Disney Or Universal Studios Orlando For Adults – What Is The Best Choice?

Don’t worry you are not alone. This is a great question and in some ways a tough one to answer, but in my opinion, I have a clear winner in mind right now. Obviously this can change as the parks continue to evolve, but for me one park just provides a little more for me than the others.

As you read further into this article you will clearly find out which park I would lean to if I had to choose between the two parks. But first, it’s a good idea to understand your own likes and dislikes plus what you are looking to get out of the park visit.

What Are Your Interests & What Do You Want To Get Out of The Park?

To help identify which parks are best for you, like I said before, it’s a good idea to understand your own likes and dislikes. Hopefully these questions will help point you in the right direction.

Are you a thrill seeker?

If so during our visits to both parks, I found Universal Studios to be a hair better in that department. While most Disney rides are designed with kids in mind and may not have the thrill factor you may be looking for, Universal on the other hand does have a few rides that will certainly get the heart pumping.

I do feel though that Disney is getting better at this, some of the newest attractions are really stepping up the thrill seekers game.

Right Choice Here is: Universal Studios

How Many Days Do You Have To Visit?

This does matter. Universal has 2 main parks in Orlando, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They also have a water park called Volcano Bay.

Disney on the other hand has 4 main theme parks In Orlando including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, & Hollywood Studios. They also have several other Water Parks as well.

Just by the amount of Parks and the amount of acres for each park, I feel Universal Studios is the better park for shorter trips and longer trips, Disney may provide more on a longer Trip.

Right Choice Here: Short Trip = Universal Studios

Right Choice Here: Long Trip = Disney world (OR BOTH)

Do you like Shows and Entertainment as opposed to rides?

This can be a tough one as both parks do have plenty of shows and entertainment. But the Magic of Disney should not be overlooked here as so far the shows we have seen at Disney have been memorable and fantastic. Although the products do lean toward children, they can be very enjoyable for adults as well.

Right Choice Here: Disney ( Must See = Lion King in the Animal Kingdom)

Are you interested In Harry Potter, or Disney Princesses & Star Wars

Again your own personal likes can play a big role here. Universal really does embrace the world of Harry Potter world really well as the Potter themed locations in the parks and rides are exceptional.

They also are home to Transformers, Spider-man, The Hulk, Kong, Jurassic Park (soon to be world), Simpsons, Men in Black, and much more.

But Disney does the same with it’s own parks, and with Star Wars opening soon they may just get even better.

The Right Choice = Draw – They both offer great things dependent on your likes.

Are you interested in bringing back childhood memories especially with characters?

Disney is magical when you see the likes of Snow white, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and others walking in the park. Even as an adult it brings you back to your childhood days.

Universal also has several characters walking around like Spider-man, back to the future, Scooby-Doo, Sponge Bob, and so on.

They both offer many character meet and greets, but I think Disney has the sure hand here.

Right Choice – Disney..

Do you want more nightlife on your trip?

One thing that I love about Universal is City Walk. Even after the parks close, the area is vibrant and hopping for many hours. There can be entertainment with a DJ by the lake or plenty of bars and restaurant to chill and relax after a days trip.

I love that it’s right outside the parks and you go through it to go home and to get to the parks. It’s just a perfect set up.

To be fair I have not gone to Disney Springs yet, so I have no idea what that experience is like for the night life. But for me and how easy it is to go from park to City Walk, Universal is the clear winner for me.

Right Choice: Universal Studios

Which as the best Night Time Shows (fireworks)?

So far I have not experienced all of Disney’s and I think I have most of Universals, so I’m only offering this opinion on what I have personally experienced. But judging by what I saw with Disney so far, I would have to give the nod to Disney. The Magic Kingdom show is amazing and breathtaking.

Right Choice: Disney

What if you have a tight Budget?

My clear winner would be Universal. Of course you can expect that both parks will have pretty high prices, I just found Universal to be a little more affordable especially when it comes to full dinners and lunches. Plus you can exit the park and eat in City Walk.

Right Choice: Universal Studios

My favorite Park in Orlando Right Now Is:

Universal Studios Orlando…

Not going to lie I just had a very bad experience my last trip to Disney, which was only due to the huge crowds. We are going back again shortly so I expect this experience to be much better.

Right now as an adult my favorite park is Universal. I like the rides more. They seem to have more thrills than what I experienced at Disney. Although I love the boat rides at Disney, most rides were slow and just not anything that got the heart pumping a bit.

Like they were great don’t get me wrong, visually was their main thing. But for the heart pumping excitement I wanted, Universal was killing it for me.

Transformers, Spider-man, Kong, Fast and The Furious, Jimmy Fallon, and others were just what I like and had me laughing uncontrollably and they were so enjoyable.

I found the crowds to be a hair lower as well. Which is always great. I also loved the themed areas around the park. They really do put a good amount of effort into those, especially Harry Potter, those areas are fantastic.

So I hope this helps you with the question and helps make the choice between Disney or Universal Studios for Adults.

I think it’s best to do your own research as well. Read the reviews and comment from prior guests, you may find some that are 100% against what I think.

But for me on this day, Universal is my personal favorite.