Is Universal Better Than Disney?

Something that has been debated for a while amongst theme-park goers is the question of which one is better - Disney or Universal?  

To be honest, Disney has my heart and I won't ever be able to say that I think Universal is better.  However, depending on your family and situation, Universal might be a better fit for you.  I love all things Disney but I admit I'm pretty much a little kid when it comes to that stuff.  I know a lot of people that prefer Universal and today I'll talk about a few reasons why that might be the case.  Even I have to admit that in the following areas, Universal has the edge!

1 - Security Process

I am all for stringent security at the parks - I really do feel safe there and that's worth a lot.  But in this area, Universal wins hands down.  They have an almost airport like security area in which you send your bags through an x-ray machine and then you go through the metal detector.  When we visited, it was first thing in the morning and we were through security in a matter of seconds.  Also, since it's at the entrance to CityWalk, you go through once and you're good for both theme parks and all of CityWalk until you leave.  

Disney does a thorough, by-hand, bag check.  It's time-consuming and sometimes a bit frustrating.  If only everyone understood the process and got ready before their turn it wouldn't be a big deal, but not everyone reads my blog!!  :)  They also have metal detectors and they randomly send guests through them.  We typically waited 5-10 minutes to get through, which isn't much, but I really loved Universal's streamlined process.  Plus at Disney, if you leave a park and go to another, you get to do the security process all over again.

Universal's Security Checkpoint 

2 - Proximity of Parks to Each Other

Universal is smaller than Disney which can be a great thing.  If you stay on property, you can easily get to both Theme Parks and all of the CityWalk entertainment on foot.  They do have shuttles and water-taxis but it's nice to have the option to walk if you don't want to do public transportation (Don loves this option).  

At Disney, if you want to go from one park to the other, or head to Disney Springs, you can't walk.  The area is just too large.  

The maps below may look similar sized, but looks are deceiving.  Universal is around 800 acres and Disney World is 43 square miles!!

3 - Harry Potter!

OK, so I know that Disney has all of my favorite characters.  I mean they have Mickey Mouse after all.  But the thing about Universal and Harry Potter is that you feel like you are actually in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.  Disney has amazing theming but nothing quite so immersive as the Harry Potter areas.  This may all change when Star Wars Land opens up though!  I'll keep you posted!!

 

4 - More Rides for the Big Kids

To be quite honest, I'm happy as a little clam riding Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan...  You name it.  But I know some people like a little more thrill from their rides.  Universal has that.  I won't ride a few of them since I'm a big chicken, but if thrills are what you're after, you can find them there.  Disney has a few too, but as a whole, I think Universal has the edge here.

So is Universal better than Disney?  You decide!!!  And please, give me a call to let me help you plan and figure it out.  Don't forget my services are free and I would love to help you make this decision!!

This is US

As much as I like the TV show This is Us, this blog post is about a different US - Universal Studios!  Sorry to disappoint those of you that were expecting info about the show!  :)

I've done a blog post previously that is mainly about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - check it out here.  

This post is about some of the other rides and attractions that Universal has to offer.  My main reason for going will always be to hang out with Harry, but they've got a lot of other fun spots too.

First of all, something that seems to confuse a few people - Universal is not a part of Disney.  They are two completely different companies.  I think the confusion comes from the fact that Disney has a movie studios type park in Hollywood Studios.  But Universal is not on Disney property - it's about 10 miles away.  

There are 3 parks now at Universal Studios - Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of  Adventure and Universal's Volcano Bay (which is a water park).  Both Universal Studios  and Islands of Adventure house Harry Potter areas - with delicious butterbeer at each!  Universal Studios is home to Diagon Alley while Islands of Adventure is home to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  To ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks, you must have a park-to-park pass.

Universal Studios Florida

This is the newest part of The Wizarding World - Diagon Alley.  It has the most incredible ride around - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.  The ride is a huge thrill mixture of roller coaster and virtual screens.  So. Much. Fun.  And the line to the ride is really cool as you make your way through the bank lobby into the vaults.

Here are a few other rides at this park that I highly recommend:

• Revenge of the Mummy - really good and thrilling with a great surprise near the end.
• E.T. Adventure - I LOVE this ride.  It is a super calm and pretty ride about the movie.  I love that you ride on your bike through the ride.
• Transformers: The Ride
• The Simpsons Ride - made all of us nauseous but I know a lot of people love it!
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - new!
• Rip Ride Rockit - only Don was brave enough to ride this one.
• Terminator 2
• Men in Black - fun and you can compete against your family!
• Shrek 4D - really cute and funny movie with 4-D effects.

There are also a lot of great places to eat - the food at the Leaky Cauldron is delicious.  But save room for dessert - there's butterbeer ice cream or a giant donut in the Simpson's area at Lard Lad Donuts!

You're probably thinking this donut could feed more than 1 person.  Hmm...  Mine didn't.  :)

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure has the original Wizarding World - you can visit Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  Be sure to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - the line takes you through Hogwarts.  Once you've explored all of this world (and had plenty of butterbeer), head on out to check out the rest of the park.

Here are the rides at Islands of Adventure you need to be sure and check out:

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Skull Island:Reign of Kong
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

We've been to Islands of Adventure a couple of times but our kids were too young to like the thrill rides.  Plus this park has a lot of rides that are basically water rides and we're weird about not liking those.  So while the Harry Potter area is AWESOME, if I had only one day, I'd spend the majority of it at Universal Studios Florida.

But if you're wise and have listened to me, you'll have a park-to-park pass so that you can ride the Hogwarts Express.  If you hurry, you can hit a few rides here when you're done with the other park.

Speaking of ways to save time...  Universal offers a little different take on the line skipping pass.  Unlike Disney's FastPass, it is an extra charge.  But you get to skip the line once on all the rides - where Disney just gives you 3 to start.  If you're staying on-site at Universal, some of the resorts include an Unlimited Express Pass which is good on the rides as many times as you want to use them.  Well worth the money if it's a crowded day - and if you're staying on-site it just might be included!

Volcano Bay

You've heard me say before that my family really doesn't do water parks.  So while I don't have personal knowledge of Volcano Bay, I have done training on it from Universal Studios.  It's an amazing park and if you're into water parks at all, it's a must-do!

Be sure to give me a call if you're interested in a Universal vacation.  I'd love to plan and book your trip and make sure you're getting the best value for your money!!