Theme parks: Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World Resort?
There's nothing quite like visiting Florida's epic brace of world-famous theme parks. Other theme parks around the world try, but no one does it quite like Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort.
Disney* was first to the Sunshine State back in 1971 and Universal* joined nearby in 1990. If you've not been, forget any notion of a single homogenous theme park; these are sprawling multi-park mini-cities that are both alive with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.
There is a lot to take in and a wealth of things to consider when visiting either, so which should you choose and why? I've been to both with my kids so here is my insider info to help you decide.
Getting to Orlando: whether you're visiting one or both, find affordable escapes to Orlando and both resorts with TUI*.
The icon of Mickey versus Universal theming
It's hard to top a global icon like Mickey Mouse. If your heart and soul are wrapped around rose-tinted childhood memories of the world's most famous rodent, then Disney is always going to be a compelling draw for you.
And Disney works its icon brilliantly across its resort, most notably in the original theme park of Magic Kingdom.
Universal doesn't have Mickey, but it's got Harry. Potter that is. And a whole slew of Marvel characters, including the Incredible Hulk and Spiderman. And Men in Black, Transformers, Minions and much more.
You get the idea. This is Hollywood show time: you're going into the movies in a seriously immersive experience. Yes, Disney has a trump card in Star Wars, but for film buffs, Universal shades the magic mouse so let's call this one a very honourable draw.
Places to stay
I cannot recommend staying on-resort more highly. Yes, it may be cheaper staying off-site, but do you really want to be battling traffic and fighting with sat nav on the already stressful rush to make the park opening time?
Once you're inside either resort you're enmeshed within their free transport system, so you park your car and that's it for however long you stay. Watch out for Disney trying to get you to use valet parking as self-parking is easy and free.
Disney goes to town on transport with shuttle buses like Universal, but also the famous monorail and ferries. You can snare branded hotels at Disney, but a Disney hotel is more magical.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa* is looking great after a recent refurbishment; a luxurious oasis with views across the water to the Magic Kingdom, just a 15-minute stroll away.
Universal, meanwhile, has some good budget options like Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites*. This bright, breezy twin tower hotel is a 10-minute bus ride from the parks and handily offers free delivery pizza to your room after a long day at the parks.
With such a broad swathe of places to stay at both resorts, from wilderness lodges to more budget hotels and luxurious retreats, it's hard to score this one other than a draw.
Top tip: do your research and don't underestimate the faff of staying off-site. And, I've saved this to last, you get early park access when you stay at a resort hotel. We managed to zoom around the Holy Trinity of Star Wars attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios in an hour without queues using this.
For the youngest ones
Until this year Disney had this one licked. The Magic Kingdom is the stuff of dreams for younger visitors. They breeze around a halcyon, safe world of bright colours, beautiful landscaping and gentle rides.
Their favourite characters ease around too, so there are plenty of photo opportunities. Of course, the royal couple, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, star.
Universal already made a decent stab of keeping young ones happy too, but went for it in summer 2024, opening Dreamworks Land with a Trolls' Trollercoaster plus Shrek and Kung Fu Panda in the mix.
For the power of the mouse, and those fireworks breaking over that castle though, Disney just shades this one, especially as the parts of the soul it touches in wee ones are often rekindled in their parents too.
Rollicking rollercoasters
If you're an adrenaline junkie desperate to pay to be hurled around, bashed about, twisted into impossible angles and bulleted off far faster than your car back home can accelerate the conventional wisdom is that Universal is the place to go, as it's known more for its thrill rides.
That said, Disney these days is no slouch; just ask anyone who has stepped open-mouthed off the remarkable thrilling Tron Lightcycle Run, which zips you off in a brilliantly-themed experience at speeds of around 60mph.
Over the years, Disney has upped its adrenaline-ride game. Space Mountain stands out too, as does Test Track in Epcot, which reaches speeds of 65mph.
Over to Universal and it really goes for it. The most sought-after ride, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, is epic, whizzing you on a motorbike, or the connected sidecar, forward at 50mph, then back, then forward. Superb.
Other big thrills include the Jurassic Park-themed VelociCoaster, which whooshes off at speeds of 80mph, with four thrilling inversions.
Where to eat
Forget any anachronistic ideas you have about theme park food. These days, it's practically world-class. Seriously. Just ask Michelin, who in 2024 awarded the Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian a coveted Michelin star, the first at any theme park in the world.
Disney doesn't go big on other brands, save for Starbucks sneaking in here and there. It, does, however, go big on choice and quality. Take Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant that would pass muster in Tokyo.
Housed in the themed Japanese area at Epcot you forget you're in a theme park in a beautiful space where the kimono-clad Japanese servers offer fresh sashimi, sushi and tuna tataki, with wasabi made while you watch in the open kitchen.
Universal has its own-brand restaurants including Mythos, which has won the accolade of Best Theme Park Restaurant in the World multiple times. But Universal also let in the likes of Burger King and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on to the bustling, neon-clad CityWalk that connects Studios and Islands of Adventure.
You can eat well at both Disney and Universal, but Michelin-starred Disney just shades it.
Beat those queues
Don't fall for the 'it will be fine, we don't mind' trap when you're planning; you're going to want to beat the queues. Over three days at a theme park a fast track pass can stack up to a whole extra day in terms of the amount of time you save if you're packing in rides.
Yes, the fast lines do cost more, but book ahead for the best deals and see if you can get one packaged together if you're going with a travel agent. Our pass at Disney was good in that the 'Lightning Lane' really was, with tiny wait times, but we only got to use it three times a day so we really had to plan. We could have paid to add additional fast-lane access.
Note at both Universal and Disney, there are fast track exemptions: you cannot use it at Hagrid's (a Universal hotel early entry is the way to avoid the two-hour-plus queues) or at Disney's Avatar Flight of Passage and for Tron.
Note also that we found the 'Express' access lanes at Universal still often had queues of around half an hour. As fast-track passes do massively improve your experiences at both parks it's a score draw here.
Future plans
For us mere mortals it's ideal that Disney and Universal play cat and Mickey Mouse with their resorts, constantly looking for new ways to encourage newbies and repeat visitors.
During 2024, Disney added the highly-enjoyable Tiana's Bayou Adventure water ride.
At Universal, there are MASSIVE plans for 2025 onwards: they are opening further theme parks as part of the Universal Epic Universe development.
So, the verdict? On a pure points score here Disney sneaks a win, perhaps not surprisingly as it's the original and probably best known around the world.
That said, Universal offers something very different and just as much fun for all the family. And it has the new parks opening from 2025 onwards. Couples, single visitors and groups will love both as they already cater for all tastes.
As they are so close together they are natural companions as well as rivals. Savvy visitors choose to allow time at both resorts, meaning you get the best of all worlds, movies, cartoons and multiverses.
Climate in Orlando
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The above guide shows the climate in Orlando. Find out more about conditions across the state in our complete guide to the climate in Florida.
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