When choosing which popular theme park to visit, a lot of people often ask; is Universal Studios part of Disney?
The answer is a resounding no.
The confusion is valid.
After all, both Disney World and Universal Studios are in Orlando.
The similarities don’t stop there, either; they’re both theme parks, they’re both filled with iconic rides, and they both feature famous movie characters.
They’re even pretty close to each other—just 9 miles apart!
But the two are totally separate companies.
In fact, they’re actually competitors.
Disney World is owned by The Walt Disney Company.
Universal Studios is owned by NBCUniversal, which falls under Comcast.
This simply means that the two aren’t connected at all and have no hope of overlapping on characters, media, themes, and brands.
What Makes Disney and Universal Studios Different?
Even though both places are popular, exciting, and full of entertainment, there are big differences between the two.
1. Themes and Characters
Disney has characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, and Star Wars heroes.
Universal Studios features Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Transformers, and the Minions.
Each park builds rides and shows based on their own movies and stories.
This simply means you won’t find Disney characters at Universal.
And you definitely won’t find Harry Potter in Disney!
2. Ride Styles
One of the reasons why people ask, is Universal Studios part of Disney?, is the rides.
If you’ve never visited either park, you might believe both share similar generic theme park rides.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Disney focuses on gentle, magical rides with a story.
They’re great for families with young kids.
Universal, on the other hand, has more intense thrill rides like roller coasters and action-packed simulators.
So if you like big drops and fast rides, Universal’s your best bet.
But if you prefer calm rides and fairy-tale fun, Disney is the place to go.
3. Park Size
It has 4 main parks and 2 water parks.
Universal Orlando has 3 parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay (a water park).
Universal’s parks are smaller and easier to walk between.
Disney Word goers will need to use buses and other transportation to get around.
What Can You See at Disney That’s Not at Universal?
There are many famous features and attractions exclusive to Disney World.
Here are a few examples:
- Cinderella’s Castle
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Avatar’s Pandora
- Kilimanjaro Safaris with real animals
- TRON Lightcycle/Run ride
- Fireworks and parades every night
- Meet-and-greets with Mickey, princesses, and Pixar characters
Disney is known for its magical moments and classic stories that families love.
What Can You See at Universal That’s Not at Disney?
Likewise, Universal Studios also has its own awesome experiences, most notable of which are:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade)
- Escape from Gringotts and Hogwarts Express
- Cool new coasters, like the VelociCoaster and The Hulk Coaster
- Transformers, Fast & Furious, and Minions rides
- Stunt shows and behind-the-scenes tours (especially at Universal Studios Hollywood)
These attractions are great for adrenaline junkies and are often based on popular movies for older kids, teens, and adults.
Are Disney and Universal Studios Competing?
Yes!
As mentioned earlier, these two companies are big-time competitors in theme parks, movies, and even streaming services.
- Disney has Disney+, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and its parks.
- Universal has Peacock, DreamWorks, Illumination, and its own parks.
They both want to be the biggest name in entertainment.
So the question, is Universal Studios part of Disney?, is actually ironic.
When it comes to their theme parks, they’re constantly competing to bring in more visitors with new movies and attractions.
Which Park is More Popular?
Right now, based on the stats, Disney World is more popular.
In 2023, Disney’s Magic Kingdom had over 17 million visitors.
That same year, the whole Disney World resort brought in nearly 49 million people.
Universal Studios is also popular, of course, and its numbers are nothing to sneeze at, either.
Islands of Adventure had about 11 million visitors in 2023.
Meanwhile, Universal Studios Florida had around 10.7 million visitors.
Even though Disney is still bigger, Universal is growing fast—especially with new rides and exciting lands.
Why Is Universal Getting More Popular?
Recently, there’s been a huge shift in crowd preference.
Universal’s numbers are starting to rise.
Here are a few possible reasons why:
- New rides like VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Great prices and local deals, especially after the pandemic.
- Fun seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights.
- Hit movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Oppenheimer that get people excited to visit the parks.
- Its smaller size is now attractive to people who would prefer exploring the entire park in just one day.
Universal is also building a brand-new park called Epic Universe, and it’s set to open in 2025.
This latest expansion is expected to bring in even more guests.
So … Is Universal Studios Part of Disney World?
As mentioned earlier, definitely not.
They are two separate parks, owned by two different companies.
How to tell the difference, again?
Disney offers magical fun with princesses, castles, and stories.
Universal brings thrills, movie action, and big roller coasters.
But, rest assured; whichever one you visit, you’re in for an amazing time.
Need Help Planning Your Trip to Universal or Disney?
Booking a theme park adventure can be overwhelming — especially if both theme parks are incredibly popular.
So let us handle the details!
At Team Thompson Travel, we offer personalized planning services tailored to your unique travel goals.
Our experience with both Universal and Disney destinations allows us to help you:
- Understand which resort and parks best fit your group
- Book hotels, tickets, and transportation with ease
- Create a day-by-day itinerary that maximizes your time and minimizes stress
- Navigate promotions and offers to get the best value
- Handle all the details so you can focus on enjoying your trip
And don’t worry; our services come at no extra cost to you.
We’re compensated by our trusted travel partners.
So whether you’re interested in the movie magic of Universal or the classic magic of Disney, we’re here to make your experience seamless.
Contact Team Thompson Travel today!