Planning on visiting each Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World throughout your Florida trip? This weighs the professionals & cons, with an unbiased take a look at Universal v. Disney resorts primarily based on worth, perks, facilities, location, transportation, eating, and extra.
For many Walt Disney World followers who had been as soon as “bubble or bust!” may now discover themselves reevaluating that place, as loads has modified. The losses of on-site perks, starting from the QuickPass+ reserving window to scaled-back Extra Magic Hours to the Disney Dining Plan (nonetheless) being quickly suspended, have resulted in lots of WDW diehards venturing off-site.
Without query, the largest factor has been the demise of Disney’s Magical Express. By eliminating that airport transportation that was included in the price of Disney-owned resort stays, the corporate has voluntarily (and perplexingly) punctured the Disney bubble. Forced to take care of transportation regardless, many guests at the moment are questioning whether or not they need to merely keep off-site and go to Walt Disney World whereas staying at more cost effective lodging…
This is just not merely idle hypothesis. We know that is beginning to occur as a result of tons of of readers have instructed us that is what they intend upon doing. For many of those individuals, planning Florida holidays that embody visits to a number of theme parks, Universal Orlando’s lodges current a really enticing various.
For our half, we’ve stayed at each single Universal and Disney-owned resort, plus quite a few off-site and third get together lodges all through Central Florida. We have quite a lot of ideas on the Orlando lodging scene, the way it has remodeled in the previous few years, and the way it’ll proceed to evolve–however most of that’s past the scope of this submit.
For now, let’s cowl the present execs and cons of staying on-site at Universal Orlando versus at Walt Disney World…
Airport Transportation – With the demise of Disney’s Magical Express, neither Walt Disney World nor Universal Orlando have unique airport transportation included as a visitor perk.
See our Airport Transportation to Walt Disney World Guide for a rundown of the alternatives, that are roughly the identical for Universal Orlando.
Internal Transportation – Once on property at both Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, friends can use a supplied transportation between lodges, theme parks, and different areas on property. All of this transportation is complimentary (or constructed into the worth of their room). At each, transportation is a large benefit that may tip the scales in favor of staying on-site, eliminating the necessity for a rental automotive.
If selection is a promoting level, Walt Disney World has a larger vary of choices: bus, monorail, boat, Skyliner gondola, and even strolling. The effectivity of the transportation supplied to Walt Disney World resort resort friends is hotly disputed, and is essentially a results of the resort advanced’s sprawling dimension.
Universal Orlando has extra restricted choices: bus, boat, or strolling. However, it’s unquestionably extra environment friendly, with buses departing virtually one proper after the opposite and strolling between the lodges and theme parks being doable in any respect properties besides Endless Summer Resort. This is owing to Universal Orlando’s extra compact structure, which makes practically the whole lot accessible by foot, and bus turnaround instances sooner as a result of shorter commutes.
In our view, Universal Orlando is the simple winner right here. We’ve by no means had complications ready for buses, or with exceeding lengthy transit instances consuming up a major chunk of our trip. Transit at Universal is a breeze, benefiting from the condensed structure tremendously. Walt Disney World’s dimension is each a blessing and a burden–in terms of transportation, it’s the latter. If you’re on the lookout for on-site leisure, eating, or a ‘bubble’ from the actual world, it’s a blessing. Walt Disney World can be extra conducive to longer stays by advantage of its bigger scope and scale.
Extra Hours – Walt Disney World changed Extra Magic Hours, with Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours. Whereas morning Extra Magic Hours lasted for an hour at a single park per day, Early Entry is 30-minute entry to any Walt Disney World theme park. This is a pleasant head-start for on-site friends, and likewise unimaginable to keep away from for off-site friends.
Extended Evening Hours has a smaller pool of eligibility and happens much less continuously than Early Entry. It’s solely for friends staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club items), or different choose lodges (solely the Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Green). Extended Evening Theme Park Hours happen two nights per week in whole and lasts for two hours. It is vastly helpful to eligible friends, and minimally burdensome to those that will not be eligible since it could possibly simply be deliberate round.
Universal Orlando gives Early Park Admission to pick out points of interest at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida (specifically, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most of the people. Volcano Bay additionally gives 30 minute Early Park Admission.
Despite their period variations, the 2 early entry applications are fairly comparable to at least one one other. If you’re one of many first within the pack headed in direction of Jurassic World VelociCoaster or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance on a busy day, this will save a ton of time. In each circumstances, strains can construct for eligible points of interest fairly shortly.
If you’re taking a look at reserving increased tier resort, Walt Disney World will get the win right here as Extended Evening Hours are improbable and don’t have any counterpart at Universal Orlando. For everybody else, it’s roughly a wash.
Line Skipping – With the elimination of free QuickPass, there isn’t any longer a major on-site benefit in terms of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, outdoors of shopping for a la carte line-skipping entry to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
As of 2023, friends desirous to make the most of Genie+ and/or Individual Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World can anticipate to spend $16 to round $50 per individual, per day. The decrease quantity is in case you go to throughout a less-busy time and solely buy the Genie+ service; the upper quantity is Genie+ and an Individual Lightning Lane or two throughout peak season.
We would estimate that the typical on-site visitor will find yourself spending round $60 to $90 per individual for line-skipping at Walt Disney World over the course of their journey, relying upon crowd ranges. This assumes that they are going to not buy Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes once they’re not essential or helpful, and can make the most of savvy technique to beat the crowds. (See our Guide to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ for the whole lot you might want to know, together with when to purchase and not purchase line-skipping entry.)
By distinction, friends staying at Universal Orlando’s Premier Hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay) get free Unlimited Express Pass to skip the common strains at hottest points of interest in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This is Universal’s equal of QuickPass/Lightning Lanes, however higher. Unlimited Express Pass usually prices much more cash and, because the title suggests, it’s limitless. That’s proper, friends of Universal’s high tier lodges get infinite line skipping!
Unlimited Express Pass has a price of over $100 per individual every day, that means its worth may exceed the whole price of the resort (or at the very least the price of upgrading from a decrease tier resort). If you’re a celebration of 4, there’s a superb probability that’ll be true, as Universal’s Premier Hotels begin at beneath $300 per night time.
There’s a motive Express Pass usually prices greater than Genie+ and Lightning Lanes: it’s higher. Express Pass is frictionless, doesn’t require trip reservations, or any expertise in anyway. As famous above, it’s additionally limitless. See our full comparability: Universal’s Express Pass v. Genie+ at Walt Disney World for a full rundown on the professionals & cons of every.
While the whole lot else right here is important, Unlimited Express Pass is the promoting level for Universal Orlando’s Premier Hotels. If you’re household is stuffed with trip junkies and also you’ll do 2 days or extra at Universal Orlando, this one perk–by itself–is sufficient to justify at the very least a cut up keep between Universal and Disney. It’s large.
Service Quality – Diehard followers will let you know that Walt Disney World is extra magical due to the Cast Members. It is truthful to say that Disney attracts extra passionate workers, lots of whom purchase into Walt Disney’s legacy and the corporate’s core values. This can be aided by the College Program, which brings recent faces to Florida who typically espouse the above, and certain have extra enthusiasm by advantage of much less long-term publicity to friends.
However, the notion that there’s an throughout the board distinction between Disney and Universal workers is fake. This is to not denigrate or disparage Cast Members–on the contrary, many go above and past to make lasting recollections for friends. It’s extra a mirrored image of the fact that each are largely drawing from the very same labor pool in Central Florida and each face the identical staffing shortages.
While Disney’s benefits are mentioned above, Universal additionally has a few issues going for it. First, it enjoys a status as a greater employer in Central Florida. Not by a pronounced diploma, however sufficient of 1 that frontline workers who’ve labored at each are inclined to marginally favor Universal. Moreover, the strain felt by workers from Walt Disney World friends–who usually are higher-stress on account of planning burdens and the dearer trip stakes–additionally may help tip the service scale in Universal’s favor.
We’d additionally add that Loews (which operates the resorts at Universal Orlando) is a greater hospitality firm in terms of resort operations. Disney’s experience is in theme parks, and whereas there are particular person WDW lodges which are extremely well-managed, it’s clear that the core product is theme parks. Disney’s resort operations aren’t structured in a approach that loyal friends of chained-brand lodges may anticipate, and plenty of service options are unavailable or missing. Neither are on par with an upscale Hyatt or Hilton–however Loews is nearer.
Parking Fees – Walt Disney World stopped charging for in a single day resort parking in 2023, reversing an especially unpopular resolution made a number of years earlier. For those that drive or have rental automobiles, that quantities to a financial savings of $15 to $25 per night time, relying upon the resort tier.
Universal’s lodges had parking charges previous to Disney introducing the fees and nonetheless do at the moment after Disney has eliminated them–we anticipate nothing to alter. Universal’s self-parking charges are $15 to $28, with Endless Summer being most cost-effective and the trio of Premier Hotels being costliest. Cabana Bay can be on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum, whereas Sapphire Falls costs are fairly near the Premiers.
Resort Fees – Hidden charges have proliferated in recent times at off-site Orlando lodges that cost low base costs however have totals that may quantity to double that. Some are identified to cost non-optional resort charges for “wellness packages” (their time period, not ours) together with issues like web, newspaper, and bottled water. We can’t stand these resort charges and advocate you combat again in opposition to the extremely consumer-unfriendly follow.
Neither Universal Orlando nor Walt Disney World properties cost resort charges. Given the rising blowback in opposition to resort charges, we don’t anticipate both to introduce them. If something, different lodges will begin eliminating resort charges in 2023. (Either by alternative or by regulation.)
Theme & Design – Many friends love to remain in lodges which are an extension of the theme park expertise. Walt Disney World resorts provide a spread of distinct designs, from funds choices that scream “Disney” with icons from animated movies to upscale lodging with subtle and immersive environment. They have a further layer of element and storytelling to “transport” friends to a unique time and place.
In phrases of luxurious, Disney lodges typically don’t surpass their actual world counterparts, however they virtually all the time have a greater sense of place. It’s a really encapsulating expertise, and one of many massive promoting factors of on-site lodging at Walt Disney World.
Universal Orlando is not any slouch on this regard. A couple of of its resorts arguably are among the many high 10 themed lodges in Central Florida, and several other maintain their very own in opposition to Disney’s counterparts. In specific, Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, and Cabana Bay all execute their respective themes at a really excessive degree, providing a degree of depth and element on par with Disney.
The relaxation will not be weak by any stretch, however are inclined to favor operate over type. Their designs deal with a streamlined structure, consolation, and facilities–relatively than a transportive theme.
Comparing the Polynesian to Royal Pacific or Beach Club to Portofino Bay could make sense, as there are clear parallels and deliberate contrasts. The comparisons disintegrate when taking a look at Sapphire Falls v. Port Orleans Riverside. Their design targets had been radically totally different, every with distinctive however incomparable execs and cons.
One factor that’s notable right here is that Universal’s lodges are typically newer. Every single Universal resort was constructed inside the final 25 years–most inside the final decade. Some of Walt Disney World’s resorts had been constructed 50 years in the past–most are properly over a decade outdated. This is definitely not related from the angle of situation or put on & tear, however is when it comes to type and sensibilities. Many of Disney’s lodges are sprawling, with rooms in outlying buildings separated from the primary foyer. Most of Universal’s lodges are tower-style, all beneath one roof.
Rooms & Pools – This may appear to be an odd pairing, however it’s solely being accomplished as a result of these two very totally different, and crucial classes are additionally essentially the most hotel-specific. The solely generalization we’ll make is that Universal tends to do the decrease finish resort rooms higher and Disney tends to do the upper finish resort rooms higher (and bigger).
Rooms and swimming pools in any other case differ for every particular resort–confer with particular opinions for perception that’s really helpful. This is already going to be a protracted submit, and it’d be double the size for an exhaustive, across-the-board room and pool comparability.
Dining – This might be our greatest blind spot and supply of bias. We’ve eaten at each single Walt Disney World resort restaurant, most a number of instances. We’ve eaten at many–however removed from all–Universal Orlando resort eating choices.
There are some features of eating at which Universal Orlando resorts excel. Across the board, the espresso scenario is healthier. Food courts on the inexpensive lodges are extra bold and a greater expertise. Lobby bars are usually sturdy, and poolside eating is surprisingly sturdy at Universal lodges.
While Universal lodges are inclined to have quite a lot of restaurant choices, I’d argue that they lack selection. Virtually each meal we’ve had at Universal lodges could possibly be described as consolation meals. There are quite a lot of selections, however most are regional variations of that–even wonderful eating is usually simply dearer consolation meals, not delicacies that’s really bold or ingenious.
At one time, this was comprehensible as a result of Universal’s resort eating places provided considerably higher worth for cash. That’s nonetheless true to a level, however the hole has closed. In the final two years, we’ve observed menu costs bounce at Universal Orlando, outpacing even Walt Disney World eating places.
Pricing – Both are considerably insulated from off-site competitors. For guests who need the on-site location, a seamless expertise from their resort to the theme parks, rooms with particular themes, or sure theme park perks, there’s no actual various. Universal and Disney are thus in a position to cost greater than they may for the very same lodges plopped down in Duluth, Minnesota.
Of course, that’s greater than a bit disingenuous. If you relocated Four Seasons Bora Bora from its tropical over-the-water location to a corn discipline, or moved Hotel Shangri-La Paris so it didn’t overlook the Eiffel Tower, the identical could be true. There’s a motive resorts with views of Cinderella Castle fetch otherwise-astronomical costs, and it’s a well-established rule of actual property (“location, location, location!”). Whether this premium pricing for being in shut proximity to “the magic” is value it to you is a private query.
With that in thoughts, Walt Disney World is dearer than Universal Orlando at each single resort tier. For low season dates, the hole is just not notably pronounced between Endless Summer and the All Stars, however it grows bigger for extra well-liked dates and better finish lodges. At the mid-tier, Disney costs could be double Universal’s. At the highest tier, Disney typically costs triple or extra for comparable lodging.
In gentle of the above, the case could possibly be made that there isn’t any such factor as “comparable” between Universal and Disney since there isn’t a single resort at Universal with a view of Cinderella Castle or inside strolling distance of the preferred theme park on the earth. After all, location guidelines actual property. That argument is much less persuasive when evaluating costs of Saratoga Springs or Old Key West to Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific, although.
Editorializing a bit, I imagine that we’re at the moment dwelling by means of a halcyon age of Universal resort pricing. In lower than a decade, Universal has constructed 5 new lodges and practically tripled its variety of on-site rooms. During that very same span, the advanced added Volcano Bay water park and theme park attendance has elevated, however to not a proportional diploma–or something near it.
In half, this enlargement was probably overdue, satisfying among the demand from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s additionally probably that Universal Orlando aggressively developed its resort portfolio forward of theme park enlargement tasks with the expectation that demand and bookings would quickly comply with go well with.
Epic Universe is probably going considered as a game-changer for Universal Orlando’s standing as a vacation spot resort–three theme parks and a water park will entice many extra individuals to remain on-site. Simply put, demand has not but caught as much as resort growth.
It ought to go with out saying, however increased demand will end in increased resort costs. It’s not as if Universal is purposefully charging below-market charges as a result of the corporate needs to be extra truthful to theme park followers, or its leaders have been benevolently impressed by Walt Disney’s “dream” to supply inexpensive lodging to the center class. These are each ruthless multinational firms; companies don’t get into the Fortune 50 lately by being charitable in direction of shoppers.
If Universal may cost Polynesian costs for Royal Pacific proper now, they’d. But they can not (at the very least, not but), so they don’t. There’s prone to be some extent within the not-too-distant future when Universal Orlando’s theme park lineup has significantly extra drawing energy, and its resort costs will enhance consequently.
Personally, I wouldn’t be stunned if Universal’s high tier lodges common double their present prices in about 5 years, following the same trajectory to what has occurred with Disney resorts. If you’re on the lookout for sturdy worth, now could be positively the time to ebook Universal lodges–they’re arguably underpriced for his or her high quality, location, and perks.
February 2023 Update: This editorial was initially written final 12 months, and has already been at the very least partially vindicated. In pricing out stays at Universal during the last 12 months, we’re seeing efficient will increase (after reductions) of about 20% or so on common. Although Walt Disney World has additionally elevated rack charges throughout this time (by about 4%), they’ve additionally resumed providing higher reductions. That was not the case at this identical time final 12 months, that means that Walt Disney World’s efficient room charges have decreased whereas Universal’s have elevated.
If you’re a Walt Disney World diehard pondering that is some type of vindication: don’t. The hole continues to be fairly huge, and Universal is considerably cheaper on common. However, the ‘price chasm’ is closing. As Universal turns into extra well-liked and pulls resort friends away from Walt Disney World with the opening of Epic Universe, anticipate this development to proceed. What we’ve seen within the final 12 months is barely a small sneak peek of the longer term, and it’s nonetheless your finest guess to remain at Universal lodges now relatively than ready for 2025 to roll round…except you need to pay significantly increased costs!
Ultimately, our opinion is that Universal Orlando has made large strides within the final a number of years, and is now beating Walt Disney World within the scorching Orlando resort market. When it involves the professionals & cons of their respective lodges, and particularly with regard to worth, Universal resorts are extra compelling.
If you’ll be spending equal (or near it) time at Universal and Walt Disney World throughout your Orlando, Florida trip in 2023, it’s best to give severe thought to staying at Universal as a substitute of Disney–or at the very least doing a cut up keep. It ought to go with out saying, however in case you’re not visiting Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, you shouldn’t take into account Universal’s lodges.
Arguably, we’re “burdened” by previous expertise with the superior resort product that Disney used to supply (and at decrease costs), so it’s doable that our perspective right here is coloured by that. The case additionally could possibly be made that Walt Disney World is solely charging what the market will bear, and the market bears loads increased costs as a result of the underlying product is healthier or in increased demand. That could possibly be true, however it additionally could possibly be true that the status of Disney’s superior resort product was constructed previously, and is now coasting on its laurels to some extent. Perhaps all of that’s true to various levels.
There’s loads to think about when figuring out whether or not you need to keep at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando–or each. There’s nobody dimension suits all reply as to which is “better.” Different households may make very totally different choices primarily based upon what issues most to them–there’s actually no objectively proper or mistaken reply, it’s extra what you need out of your trip and the way you weigh the professionals and cons.
The subjective elements are virtually all the time going to be the overriding ones, which makes this comparability actually difficult. One benefit that makes Universal or Disney a no brainer slam dunk for one household may be completely irrelevant for an additional. Which is best for you is essentially a matter of desire and trip priorities, however hopefully this submit offered some issues so that you can weigh and make the choice for your self. At the tip of the day, competitors between the 2 advantages shoppers, so even when Universal is a “hard no” for you, it’s nice to see them so aggressively increasing in Central Florida.
Need journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Make positive to learn our Universal Orlando Planning Guide for the whole lot about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Also try our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For common updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and rather more, join our FREE e mail publication!
Your Thoughts
Do you usually keep at Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? What are your key issues when figuring out the place you keep? If you’ve beforehand been loyal to WDW, are you contemplating Universal (or different off-site) lodges to your subsequent Florida trip? Do any of the promoting factors above tip the scales in favor of 1 or the opposite? Anything we’ve missed or accomplished inadequate justice? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!