With two parks in the U.S. and three more in Asia, the question of which Universal Studios park is better often comes up.
After all, that’s five locations to choose from.
Which one is worth visiting?
Now, ultimately, the “best” Universal Studios park truly depends on your preference and situation.
But for the sake of keeping things simple, we’ll focus on the two Universal Studios parks in the U.S.
Namely, Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Both parks have their own unique charms, features, and attractions.
But depending on what you like, one might be a better fit than the other.
Let’s break it down in a simple way so you can decide what’s best for you.
Universal Orlando vs. Universal Hollywood: What’s the Big Difference?
The first thing to know is that Universal Studios Orlando is much bigger than Universal Studios Hollywood.
Universal Orlando is a full resort with:
- Two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
- One water park: Volcano Bay
- A nightlife and dining district: CityWalk
- Over eight on-site hotels
It’s built for multi-day vacations, and it has enough shops, rides, and exhibits to cater to people of all ages.
Universal Hollywood, on the other hand, is a smaller single-park destination.
It’s built on a real working movie studio lot in Los Angeles.
It includes rides, shows, and a studio tour, all in one park.
It’s designed for shorter visits, especially if you’re already in California.
Which Park Has Better Rides and Attractions?
If you want to know which Universal Studios park is better for rides, you’ll find a lot more options in Orlando.
Two theme parks and a water park means more space for more attractions.
Orlando is home to popular rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and the full version of The Simpsons area.
You can also ride the Hogwarts Express train that connects the two Harry Potter lands.
That feature alone makes Orlando unique.
Hollywood has fewer rides, given its smaller area.
However, it does offer one major experience Orlando doesn’t: the Studio Tour.
You get to ride through actual movie sets and see behind the scenes.
If you’re a film fan, it’s a cool experience you can’t find anywhere else.
Which Park Has Better Themed Lands?
This is another category where Orlando pulls ahead.
Universal Orlando has both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, which are part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
You can take the Hogwarts Express between the two, which is a ride and experience in itself.
Hollywood only has Hogsmeade; no Diagon Alley or train.
Orlando also has Seuss Landing, Marvel Super Hero Island, and a larger Springfield for Simpsons fans.
Hollywood has good theming, like in Super Nintendo World, but the space is more limited.
So, if immersive lands matter to you, Orlando is the better pick.
Which Park Is Better for Families with Young Children?
Which Universal Studios park is better for families bringing kids?
Honestly, Universal Orlando offers a lot more activities suited for young children.
Seuss Landing, for instance, is filled with kid-friendly rides and bright colors.
There’s also Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, which is a crowd favorite, on top of lots of general play areas.
You’ll have more shows, meet-and-greets, and family rides to choose from.
Hollywood has some fun attractions that kids can enjoy.
However, most of their rides have height requirements or are quite intense.
Universal Hollywood’s park is also smaller, which can limit the options for toddlers and younger kids.
Which Park Has Better Food?
Orlando wins again here, mostly because its sheer size means there’s more spaces for restaurants and diners.
You can dine in themed spots like the Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron.
You can even grab a Krusty Burger in Springfield.
CityWalk in Orlando also offers a wide range of restaurants, snacks, and dessert spots.
Hollywood has solid food choices, but the smaller size of the park means fewer options overall.
There are some standout places like Minion Café and Super Nintendo World-themed dining, but it’s not as varied.
Which Park Is More Immersive?
Both Orlando and Hollywood are built for full immersion.
In Universal Orlando, you’re not just in a park; you’re in a full resort experience.
From the moment you arrive, everything feels themed, connected, and planned out.
Staying in an on-site hotel adds to that feeling.
Hollywood has immersion too, especially in places like Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
It may be smaller than Orlando, but it manages to stay true to themes and interactions.
Which Park Has More Interactive Experiences?
Which Universal Studios park is better for hands-on fun?
Although both locations have their fair share of interactive features, Universal Orlando just has more to offer.
You can use an interactive wand in both Harry Potter lands to cast spells at special spots.
You can ride Men in Black: Alien Attack and compete for points.
There are also kid-friendly play areas and shows that invite audience participation.
Universal Hollywood has some interactive features, like Mario Kart’s ride in Super Nintendo World and the Studio Tour.
But overall, Orlando has more options for getting involved beyond just riding attractions.
Which Park Offers the Most Unique Experience?
Hollywood’s big advantage is its Studio Tour.
You get to ride past real sets, soundstages, and filming areas.
It’s a cool mix of ride and behind-the-scenes tour that theme park fans and movie lovers really enjoy.
Orlando’s most unique feature is the combination of two full Harry Potter lands and the connecting train.
No other Universal Studios park in the world offers that full experience.
So which one is “better” here really depends on what your definition of “unique” is.
Which Park Is Better for Overall Vacation Value?
Ticket prices vary from park to park.
But generally speaking, Universal Hollywood is cheaper because it’s a single park.
It’s good for a one-day stop or as part of a larger L.A. trip.
Orlando tickets cost more.
But for the price, you get more park time, more attractions, and more things to do over several days.
If you’re planning a full vacation, Orlando gives you better value.
But if you’re just there for a day or two, Universal Studios Hollywood can give you a great experience for much less. ‘
Ready to Plan Your Universal Studios Experience?
Still not sure which Universal Studios park is better for you?
That’s where Team Thompson Travel comes in.
We’ll help you compare every detail of your trip, from hotels to dining, from transport to itineraries.
We’ll work out what works best for your travel style.
Whether you’re looking for a full week in Orlando or a quick trip to Hollywood, we’ll make the planning easy.
And remember: our services are free.
We help you book the best trip, at no extra cost to you.
So skip the stress and let us build the Universal vacation that’s right for you.