What's better Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando?

Question

I am planning a family getaway (2 adults & 7 y.o. Daughter) to FL in early Oct. Wondering whats better, for my daughter. She is roughly 46" tall. I know there are some height restrictions, so I want to ensure she will get the best experience for her size & age. We will dedicate 4 full days for the parks (either WDW or US). Any suggestions or tips, we are 1st time FL Travelers.

Answer 1

Disney, hands down.  Disney is geared more towards families, while Universal is geared more towards the thrill seekers and teens.  The best experience she can have is to visit the Disney parks.  They don't call it the most magical place on Earth for nothing.  Personally I was disappointed with Universal on our last visit.  The parks were not as clean, the staff not as helpful.  We had a bad experience.  We will eventually go back, but next trip we will be skipping Universal.

My suggestion would be to stay at a Disney resort.  Disney has a resort to fit any budget, plus they offer something that the off site resorts can't.  The world famous Disney service and PERKS!!  Disney takes great care of their resort guests.  For example, they offer free shuttle service to and from the resorts and Orlando Int'l Airport thru the Disney Magical Express.  They offer Extra Magic hours, where one park is open early and one late for resort guests only.  They also offer free unlimited use of their transportation system.  Now that doesn't sound like much, however the off site hotels only offer limited shuttle service, and in many cases it is an extra cost.  Plus driving to the parks each day is a nightmare!  You are also allowed then to take advantage of the Disney Dining plan, which is a huge money saver.

I recommend checking out the Disney website.  You can use the resort comparison tool and see which resort is right for you.  You can also get a quote on the trip package, complete with room, tickets, and even your flight if you want.  (I usually book my flight separate.)

When you are choosing your park passes, I highly recommend the park hopper option.  It does cost a little more but is well worth it.  The base tickets give you access to one park per day, but the park hopper option allows you to come and go as you please.  For example, let's say you go over to Animal Kingdom and spend the early part of the day.  After a rest and swim back at the Disney resort, you decide you want to head to Disney Studios for their night time show Fantasmic and a ride on the Great Movie ride.  You can ONLY do that if you have the park hopper option.  Or, let's say you enter the Magic Kingdom.  After getting into the park a ways you discover the park is packed!!  You shift gears and leave, jump on the monorail and hit Epcot center.  (We actually had this happen in March.)  Again you can only do this with the park hopper.  It just gives you more flexibility to do what you want, when you want to do it.

I hope this helps.  If you want even more info than the Disney site offers, I recommend the disboards.  The disboards is a free message boards type website that is all about going to Disney.  You can get resort reviews, restaurant reviews, tips and tricks, advice, trip reports, pictures and much more.  I have been to Disney many times and I still learn something new each time I visit the disboards.  I also recommend hitting the bookstore and picking up the Birnbaum's guide to WDW.  There are a ton of guide books out there, but that is the one that has worked the best for us.  You could also check out the Birnbaums guide to WDW, for kids by kids.  My kids love it!

Hope this helps, have a great trip!

Answer 2

I agree.  Universal would be fun for about a day - but there is much your daughter won't be able to do due to height restrictions.  Magic Kingdom was made for families and I don't think she'll be limited to much.  Plus if you are going to be there for 4 days - there is so much more to do.  4 major parks!  I loved Epcot as a kid -but I was a weird kid.  I loved "the Seas" and "Imagination Station" and I still do.  There may be some things there that are more interesting to her than others - but she shouldn't be bored.  Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will be full of stuff you all can enjoy.  

Universal is great if you have teens that love coasters.  They have some stuff for the younger crowd too, but not as much as Disney.  Plus Disney is an icon - every kid should have a chance to go to Disney.

If you can afford to stay on Disney property, there are some benefits to this.  Transportation, different hours, etc.  

If you can't many of the hotels in the area offer shuttles - less often, but still - it's saves you from paying parking :)

There are a thousand souvenir shops in the area - cheaper than Disney, but Disney has many exclusives - something to keep in mind when your shopping.

If you are looking for a slower day to break things up:  try Old Town in Kissimmee, one of the water parks, Downtown Disney, or a dinner theater (I recommend Arabian Nights).

Answer 3

DIsney!!!! I have been there since i was 2 and have gone like 2 times a year and i am 13 its awesome for all ages. Go there

have fun

Answer 4

I would definitely say Disney, if for no other reason than you are looking to spend 4 days.  I really don't think you can spend more than 2 days at Universal.  If it is your first time, maybe 3 days, but it is pushing it.  Universal is just much smaller than Disney.  Plus the second park, Islands of Adventure, is best known for its good coasters/thrill rides, most of which your daughter will be too short for.

Since it's your first trip, I highly recommend this, my very favorite Disney website: http://www.allearsnet.com

They have SO much information.

Answer 5

I agree your daughter will enjoy Disney better, especially if she has never been.

I suggest getting tickets with the park hopper option, so you can visit everywhere, and do it at anytime.  This will allow you to visit 1 park during the day, another park at night, or just for dinner. I also suggest adding the dining plan option if you are staying in Disney. There are so many places to eat at the resorts as well as the parks. It will allow you to eat at the more expensive restaurants at the including price of your meal plan.

if you want more info, i am a travel agent, email me directly or visit:

http://www.kellystraveltrips.piczo.com

Have Fun!

Answer 6

If she's 7 and never been to WDW then I'd do that.  Buy a multiple use pass, so you can visit all of the parks.  I'd for sure hit WDW, Animal Kingdom, and MGM.  If you want an educational day go to Epcot, but I found Epcot boring as a child.  Skip that day and go to either one of the water parks or Sea World.

Answer 7

There both great but i like DisneyWorld better!!!

Answer 8

Disney World is much better! It has much theming. They employees are much nicer and it has a much better overal experiance. When you go, you can get her a first-timer pin. Also, I suggest that you get your daughter a pin-trading kit. It is one of my favorite thing to do when we got to disney.