January 14, 2025

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Traveling Around the World

Disney Planet Vs. Universal Orlando

Disney Planet Vs. Universal Orlando
  • I stayed at the lowest priced resorts onsite at Disney Planet and Common Orlando before this calendar year.
  • Whilst I seriously delight in the worth resorts at both concept parks, I feel Universal has greater rooms.
  • They are larger, brighter, and sometimes priced less costly, in my practical experience.

I have used many years telling friends, spouse and children, and readers that it is really worthy of splurging on resort rooms at Disney World’s value resorts if you find by yourself traveling to Orlando, Florida.

After all, Disney has established the gold normal for all vacationer sights in the location, proper?

That is what I considered till one particular trip to a Universal Orlando worth lodge.

In Oct, I put in one day and 1 night time at the Universal Limitless Summer season Vacation resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, and the adhering to working day at Disney World’s All-Star Sports activities Resort.

I savored my stays at both of those spots and would suggest them to other travelers — but only just one lodge actually blew me away.

Disney vs. Common: what is the variation?

Disney World and Universal Orlando are two absolutely independent parks with drastically different offerings.

At Disney, you are going to discover four concept parks (Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT), two drinking water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Seashore), a procuring centre, and a sporting intricate together with other points of interest. Universal, on the other hand, lists two topic parks (Common Studios and Islands of Adventure), just one drinking water park (Volcano Bay), and a shopping centre among its checklist of activities.

The two topic parks cater to tourists of all ages, though Disney Globe is generally noticed as the finest choice for little ones and Universal Orlando is viewed as a exciting location for older people.

And the characters you may obtain at the two theme parks are diverse. When Disney Environment is dwelling to princesses, Star Wars people, Marvel superheroes, and Pixar cartoons, Universal Orlando boasts Harry Potter, Minions, and Transformers.

"Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade"

A view of Cinderella Castle at Disney Globe in Orlando, Florida.

Abigail Nilsson/Getty Photographs



Where by Common may possibly have Disney conquer: worth hotel rooms

I’ve stayed at Disney World’s benefit resorts on multiple situations during my life. I used loved ones vacations at the Pop Century Resort all through my childhood, and the latest weekend visits at the different All-Star Resorts.

Typically, I really like keeping at these inns.

The staff members is pleasant, the rooms are clear, the Disney theming is outstanding, and you won’t be able to beat the advantage of an onsite meals court, gift store, and no cost transportation to Disney Globe sites.

Of study course, Disney’s variation of “very affordable” isn’t often low-priced — costing all over $150 per night time to continue to be at its All-Star Resorts. But it can be a price I’m generally inclined to spend.

In simple fact, I have stayed at the All-Star Resorts at minimum once a calendar year given that 2021, with my most-latest visit currently being in October.

A room inside Disney World's All-Star Movies Resort.

Inside a area at Disney World’s All-Star Movies hotel.

Amanda Krause/Insider



But I also stayed at the Common Infinite Summer season Vacation resort – Surfside Inn and Suites all through my Oct vacation.

In several strategies, the Common location was similar to Disney’s. There was a food items courtroom, gift store, and no cost transportation to the Common theme parks, as effectively as pleasant employees users and surf-motivated theming that prolonged from the foyer to the individual rooms.

I was also amazed by the onsite Starbucks and health centre — two items Disney does not present at its All-Star motels.

But almost nothing could have well prepared me for the home. My traveling get together of a few invested about $135 for our 1-night stay and predicted to keep in a home like the 1 we had at Disney — a place that was wonderful and satisfied our requires, but eventually felt a little smaller and cramped.

In its place, we walked into a brightly-lit home with large ceilings, huge home windows, a comparatively huge dining desk, and two bedrooms. It was not a magnificent suite by any implies, but it felt like a single in comparison to Disney’s price rooms.

The only issue I faced was my bed. I found it a little bit far too business to be cozy, but my fellow travelers experienced no situation with theirs.

A room inside Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites hotel.

Within a area at Universal Orlando’s Surfside Inn and Suites hotel.

Amanda Krause/Company Insider



Months right after my holiday vacation, I am nonetheless torn on which concept park presents a improved worth resort. But I think my long lasting perception of Universal Orlando’s featuring says a lot.

I appreciate remaining at Disney World’s worth resorts all round, but based on this practical experience, I believe Common Orlando gives far better rooms. They’re even bigger, brighter, and frequently priced marginally cheaper.

So when I am not prepared to give up keeping at Disney Earth totally — I am going to be there any time I go on a Disney vacation — I see a ton more Universal stays for swift weekend outings in my foreseeable future.