Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando seem locked in a perpetual battle for the best and most affordable theme park vacation in Florida. If you’re on the fence between the two, there’s a lot to consider before making your decision. Price is no doubt near the top of your list, so here’s a close comparison of similar experiences at the two resorts. Are you ready to see how far your Disney dollars will stretch next to Universal?
Budget family vacation
2 Adults, 2 Children (Age 7 & 10)
Four-Night Stay in June
Your Walt Disney World Experience
Stay At: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Little Mermaid Standard Room
Play With: 4-day Ticket Admission, 1 Park per Day plus 1-day Water Park Ticket
Dine On: Disney Quick Service Dining Plan (2 full quick service meals per day, 2 snacks, refillable resort mug) plus Chef Mickey’s Breakfast, Character Dining
Disney’s Art of Animation offers the ultimate in kid-friendly experiences with its expansive Finding Nemo-themed pool, outstanding food court, and engaging rooms. The beauty of this pick is that even the standard Little Mermaid room pulls you under the sea with its immersive theming. No need to splurge on a more extravagant resort to get the full experience here.
This vacation gives your four days of single-park tickets so you can spend a day in each park. You’ve also got a water park ticket you can use on your day of departure for a little added fun before you head out. The quick service dining plan includes two meals and two snacks a day. If you eat a light breakfast, you can “snack” your way through this meal and spend little else on food. Since character dining is a big thrill for children, this itinerary also includes a breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey’s where you can meet the whole gang.
Your Total: $3,221
Your Universal Orlando Experience
Stay At: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Standard Room
Play With: 4-Day, 3-Park Ticket
Dine On: Universal Dining Plan – Quick Service & Coca-Cola Freestyle Souvenir Cup (1 quick service meal, 1 snack, 1 souvenir cup) plus One Quick-Service Meal Out-of-Pocket plus Character Breakfast at Royal Pacific Resort
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is its most laid-back option. The retro 1950s and 60s feel is ideal for a wholesome family vacation. On-site features like a lazy river, bowling alley, and character appearances add to the fun.
The new three-park ticket option that’s available to guests beginning 5/25/17 includes Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park in addition to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. A multi-park ticket is more important at Universal than at Disney because this is the only way to enjoy the Hogwart’s Express, which is a must-see for families.
Universal’s Quick Service Dining Plan is less comprehensive than Disney’s, so for this estimate we added another quick-service meal out of pocket, estimated at about $9 per person, which will get you a plate of tacos, slice of pizza, or burger and fries at various locations throughout the park. This package also includes a character breakfast at the Royal Pacific Resort.
Your Total: $2,702
The Difference: $519 more at Walt Disney World
This is a moderate difference for a family of four, coming out to about $130 extra per person for the Disney experience. If your children are dying to meet Mickey or hug a princess, it’s worth the investment.
Romantic getaway
La Nouba at Disney Springs
Image: frenkieleon, Flickr (license)
2 Adults
2-Night Stay in May
Your Walt Disney World Experience
Stay At: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Standard Room
Play With: 2-Day Park Hopper plus Category 1 seating for La Nouba at Disney Springs
Dine On: Disney Dining Plan (1 quick-service meal, 1 table-service meal, 2 snacks, 1 refillable drink mug)
Indulge In: 50-minute facials at Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn offers all the charm of Atlantic City at the turn of the century. It puts you near the dining and shopping delights on the Boardwalk, making it easy to enjoy a romantic evening stroll just steps from your room.
For two adults, a park-hopper is your best bet for Disney World. You can easily hit the highlights of two parks each day, giving you the potential to visit all four in a single weekend. This vacation also includes a night out at Cirque du Soliel’s La Nouba at Disney Springs.
As an added indulgence on your romantic retreat, we’ve included a 50-minute Berry Bliss facial for her and a 50-minute Refined Gentleman’s facial for him at the Senses spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.
Your Total: $2,361
Your Universal Orlando Experience
Stay At: Lowes Sapphire Falls, Lagoon View, 1 King Bed
Play With: 2-Park 2-Day Park-to-Park Tickets plus Premium Seating for Blue Man Group
Dine On: 2-Day Universal Dining Plan (1 full-service meal, 1 quick-service meal, 1 snack, and 1 beverage)
Indulge In: Mandara Spa Experience
Lowe’s Sapphire Falls Resort transports you to an island paradise with sandy beaches, hot tubs, and a fire pit. With a view of the lagoon, this room is perfect for a romantic getaway. Park-to-park tickets ensure that you can indulge your inner witch or wizard with a ride on the Hogwart’s Express.
For a dose of relaxation, this package includes a Mandara Spa Experience at Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel. You can choose from a 50-minute facial or 50-minute Balinese massage.
Your Total: $1,769
The Difference: $592 more at Walt Disney World
At a difference of $296 per person, this comparison may have you leaning toward to the Universal route. These parks are also more adult-oriented with a greater number of roller coasters and thrill rides in the parks, not to mention the abundance of clubs and bars at CityWalk. For a grown-up escape, Universal is a cheaper choice with more to offer.
Extravagant escape
2 Adults, 2 Children over the age of 10
6 Night Stay in August
Your Walt Disney World Experience
Stay At: Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Garden View Club Level Room
Play With: 5-day Park Hopper with Water Park Fun & More (includes 5 visits to water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course) plus Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour
Dine On: Disney Deluxe Dining Plan (3 meals daily, quick service or table service, 2 snacks, 1 refillable drink mug) plus Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
This vacation lets you splurge on everything. It includes a club level room at Disney’s Polynesian Resort where you’ll enjoy evening turndown service and refreshments in the club-level lounge daily. This outstanding ticket package lets you hop around the parks for five whole days. You can also visit either water park, the Oak Trail Golf Course, or the ESPN Wide World of Sports once per day. This is ideal for a family with older children who may want to split off from time to time and enjoy different experiences. The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is another great pick for teens, offering priority access to all the top thrill rides at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Deluxe Disney Dining Plan covers three meals a day plus snacks, so you’ll never go hungry. In addition, this package includes a dessert party at the Tomorrowland Terrace with unbeatable views of the Wishes fireworks show.
Your Total: $10,413
Your Universal Orlando Experience
Stay At: Lowe’s Portofino Bay Hotel Club Level Room
Play With: 3-Park Explorer Ticket plus 1-day 2-park VIP Experience
Dine On: 6-Day Universal Dining Plan (1 quick-service, 1 full service, 1 snack, 1 beverage) plus Universal’s Cinematic Dining Experience
With a club-level room at Lowe’s Portofino Bay Hotel, your days will end with nightly turndown service and a sweet snack and begin with a continental breakfast in the club lounge. A daily three-park explorer pass will get you into both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida as well as the new Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.
With the VIP experience for one day of your stay, you’ll get reserved show seating, priority ride access, and a behind-the-scenes look at the parks. This is a great way to add a little more fun for the teens and older children in your party.
The two-meal dining plan is a perfect fit when you have breakfast included at the hotel, so you won’t need to spend much on eats. The Cinematic Dining Experience offers a stellar way to cap off your vacation with dinner at Lombards including one appetizer and one entrée for everyone in your party. After your meal, you’ll enjoy a dessert buffet and exclusive viewing for Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular.
Your Total: $6,687
The Difference: $3,726 more at Walt Disney World
You’ll spend nearly $1,000 more per person for an over-the-top Disney experience than an indulgent Universal Stay. That’s about $155 more per person, per day. However, keep in mind that the Disney package includes more theme parks, water parks, and other attractions. If you’re after diversity, go for Disney. If you want pampering on a slimmer budget, Universal is the way to go.
Universal comes out cheaper in almost every instance. However, there’s a premium price tag on Disney’s pixie dust because it offers many things that you just can’t get any other way. Which will you choose?
