My love of Disney parks is deep and devoted. But I’ve discovered that Universal Orlando has much to offer Disney fans!
I was a huge Disney fan from a young age. I remember seeing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the movie theater. (Not the 1952 release – I’m not quite THAT old!) The scary trees in the forest terrified me! Tinkerbell fluttered across the screen of my childhood living room while Mr. Walt Disney himself introduced the Wonderful World of Disney on TV. This was also a re-run because Walt Disney died before I was born. But even in college I was going to the movie theater to see newly released movies like the The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Alladin.
But my love of Disney parks did not begin until 2014. Sure, I enjoyed the trip my family took to Walt Disney World in the early 1980s. I had a great time visiting Disneyland for an afternoon when attending a conference in LA in the early 1990s. And I absolutely loved the trip that Amanda and I took to Walt Disney World in the early 2000s. But in 2014 I planned my first family vacation to Walt Disney World. Something about that vacation – or perhaps the planning process for that vacation – hooked me! Since then, I’ve traveled to a Disney park somewhere in the world just about every year.
I love so much about Disney parks. The atmosphere and attention to detail in the parks is amazing. I enjoy the charm of the rides that have been there since I was young. But I also love that the thrill rides aren’t too thrilling. They are just right for kids and aging moms! But what I love most is Disney trip planning. Planning every part of the vacation in advance is a necessary evil of Disney parks. There’s nothing that I love more than (over)planning every moment of every day when I travel!
In contrast, Universal intellectual property has never enchanted me. I have little history with most of it. Universal rides are big and scary and largely screen based. I worry about motion sickness. Finally, I knew I couldn’t waste time at Universal when there was so much at Disney to do!
But I’ve discovered 4 reasons why Disney fans like me can love Universal!
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Immersive Lands & Rides
Most of the intellectual property at Universal doesn’t capture my imagination. I can take or leave DreamWorks Animation films, I have never seen any Fast and Furious movie, and I don’t watch The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. My grandmother might have appreciated Toon Town, but I doubt it. I even think the highly acclaimed Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride is overrated. However, there are several lands that do fit my interests and honestly blow Disney away in comparison.
First, the Jurassic Park area in Islands of Adventure is wonderful. I love the huge gates leading to the land. The Jurassic Park Discovery Center is reminiscent of the first movie that I enjoyed so much, and the River Adventure river raft ride is a lot of fun. The Pterandon Flyers ariel ride is a novelty (remember to take a child with you – adults are only allowed with kids under 54″). You can also come face to face with a “real” raptor! But the most amazing thing in the land is the Velocicoaster. While my thrill ride days are largely behind me now, this is one amazing roller coaster that I’ll repeat any day!
Another favorite in Islands of Adventure is Skull Island: Reign of Kong. I enjoy the recent King Kong movies, and coming face-to-face with a massive King Kong head is thrilling. The queue of the ride is amazing, although I like it best when the scare actor isn’t present to jump out at me. Although props to Universal for this added touch!
I also love the Islands of Adventure Lost Continent land. There aren’t any rides in this land, but there are two shows. Poseidon’s Fury is filled with fun special effects. And I love interacting with the Mystic Fountain. When’s the last time you talked to a fountain and it talked back? But the best part of the Lost Continent is the theming – you truly feel like you are in a lost continent.
The Brendan Fraser Mummy movies are some of my favorite, so I really enjoy the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster based on those films in Universal Studios Florida. Plus who can resist the E.T. Adventure ride in the same park? Talk about childhood memories!
But the absolute best reason for Disney fans to love Universal is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience. Fans of Harry Potter books or movies MUST visit Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. From casting spells with an interactive wand to taking the Hogwartz Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, you are transported into the Wizarding World. Now I know what Butterbeer tastes like, how it feels to ride Hagrid’s motorcycle, and how to exchange money with a Gringotts Bank goblin.
Nice Digs
At Disney I can only experience the lobby of their deluxe resort hotels. Pricing at $600+ a night is too rich for my blood! But at Universal, I can experience nice digs for a lot less. I have stayed at Lowe’s Royal Pacific Resort several times at a very affordable rate. But even if you want to spend a little less money, there are great options. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has awesome retro theming, a lazy river at the pool, and even a bowling ally! For even less, you can stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. All of these hotels are better but cost less than their Disney equivalents!
Walk-On Rides
Disney has created a disaster with Lightening Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, paid skip the line services. You used to be able to reserve three rides per day in advance of your trip at any Disney World park for free. Now you have to pay $15-40 per day per person for the same privilege, get up at the crack of dawn to reserve your first three rides, and drain your phone battery the day of your trip looking for more passes. To top it off, not all rides are included and you must pay an extra fee to skip the line!
Universal Express Pass
In contrast, Universal has Express Pass. This pass lets you skip the line at most rides in the park. Better yet, you can get an Express Pass for FREE when you stay at one of the Universal Premier Hotels. This includes Lowe’s Royal Pacific Resort, Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel, and Lowe’s Portofino Bay Hotel. You can get the Express Pass on both your check-in and check-out day. Since you can do most things at Universal in two days, simply staying at the more expensive hotel for one night to get the pass makes sense!
If you don’t stay in one of these resorts, you can purchase an Express Pass separately. Prices are based on predicted crowd levels, and it’s expensive. That’s why I usually recommend staying in one of the Premier Hotels. But it’s worth it to crunch the numbers to see if staying in a cheaper hotel and buying the Express pass is more cost effective. I generally think an Express Pass is worth it, even if you have to buy it. Skipping the line at every ride allows you to spend less time in the parks and more time enjoying your resort (or sneaking in a side trip to Disney!).
Single Rider Lines
Another way Universal shines is the availability of single rider lines. Single rider lines are available for those who can and don’t mind riding an attraction alone. They use the single rider line to fill in the space around other groups of people so that the ride vehicle never departs partially empty. Universal has 10 attractions across it’s two parks that offer single rider lines. Disney World, in contrast, only has 4 single rider lines across four parks.
Special Events
A final way that you can be guaranteed walk-on rides is to buy tickets for the Orlando Informer Meet-Up event. Instead of buying park tickets for a few days, you can purchase tickets for this after-hours event and be guaranteed low crowds and short wait times. I attended this event with my daughter in November 2021, and we loved it. I honestly think it may be one of the best ways for Disney fans to experience Universal Orlando Florida!
Less Stress
Going to Universal is less stressful than going to Disney World for many reasons. It’s smaller and easier to hop between parks. Everything is close together, including the hotels. You can fit everything into two days if you want to, but there’s enough to do to spend 4-5 days if you like. While I love to plan a trip, the Express Pass and single rider systems makes detailed planning unnecessary. Dining reservations are available, but they don’t completely disappear once your 60 days in advance window opens like at Disney. Simply put, you can decide to go to Universal at the last minute and have a great trip with no planning. That’s a great feeling! Stressed out Disney fans will love Universal for this reason alone!
What do you love about Universal Orlando Resort?
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