day and regularly $109.99 or more.

So, you’ll mitigate the expense of your hotel stay by receiving this feature as an amenity. And you’ll massively improve your park visits.

You should speak with an agent at Let’s Adventure Travel to learn more about this benefit and find the cheapest possible hotel rate to get it.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Credit: Universal

If you’re not in the market for the Universal Express Unlimited Pass and prefer a cheaper room, you’ll be happy with your other options at Universal, though.

At Walt Disney World, I strongly suggest that you stay closest to the park you plan to visit the most. Disney can struggle with its transportation at times.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Our sister site, MickeyBlog.com , can guide you on the best Disney Resorts. However, your best bet is to speak with MickeyTravels agent .

These professionals know Disney like the back of their hand and can guide you to the best mini-Walt Disney World vacation.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

How to Plan Your Universal Studios Itinerary

I’ve previously written a few suggestions about the best ways to spend perfect days at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Most of what I said there still stands, although Universal isn’t operating a few attractions during the pandemic.

Part of the reasons involve guest safety, and others come down to a lack of demand for less-trafficked rides.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Still, Coronavirus hasn’t altered a park visit much. In truth, you may have a better time since there are fewer guests.

You may have heard about the parks reaching capacity on weekends. That’s true, but it’s because Universal caps attendance at 25 percent.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

So, even at the current max capacity, the parks feel empty. So, you can do more during a single day.

Realistically, that means you should spend more time at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter than you ever have before.

You’re not fighting the crowds that have become the cost of doing business since this themed land debuted more than 10 years ago.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Also, you should take mental note of which attractions you enjoy the most, especially when you have the Universal Express Unlimited Pass.

By that third day, you can just cycle through your favorites over and over again, almost like you have the entire park to yourself! It’s bliss!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

How to Plan Your Walt Disney World Itinerary

Walt Disney World comes with more challenges. Each park comes with its own quirks.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: MickeyBlog

Even veterans express frustration when a longstanding plan falls apart. Inexperienced visitors should just explore the places and embrace the chaos.

At Hollywood Studios, you should arrive well ahead of the scheduled park opening time.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Business Insider

You want to participate in the mad scramble for a Boarding Group. It’ll entitle you to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , probably the best ride in Orlando.

The same thought process applies to Animal Kingdom , where you should head to Pandora – The World of Avatar as soon as you enter the park .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: CNBC

The lines for these two attractions can grow out of control if you’re not there at the start.

Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are kind of chill, comparatively. You’ll never run out of attractions to experience at the former park, and they’re all good.

EPCOT features a strange combination of three extremely popular rides and seven that come with waits of 15 minutes or less

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Photo: Cinema Blend

So, you’ll have all the time you need at both places, and the food at EPCOT will make you like Disney that much more, as well.

Again, check MickeyBlog for more tips about park itineraries .

When you plan a joint Universal/Disney vacation, you really will have one of the most incredible trips of your entire life…and I speak from experience here!

Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on  your next Universal vacation , please fill out the form below and one of the award winning agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!

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How to Get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are two of the biggest and best theme park destinations in the world. They also happen to be just a short drive away from each other in the Orlando Florida area. If you’re planning a trip to Disney and like thrill rides, then I’d recommend adding on a day or two at Universal Orlando (Universal Studios and Univeral’s Islands of Adventure theme parks). The resort is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , an absolute MUST for Harry Potter fans. So what is the best way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando if you don’t have your own car? Let’s dive right in…

Best way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando

It’s not usual for a Disney World vacation to also include a visit to Universal Orlando Resort.  After all, it’s only about 10 miles away and no more than a 20 or 30-minute ride away. So if have some extra time and a desire to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the rides of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, then we definitely recommend planning to visit Universal , even if only for a day or two!

So how do you get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort?

There are a few options, including ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, taxi, direct shuttle, or car rentals. Below we go through these options.

1. Ridesharing Apps (Uber or Lyft)

Ridesharing companies have really transformed the way we do transportation. Companies like Uber and Lyft have supplemented – or even flat-out replaced –  traditional taxi service. Why?  Uber and Lyft are typically cheaper than taxis and every bit as efficient (sometimes even more efficient).

Now everyday people are using their own vehicles to drive their passengers to their destinations, and non-tech savvy people are figuring out how easy it is to hail a car with an app. You simply create an account and link your credit card, enter your destination, and you are good to go!

As you can imagine, Uber and Lyft are very popular in the Orlando area.  Guests traveling from their Disney World hotel to Universal Orlando can expect to pay approximately $20 for one-way transportation. This makes Uber or Lyft our #1 choice: it’s the cheapest and probably the easiest way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort.

Click HERE to get an Uber fare estimate from your hotel to Universal Orlando.

If you are staying at one of Disney World’s on-property hotels, then another option would be to take a shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort. This is a popular mode of transportation, but, as you can see by our calculations, it’s generally more expensive for your family than if you take a standard Uber.

The Mears Transportation Group (888-983-3346; mearstransportation.com ) operates the largest and most popular shared shuttle service in Orlando. The shuttle drives around and picks up passengers until the van (or bus) is filled before it departs for its destination.

Rates are charged on a per-person basis.  A one-way fare to/from Universal is $21 for adults, $16 for children ages 4-11, and free for children 3 or under. Roundtrip fare is $33 for adults, $25 for children, and free for children 3 and under.

A competitor to Mears Transportation Group is SuperShuttle (800-258-3826; supershuttle.com ). They also offer shared vans to/from Universal for $18 per person one way, or $32 for a roundtrip ticket.

3.  Taxi Service

Some people just prefer taxi service. They are conveniently located outside of your hotel, and you won’t have to use any smartphone app to hail one.

These old-fashioned taxi services can whisk you between Disney World and Universal Studios with no delay.  There are a few different taxi companies in the Orlando area but Mears Transportation Group is the biggest.

Mears Transportation Group (☎ 888-983-3346; mearstransportation.com ) operates several brands (Checker Cab, Yellow Cab Company, and City Cab Company) all with identical rates. Most taxis carry four passengers up to eight (depending on the vehicle).

For a family of four, the taxi service to Universal will come out to be more expensive than Uber and Lyft, but less expensive than the shuttle.

4. Rent a Car

If you are one of those people that love the freedom to explore, then renting a car may be your cup of tea.

Disney’s Car Care Center is a full-service automotive center offering car rentals, auto repairs, and roadside assistance for Guests of Walt Disney World Resort.

It’s located conveniently near Magic Kingdom theme park.

Call (407) 824-0976 between these hours:

  • Monday through Friday:  7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday:  7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Sunday:  8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The facility offers alamo rent-a-car and national car rental services. Rates for a mid-sized vehicle cost around $45+ (parking is extra).

You can schedule a complimentary shuttle from your Disney resort to the car care center by calling 407-824-3470.

When all is said and done, renting a car for the day will definitely not be your cheapest option, but will give you a chance to explore the area on your way to Universal Orlando Resort.

The Verdict – Take an Uber!

We think the best option for traveling between Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort is: Ridesharing!

Not only are Uber and Lyft are the cheapest options, but they also provide you with convenience and comfort (usually).  It’s a no-brainer!

Enjoy your trip!

Need help planning and booking your Disney World or Universal Orlando vacation? Look no further than The Vacationeer . This Universal and Disney travel agency will get you the best rates and make sure every aspect of your trip is as magical as possible, all at no additional cost to you!

For more information about Universal, see our Universal Orlando Map , Best Universal Orlando Rides , Universal Crowd Calendar , Universal vs Disney World ,  Disney World Map , Magic Kingdom Rides , and Epcot Rides pages.

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Walt Disney World & Universal in One Trip

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

First, let’s talk about both destinations.  Walt Disney World has four main theme parks and two water parks.  Universal Studios has two main theme parks and one water park.  If you have just a week to visit both, it can be a busy vacation to fit it all in, but it can be done.  If you were just to visit Walt Disney World, then I would recommend at least six days.  That way you can visit each park once and have two days to travel.  And I really recommend seven days so that you can take a break from the parks one day to just enjoy your resort.  And that doesn’t include Disney’s water parks, so I would add a day if you wanted to visit one of those. For Universal Studios you’ll need at least two days in the parks, but three is ideal.  And then add another day if you wanted to visit their water park.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

However, if you want a few more days at Universal Studios, or maybe you want to visit Universal’s water park too, I would recommend a split stay.  Stay a few days at a Disney resort and visit those parks, and then move to a Universal resort for the rest of your stay.  This will give you the full experience of both destinations.  And if you stay at a Premier Universal resort, you will receive the Unlimited Express Pass for free!  That means that you will be able to avoid long lines at your favorite Universal attractions!

Wow, that sounds a bit overwhelming, doesn’t it?  Just wait, your Wishes & Dreams Travel Advisor is here to help!  We can give you the best itinerary for your family and make whichever plan you choose simple for you.  We are here to take care of the details so that you can just relax and enjoy your vacation!

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A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Tarah Chieffi

Editor's Note

If you want to know how to plan a trip to Disney World, you've come to the right place. This guide includes tips for choosing the right Disney World hotel for your budget, deciding which ticket type is right for you, determining which extras are worth splurging on and how to plan a trip that's fun and memorable without too much stress along the way.

With four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 on-site hotels, over 200 dining locations and more attractions, experiences, shows and shops than we can list here, the best way to build a magical Disney World vacation is with planning, preparation and realistic expectations.

Planning a trip to Disney World should be fun and build excitement for your upcoming trip, and this guide can help.

How to start planning your trip to Disney World

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are a few questions you will want to answer early in the process of planning your Disney World vacation.

  • What is your budget? Your budget will determine most other factors of your vacation, including where you stay and how many days you visit. How much it will cost you to go to Disney World really can vary widely based on the choices you make.
  • When will you go? You may be at the mercy of work or school schedules, but if you have the flexibility, you can plan your trip when crowds are smaller or the weather is better. The summer can be very hot and rainy, the week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest and weekdays when most kids are in school are often the least busy days.
  • Where will you stay? You will typically pay more to stay in one of Disney's on-site hotels, especially at the moderate and deluxe tiers, but you'll also get perks like early theme park entry. Before you choose, you'll want to consider your budget, whether you want a themed room like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and if you want to be located near a certain Disney park. Pro tip: Renting Disney Vacation Club points can help you stay at a deluxe hotel for a moderate price.
  • Which parks will you visit on which days? Depending on the length of your vacation, you may need to prioritize which parks you plan to visit. This will also influence whether you purchase one-park-per-day or Park Hopper tickets that allow you to visit multiple parks daily. If you have little kids, be sure your family will have the stamina for multiple parks per day before shelling out the extra cash to hop.
  • Where will you dine? Popular Disney dining reservations are snatched up almost as soon as they become available. You'll want to plan ahead for any character dining or other table service restaurants, so you don't miss out.

It is important to book your hotel, dining and theme park tickets as early as possible for the best rates and availability. Disney also periodically releases special offers on hotels and vacation packages that you can often apply even if you have already made your reservations.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

We will dig deeper into each of these topics in this guide. Once you have a rough outline of your vacation based on the questions above, here are important dates to keep in mind so you can make your Disney dream a reality.

How soon can you book a Disney World hotel?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney releases hotel availability periodically, so there is no exact date that Disney hotel reservations become available. You can currently book Disney World hotel stays through Dec. 31, 2024.

Disney typically opens reservations for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time. If your plans change, you can cancel your room-only reservation up to five days in advance of arrival for a full refund. Ticket and hotel vacation packages must be canceled 30 days in advance to receive a full refund.

When can you purchase Disney World tickets?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney World tickets follow the same availability calendar as Disney hotel reservations. You can purchase tickets (or vacation packages including a hotel and tickets) through Dec. 31, 2024. Disney typically releases tickets for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time.

All tickets are date-based, and the price of one-day tickets also varies by park. You can purchase your tickets any time before you visit; the price won't change regardless of how long you wait. Theme park tickets are nonrefundable, but you may be able to change your ticket date if your plans change.

Until Jan. 9, 2024, you must have a Disney ticket and make a theme park reservation to enter a Disney park.

When do Disney World dining reservations become available?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

You can begin making dining reservations 60 days prior to your visit. If you are staying in a Disney World hotel, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your check-in day for your entire stay (up to 10 days).

Reservations open on Disney's website or the My Disney Experience app between 5:45 a.m. and 6 a.m. EST or you can call 407-939-DINE beginning at 7 a.m. EST, but coveted reservations may already be snatched up by that time. You can cancel most Disney World dining reservations up to two hours before your reservation. Exceptions will be noted in the confirmation email you receive at the time of booking.

If you're not yet sure where to eat, here are our favorite restaurants at Disney World .

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

What are the 4 parks at Disney World?

Each of Disney World's four theme parks is uniquely themed and packed with fun. You can learn more about each park, including attractions, shows, parade times and interactive maps to help you find your way around in the My Disney Experience app.

Here's a bit more information about each and some tips for choosing the right ticket type to visit them all.

Magic Kingdom

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Open since 1971, Magic Kingdom is Disney World's original theme park. This park is a world of fairy tales and fantasy, where you'll find five themed lands — Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of Disney's most iconic attractions, including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion, but also exciting new rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and the soon-to-open Tiana's Bayou Adventure .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Epcot opened in 1982 and has changed drastically in the four decades since. Epcot's core message, however, hasn't changed: sparking visitors' imaginations through science, technology, nature and the human experience. The park is sectioned into "neighborhoods" — World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase, where you can visit pavilions that celebrate the arts, culture and customs of 11 countries around the world.

There are a lot of new things to see at Epcot, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the all-new fireworks spectacular Luminous – The Symphony of Us .

Disney's Hollywood Studios

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a movie-themed park that has lands and attractions inspired by blockbuster films and beloved Disney characters. In Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and meet familiar (and furry) faces like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca and Rey.

In Toy Story Land, visitors shrink to the size of Woody, Buzz, Jessie (who you can meet here, by the way) and Andy's other toys. The land's Slinky Dog Dash coaster is a family-friendly ride that's perfect for a kid's first roller coaster.

Outside of the lands themed to specific films, much of the park evokes an old-Hollywood glamour that makes you feel like a bona fide movie star. In these areas, you'll find some of the park's most iconic shows and attractions are also some of its longest-running, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular .

Disney's Animal Kingdom

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

More than 2,000 animals — from about 300 species — call Disney's Animal Kingdom "home," but this is not a zoo. However, you can visit many of these animals via walking trails, the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride and even a petting zoo.

In addition to the creatures and landscapes found on Earth, you can visit another planet at Pandora — The World of Avatar or go back in time at DinoLand U.S.A. The animals aren't the only things that are "wild" at Animal Kingdom — Expedition Everest is a thrilling coaster; Avatar Flight of Passage puts you on the back of a banshee as you fly over Pandora; and Dinosaur sends you careening through the Cretaceous Period in an off-road vehicle.

What type of Disney tickets should I buy?

Disney world base tickets.

You can purchase one-day or multi-day Disney World tickets. All tickets are date-based, and the price varies depending on the date of your visit. If you purchase a one-day ticket, the price will also vary based on which park you plan to visit, with Magic Kingdom being the most expensive.

Disney World Park Hopper tickets

A base ticket only gets you into one park per day. If you want to visit multiple parks on the same day, you will need to purchase the Park Hopper option with your ticket (you can also add it on in person after you arrive). You can save money by only visiting one park per day, but it does limit how much you can see and do during your vacation.

A Park Hopper Plus ticket includes two visits to either Disney's golf courses, miniature golf courses or water parks, but this is only worth it if you know you will use it all.

Disney World special event tickets

Some of Disney's after-hours events , like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party , require a separate ticket. The park is only open to guests with special event tickets during these events. If you plan on visiting for one of these parties, you may be able to forgo a general admission ticket that day and utilize your special event ticket, as you can usually get into the park a few hours before the party starts.

Disney World ticket add-ons

There are two major ticket add-ons that you should consider. Both can be worth it but will add to the cost of your vacation.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The first add-on you might want to strongly consider is Disney Genie+ . This skip-the-line service allows you to skip the standby line and enjoy shorter wait times for rides by utilizing Disney's Lightning Lanes.

Currently, you can only purchase it on the day of your visit beginning at 7 a.m. and the price ranges between $15 and $35 per person, per day. A handful of attractions at each park require a separate individual Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line, often for the newest rides, but many rides are available with Genie+. You don't need to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person per attraction for rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Another popular add-on is Disney's Memory Maker . Memory Maker gives you unlimited downloads of pictures taken by PhotoPass photographers during your vacation and on-ride photos. You can purchase a one-day Memory Maker for short visits or a multi-day Memory Maker which covers your entire vacation. You can save $25 on a multi-day Memory Maker when you purchase at least three days prior to your visit, so it's best to purchase it when you buy your tickets.

How to get discounted Disney World tickets

Aside from Disney's own discounts, you can sometimes save money on Disney tickets by purchasing them from an authorized third-party reseller. There are a few reputable sources out there for Disney World tickets, but our go-to is Undercover Tourist . Depending on your ticket type, you can usually save between $5 and $100. One of the best ways to save money with Undercover Tourist is when Disney World raises ticket prices , which usually happens at least once per year. Undercover Tourist typically has a limited number of existing ticket stock available at the old prices while supplies last.

Related: We saved every receipt — here's how much it actually costs to go to Disney World

If you are a Florida resident or are an active or retired U.S. military member , there are generous discounted Disney World tickets available directly through Disney's website.

You can also use points to pay for your Disney tickets , and that's a strategy we strongly recommend to keep costs down. For example, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of having the card. You can use those 75k points as the same as $750 towards travel . And while ticket-only packages from Disney World typically don't code as a travel charge, buying them from Undercover Tourist — or as part of a larger hotel and ticket package directly from Disney — typically does code as a travel charge, so you could save $750 just like that.

Is booking a Disney vacation package a good idea?

If you are staying in one of Disney World's on-site hotels or a certified " Disney World Good Neighbor " hotel, you have the option to bundle your hotel stay and theme park tickets into a Disney vacation package. Normally, these packages are not discounted, but they can be a great value if Disney runs any special vacation package promotions .

Aside from discounts (and the fact that it all likely codes as a travel charge for point-redemption purposes), there's one major reason to book a vacation package: When you purchase your tickets and hotel together, you only have to pay a $200 deposit at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to arrival. If you purchase your tickets separately from your hotel stay, you will have to pay the full amount at the time of purchase.

This is another great example of why you should book through an authorized Disney travel planner who can compare prices for you and keep an eye out for discounts.

When is the best time to visit Disney World?

Do you want the lowest crowds or the best weather? Do you want to attend a Halloween party or see Magic Kingdom's 65-foot-tall Christmas tree ?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on your reason for visiting.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you want moderate temperatures and less chance of rain, you may want to plan your visit between October and December. If you want shorter waits, your best bets are late January, early May or just after Thanksgiving before the crowds descend upon the parks for winter break. Of course, weekdays typically see lower crowds than weekends and school breaks.

Or, if you are planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, opt for midweek dates in August and September 2024, when prices start at $109 for a one-day ticket.

Read our full guide on the best times to visit Walt Disney World .

What's the best way to get to Disney World?

Getting to Orlando and getting to Disney World after arriving are two different topics, so let's look at each.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport to Walt Disney World is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Most major airlines fly into MCO, and you can reach Disney World in about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. If you are flying Allegiant or Sun Country Airlines, you'll fly into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). SFB is smaller than MCO and farther from Disney World. From SFB, it is about a 45-minute drive to Disney World.

What is the best way to get to Disney World from the airport?

Because of its size and proximity to Disney World, MCO has more and better options to help you get between the airport and Disney World.

From Orlando International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do rent a car from MCO, you can forgo paying tolls through the car rental company (which often comes with an additional fee) and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass to save on tolls during your trip.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney no longer charges a parking fee for overnight hotel guests, so if you rent a car, you can park at your hotel and drive to Disney's theme parks without additional fees. Keep in mind that you may not need a car if you don't plan on leaving Disney property after you arrive. Disney has a robust internal transportation system that operates between its on-site hotels and theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

You can also use Disney's official airport shuttle, Mears Connect , from MCO.

Mears Connect is a shuttle service that picks you up from MCO and will drop you off at official Disney World hotels and a handful of nearby hotels. Pricing starts at $16 one-way for adults and $13 one-way for children. Mears Connect offers shared shuttles, where you will stop at multiple Disney hotels on the way to your own. You can pay an additional fee for an "express shuttle" that takes you direct to your resort. The easiest way to reserve your ride is online through the Mears Connect website.

What is the best way to get around Disney World?

If you are staying on Walt Disney World property, you can utilize Disney's complimentary transportation for travel between your resort and Disney's theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Disney offers transportation by bus, boat, Monorail and Disney Skyliner gondola system. Which transportation options you have access to will depend on which hotel you are staying in.

All Disney hotels offer regularly scheduled bus transportation around the resort. Transportation begins 45 minutes prior to the theme park opening and up to one hour after the theme park closing.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Guests of Disney's Magic Kingdom area resorts — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — can use boat or Monorail transportation to travel to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a monorail line that will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can transfer to a separate Monorail line that goes to Epcot. These hotels also offer a walking path to Magic Kingdom.

Guests of Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort can use the Disney Skyliner gondolas to travel to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. All Disney World visitors can also use Disney Skyliner to travel between these two parks, regardless of where you are staying. It's a fun and scenic way to get around the resort.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Many Disney World hotels also offer ferry boat transportation to nearby parks. The BoardWalk area hotels, for example, offer boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fort Wilderness, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and others offer boat service to the Magic Kingdom. You can view a full list on Disney's website . You can also walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from any BoardWalk area hotel.

Whichever transportation option you choose, you can view the schedule, routes and stop locations in the My Disney Experience app or on video monitors at each stop location.

You can also utilize Disney's Minnie Van service for door-to-door (or door-to-front gate, as it were) service between your hotel and Disney's theme parks. You can book these private rides in red-and-white polka-dot vans directly through the Lyft app. Accessible rides and child safety seats are available.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Though not "official" Disney World hotels, Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotel guests have access to Disney's complimentary ferry boat service to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. A walking path is also available. These resorts also operate their own shuttles to Disney's theme parks, which pick up approximately every 20 to 25 minutes throughout the day.

Disney Springs hotels operate their own shuttle services, independent of Disney's transportation. If you are staying at one of these hotels, you can inquire about scheduling and pick-up times at the front desk.

What's the best place to stay on a Disney vacation?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are more than two dozen Disney World hotels to choose from, so your main considerations will be your budget and what type of hotel experience you are after. Whether you want over-the-top Disney theming, an upscale cabin in the woods or a luxury villa with access to a club lounge, you can find it at Disney World.

Disney offers three hotel tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe.

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable, with prices ranging between $125 and $300 per night. Value resorts offer quick-service, cafeteria-style dining outlets and large pools but don't have full-service restaurants or pool amenities like waterslides and hot tubs.

On average, Moderate Disney resorts run between $250 and $400 and offer amenities you won't find at Value Disney resorts. Some have full-service restaurants, and the pools are better-themed and equipped with waterslides. Many of them are more centrally located near Disney's theme parks, as well.

Deluxe Disney resorts are the most expensive, ranging between $400 to $700 per night and up for a standard room, but they also have the best locations, amenities and dining. You can expect large, well-furnished guest rooms, pool complexes with hot tubs, waterslides and beach areas, multiple full-service restaurants, spas and more.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Regardless of which hotel you choose, Disney's on-site hotels offer perks to enhance your stay:

  • A 30-minute jumpstart on your day with Disney's Early Theme Park Entry benefit
  • The ability to purchase individual Lightning Lanes for eligible rides begins at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit (non-resort guests can't do this until the park opens)
  • Complimentary hotel and theme park parking
  • Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels on select nights (this benefit is also available to guests of Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels, as well as Shades of Green)

Best hotels at Disney World

The best Disney World hotel for you depends on what you are looking for in a hotel stay. If you don't plan on spending much time in your room, you can save a lot of money by staying in a Value resort. If you plan on spending part of your vacation enjoying hotel amenities like the pool and restaurants, you may want to choose a Moderate or Deluxe resort. Or, if you have a large family that won't be comfortable in a standard room, one of Disney's family suites might be your best bet.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Best Disney World resort if you are on a budget: Disney's Pop Century Resort may not be the most glamorous hotel at Disney, but the kitschy 1950s through 1990s theming and the starting price of around $200 per night will surely put a smile on your face. This resort has three pools, a playground and an arcade. Guest rooms are furnished with either one king bed or a queen bed and a space-saving table that folds out into a bed. It is also one of two Value resorts with Skyliner gondola access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Best Disney World resort for large families : Disney's Art of Animation Resort is in Disney's more affordable Value category and has family suites themed to popular Disney films like "Cars," "The Lion King" and "Finding Nemo" that sleep up to six guests. The pool here is the largest at any Disney World resort, and you can take the Disney Skyliner gondolas to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Standard rooms are also available.

Best Disney World resort for swimming : Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are sister properties near Epcot. The two resorts have rooms that average around $600 per night and share access to Stormalong Bay, the best pool at Disney World . Stormalong Bay is really more than a pool, it is a water park with sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, an activities pool with a volleyball net and daily pool games and a shipwreck-themed waterslide.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Best Disney World resort for a luxury stay : If the sky is the limit for your Walt Disney World vacation budget, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are some of the finest accommodations you can choose. With two bedrooms, a fireplace, a screened-in porch, a hot tub and lakeside views, these cabins are anything but rustic. The privacy offers you a chance to wind down after a long Disney day, but you are still close enough to take a boat ride to Magic Kingdom and enjoy the amenities and dining in the resort's main lobby.

If you are leaning toward a luxury Disney stay, you may be able to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare program. DVC members can rent out their points to non-members through sites like David's Vacation Club Rentals , helping you to save hundreds of dollars versus booking directly through Disney. The trade-off is that availability is limited and that the cancellation policies are much less flexible than if you make the reservation direct through Disney.

Read our full guide on the best hotels at Walt Disney World .

Best hotels near Disney World

Disney World also partners with a handful of off-site hotels where you can still take advantage of certain benefits like Early Theme Park Entry and complimentary transportation while also paying less than you would for an official Disney World hotel. These hotels also participate in major hotel points programs, so you can earn or redeem points for your stay.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels all participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. While not technically Disney hotels, they are located on Disney property between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member , these hotels offer benefits like complimentary upgrades, a welcome amenity and more.

Related: This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks

Disney Springs has seven hotels from brands like Wyndham, Hilton, Holiday Inn and others. All of these are adjacent to the Disney Springs shopping and dining district, and some have room rates that start at close to $100 per night. These can be a great option if you want to save money and don't mind leaving the "Disney bubble" at the end of the day.

Read our full guide to Disney Springs hotels here .

What are the best restaurants at Disney World?

With more than 200 restaurants to choose from, you are going to have to decide which Disney World restaurants you most want to visit. Dining options run the gamut from the predictable burger and fries to an out-of-this-world restaurant in space.

Read our full guide to the best restaurants at Disney World .

Hardest Disney reservations to get (and how to get them)

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Many of these restaurants are quick-service or snack stands that don't require advance reservations, but there are a few popular restaurants that book up almost as quickly as reservations become available. If you want to dine with Disney royalty at Cinderella's Royal Table, for example, you'll want to make your reservation as soon as you can. Remember, that is 60 days prior to your visit — if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make reservations for your entire vacation 60 days prior to your check-in day.

Related: 'Be our guest' at these 5 best character dining meals at Walt Disney World

Other reservations that book up quickly include Storybook Dining at Artist Point , Space 220 at Epcot, California Grill, 'Ohana, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios and Topolino's Terrace, especially for the character breakfast. All of these have great food and atmosphere, making them popular for new and returning guests.

Best quick-service restaurants at Disney that don't require a reservation

Luckily, there are plenty of Disney restaurants with delicious food you can get your hands on without a reservation. Satuli Canteen in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom is consistently ranked as one of the best quick-service restaurants anywhere at Disney. The food is fresh, flavorful and surprisingly inexpensive. You can get a build-your-own bowl with beef, chicken or fish for less than $20.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Other must-try quick-service restaurants include Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (the Ronto Breakfast Wrap is the best handheld meal at Disney!), Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom for New England-inspired fare and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot for all things barbecue.

Using the Disney app to improve your dining experience

The My Disney Experience app is a must for your Disney World vacation for checking wait times, finding your way around and more. When it comes to dining, you can use it to find walk-up dining availability, score last-minute reservations, see what restaurants are nearby, and place mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants.

When you place a mobile order via the app, you choose what time you would like to pick up your order (with the option to modify if plans change). When you arrive at the restaurant, you can click "I'm here. Prepare my order," and you'll receive a notification on your phone when your food is ready.

Should you buy a Disney Dining Plan?

The cost of dining at Disney can add up quickly, and Disney offers two dining plan options that may help you save money. The Disney Dining Plan lets you prepay for a specified number of meals and snacks for your Disney World vacation. You receive a certain number of meal and snack credits for each night of your stay.

The Disney Dining Plan is both convenient and flexible. By prepaying for your meals and snacks, you won't have to pull out your wallet for every meal and snack, and you aren't required to use a set number of credits each day. You can redeem them anytime during your stay in the way that best works for you.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

There are two options — the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. The first is a bit less expensive and allows for more flexibility. The second is best if you plan on more sit-down dining and character meals during your vacation.

Whether or not you can save money with a Disney Dining Plan depends on how you utilize the credits. It is possible to break even or come out ahead if you maximize the value of your credits and actually eat all of the food available on the plan. If you don't use all of your credits, you are essentially leaving money on the table, but our guide can help you out with the math.

Read our full guide to the Disney Dining Plan .

How to save time in line at Disney World

Most Walt Disney World attractions offer a standby line. The only exceptions are new attractions, which will often offer a virtual queue for a limited time after opening. When Disney World is busy, though, standby lines for popular attractions can climb as high as two hours. Luckily, Disney has a service called Disney Genie+ that helps you skip the standby line and get on more attractions with shorter waits.

With Disney Genie+, you can skip the standby line and utilize a much shorter "Lightning Lane" for most attractions. You can only purchase this add-on service on the day of your visit, beginning at midnight (though you will likely be safe waiting until you wake up in the morning except on Disney's busiest days).

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

The cost of Disney Genie+ varies per park and per day. The service starts at $15 per person per day and occasionally reaches a per-person price of $35 per day during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season or in April during spring break. You can purchase Genie+ for one of Disney World's four theme parks or a "multiple park" option valid at all four parks when you purchase through the My Disney Experience app.

Most attractions are included in the Disney Genie+ service, but one or two attractions at each park require a separate Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line. It's not necessary to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person, per attraction.

Read our full guide to Disney Genie+ .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you are staying in one of Disney's on-site hotels or in select "Good Neighbor" hotels, as mentioned in the section above, you can also save time in line by utilizing Early Theme Park Entry and/or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. You can get into the parks 30 minutes early with the Early Entry benefit, but you actually want to arrive at the front gates 30-45 minutes before that time. This will give you time to get through security and to the roped-off area where they hold guests, making you one of the first in line to rush to your favorite ride when early entry starts.

Related: Your guide to visiting Disney World with a child on the autism spectrum

If you or someone in your party has a disability that makes it difficult for you to wait in a traditional standby queue, you can also save time by registering for Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS). You need to start the registration process before your visit, and full instructions are available on Disney's website .

How to plan a Disney World trip on a budget

While sensational stories about $2,500 meals at Disney make for good headlines, it is totally possible to visit Disney World on a budget .

Related: Yes, you can visit Disney World on a budget: Here's how I did it

Here are some of the most important things you can do to make your Disney vacation budget manageable:

  • Stay at a Disney Value resort like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort or use Marriott points to stay at the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Here are the best cards to get those points.
  • Utilize Disney's complimentary parking and transportation for on-site guests instead of renting a car.
  • Purchase groceries for some meals and snacks, and only buy one or two meals in the parks each day.
  • Don't visit the parks every day you are at Disney and stick to one park per day, avoiding park hopping. You can save on tickets by spending a day swimming or visiting Disney Springs.
  • Don't forget to periodically check Disney's website for discounts. Even after you book, you may be able to apply a hotel or vacation package discount that can save you even more money.
  • Be on the lookout for discounted Disney gift cards to help cover the cost of your trip and/or use points for the tickets.
  • Visit during less busy times of the year. Ticket prices are cheapest in August and September, with one-day tickets starting at $109.

Disney World pretrip checklist

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Now that you've determined your budget, purchased your tickets, booked your hotel and made a few dining reservations, your trip is nearly planned. There are some other details you'll need to consider to make your trip as magical as it should be. Here's our ultimate Disney World pre-trip checklist:

  • Pack accordingly : Depending on when you visit, you could be dealing with heat, humidity, afternoon showers, chilly temperatures or a mix of all of the above. It's important to pack comfortable shoes and clothing no matter when you visit, but you may also want rain gear, sun protection or a warm jacket, depending on the weather. You can read our full Disney World packing guide here .
  • Download the My Disney Experience app : This app is an invaluable tool that you will use daily during your visit. You can use it to check everything from wait times to walk-up dining availability. You can also use it to navigate the parks with turn-by-turn walking directions, purchase Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes and even open your hotel room door.
  • Check the park hours before your visit : You can view the park hours on the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. Each park has separate opening and closing times, and parks occasionally close early for special events like Halloween and Christmas parties. When you view the park hours, you'll also be able to see times for any parades or fireworks shows happening each day of your visit and plan for early entry or extended theme park hours for eligible on-site hotel guests.
  • Check the height requirements for attractions: If you are traveling to Disney World with young children, you can check the height requirements for attractions on Disney World's website or in the My Disney Experience app. There are also measuring stations at all attractions that have a minimum height requirement, but it's better to know ahead of time to avoid tears if your child isn't quite tall enough.
  • Know where to find your favorite characters : Most Disney characters have designated meeting times and locations, which you can find in the My Disney Experience app. Booking a character meal can be a great way to meet multiple characters at once, but you can also meet many characters in the parks. Popular meet-and-greets also offer Genie+ Lightning Lane access, which can cut down on the time you spend waiting to meet Mickey, Moana or Cinderella.
  • Decide if you want to purchase PhotoPass photos : You can save money on Disney Memory Maker by purchasing in advance before you visit. It's the easiest way to capture your vacation memories and an add-on we highly recommend. You can view and download your photos in the My Disney Experience app.
  • Study up on Genie+: As helpful as Genie+ can be, there is a bit of a learning curve. Study up using our Genie+ guide and Disney's own overview before your visit. It's good to know which attractions participate in Genie+, how to reserve Lightning Lane access and how to make the most of the service.
  • Plan for downtime: One of the biggest mistakes people make at Disney World is overscheduling their trip and leaving no time for rest and relaxation. If you are visiting for more than a few days, try and schedule a day away from the parks where you swim, explore the other resorts or just lounge around the hotel. It'll help rejuvenate you for the rest of your trip. For shorter trips, you may want to schedule a slow morning or return to your hotel early one day instead of being at the parks from opening to closing every day of your trip.

Read all of our best Disney World tips here .

Bottom line

There you have it — the ultimate guide to visiting Walt Disney World.

In addition to the planning and preparation you've now mastered, there are two very important things you must do during your Disney World vacation — don't overplan and have fun. It's much better to have a short list of "must-do" rides, restaurants and activities than to have a minute-by-minute itinerary that most certainly will not play out exactly how you planned.

Keeping a loose itinerary leaves room for magic moments like stumbling upon a favorite character, noticing a super-short line for a ride or deciding last-minute to watch a parade you happened upon. You can't do everything in one trip anyway, so do the things you can and save the rest for next time when you are a certified Disney pro.

FOR NO-COST-TO-YOU ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Related reading:

  • The best Disney World hotels for your stay
  • The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
  • Forgetting to do this 1 thing could ruin your Disney trip
  • Disney's take on timeshares: Guide to Disney Vacation Club
  • 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket

Stuck on the Go

21 Top Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Orlando [2024]

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After a week in Orlando, Florida and three days spent at Universal Studios Orlando I am already planning a return trip. This was an absolutely magical place and perfect for all ages.

Universal seems to be a mixture of Walt Disney World which is perfect for children and Busch Gardens which is great for thrill-seekers. It’s for sure one of the best theme parks in the US !

I didn’t do quite enough research before my trip so I feel like my time wasn’t used as efficiently as it could have been. And I don’t want that happening to you!

So here are my top Universal Studios tips for 2023.

13. Buy Tickets in Advance

21. how much money do you need in universal studios.

Disclaimer: This post ma y contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going!

What to Know Before Going to Universal Orlando in 2023

There’s no way you’ll have it all figured out before your trip, but it’s great to have a head start! These Universal Orlando tips and tricks will hopefully help you create a plan and know what to expect on your trip.

Globe with Universal written across the front over a fountain

1. Get to the Parking Garage by 8:30

We got there at multiple times during our stay and by far the easiest time to get in the park was at 8:30.

Since the park opens at 9 it seems like everyone wants to get there right then and there is a bottleneck effect.

When we arrived just after 9, it took us 40 minutes from the time we drove into the park to when we scanned our ticket since the morning rush hadn’t cleared out.

When we got there at 8:30 we were scanning our tickets into the park at 8:50. We were some of the first people in the park and first in line at the rides.

2. Make a Game Plan

Look at the park maps before you get there and figure out which rides you want to get on. Once you figure out your top rides, figure out which ones are close together.

You can group the rides together that you’d like to visit and then make a plan of which you’ll visit first.

You can also make a plan based on the region of the park you want to visit. Maybe you want to visit Harry Potter World first (like we did). I highly recommend this if you’re a big Harry Potter fan.

If you are spending one day in each park then this won’t be as big of an issue. A day gives you plenty of time to see everything in one park depending on how long the lines are and what all you want to ride.

3. Buy the Express Pass

Universal Orlando Resort express pass in front of a girl's face. Buying the express pass is one of my top tips for visiting Universal Studios.

Okay the Universal Express Passes are EXPENSIVE. In the app it kept saying starting at $99 for the Express Unlimited Pass well that’s on a weekday in the off-season.

On Friday April 23, 2021 they were $262 including tax. (That’s for only one.)

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Well, the Express Pass was, but maybe not the Unlimited. They have one pass that lets you skip the line at each ride only once and if I had it to do over again I would get that one instead of the Unlimited.

We didn’t have time to ride many things more than once. Try buying your pass ahead of time to see if you can get a cheaper price instead of buying it on the day of.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but if I had it to do over again I think I would buy the Express Pass on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Those were the cheaper days. There will still be crowds so it’s worth it but it’s cheaper.

We did not have the Express Pass on Thursday and only rode four rides… Yes, four rides because we were standing in line so long. On Friday we got the Express Pass and rode eleven different rides and two of those twice.

So compare getting to ride four things to riding thirteen and you’ll see why it’s worth it to me.

I absolutely hate waiting in line – I’m really not patient at all – and yes, I know that’s a terrible trait. So the Express Pass made my day infinitely better and purchasing it is one of my biggest Universal Studios tips for 2023.

Only you can decide if the price is worth it to you though.

You can buy the Express Pass cheaper on Undercover Tourist sometimes so be sure to check them out!

Just a note – I don’t always recommend buying the Express Pass for theme parks. Especially when you visit places like Dollywood or Busch Gardens .

4. Bring a Fanny Pack (Small Backpacks Work)

You may be thinking “Anna there is no way in heck I am wearing a fanny pack, you are insane.” Well when you see how functional they are at Universal you might just change your tune.

Fanny packs are allowed on almost all the rides at Universal which means you don’t have to waste time with the lockers before the ride and you can keep your phone or anything else with you.

The lockers can get very congested and it takes up valuable time trying to stuff your backpacks or anything else in them. More on lockers in a minute.

If you don’t have a fanny pack and are absolutely boycotting them then a small backpack (like this Kavu bag ) is the next best thing. Just note that these will have to be stored in the lockers.

5. There are Lockers for Most Roller Coasters

Circular barge on a water ride with bridge over the top

The locker situation is awesome for groups that don’t have a person who isn’t riding the coasters. There are standard-sized lockers available for free at many of the roller coasters that measure 5.5” tall, 14” wide, and 16.9” deep. This fits a small backpack or miscellaneous items.

They have larger lockers available for $2 if your things don’t fit in a standard size. These would be regular size backpacks or large souvenirs. These single-time use lockers are only good for a certain time frame – maybe an hour but don’t hold me to that.

If you are bringing items in that you won’t need all day then Universal also offers all-day locker rentals. There are lockers for $10 at Islands of Adventure and $15 at Universal Studios Florida. You’ll have unlimited access to these lockers during the day.

At the Popeye water ride you must pay for the lockers because they offer a covered place on the “barge” for you to place your things. However, they will definitely still get wet so if you have anything that can’t get wet definitely buy the $2 locker.

On Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the Hulk Coaster you have to pass through a metal detector before you can go on the ride so you are required to put everything you have in a locker or with someone not riding.

6. Download the Universal Studios App

You can do so much with the Universal Studios App. You can get in the virtual lines for any attraction with that capability. You can order food and drinks on the app. The app holds your tickets, maps, show times, wait times for attractions, and general park info.

At many of the sit-down restaurants, you can mobile order – at least the ones in Harry Potter World. Then at restaurants with walk-up windows you can mobile-order and pick it up at a specific mobile-order pickup spot. It’s actually super efficient and you don’t have to wait in the long line.

Some rides go to virtual line only when the parks are at capacity. The Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure had a virtual line the first two days we were there and the third it was virtual until the afternoon.

On our third day there the Revenge of the Mummy was virtual and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon was virtual all three days.

Honestly, this is one of the top tips for visiting Universal Studios. The app is so helpful.

7. Virtual Lines Open Before the Park

You can get a spot in virtual lines through the Universal App. It gives you the option to get a spot in line within a certain timeframe so all you have to do is show up at the ride and show the attendant your phone.

The Race Through New York ride opened by 8:30 everyday so you could get a spot. On the day we finally got there early enough to get a spot on Hagrid’s ride the virtual line for it opened at 8:45.

Hagrid’s ride always ran out of virtual spots so we were so excited to get in. By 9 all the spots were always gone and we never could find an opening throughout the day. Until the third day when they opened the line so you could physically wait in it instead of having to use the app.

Moral of the story is that if you want to ride something really bad, make sure to get there early and check the virtual line.

8. The Crosswalk Isn’t Always Open

There are three ways to get between the two parks – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This is only if you have a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.

First – You can walk out the exit of either park and through CityWalk by the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Hard Rock Cafe and into the other park. The walk is about 15 – 20 minutes depending on where you’re at in the park.

Second – There is a crosswalk between the two parks, but it is not always open so not an option all the time. It wasn’t open during any of the three days that we were there.

Third and my personal favorite – Take the Hogwarts Express! This is definitely the most fun way to get between the parks. However, the line gets incredibly long as the day goes on. If you’ve already been on this ride then I wouldn’t recommend waiting over 30 minutes on the train.

9. Many Restaurants on Universal CityWalk Require Reservations

Two restaurants across the river on CityWalk. Making reservations is one of the top tips for visiting Universal Studios.

 We made the mistake of not making a dinner reservation on a Friday night and were out of luck when it came to eating on CityWalk.

Every restaurant either had an hour and a half wait or was reservation only. I’ve already told you how impatient I am so you know I’m not waiting that long to eat.

For those of you who exercise your patience daily, you can grab drinks and appetizers at little kiosks around the CityWalk while you wait.

10. Express Passes Get You In Regardless of Virtual Lines

If you couldn’t get in the Virtual Line, but still want to ride something you can use your Express Pass if the attraction has an Express Line.

Not everything has an Express Line, but most do. One very popular ride that doesn’t is Hagrid’s.

11. Wear the Right Clothing and Shoes

One of the most important Universal Studios tips for 2023 by far. I wore a dri-fit t-shirt and shorts that dried quickly because I knew that we would be getting on the water rides.

I also wore my Chacos ZX3 sandals . They’re comfortable and do so well with water.

Comfortable shoes are a must. If you don’t plan on riding the water rides then I would go with sneakers. I’ve actually put together a whole list of the best shoes for theme parks if you need some new ones!

My Chacos are super comfy and did well when we walked 6 miles. Our last day we walked 12 miles though and my feet were hurting pretty good at the end of the day.

12. You Can Bring in Some Food

shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage in a paper tray

Here is one of the ultimate budget tips for visiting Universal Studios. You can bring in snacks and food that you don’t have to heat. What you cannot do is bring in a picnic lunch with a main course and sides.

I would highly recommend bringing some snacks and if you really want to watch your budget then take sandwiches for lunch. A good ol PB&J will always do the trick.

You are also allowed to bring up to two liters of water into the park. We brought in two water bottles each and that was plenty for us.

If you buy tickets in advance you’ll save a bit from what you would pay at the gate. It won’t be huge savings but everything adds up. Again, check with Undercover Tourist to buy your Universal Studios park tickets .

You can also see if Express Passes are discounted if you buy them when you purchase admission tickets.

I loved having my tickets on my phone in the Universal App. It was super convenient and I didn’t have to keep up with any extra pieces of paper.

More Universal Orlando Tips and Tricks 2023

14. you must have the 2-park ticket to ride the hogwarts express.

If you want to ride this then be sure you purchase the 2-park ticket! Honestly, if you want to save money you can purchase the 2-park ticket for one day only and do individual parks for the rest of your stay.

The Hogwarts Express is a must for any Harry Potter fan. Be sure to take the train both ways as the video is different depending on which station you come from.

15. Choose the Right Accommodations

Staying on the resort property would be nice, but it’s very expensive. Sometimes the included perks are worth it though. Undercover Tourist also sells hotel packages where you can sometimes find a deal!

For example, I’ve heard that one of the hotels within Universal Orlando Resort will include Express Passes for your whole family if you stay on their property. Depending on the size of your family this might be worth it.

We stayed at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort which is on the Walt Disney World Campus. It isn’t part of the Disney Resorts though so the weekly price is much cheaper.

I’ve also written a complete Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Review if you want to know what to expect. This is sometimes an overlooked Universal Orlando tip!

16. Universal has Free WiFi

This will save your data plan if you connect to the free WiFi. It doesn’t require a password but if you don’t have an Xfinity account you’ll have to enter your email and zip code.

There is good coverage throughout both parks and most of CityWalk.

17. Buy Souvenirs Before You Arrive

Hogwarts Castle in Harry Potter World.

This is mainly for Harry Potter World but can apply to other sections of Universal.

Many people love wearing Harry Potter shirts and cloaks. You can buy these on Amazon before your trip for much cheaper.

There are also necklaces, scarves, and so much more sold in the park. The prices really are outrageous so if you can buy them ahead of time I would do that.

The one thing I would buy in the park is the interactive wand if you want that. It is really cool to do the magic in the park.

My sister got Snape’s wand for $58 but I didn’t want to pay that much.

18. You Don’t Have to Buy Your Wand at Ollivanders

Everyone wants to visit Ollivanders to buy their wand which can make the line incredibly long. There are so many other places to buy a wand though.

In Diagon Alley you can visit Wands by Gregorovitch when they are open. You can also go to Knockturn Alley into Borgin & Burke’s if you want a dark wizard’s wand.

In Hogsmeade you’ll find a cart between Hogwarts and the shops where you can buy wands. You’ll also find wands at Dervish and Banges.

19. How Many Days Should You Spend at Universal Studios Florida?

People walking under a bridge with the message "The Adventure Lives On."

I would say three at the very least. It takes a day or two just to get your bearings – especially if you haven’t made a plan. We didn’t make a good plan and we spent most of the first two days walking around figuring stuff out.

If you can make it on Tuesdays or Wednesdays those are the best days to visit too. Weekends are absolutely horrendous for crowds. I would hate to see the place when they weren’t limiting access.

Hopefully these Universal Orlando tips and tricks will help you take advantage of all your time there!

20. Visit During Shoulder Season

Unless you have to visit during the school breaks, I would make it a point to avoid those. You’ll spend your whole vacation waiting in line.

According to the Undercover Tourist, the best times to visit Universal over the next couple years will be weekdays during September through December with September being the best.

Our visit was in April and I’m sure the crowds weren’t bad compared to the summer months when school is out.

This is totally dependent on your preference. Do you plan on bringing a picnic and re-entering the park? Do you plan on buying souvenirs? Playing arcade games? Alcohol?

Another thing to think about is the CityWalk. Will you eat or shop here? The main extra expenses that you’ll have inside the park are food and souvenirs.

I would budget $60 per person per day especially if you’re doing two meals in the park. That will likely get you a snack too.

For souvenirs, I recommend setting a budget before you go. For example, I knew the only thing that I wanted was a refrigerator magnet and possibly a Christmas Tree ornament so my budget was around $25 for souvenirs.

Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Orlando for 2023

Okay here are some new things to do at Universal Studios plus some oldie but goodie memorable experiences that we had.

Number one – the Jurrasic World Velocicoaster is open! This looked like an absolutely epic ride so if you are a big coaster fan then check it out.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure TM , Escape from Gringotts TM , Revenge of the Mummy, Rip Ride Rockit TM , and the Hulk Coaster were our favorite rides. Again, these are for the big roller coaster fans!

Check out at least one of the shows while you’re here – they do a great job! Universal keeps a list of all the current shows.

Make sure to allow some time to explore city walk. It really is an attraction to itself. Grab some doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnuts where you can skip the line if you order on the Universal Studios app.

Do you love seasonal events? Then plan a trip to Universal around Halloween, the Holidays, or Mardi Gras! Check out their event list for other things throughout the year.

For Harry Potter fans, make sure you visit Hogsmeade at night if they are doing the light show at Hogwarts TM . They don’t do this every night though so ask an employee when you visit.

Oh and make sure you check out the Knight Bus TM right outside of Diagon Alley. Across from the bus, you’ll see 12 Grimmauld Place and if you hang out a bit you can catch Kreacher peeking out the window.

Make sure you eat all the Butterbeer in as many different ways as you can. Check out the Three Broomsticks for the atmosphere and Mythos is an award-winning restaurant in the park.

How to Get to Universal Studios Orlando

If you live in the southeast then you may consider a road trip to Orlando so you can drive to the park. Depending on where you live, Orlando is also a cheap place to fly into.

You can either fly into Orlando and rent a car or contact your hotel to see if they have a shuttle service from the airport. This will save you money, especially if you are staying at a Universal hotel.

Ubers are plentiful around Orlando in case you need to go somewhere other than the park. If you aren’t staying on property, many local hotels have a shuttle service that will take you to the park.

This just means you are at the mercy of the shuttle schedule or you’ll have to take an Uber depending on when you want to arrive and leave the park.

Other Things to Do Near Orlando

Here are a few fun things to do in Orlando or for day trips!

Museum of Illusions Ticket

Kennedy Space Center & Everglades Safari

Helicopter Night Tour Over Orlando Theme Parks

Crystal River Manatee Swim

Wekiva River Guided Kayak Tour

Things to Do in Everglades National Park

Where to Stay in Orlando

If Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek isn’t what you are looking for then check out the other Orlando hotels at the link below!

✅ Orlando Hotels on Booking.com ✅

WRap Up: Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando

I know that was a lot of info but I hope even one of these tips will help you! The most important tips for Universal Orlando are to figure out how to skip the crowds whether that is planning your vacation in the off-season or getting the Universal Express Passes and make sure you remember these budget tips!

I hope you’ll have a fantastic trip in Orlando and you’ve found these Universal Orlando tips for 2023 helpful.

Do you love theme parks? Here is a list of the best theme parks in the US !

Pin for later!

Looking for Universal Studios Orlando planning resources? These are my top tips for Universal Orlando in 2021!

Anna is a North Carolina native who grew up traveling the southern US with her family. Now she is a full-time travel blogger who loves providing trip inspiration and travel tips for traveling the US. Want to know more? Read my full story here.

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There are some really handy tips here! I visited a few years ago and we had tickets that lasted for 2 weeks as part of our holiday package and I really enjoyed the park.

Oh wow! That is really nice. It is such a fun park to visit.

Great tips! I heard they’re doing awesome deals on season passes too! I really want to go to Volcano Bay!

Thank you! Yes, they have some really good deals going right now. We didn’t make it to Volcano Bay but I’m sure it’s great!

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How to Do a Universal Day If You’re Staying at Walt Disney World

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

It’s no secret: Disney World isn’t the only theme park in town! Orlando is also home to Universal Studios, a theme park complex that features Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and other iconic franchises.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

For many Disney World goers, it might be tempting to do a “Universal Day” during your trip!

If you’re planning to head over to Universal Studios during your Disney World trip, here’s everything you need to know!

Universal studios 101.

Let’s start with the basics. Universal Studios Orlando has two theme parks — Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure — one water park — Volcano Bay — and a Disney Springs-like shopping and dining area — CityWalk.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Universal Studios Park is one of the two theme parks at Universal and features rides like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Revenge of the Mummy.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

In this park, you’ll find areas like World Expo, San Francisco, New York, and Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, which was the second Harry Potter area to be built at Universal Orlando.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Islands of Adventure is the other park at Universal Studios and has rides like Flight of the Hippogriff, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic Park: the Ride, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

In this park, you’ll find areas themed after Marvel, Dr. Seuss, Jurassic Park, King Kong, and Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade, which was the first Harry Potter Area to be built at Universal Orlando.

Click Here to See The Ten BEST Rides in Universal Studios Orlando!

Both parks, as well as Volcano Bay & CityWalk, are all VERY close to each other, so you don’t need to worry about making any long treks between parks.

Click Here to See 13 Things a Disney Fan Needs to Know Before Visiting Universal Orlando

Much like Disney World, you’ve got a few options for park tickets! The 2-Park ticket allows you to visit both Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure , similar to Disney World’s Park Hopper. At the time of writing, these tickets were $164 per adult and $159 per child for a single day, 2 park ticket.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

For a 1-Park ticket , you’ll pay $109 per adult and $104 per child , but you’ll only be able to visit one park.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Express Passes are a ticket add-on that is similar to Lightning Lanes in Disney World. These allow you to use express lines at every ride in the park and there are two versions: the Universal Express Unlimited allows you to skip the lines as many times as you want, while the Universal Express Pass lets you skip the lines once per ride. For the 2-Park Express Passes , it’s $119.99 for Unlimited and $89.99 for regular per person. 

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

For a 1-Park Express Pass at Universal Studios , it’s $109.99 for Unlimited and $79.99 for regular. 

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

A 1-Park Express Pass at Islands of Adventure is $109.99 for Unlimited and $79.99 for regular as well.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Make sure to do your research ahead of time and budget for the best choice!

Now, we’ll preface this by saying that you shouldn’t expect Disney-level food from Universal Studios, but there are still plenty of good spots at both parks and CityWalk!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Some of our favorites include Mythos in Islands of Adventure, Confisco Grille in Islands of Adventure, and Lombard’s Seafood Grille. There are also a good amount of great Quick Service options, including Butterbeer and the Lard Lad Donut!

Click Here to See More of Our FAVORITE Universal Studios Food!

Two of the biggest reasons to stay at Universal Studios’ hotels are the convenience and the perks! The convenience is from their location: they’re all very close to the parks, like walking distance close. The perks are from the free Express Passes and the early entry into the parks! Let’s take a look at the seven Universal Studios hotels.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Universal Studios has one Value Resort complex. The Endless Summer resort is actually two value hotels in one: Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn . The best part of these hotels is their price tag: rooms can easily be under $100 per night! 

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Next are the Prime Value Resorts , which are a step up from the value resorts in quality and price. Aventura and Cabana Bay are the Prime Value Resorts, with Cabana Bay being a very cool resort experience. It has a bunch of retro goodness, including V05 shampoo in the shower and a bowling alley!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Next up is the Preferred Resort , which is a step up from Prime Value but not quite the cream of the crop. The Loews Sapphire Falls is the Preferred Resort and features a calming atmosphere and one of our favorite bars on property, the Strong Water Tavern .

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Finally, there’s Premier Resorts . These are the fanciest of the fancy at Universal Studios and include Loews Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and  Loews Portofino Bay . The Loews Royal Pacific and Loews Portofino Bay are two beautiful ocean-themed resorts, with South Sea and Italian themes respectively. The Hard Rock Hotel is like a Hard Rock Café on steroids, with tons of great atmosphere and memorabilia!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

All the hotels have their own unique perks and quirks, so definitely do plenty of research before you make your pick!

Click Here to See the Best Parts of Every Universal Hotel!

The universal studios app.

Just like the My Disney Experience App in Disney World, you’ll need the Universal Studios App for your trip! It’s not particularly easy to use, but it can help with Virtual Queues, Mobile Orders, maps, and more!

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

We recommend downloading it ahead of time and familiarizing yourself with all the ins and outs of the app.

Picking the Right Day

Like we said before, it might be worth it to stay at Universal Studios. Whether or not you’re staying on property, it’s pretty important to choose the right day to go to Universal.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you’re staying on property, it might be a good idea to do your Universal day on the first or last day of your Orlando trip since you won’t have to go all the way from a Disney hotel to a Universal hotel and then back to a Disney hotel. That way you don’t waste a whole day of your Disney trip getting back to Disney World, checking into your resort, and dropping off all your stuff.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

If you’re not staying on Universal property, we recommend not planning anything at Disney World on the same day as your Universal day. In fact, you might not want to get Disney park tickets on your Universal day (chances are that you won’t want to go to Disney World on the same day as Universal).

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Even if you’re not staying on Universal property, you might want to still do your Universal on the first or last day of your trip because it can be a bit of a tiring endeavor to travel to Universal and back. That way you’re either on your way out or you still have plenty of time to recover and enjoy Disney World.

Getting There and Back

You’ve got two major options for transportation between Disney and Universal: driving or rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft, etc.). Both have their advantages. Driving gives you control over when you come and go from Universal, but you’ll have to park in the big parking structure and have to drive back and forth between Disney & Universal, which can be inconvenient. Plus, if you have to rent a car, you’ll have the potential hassle of that experience as well.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Rideshare is convenient because it lets you simply hop out of the car and start your trek to the parks! However, it’s less reliable than having a car because you’ll have to wait for a car to arrive. Plus, rides can end up being pricey from Universal to Disney, so it might end up being cheaper to get a car.

It’s All About Timing

When it comes to Universal Studios, it’s all about timing. Right now, both parks open at either 8AM or 9 AM depending on the day. Universal Studios Park closes at some time between 5PM and 9PM depending on the day, while Islands of Adventure closes some time between 7 PM and 9 PM depending on the day.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

As you can see, Universal’s hours are a little bit less stable compared to Disney, so be sure to research ahead of time. If you’re driving or using a ride-share app to get to Universal from Disney, you’ll need to factor in travel time. If you’re parking in the garage, keep in mind that you have to walk all the way through CityWalk to get to the parks.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Also, factor in the amount of time it will take to get back to Disney. You don’t want to be half-asleep trying to drive across Orlando, so remember to factor in all the time it takes to get back to your resort.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

That’s all you need to know to do a Universal day while you’re staying at Disney! We’re keeping up with all the latest theme park news, so stay tuned for more!

Click Here to Reader Reviews of Universal Studios’ Attractions!

Join the allears.net newsletter  to stay on top of all the breaking disney news you'll also get access to allears tips, reviews, trivia, and more click here to subscribe.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 

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The Real Steal - Disney & Universal COMBO TICKET + FREE GATORLAND ADMISSION!

The Real Steal - Disney & Universal COMBO TICKET

The Real Steal - Disney & Universal COMBO TICKET

Child age range: (3-9).

Please select first date of use from the calendar below!

Disney World and Universal Combo Ticket 14 Day Pass - 9 Parks Total

Please make sure you check park availability before booking your tickets., the real steal combo - know before you go....

  • PLEASE ENSURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT START DATE FOR YOUR TICKET

View the latest park availaiblity here: Disney Park Calendar

*Disney tickets will be issued within 5 working days via email as an official Disney voucher. Vouchers include a unique 12 digit confirmation to link to My Disney Experience. More information on this is included on the FAQ tab of the ticket.

*On receipt of your voucher you can link them immediately.

Keep up to date with the safety measures and requirements in place at Walt Disney World , and Universal Orlando Resort ,

ENJOY FREE GATORLAND ADMISSION TICKETS FOR EACH PERSON BOOKED - VALID FOR 2024 DEPARTURES ONLY

Gatorland admission: • Includes all day admission to Gatorland to see thousands of alligators and crocodiles! • 110- acre theme park and wildlife preserve • 3 amazing shows: Gator Jumparoo, Alligators - Legends of the Swamp show and the Up-Close Encounter • Animal exhibits includes: Rare Leucistic White Gators, Florida Panthers, Bobcats, a free-flight aviary, petting zoo and more! • Gator Gully Kids Splash Park

Single admission to Gatorland Orlando valid for use in 2024

The Disney & Universal Combo Ticket is a combination of 2 tickets, the Disney 14 Day Magic Ticket and the Universal Orlando 3 Park Explorer Ticket. Visit all Disney and Universal theme parks, including Universal Studios, and Disney's Magic Kingdom.

A Disney and Universal ticket is the perfect purchase to have fun and make memories with family and friends on a holiday full of laughter, love and happiness. Experience the roller coasters, rides, shows, shopping, and slides at Disney and Universal theme parks, and immerse yourself in the parade, fireworks, and world of Disney characters.

This COMBO is made up of two seperate tickets:

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Fourteen days of admission to:

* Magic Kingdom  Park

* Hollywood Studios

* Animal Kingdom  Theme Park

* Blizzard Beach  Water Park,

*T yphoon Lagoon  Water Park,

* Oak Trail Golf Course –  greens fee only (tee time reservations are required and subject to availability),

* ESPN Wide World of Sports  Complex (valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge).

Plus a visit to the following on each day of the Ticket:

* Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course  or  Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course  (If  Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course  is visited,  Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course  may not be visited on the same day. If  Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course  is visited,  Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course  may not be visited on the same day. Valid for one round per day. The round must start prior to 4:00 p.m.

*PlayStation® Pavilion at  ESPN Wide World of Sports  Complex (Valid for 30 minutes of play time per day, on days when the PlayStation® Pavilion is operating)

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Adult ticket includes Disney's Memory Maker which is valid for the duration of the ticket. 

With Memory Maker, your whole family can be in the picture at  Disney PhotoPass  locations—plus select attraction and dining locations—throughout Walt Disney World Resort. All of the photos you take are magically yours forever, like memories of your family posing together in front of Cinderella Castle, screaming down Splash Mountain, hugging Mickey Mouse and so much more.

Forget about having to purchase each photo individually—you can get digital copies of them all.

Best of all, you can relax and be in the moment with your family—confident that our Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture your vacation memories.

Full terms can be found here -  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-experience-terms-conditions/  under the heading Memory Maker

14 days of unlimited admission from when you first use the ticket to:

*Universal Studios Florida

*Universal’s Islands of Adventure

*Universal's Volcano Bay

*Universal CityWalk®

This ticket allows park-to-park access. Includes free access to select live entertainment venues at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk entertainment complex (must be 21 or older for some venues).

Universal Orlando Resort is one of the best attractions in Florida, and we have ticket packages and combo passes to give you the ultimate experience.

Disney Water Parks are subject to seasonal and weather closures. Only one water park will be shut for maintenance at any one time.

Parking is not included.

Universal Ticket expires 14 days after the date of first use and Disney ticket 18 days after the selected start date.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE - We cannot accept returns of any Disney tickets once they have been issued to you - Disney tickets are 100% non-refundable once issued. We strongly advise travel insurance that covers attraction tickets.

Related pages : Orlando Flex Ticket | Universal Tickets UK | Disney Tickets UK | All Combo Tickets

Its massive, it’s magnificent! The Walt Disney World Resort covers over 47 square miles. There are 4 major theme parks,  Magic Kingdom  Park ,  Epcot ,  Disney’s Hollywood Studios  and  Disney’s Animal Kingdom  Theme Park . There are also 2 waterparks,  Disney’s Blizzard Beach  and  Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.  On top of all this, there is also a fantastic shopping & night time entertainment complex  Disney Springs .  ESPN  Wide World Of Sports Complex  is 200 acres of sporting action.This ticket is perfect for your trip to Walt Disney World. Where value is concerned, look no further than the Disney 14 day Magic ticket. Offering complete flexibility to visit all that Disney has to offer over a 14 day period.

The 14 Day Magic ticket gives unlimited admission for 14 days to the following parks:

Disney's Magic Kingdom  Park

Disney's epcot, disney's hollywood studios, disney's animal kingdom  theme park, disney's blizzard beach  water park*,, disney's t yphoon lagoon  water park*,.

*Water Parks are subject to seasonal and weather closures. Only one water park will be shut for maintenance at any one time.

You can also enjoy the following resort benefits:

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service designed to create your best Disney day. Built as a new digital service in the My Disney Experience app, Disney Genie service will maximize your park time, so you can have more fun. It includes a personalized itinerary feature that will quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day. From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars , thrill rides and more—just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you.

Here are a few more features:

  • Get Itinerary Updates from Morning to Night : Disney Genie will continue to update your itinerary throughout your day, so you can be more spontaneous and go with the flow.
  • Find Your Favorites at a Glance : Create your very own personal tip board to instantly see your favorites. It will display current AND forecasted future wait times, helping you predict when you might experience quicker entry to attractions.
  • Enjoy More Flexibility and Fun : Disney Genie brings existing planning features together in one place. Join a virtual queue at certain attractions, make dining and experience reservations, mobile order food at many locations, get help from a virtual assistant and more.

For even more convenience and flexibility, there are 2 other options for enjoying the theme parks, through a queue system called the Lightning Lane entrance that also saves you time in line:

  • Disney Genie+ Service (Available for Purchase only through Disney Genie) : Prices ranging from  $15 per day, per ticket at Walt Disney World Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day—from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falco n: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). This convenient option is the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort. Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories—augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort. The option to purchase this additional feature is available from 7am on the day of park visit only through the Disney App.
  • Individual Attraction Selections (Available for Purchase only through Disney Genie) : Schedule a time to arrive at up to 2 highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance—like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch. The option to purchase this additional feature is available from 7am on the day of park visit only through the Disney App.

Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions like Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance—to maximize flexibility.

To learn more about Disney Genie, please click here: https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/genie/information/

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

Adult ticket includes Disney's Memory Maker which is valid for the duration of the ticket. ( WORTH $169! )

Best of all, you can relax and be in the moment with your family—confident that Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture your vacation memories.

Ticket expires 18 days after the date of first use.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE - We cannot accept returns of any Disney tickets once they have been issued to you - Disney tickets are 100% non refundable once issued. We strongly advise travel insurance that covers attraction tickets.

For all the latest updates and information about planning for your upcoming trip to Walt Disney World Resort we recommend you visit the following page*

https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/experience-updates/

*Launches external website operated by Walt Disney World

Enjoy fourteen  (14)  consecutive days of unlimited park to park access to Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, the all NEW Universal’s Volcano Bay™ water theme park, and select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk™.  Hogwarts Express is included with this ticket.  This ticket is not available at any park’s entrance.

The ticket includes admission to the following parks

At the world’s premier movie and TV based theme park you’ll experience the magic and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™, be transformed into a Minion on Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™, crash through Krustyland on The Simpsons Ride™, and join the battle on TRANSFORMERS: The Ride–3D.

Take an unforgettable journey through uniquely themed islands where your favourite adventures come to life. Help save the city on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, escape the jaws of a T. rex on the Jurassic Park River Adventure™, and experience the new Skull Island: Reign of Kong™

Water is Life. Life is Joy. That is the mantra by which the fabled Waturi islanders have lived on their Pacific isle for centuries. And now you can live the Waturi way at Universal’s Volcano Bay™, an all-new, adventure-drenched water theme park like no other, filled with both thrills and relaxing indulgence. Here, there’s no standing in long lines. No wrestling with tubes. No waiting for the fun to begin. Which means you spend more time drifting leisurely down a winding river, plummeting down a tropical volcano, catapulting into pools of blue water, and reconnecting with your family.

This is where it all comes together. The one place where the dining tastes of every member of the family and entertainment everyone can enjoy all intersect. It’s everything you’re looking for. And anything but ordinary. Universal CityWalk™, The Epicenter of Awesome.

**The Universal Orlando™ 3 Park Explorer Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, Universal’s Volcano Bay™ Water Theme Park, and select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk™ (“CityWalk”) on all days during a fourteen (14) consecutive calendar day period which includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used. The ticket will expire in full on the expiration date printed on ticket.  Unused days shall be forfeited.  TICKET EXPIRES 14 DAYS FROM ACTIVATION

Parking is not included

The above Admission Media is non-transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days. Standard entry includes biometric scan. Valid only during normal operating hours. Parks, attractions, or entertainment may: close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather or special events; change operating hours; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of Universal Orlando Resort (“Universal”). Unless otherwise stated, does not include admission to separately ticketed events at any of the Universal theme parks or within any of the CityWalk venues, Universal Cinemark, or Hollywood Drive-In Golf™, and parking or discounts on food or merchandise. Some CityWalk venues require ages 21 or older for admission. Valid Photo ID required. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.

Here are some answers to the most asked questions. If you can't find the answer here then you are welcome to speak to our sales team.

For all the latest updates and information about planning for your upcoming trip to Universal Orlando Resort we recommend you visit the following page*

Universal Orlando Resort

*Launches external website operated by Universal Orlando Resort

OrlandoAttractions.com now only operates using E-Tickets and Vouchers. This method is fast becoming the norm and are is very secure. We also believe as the parks introduce the use of more advanced technology that physical tickets will soon become a thing of the past and we want to take the leap in that direction. Here are some great reasons why this is the right time to make this change:

  • E Tickets can easily be re-issued or re-printed if lost or misplaced. (Not so the cardboard ones when the dog’s eaten them, or they’ve been through the laundry!)
  • Most Orlando E-Tickets are gate-ready and can be scanned off your mobile phone or a simple printout.*
  • E Tickets are in widespread use at concerts, sporting events and theme parks - we love that.
  • E Tickets are environmentally friendly - we really like that.
  • E Tickets are touchless - paper tickets have to be handled and packaged by our staff and handled again by a courier service - let’s stop that.
  • E Tickets allow us to offer even lower prices than we normally do - our competitors won’t like that!

Please always check the FAQ section to find out what type of e-ticket or voucher you will receive.

*Some e-tickets / vouchers require exchange. This currently includes Walt Disney World tickets which require exchange at Guest Relations at the first park you visit, Disney Springs, or any Disney resort hotel.

  • Description
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  • E-TICKET INFO

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

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' class=

I know that the parks arent in close proximity to each other and most hotels dont offer transportation to the other parks. What would be the best way to approach this vacation? We were planning to stay at one of the Disney hotels which have free transportation to the parks and also to/from the airport.

Would it make the most sense to stay at a Disney Hotel for the full 7 days? We werent planning on getting a rental car , so what would be the best way to go to the Universal parks each day?

My second option was to do 4 nights at one of the Disney hotels, then do the last 3 night at one of the Universal partner hotels. Would this route make sense? What would be the best way to get from the Disney Hotel to the Orlando one? How much would a cab ride be? (rough estimate)

My last option is to get a deal through Costco, which includes a rental car but not one of the partner hotels, so you dont get the perks associated with them. I like the idea of staying at the partner hotels to get the additional perks, like early admission etc.. Also, is one day per park enough? We are big disney fans and i have not yet done any of the Orlando parks. I have also desperately wanted to do the "world of harry potter," so in your guys opinion would one day be enough? or do you think 2 days for that park would work better?

Any help with our planning would be greatly appreciated!!

' class=

Disney has four "major" theme parks....

There is easily enough to keep you busy for a very full day in each; I'd recommend two, in fact. And, as you've already worked out, there is much to be said FOR staying in a Disney hotel, at least for the duration of your Disney visits. (So....four days, or skip a park or two!)

It would NEVER be my choice to effectively "waste" a day moving hotels mid-trip. By the time you've packed up before checkout time, and checked out; moved your stuff to the next place, left it with the hotel, and then reserved enough time later on to check in and unpack again.....you don't have much left for entertainment.

In terms of getting from Disney to Universal, there is a good value combined ticket and transportation offering: http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/

If you already have admissions, then it can be done by public bus for $2 but it's indirect and takes about 90 minutes. Or a taxi, or a shuttle, far quicker. Either of the latter will be substantially more costly than the transportation element of the combined deal above.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

JMHO, but if you stay in a Universal resort with Express you should be able to see both Universal parks ( Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) in two days.

If we had seven nights I'd probably book 5 at a Disney resort and two at Universal. The downside is that, unless you move to Universal mid-trip and then back to Disney, you'll lose your Magical Express back to the airport.

You could take the ME to the airport and pick up a rental to use for the rest of your trip. I've picked up a rental at the Dolphin (on Disney property) at the end of the WDW portion of my trip before heading over to Universal in the past.

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

You may want to add an extra day as there are 4 Disney parks. Your itinerary sounds good in my opinion and gives you a full day at each park to take in the sights. I would get a guide to the attractions so you have an idea of the layout and which attractions you're most interested in.

The 4 days at Disney hotel and 3 at Universal could work if you don't mind changing resorts. However why don;t you check the websites or give a call to hotels to find out the cost of cabs or hired shuttle to the parks versus the price difference in hotels. If it's significantly more expensive for a different hotel just to take advantage of transportation...then might make more sense to stay put at one and take cab or paid shuttle. Then again there are early entrance advantages and unlimited express rides at Universal if you are a guest. If you don't stay at a Disney or Universal hotel, you won't get the guest benefits that both offer...although you might save money on accomodations. There would also be the cost of airport shuttle, which is free if you stay at Disney. Lots to think about...decisions, decisions!

I've done the Disney resort-Universal resort transfer quite a few times and it doesn't take me anything like a day. I am an early riser and don't really spread my stuff out though-tend to live out of the suitcase. I usually have Express check out at Disney so I load up the night before, get up early, drive over to Universal, get checked in and am at the Universal parks for opening.

It's worth it to me for the Express and resort perks :-)

I looked at that website for Tickets with transfers and they seem pretty pricey. It would be over $400 for 2 day tickets for each of us. The Disney Hotel we are looking at staying is the one of the Port Orleans /Carribean hotels. If we were to take a cab each day from the hotel to Universal and back, any idea of the distance and cost?

Do you know if any of the Universal hotels have free airport transfers, and also how far is Universal Studios from the Airport?

Universal Hotels have No Free Transport

Be sure to check back for discounts, you can book now directly with Disney or an Offical Disney Agent such as http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com and then Modify later to include any new discounts ( can't change things up much if you book with on line sites such as Expedia, Orbitz etc )

A Taxi from Disney to Universal is $35 - $50 oneway depending on Resort Location, Disney is 47 square miles Big :)

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I am doing 5nights Disney and 3 nights Universal this summer. I am using Tiffany towncar service for the transfer. It's $115 for a van to take me from Disney Resort to Universal Royal Pacific and then Univ. to airport.

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Easy this. Stay at Disney and travel to universal via taxi (or another alternative) and buy the express passes otherwise you will be queuing a lot.

Many people go to both Universal and Islands of Adventure (where Harry Potter is located) in one day. We only planned on IOA, and went back to Disney by 2:30 in the afternoon.

The longer you stay at Disney, the less expensive the tickets. I would buy 8 day tickets, not much more than 4 day tickets. Free transport, dining plan option, EMH, etc.

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Disney vs. Universal: A Complete Comparison of Both Parks

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

When it comes to planning an epic theme park vacation, perhaps you’re trying to decide between Disney vs. Universal and are wondering about their similarities and differences.

After all, as two of the most iconic and talked about theme parks in the United States, both destinations provide an incredible, action-packed family vacation experience ( at a cost! ).

In this article, we’ll compare Disney vs. Universal by looking at their similarities, as well as the 9 major differences that set these family theme parks apart from one another.

Having been to both Disney and Universal, we’ve got a handle on all of the things you need to know to decide which is the better choice for you and the type of vacation that you’re looking for.

Either way, family fun awaits!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.   For more info, see disclosure.

Check out all of the similarities between Disney World vs. Universal Orlando!

Table of Contents

Disney vs. Universal

Though many people debate, “Which is better, Disney vs. Universal?” that answer comes down to personal opinion.

Some even like to compare which theme park is more nostalgic or is better for families.

Once again, these answers tend to vary based on your family’s individual ages, interests, and whether your expectations were met when having visited there previously.

In our experience having been to both parks, however, there are multiple similarities, as well as 9 undebatable differences when comparing Disney World vs. Universal Orlando that we think are worth mentioning.

Though we are huge fans of both Orlando theme parks, our hope is that this comparison will help you decide which is best for you and your family.

And yes, we do share which park we prefer, and why, if you stick around til’ the end.

Let’s start by going over the basics of how both Disney and Universal are alike.

Check out all of the similarities between Disney World vs. Universal Orlando!

Similarities of Disney vs. Universal

Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are both located in Orlando, Florida, which is in the central part of the state.

Interestingly, they’re located only 9 miles down the highway from one another.

Both Disney World and Univeral Orlando sit on a gigantic plot of land that includes:

  • Theme parks
  • Water park(s)
  • A shopping/dining district

They both have something for everyone in that they offer a mix of thrill rides, slower rides, and entertainment – just in different ways.

Additional similarities of Disney vs. Universal:

  • Each has multiple theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort is made up of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Universal Orlando Resort is made up of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Epic Universe ( coming in 2025! ).
  • Both Disney vs. Universal have locations in California as well. There’s Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Universal Studios Hollywood located in Universal City, California.
  • Both Disney World and Universal Orlando have similar ticketing options in that they offer multi-day and park-to-park options. Also, the more tickets you buy, the less it will cost you in each park.
  • Their overall cost is comparable with Disney being a bit more expensive, however. Both Disney and Universal offer a wide variety of price points, designed to appeal to a wide range of budgets, however. A complete breakdown of our Disney World costs can be found here!
  • They each have waterparks associated with them. (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon at Disney, and Volcano Bay at Universal.)
  • There are nighttime shows and holiday celebrations at both.
  • They each have vacation packages available.
  • Both have convenient transportation systems for hotel guests.
  • Both have on-site accommodations ranging from budget to luxury that include exclusive perks for hotel guests. There are over 25 Disney World resort hotels, whereas Universal has 7 hotels.

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

Resort Perks

Disney World guests who stay at Disney Resorts receive perks such as first access to  Genie+ which is the paid option for shorter lines.

Advance dining reservations and extra magic hours are also a perk for Disney Resort guests.

Guests staying at  Universal Orlando Resort’s  premiere hotels get complimentary  Express Passes included with their stay.  

They are also allowed Early Park Admission an hour before day guests in the morning.

Differences Between Disney vs. Universal

Now, let’s take a look at the most obvious differences between Disney and Universal.

These are the sorts of things that might help narrow down your choices and make it easy for you to pick between one or the other.

1. The Castles

As a symbol of grandeur at each of the theme parks, both Disney and Universal feature an iconic castle that serves as a backdrop for family photo ops and fun.

Disney’s 189-foot-tall iconic landmark, Cinderella’s Castle , is located at the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan! Cinderella's Castle.

Though the general public cannot tour the castle itself, Cinderella’s Royal Table is located inside the castle and offers a high-end dining experience for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Located across from Cinderella’s Royal Table is the hugely popular Bibbidi Bobbiddi Boutique ( ongoing closure related to the pandemic ).

Here, children ages 3-12 can undergo a makeover to become a princess or a knight.

Likewise, the highly secretive Cinderella Castle Suite offers lavish overnight accommodations inside Cinderella’s Castle.

Unfortunately, The Cinderella Castle Suite cannot be booked, instead, it’s by invite only or via winning an occasional contest offered by Disney.

(Kevin Jonas, Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, and other celebrities have apparently stayed in this exclusive suite.)

Universal’s 150-foot tall landmark, on the other hand, is Hogwarts Castle , located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

Hogwarts castle is the main building of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft as featured in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter book and movie series.

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!  Hogwarts Castle.

Unlike Cinderella’s Castle, visitors can actually enter the castle gates and go inside Hogwarts Castle for a fully immersive experience.

Here, there are Harry Potter relics and corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that include locations such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Gryffindor common room.

The castle is also home to one of the most popular rides at Islands of Adventure , Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

This amazing 4D motion-simulator ride takes place on an enchanted bench. (That sits atop a highly technological robotic arm!)

2. The Theming

Disney and Universal are both theme-driven parks, meaning that their rides and shows are more about the characters and settings rather than physical thrills.

It is in the overall theming of the individual parks where you will find the biggest differences.

For instance, it goes without saying that Disney World features theming based on the nostalgic Walt Disney World franchise.

It strives for a laid-back vibe that appeals to everyone.

Universal Studios, however, features theming based on the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television.

The vibe here is edgier with more high-tech and thrilling rides.

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

At Disney, you can expect to see rides and shows based on the following:

  • Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald & Daisy Duck
  • Pixar (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles)
  • Disney animation (Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • James Cameron’s Avatar (Pandora – The World of Avatar)
  • Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

The best rides at Universal Orlando include these themes:

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Marvel’s Avengers
  • Jurassic Park
  • Fast & Furious
  • Transformers
  • The Incredible Hulk
  • Despicable Me, including the Minions
  • The Simpsons

3. Their Size

Disney World in Orlando is home to 4 major theme parks and covers 43 square miles of land.

As the same size as the city of San Francisco, quite simply Disney World is HUGE!

Disney World is comprised of:

  • Magic Kingdom
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Hollywood Studios
  • 2 major waterparks (Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon)
  • Multiple Disney hotels
  • Disney Springs shopping and dining neighborhood

Universal Orlando Resort is substantially smaller and consists of 3 major theme parks spread over 840 acres of land.

Transportation around the resort takes much less time due to its compactness and Univeral is considered to be more walkable than Disney.

Their size can be compared by viewing the following map (park sizes highlighted in pink).

Map of Orlando

Universal is home to:

  • Universal Studios
  • Islands of Adventure
  • Volcano Bay (water theme park)
  • Multiple Universal hotels
  • Universal CityWalk nighttime entertainment complex

Disney World’s larger size means that there is more to do, but there is also more ground to cover.

You need at least 4 – 5 days in your Orlando itinerary to get even close to a full experience, and it requires A LOT of walking.

Universal Orlando, however, is smaller which means there’s less to do, but it’s easier to maneuver around.

A minimum of 2 – 3 days is needed for a complete visit.

4. The Thrill-Factor

Some people will say that Disney World is for families with young kids and that Universal Orlando is better suited for families with older children and teens.

We happen to feel there is some truth to this in that now that our kids are older, they prefer Universal Studios vs. Disney World.

The only actual evidence to support this is that an average of 11 rides per park at Universal has height requirements, whereas an average of 5 rides per park has height requirements at Disney.

(Height requirements are necessary for thrill rides that require harnasses and typically involve height and force.)

Because of this, one of our top tips for visiting Universal is to study the height requirements for your favorite rides ahead of time.

In addition, prepare your smaller children for the rides that they are, and are not going to be tall enough to ride to avoid meltdowns once there.

While there are still plenty of attractions that kids can do at Universal, these attractions are not Universal’s strong suit, whereas many of Disney World’s classics are perfectly suited rides for children and toddlers .

5. Skip the Regular Line Options

(As one of the many Disney changes related to the pandemic, Disney’s FastPass reservation system is gone. Universal continues to offer their Express Pass option, however.)

One of the biggest differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios is their ‘skip the regular line’ option.

Disney is notoriously known for incredibly long wait times for its headliner attractions.

The previous system of allowing guests to choose 3 rides of which to skip the regular line ( known as FastPass ), has been gone since the beginning of the pandemic, and will not return.

Disney Genie+

Instead, FastPass has been replaced by Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane Passes.

Disney Genie+ is a ticket add-on purchased through the My Disney Experience app that includes Lightning Lane access to more than 40 attractions.

For $15 per person per day at Walt Disney World guests gain Lightning Lane access to rides including Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom; Mission Space, Spaceship Earth and Test Track at Epcot; Slinky Dog Dash, Rock n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Dinosaur, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

In addition, Disney is now offering the purchase of individual Lightning Lane Passes for top-tier attractions not included in Genie+.

The list includes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After at Epcot, Rise of the Resistance, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.

Attraction prices range from $7-$15 per ride; prices and ride offerings vary by the day.

Universal Express

The ‘skip the regular line’ option at Universal Orlando is called Universal Express.

Universal Express is also a ticket add-on, meaning that it’s an additional cost to standard park tickets (prices vary by date and expected crowd levels).

The add-on can be purchased ahead of time, once you’re in the park, or comes free when you stay at a Universal Premier Resort.

The purchase of a Universal Express pass allows you to use the Universal Express line, for the entire day, at most of the attractions at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

The number of Express Passes available on a given date is limited, however, so it is recommended to purchase them ahead of time.

* Read all about Universal Express and why we think that Universal Express Pass is worth it when visiting Universal Orlando!

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

6. The Locker System

Another huge difference between Disney World and Universal Studios is their policy for taking personal belongings onto rides.

Every ride at Disney offers the ability to stow your personal belongings and Disney park bags at your feet while riding a ride.

This is a huge bonus when wanting to bring in backpacks stocked with water bottles, lunch, and other Disney touring essentials in that you don’t have to pay to store them while going on rides.

Most rides at Universal, however, do not allow personal belongings (including backpacks) to be brought onto the rides. In fact, understanding the locker system at Universal Orlando is key to avoiding frustration and confusion when touring there.

Along with paid lockers at the front of the park, each ride has either free or paid lockers based on the size of your backpack or bag.

In other words, if you’re looking to save money, only bring in a backpack or fanny pack that fits into the complimentary lockers.

Here’s exactly what we pack in our  Universal Studios day bag  that is just enough, but not too much.

7. The Entertainment District

Both Disney World and Universal Orlando have awesome shopping, dining, and entertainment districts that feature some of the best things to do in Orlando .

The difference is in their proximity to the parks, and on what they offer.

Disney Springs

Disney’s entertainment district is called Disney Springs.

Disney Springs is located 2.5 – 6 miles from each of the Disney parks.

This equals a 10 to 20-minute drive depending on where you’re driving from.

The best things to do at Disney Springs involve browsing their specialty shops, dining at restaurants, and riding in the world’s largest tethered helium balloon (and many more fun attractions!).

Universal CityWalk is the name of Universal Resort’s dining and shopping district.

You actually have to walk through CityWalk in order to enter both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, meaning that the shops and restaurants there are much more accessible than at Disney Springs.

Universal CityWalk lives up to its nickname as “the epicenter of awesome” as there are literally so many fun things to do at CityWalk .

Likewise, there are more restaurants here than you would ever be able to experience in one visit!

Check out our list of the top restaurants in Universal Citywalk , as well as what we order at each place when we’re there!

Additional planning tip: In my opinion, Disney focuses more on their dining experiences inside of the park, whereas, the best restaurants and dining experiences at Universal are located in CityWalk.

8. The Parking

At Disney World, each of the four theme and two water parks has its own outdoor parking lot. The parking lots are huge, and they all have separate entrances.

Trams cycle through the parking lots offering rides to the park entrances, otherwise, it is a 5-15 minute walk from the parking lot to the park.

Cost: Regular parking is $25/day (parking is good for all day and you can go to other parks).

At Universal, there’s one gigantic covered parking complex for day guests visiting Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Citywalk, and/or Volcano Bay.

Once parked, escalators and moving walkways bring you into the transportation hub.

Here, you will find security checkpoints, restrooms, vending machines, and souvenirs.

From the Universal transportation hub, it is a 15-minute walk to get to any of the theme park entrances.

Cost: Regular parking is $27/day.

9. The Customer Service

Both Disney World and Universal Studios focus on providing a seamlessly top-notch guest experience.

They operate very similarly when it comes to high standards of customer service and professional staff members.

You will definitely notice a difference in the way that the opposing staff members make you ‘feel’ however, as each park has a different approach to its corporate culture and marketing approach.

Disney employees that work at Disney Parks or Disney Stores are called Cast Members .

Cast Members are trained to be as positive and as nice as possible, as well as to bring Disney to life for their guests.

Most cast members have lanyards for trading Disney pins with guests, as well as are encouraged to be interactive with guests in order to promote feelings of nostalgia.

They can be identified by costumes mimicking the rides, vests with bowties, or brightly colored polo shirts.

Universal employees are called Team Members . They too are trained to provide an enjoyable and memorable entertainment experience for their guests.

It often seems that Universal Team Members are hipper and edgier as well as have a more hands-off approach to the guests in order to mimic the action-packed atmosphere here.

They don’t necessarily have the same warm-fuzzy feeling as Disney Cast Members, but it fits with the ambiance of the park.

Universal Team Members can be identified in colored polo shirts, costumes matching the ride’s theme, and staff name badges.

9 Differences between Disney World vs. Universal Studios from Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan!

Which Should I Choose, Disney vs. Universal?

Disney World…calling all Mickey and Star Wars fans?

Universal Orlando…calling all comic and Harry Potter fans?

I firmly believe that neither Disney World nor Universal is better than the other.

You literally cannot go wrong in choosing either – they are both awesome!

I will say, however, that I like the overall atmosphere better at Disney, but the overall ride experiences are better at Universal.

If I had to choose only 1 park to go to out of all of them it would be Magic Kingdom – simply for the Disney nostalgia, and the opportunity to say, “I’ve been to Disney World”.

Deciding between Disney vs. Universal really comes down to the factors that you’re looking for and comparing, and what appeals to you and your family.

My suggestion would be to do both parks on different occasions if you have the time and the funds.

Make your Disney World vacation all about Disney since it takes longer to see all of the parks.

Combine your Universal vacation with some days at the beach , or go there for a long weekend since it takes fewer days to do all of Universal.

For a point of reference, our 3 boys were ages 8, 10, and 12 when we visited Disney World in Orlando.

They were ages 10, 12, and 14 when were went to Universal Orlando for the first time.

These ages worked for us, and we wouldn’t change a thing as we felt they were at the perfect ages for both.

We appreciated having visited Disney first when the kids were a bit younger and then visiting Universal when they were older and tall enough to go on all of the rides.

Do you have a preference between Disney World vs. Universal Studios? I’d love to hear your take! Jen

If you liked reading about Disney World vs. Universal Studios , click here to get our free touring plans:

Universal Orlando Touring Plans:

  • Universal Studios Touring Plan: 1-Day Itinerary
  • Islands of Adventure Touring Plan: Complete 1-Day Itinerary

Disney World Touring Plans:

  • 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary: A Perfect Day At Disney
  • 1-Day At Animal Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Family Touring Plan
  • One Day Itinerary for Epcot: Family Touring Plan

* Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

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Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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While I love the details in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, for me nothing tops or comes close to Disney magic!

Yes, for many, that Disney magic is unbeatable 🙂

This is a great summary of the differences between Disney and Universal. Our family prefers Disney (probably because none of us are keen on thrill rides) but we always include a day trip to Universal for Harry Potter!

Thank you! Yes, we love both too! But you’re right…Universal is more about the ‘thrills’ 🙂

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Disney vs. Universal: Which Theme Park Is Right for Your Next Trip?

Carissa Rawson

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Table of Contents

The main differences between Disney vs. Universal theme parks

Disney vs. universal, recapped.

The Disney and Universal resorts are complete with theme parks, restaurants and other attractions. On the surface, the two can seem pretty similar: Both offer rides themed around movies, both have options for adults and children, and both have locations in Florida and California.

However, the experience you’ll receive at each resort will differ greatly. Let’s look at Disney versus Universal, including the types of attractions at their theme parks and the prices you can expect to pay for each.

Disney and Universal may have a lot in common according to the average theme park attendee, but there are two big differences that you’ll notice right away.

The first is that Universal tends to focus more on thrilling rides. It has massive roller coasters that far exceed anything Disney has to offer, especially because Disney focuses on more family-friendly attractions.

The second is that Disney doesn’t feature non-Disney intellectual property for its theming. Instead, it relies on its vast catalog of content to create rides and lands for guests to enjoy. This is not the case for Universal; its parks rely on elements from several studios for attractions.

» Learn more: How to budget for a family trip to Disney

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

(Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)

Disney has 12 parks in six locations spread across the globe:

Anaheim, California:

Disneyland Park.

Disney California Adventure.

Orlando, Florida:

Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Walt Disney Studios.

Tokyo Disneyland.

Tokyo Disney Sea.

Hong Kong Disneyland Park.

Shanghai Disneyland.

» Learn more: The best ways to buy Disney tickets

Attractions

Disney tends to focus on attractions the whole family can enjoy. While there are plenty of rides for those of all ages, there are also a whole host of other things to do. These include live-action shows, sing-along events, drawing lessons, Broadway-style theater, character meet-and-greets and more.

If you’re more of a fan of larger rides, there are still some options. Though huge thrill rides aren’t Disney’s forte, you’ll still see large roller coasters, drop towers and simulated flying experiences. These are fewer in number than other attractions but well worth the wait.

» Learn more: How to save on your Disney vacation

Food and beverage

Gone are the days when theme park food was relegated to the greasy, overpriced hot dog and crusty french fries. Although still expensive, Disney has spent the past few decades revamping the meals it serves to guests.

This means you can take some time out of your day to enjoy a meal at a fine steakhouse, watch teppanyaki being cooked at a Japanese restaurant, taste the gray stuff at the Beast’s castle or drink California wines on a Tuscan terrace.

Of course, it’s still possible to enjoy the standard turkey leg and churro, but this is an option rather than a necessity.

The cost to visit a Disney theme park is going to vary greatly depending on which one you visit. In the U.S., expect to pay upward of $104 for a single-day ticket to Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

» Learn more: Is Disneyland cheaper than Disney World?

best way to visit disney world and universal studios

(Photo courtesy of Universal Studios)

Universal has a smaller footprint than Disney, with six parks spread over five locations:

Burbank, California:

Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Florida.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Singapore.

Osaka, Japan:

Universal Studios Japan.

Universal Beijing Resort.

Although Universal has its own share of family-friendly rides, it does differentiate itself from Disney with much more thrilling attractions. This can be seen with roller coasters such as the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which has won several awards.

Universal is also home to the "Harry Potter" franchise and has done an admirable job designing Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, complete with the ability to ride the Hogwarts Express.

Though Universal does have some shows and character meetings — such as taking a photo with a velociraptor — as a whole, its parks focus more on attractions rather than other types of entertainment.

» Learn more: How to travel to Orlando on points and miles

While Universal is doing its best to catch up with Disney on the food and beverage front, it’s still not quite up to par. Universal has a few good restaurants — especially those in the "Harry Potter"-themed areas — but for the most part, the food will be what you expect in a theme park.

One notable exception is Mythos , which is in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This restaurant continues to win awards for best theme park restaurant, beating other park restaurants worldwide.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The cost for Universal tickets is also going to vary based on which park you’re visiting and when. However, in the U.S., tickets for the Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood start at $109 for one day.

» Learn more: How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios?

Disney and Universal may have a lot in common in that they offer theme parks in multiple locations around the world. However, the experience you’ll get with either brand is going to differ.

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. Along with better food options, Disney provides a range of nonride attractions, including the ability to meet some of its most famous characters.

(Top photo courtesy of Universal Studios)

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best way to visit disney world and universal studios

SheBuysTravel

Disney World vs. Universal Studios: Which Theme Park is Best?

W hen it comes to planning a vacation to Central Florida, many first time visitors start their vacation planning by asking: Walt Disney World vs Universal Orlando Resort, which is best? The quick and easy answer is: it depends.

Here we take a hard look at the similarities and differences between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort so you can decide which parks is best for your next theme park vacation.

What are the Similarities Between WDW and Universal?

The fact that the family-friendly Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are both in Orlando, Florida, is just the first thing they have in common.

The two theme parks have quite a few similarities. Some that may even surprise you!

Food Options are Endless

There’s no reason to get hangry at Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World. If you can think of it, you can bet it is on the menu at one of the theme parks.

While burgers, chicken fingers and French fries are ubiquitous, both parks also offer unique dishes such as turkey legs, barbecue, even sushi.

Both parks have a variety of quick-service restaurants, where you can order at the counter, then find a table to eat with your group.

For a more relaxed dining experience, both theme parks have casual dining options with reservations, servers and a more refined menu.

Signature dining experiences exist in each of the parks with sophisticated menus and dress codes — and the hefty price tag that comes with fine dining.

Both theme parks host festivals throughout the year with food menus themed to the events. Disney’s popular EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival each fall shows off an international menu, while Mardi Gras season at Universal Orlando brings themed kiosks with Cajun delicacies and desserts.

Ticket Options for All Budgets

When it comes to buying tickets for both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, the main similarity is that there is no “cheap” option. Both theme parks allow you to buy a “park hopper” ticket that entitles you to visit more than one park in a day.

Annual passes are available at both parks; the more affordable annual passes have blackout dates and fewer amenities. For Florida residents, annual passes are available with a payment plan option that allows buyrs to pay monthly. Also for Florida residents, both parks typically offer seasonal promotions with ticket offers.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re considering an annual pass, you’ll want to read this thorough look at the pros and cons of a Disney annual pass .

Variety of Accommodations

Both Universal and WDW offer a variety of hotel options, from budget to luxury. In general, the budget or “value” hotels will be basic hotels located farther away from the theme parks and the luxury resorts will have more perks and be closer to the action.

All of the on-property resorts have pools, a must-have amenity for cooling off and having fun after a long day at the parks.

At Universal, the higher-priced Hard Rock Universal hotel , is just a short walk or ferry ride away from the parks, the rooms are luxe, the pool is massive and the swanky Mandara Spa is on site. Plus, staying there gets your whole family Universal Express Passes for the parks (more on that in a minute).

The more affordable retro-beach-themed Endless Summer Resorts are located two miles from Universal Orlando with bus transportation to the parks.

At Disney, the luxurious Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a short walk or ferry ride away from Magic Kingdom Park, there are numerous pools and a spa on site. Budget (or “value”) hotels include Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort , All-Star Movies Resort and All-Star Music Resort , where rooms are smaller and transportation to the Disney parks is by bus.

Need a deeper dive into Disney hotel and Universal hotel options? We can help! Here’s our list of all of the Disney resort hotel options and the off-property Disney hotels closest to the amusement parks. And here is our list of the best resorts close to Universal .

What are the Major Differences Between WDW and Universal?

Now, let’s look at some of the differences between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

Line-Jumping Ride Passes

Interested in skipping the standby line for rides? It is going to cost you!

Walt Disney World Resort sells line-skipping access known as Genie+ . (It replaced the former Fastpass system.) Buying the Genie+ entitles you to use the My Disney Experience app to schedule the time you want to go on certain rides or meet Disney characters.

The price of Genie+ varies depending on peak seasons and days of the week. This system has it critics. There’s a limit on the number of activities you can schedule each day and not all rides and experiences are included — those require yet another fee.

Universal Orlando offers two line-skipping options known as the Express Pass:

  • Universal Express, which allows you to skip the line once per attraction
  • Universal Express Unlimited, which allows you to skip the standby line an unlimited amount of times.

Guests can gain access to the Express Lanes in three different ways:

  • Purchase the Express Pass add-on at ticket kiosks located near the front of the park when you arrive at the park each day. (We recommend this option unless you are visiting Universal during the busiest times, such as school holidays. Here’s the full report on why you should almost never buy a Universal Express Pass before you arrive at the park.)
  • Buy the Express Lane add-on when you buy your park tickets.
  • Stay at a Universal Orlando Premier resort — the Loews Royal Pacific , Loew’s Portofino Bay Resort , Royal Pacific Resort or the Hard Rock Hotel . We highly recommend this option, especially if you’re traveling with kids. The price of a Universal Express Unlimited Pass can add up quickly. But with this major perk, you get the unlimited pass from check-in day to check-out day. That means you could stay one night in a Premier class hotel and get two days of Express Lane access for your entire family. It pays to crunch the numbers; the pricier room might be a better deal!

Theme Park Ticket Prices

While no theme park ticket is cheap, ticket prices can vary between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

At Disney, you pay more for a park ticket during the peak seasons of summertime and winter holidays and on weekends. Looking for the cheapest Disney World ticket? Visit during off-peak times, such as a weekday in early November. It can save you money and allow you to do more at the parks thanks to smaller crowds.

Universal Orlando Resort park tickets cost the same, no matter when you visit.

The way to save a little on per-day ticket costs at both Disney and Universal is to buy multiple-day tickets, with park hopping and admission to the water parks — Volcano Bay at Universal and Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon at Disney.  

SheBuysTravel Tip: Whatever park ticket you choose, buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the park’s ticket windows upon arrival. Buying tickets in advance allows you to go straight to the turnstiles at the entrance to the parks, giving you more time having fun in the parks!

Where Can I Buy Discount Theme Park Tickets?

Searching online for discount theme park tickets can feel overwhelming. It’s important to make sure you’re buying from a reputable website. Our SheBuysTravel team recommends Get Away Today for discount theme park tickets and Universal and Disney World vacation packages.

If you ever find park tickets cheaper, Get Away Today won’t just match the price, the company will beat it! Great customer service is another reason why we recommend Get Away Today . From buying your tickets to planning your vacation, the company helps you every step of the way.

Park to Park Convenience

When it comes to park hopping — visiting more than one theme park in a day — Universal makes it easier since it has only two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, located within easy walking distance of one another. At Disney World, the four theme parks are spread over 40 square miles. That can mean spending many precious minutes traveling between parks.

Here’s how to park hop at each:

  • Universal. At the more compact Universal Orlando Resort, you can just walk the two-tenths of a mile through Universal CityWalk to get from one theme park to the other. But the more exciting way is to take the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. It’s the more magical way to transport yourself between the two halves of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
  • Walt Disney World. The most common mode of park hopping transportation is via the free Disney bus system . But you can spend a lot of time waiting for the right bus to come along. Other transportation options can be faster, such as traveling between EPCOT and Magic Kingdom via the monorail and traveling between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT via ferry, the Skyliner tram or a scenic walking path. Bus transportation is the only free Disney option for getting to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you’re willing to pay, you can take an Uber, cab or one of the cute Disney Minnie Vans.

WDW vs. Universal: The Rides

From kiddie rides to the thrilling coasters, both parks have an assortment of ride options, some with height requirements and some available for anyone to ride .

Some of the rides are even comparable in style. At Walt Disney World, the classic Dumbo ride takes riders in a circle, allowing them to control the height of their elephant. At Universal Orlando, the ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’ ride is similar in design, except riders sit in fish as they circle around flying high and low as they go.

The more thrilling rides at Universal Orlando include the roller coasters Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Incredible Hulk Coaster, while Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts combines technology with a roller coaster.

At Walt Disney World, the more thrilling rides include Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, the Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Expedition Everest and Avatar’s Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

WDW vs. Universal: The Characters

At Walt Disney World, you can find characters throughout the park with a schedule of meet and greets found in the My Disney Experience mobile app. Many of them have established spots specifically for autographs and photo opportunities.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh, Star Wars characters, Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz and an assortment of Disney princesses — there is no shortage of Disney characters. Because there are established locations to meet the characters, wait times can be quite long.

At Universal Orlando Resort, characters can typically be found roaming around the parks with no set place for photo opportunities. There is no character listing in the Universal Orlando mobile app, which makes the meet and greets feel like a more spontaneous experience. Bonus points: That also means the lines and wait times for a photo opp tend to be shorter.

Universal characters include Spider-Man and other Marvel superheroes, the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, Popeye, the Simpsons Family of characters, Minions, Beetlejuice and Dora the Explorer.

When it comes to planning a vacation to Central Florida, many first time visitors start their vacation planning by asking: Walt Disney World vs Universal Orlando Resort, which is best? The quick and easy answer is: it depends. Here we take a hard look at the similarities and differences between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort so you can decide which parks is best for your next theme park vacation. What are the Similarities Between WDW and Universal? The fact that the family-friendly Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are both in Orlando, Florida, is just the first...

IMAGES

  1. 50 Things you Must Do on any Disney/Universal Studios Orlando Vacation

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

  2. Ultimate Guide to a Walt Disney World/Universal Trip

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

  3. Complete Guide When Traveling From Disney World to Universal Studios!

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

  4. Ultimate Guide to a Walt Disney World/Universal Trip

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

  5. Best Times to Visit Disney World & Universal Orlando

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

  6. Ultimate Guide to a Walt Disney World/Universal Trip

    best way to visit disney world and universal studios

VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Combine a Disney World and Universal Orlando Vacation

    Two of the most popular vacation spots are the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. With only a limited number of vacation days, many families wonder how they can fit a visit to both of these destinations in one trip. The good news is that it may be easier than you think!

  2. Universal Orlando Trip Planning Guide (2024)

    With two parks and one water park, we think a good length of time to visit Universal Orlando Resort is three full days, one in each park or one full day in each theme park plus a day split between the two theme parks.

  3. How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

    Liberty Square with Cinderella Castle in the background How Many Days for Disney and Universal? Overall to enjoy a Disney World and Universal Vacation you will need to consider at least a 14 day vacation to fully enjoy both resorts and all the theme parks. 10 Days for Disney World and 4 days for Universal.

  4. How to Get From Disney World to Universal Studios

    The parks have no incentive to make getting from Disney World to Universal Studios easy, so you'll have to rely on third-party transportation options.

  5. 2024 Universal Orlando Planning Guide

    By Tom Bricker Planning 296 Comments Our 2024 Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure planning guide offers park & ride strategy. It features tips & tricks to help you save money & time, avoid crowds, and have the best vacation or side-visit from Walt Disney World as possible. ( Updated January 7, 2024.)

  6. Ultimate Guide to a Walt Disney World/Universal Trip

    This trip is absolutely possible. The question better falls along the lines of whether it's a good idea or not. A Walt Disney World vacation requires a lot of commitment. The Disney campus hosts four theme parks, two water parks, two entertainment districts, and a sports complex.

  7. Best Strategies for a Universal Studios/Walt Disney World Split Stay

    by David Mumpower · February 3, 2021 I know that you're a Universal Studios fan first and foremost. However, we all experience that temptation to mix things up during a vacation. Image Credit: Universal The next time that you head to Orlando, you might even want to visit the two major theme parks in the area. And that's totally possible!

  8. How to Get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort

    Shuttle If you are staying at one of Disney World's on-property hotels, then another option would be to take a shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort. This is a popular mode of transportation, but, as you can see by our calculations, it's generally more expensive for your family than if you take a standard Uber.

  9. Planning Tips for doing Disney and Universal in ONE trip

    The two parks/one day pass is the only way to ride Hogwarts Express that takes visitors across both parks. We decided to see both of the Universal theme parks in one day and fully experienced both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, in addition to the other epic rides at Universal Studios. Before you go:

  10. TPG's complete guide to Universal Orlando

    The best way is often to get it included in your stay, as mentioned above. ... as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando has plenty for your family to see and do for several days. There are two theme parks, a water park and an entertainment, dining and shopping complex. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk are arranged in a ...

  11. 45 (Quick!) Universal Studios Tips Perfect For Your First Visit

    Parking & arrival Touring tips Rides & shows Food & beverage The Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips Universal Orlando on-site hotel perks Each of the tips in these categories is meant to give you a brief overview (hence 'quick tips') of the fun and important things to know when visiting Universal Studios.

  12. Walt Disney World & Universal in One Trip

    For Universal Studios you'll need at least two days in the parks, but three is ideal. And then add another day if you wanted to visit their water park. If you want to visit both destinations in one trip, there are two ways that I would recommend. If you just want to visit the two main Universal parks in one day, then I would stay at Walt ...

  13. Orlando 5-Day Itinerary Disney & Universal

    When hashing out the plan for your itinerary, don't forget to check out the Park Hopper pass at Disney and Park-to-Park tickets at Universal - both allow you to visit more than one park in a day. Skip-the-line options are also offered at both parks; Genie+ and Lightning Lane Reservations at Disney World and Express Pass at Universal.

  14. The BEST Ways To Get From Universal Studios To Disney World

    For example, the Staybridge Suites Orlando Royale Parc Suites shuttles guests to Disney World's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios as well as Universal Studios (and also SeaWorld ).

  15. How to plan a trip to Disney World in 2024

    With four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 on-site hotels, over 200 dining locations and more attractions, experiences, shows and shops than we can list here, the best way to build a magical Disney World vacation is with planning, preparation and realistic expectations.

  16. How To Get To Universal Studios From Disney World (Without A Car)

    Universal Studios to EPCOT - $18. Universal Studios to Hollywood Studios - $22. Universal Studios to Animal Kingdom - $24. Prices are based on an UberX for up to four people. Expect to pay an additional 20% to 30% for Uber Comfort and an additional 50% to 70% for UberXL (up to six people) or UberX Car Seat.

  17. 21 Top Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Orlando [2024]

    1. Get to the Parking Garage by 8:30 We got there at multiple times during our stay and by far the easiest time to get in the park was at 8:30. Since the park opens at 9 it seems like everyone wants to get there right then and there is a bottleneck effect.

  18. How to Do a Universal Day If You're Staying at Walt Disney World

    Islands of Adventure is the other park at Universal Studios and has rides like Flight of the Hippogriff, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic Park: the Ride, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

  19. Disney & Universal Combo Ticket (14 Days) 2024 & 2025 Book Online

    The Disney & Universal Combo Ticket is a combination of 2 tickets, the Disney 14 Day Magic Ticket and the Universal Orlando 3 Park Explorer Ticket. Visit all Disney and Universal theme parks, including Universal Studios, and Disney's Magic Kingdom. A Disney and Universal ticket is the perfect purchase to have fun and make memories with family ...

  20. Best way to do BOTH Disney and Universal

    Best way to do BOTH Disney and Universal 12 years ago Save Hey everyone, my wife and i were planning a trip to Orlando just to visit Universal Orlando and Disney world. We were planning to go in November and would be using miles for our flights.

  21. Disney vs. Universal: A Complete Comparison of Both Parks

    A shopping/dining district They both have something for everyone in that they offer a mix of thrill rides, slower rides, and entertainment - just in different ways. Additional similarities of Disney vs. Universal: Each has multiple theme parks.

  22. How To Get To Universal Studios From Disney World

    The first option is to book a traditional taxi or rideshare to Universal Studios. From Walt Disney World resort, the taxi would take you about 20 minutes. We don't generally recommend booking a taxi service, as these can be very pricey. Instead, most visitors opt to use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.

  23. Disney vs. Universal: Which Is Right for You?

    The cost to visit a Disney theme park is going to vary greatly depending on which one you visit. In the U.S., expect to pay upward of $104 for a single-day ticket to Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

  24. Disney World vs. Universal Studios: Which Theme Park is Best?

    Universal Orlando Resort park tickets cost the same, no matter when you visit. The way to save a little on per-day ticket costs at both Disney and Universal is to buy multiple-day tickets, with ...