Disney:
Walt Disney World: The happiest place on Earth. Disney, formally The Walt Disney Company, is an American-based entertainment company that owns many assets, from theme parks to television streaming companies.
Whenever one thinks of a theme park, the first place that usually comes to mind is Disney. The heart of one’s childhood and the base of happiness all revolve around Disney.
At Disney, the parks are centered on the overall experience, rather than just the rides. Unlike Universal, each one has a story to tell. Whether it’s a simple fantasy or marking a historical point, they all have a backstory.
Disney’s most popular park, Magic Kingdom, consists of a plethora of rides from rollercoasters like Space Mountain to simple storytelling rides like Peter Pan’s Flight.
The park also consists of many restaurants and attractions like Cinderella’s Castle, which is based on the fantasy book and movie. The inside of the castle has a restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and the famous Cinderella’s Castle Suite, which is an exclusive hotel room that is mainly occupied by celebrities.
During certain holiday seasons, the theme park holds specialty events that are branded by Disney. For example, during the fall, there is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween event, which consists of decorations across the park, trick or treating, and Halloween costume contests. Then, during the holiday season, they hold Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This includes entertainment parades, firework shows, decorations across the park, and specialty treats.
Additionally, Disney is a lifestyle and a living for many people. As of this year, Disney holds an employment high with about 233,800 employees working for the brand. These employees may occupy simple jobs such as a theme park ticket salesman, or something as high-up as a television show producer.
Overall, Disney is a childhood classic and a core memory to many people while growing up. The popularity that it had decades ago still stands, and deservingly so. Disney is not just a theme park or a brand; it is a lifestyle for many.
Universal:
Universal Studios is more than Harry Potter and Super Hero Land; it’s an upgraded Disney World. Universal Orlando consists of four separate parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Epic Universe.
While Disney World is marketed mainly towards families with younger children, Universal offers numerous areas for all age groups. For example, those with toddlers may enjoy Seuss Landing, which offers slow cart rides and character meet and greets. Older children and adults prefer areas like Jurassic Park (most well known for the Velocicoaster, one of the fastest rollercoasters globally at 70 mph) or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which Universal Studios is best known for.
Many argue that Universal’s theming pales in comparison to that of Walt Disney World. However, between the fire-breathing dragon in Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts castle in Hogsmeade, Universal spared no expense to fully immerse guests in the many realms of fantasy.
Aside from the theme of the park itself, Universal Orlando’s many attractions plunge visitors into the ride’s storyline. On The Incredible Hulk Coaster, guests first wait in a laboratory–esque queue with a supersized tube of “gamma radiation” in the middle of the room. Once on the rollercoaster, guests become “test subjects” and are exposed to “gamma radiation” to become the Hulk.
During the spooky season, Universal Studios becomes one of the most popular destinations for thrill-seekers throughout the state. From late August through early November, Universal closes its doors early and reopens at dusk for Halloween Horror Nights. Besides impeccable theming, scare zones and houses are unmatched, leaving guests terrified and exhilarated.
In May 2025, Universal opened its brand-new park, Epic Universe. The 110-acre park consists of 5 lands, which guests enter through the portals that take them to the alternate universe. Praised for its choice of worlds, like How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, Epic Universe has become an epic success– no pun intended.
All in all, Universal Studios Orlando is the perfect place for a guest of any age; there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s Harry Potter, Avengers, or Seuss Landing, Universal offers lifelong memories for every family member.
