Should you go to Disney or Universal? Or is it possible to pack a trip to each into the one holiday?
Each park offers different things, of course. And really what you can pack in is going to depend on the time you have available. But here’s my experience of the way to go…
Disney
Disney is magical.
For little kids, nothing can beat the Magic Kingdom. Whether they fancy being a pirate or a princess for the day, the whole Disney experience really connects with little ones.
A lot of the action does centre around the parades which do cater to a younger audience, but I always enjoy them!
I personally don’t like to miss out on a trip to Epcot – I think it is wonderful, especially when the food festival is on (this year September 25 – November 16).
The whole guest experience at Disney is amazing; it seems like staff are briefed on every last detail; when my son visited on his birthday, wearing his birthday badge, he received a birthday greeting from each staff member he spoke with.
By the way, I highly recommend you tell Disney when you arrive or book a table at a restaurant or an experience if it is a special event or birthday – you will be treated special all day!
The Disney Fast Pass app is also another major advantage of the Disney parks. It really saves so much time if you do a little planning in advance. At Disney this service is free and a really welcome alternative to major queueing.
We’d probably visit for the funnel cakes alone – a squiggly mess of doughnut mixture, fried and dusted in icing sugar… and always our first stop!
Universal
Universal has some great rides.
If you have older kids, then it probably is going to be more fun for them, especially if they are Harry Potter fans.
For me, I prefer the Universal rides. Many of them are 3-D experience based which is great if, like me, you’re not a big fan of the huge rollercoasters and big drops. Although, of course, Universal has its fair share of them too.
You have to pay extra for the Express Pass at the Universal Parks, which can get expensive. It’s probably worth doing, but it just doesn’t feel so good paying for something you get free at Disney.
To be honest, I think its indicative of the customer service ethos at Universal. You just aren’t going to get the same magical feel as you do at Disney.
Which one?
The bundle deals on offer do make it seem as if you need to commit to one or the other, especially if you are just in Orlando for a week.
But you don’t really need to choose between the two parks. They are different and, like anything else, the best way to see which one is best for you is to give them both a try and see which one your lot enjoys most.
If budget and time won’t allow a foray into both and you really do have to choose, then I really recommend taking a good look at the park maps and deciding which is unmissable for you. Ellis Exclusive Villas offers a ticket booking service, with some great discounts. If you’re unsure what is going to work out best for you, please call. We’re always happy to offer you advice.
But my main advice is not to try to pack too much in. My little ones love Legoland and our holiday wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Gatorland. Schedule in some down days and make some time to experience some of Florida’s natural attractions too. There’s much to explore in Florida beyond the parks.
Does your family have a favourite? Please let me know which park is your number one below.
