This Disney World Hotel Fact Will Never NOT Baffle Me

When you think of taking a vacation to Orlando, you’re thinking of Disney World, right? But have you considered that they’re not the only game in town?

I mean, Disney World is magical. We’re not going to disagree, but they’re also pricey, especially when considering their next door neighbor — Universal Orlando. So what are you to do when you’ve only got one time slot for a vacation and two places to consider? How about comparing the two? On paper, there are a lot of similarities that make it quite difficult to choose between the two, but there is this one thing, specifically about Disney and their hotels, rather it’s what they don’t do that is so consistently baffling. If Disney did this one thing (that Universal Orlando does) there might not be any comparison, but they don’t. So, we’ve gotta talk about it!

As we were saying, there’s this one thing that Disney World chooses not to do, rather, they choose not to include this one thing as a standard perk for staying in one of their Deluxe resort hotels that Universal Orlando bundles in (for free) when staying at their Signature resort hotels. We’re talking about the fact that they don’t include Lightning Lane access for free in your stay.

And what’s mind-blowing is that over at Universal Orlando, you get their version of Lightning Lane, the Universal Express Unlimited Pass, included at no additional cost if you stay in their top-tier hotels.

So, let’s unpack this because, honestly, it’s wild just how big of a difference this makes.

Disney World Deluxe Resorts vs. Universal Orlando Signature Hotels

Disney’s Deluxe resorts are as magical as you’d imagine. They’ve got everything from incredible views, luxury vibes, proximity to the parks, and all the Disney magic you can handle. From iconic places like the Grand Floridian to the Wilderness Lodge, they’re really the ultimate way to stay close to the action.

But they’re also the most expensive Disney properties — and guess what? Even at that price point, you’re not getting Lightning Lane access included.

Now, let’s hop over to Universal Orlando. Their Signature resorts, like the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, offer similar luxury and location benefits, plus you get Universal Express Unlimited Passes for every day of your stay!

This perk lets you skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The best part of it is that there’s no extra charge for it. It’s already factored into your stay, making it a pretty seamless (and cost-effective) way to enjoy their parks.

The Cost Comparison: Disney Deluxe Prices vs. Universal Signature Prices

Okay, now let’s get into the numbers because this is where it really starts to feel a bit unreal.

So, let’s say you’re planning a trip for two adults from January 1st to January 7th, 2025. Here’s what it looks like if you’re comparing a stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with a stay at Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

Let’s start with the Grand Floridian.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• • Room: Resort View Room (Standard Room)
  • Tickets: 7-Day Ticket with Park Hopper Option
  • Subtotal: $6,239.80 (this is with a 25% discount for early 2025 bookings)

Now, here’s where Disney loses us — no Lightning Lane access is included. So, to get comparable access, you’ll have to purchase their Lightning Lane Premier Pass.

Prices for these passes vary depending on the date and theme park, but during peak travel periods (like January), they can run up to $449 per pass, per day. For a 7-day trip, that adds an estimated $6,286 to your total.

Grand Total: $12,525.80. Yes, that’s for two adults, one week, and that coveted line-skipping access.

Now onto Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

• • Room: Garden View 2 Queen Room (Standard Room)
  • Tickets: 3-Park Unlimited Ticket for 7 days
  • Perk: FREE Universal Express Unlimited Pass (line-skipping access at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure)

Grand Total: $4,422.04 (this includes a 15% length-of-stay discount and a bundle savings of $200).

That’s right, Universal Orlando’s total for an equivalent setup (including park tickets and Express Pass access) is nearly $8,103.76 less than Disney’s package. And remember, that $4,422.04 at Universal already includes Express Passes for the length of the stay, so you don’t need to budget a single extra penny to skip the lines.

The Lightning Lane vs. Express Pass

Now, just to be clear, Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass and Universal’s Express Pass aren’t identical, but they’re similar enough for comparison. The main thing is that they both let you skip the lines at most rides with no reservations necessary.

But what truly baffles me is the idea that Disney doesn’t include this service at their Deluxe-tier resorts while Universal does at theirs. I mean, if you’re spending over $6,000 on your stay, shouldn’t Lightning Lane Premier Pass just be part of the experience? It would make the entire trip so much more magical (and easier on your wallet).

Why Doesn’t Disney Include Lightning Lane for Deluxe Stays?

Honestly, we’re all wondering the same thing. When Universal introduced the included Express Unlimited Pass for their high-tier hotels, it immediately set them apart. Not only does it make Universal hotel’s feel like a better value, but it also enhances the experience. Knowing you can skip lines without any extra charges makes the trip feel more carefree.

Disney, on the other hand, is missing a major opportunity here. Could you imagine booking the Grand Floridian and knowing you’ll automatically get Lightning Lane Premier Pass access as part of your stay? The convenience, not to mention the savings, would make staying on property much more appealing. We will say, Disney likely doesn’t do this because it would overwhelm the lightning lanes with people. Disney has way more deluxe hotels than Universal, so there would be many more people receiving this perk. This would slow down the standby lines even more. That definitely plays into Disney’s decision making…on top of making more money, of course.

Where Should You Stay?

Look, Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place. If your heart is set on staying at a Disney Deluxe resort, go for it. The magic of being right in the heart of Disney World can’t be overstated.

But if you’re looking for the best value, Universal’s Signature resorts are hard to beat. For nearly half the cost of a Disney World Deluxe stay, you’re getting comparable accommodations and all the Express Pass perks you could want. It also depends on where you’re planning to spend your time as well. If you are going to be at Universal for multiple days, it might make since to stay there and commute to Disney. If you are only going to Universal for one day, you might still want to stay at Disney World so you aren’t having to go back and forth while wasting time each day.

So, Disney, we love you, but maybe it’s time to rethink your Deluxe offerings. Adding Lightning Lane Premier Pass access as a perk would truly make these high-end stays worth every penny. Until then, it’s hard not to feel a little baffled and a little tempted to hop over to Universal for the next vacation.

Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney World news!

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Where will you be staying in 2025? Disney World or Universal Orlando? Tell us in the comments!

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