Should You Ditch Disney World for Universal Epic Universe?

Universal Orlando Resort and the Walt Disney Resort are constantly competing with each other to be the best park with the most to do. This usually leaves guests torn on which park to visit or share a mutual love for both theme parks.

Come with us as we dig deeper into pros and cons of both theme parks, while focusing on changes and new additions coming to both.

First, we’ll explore Universal Orlando Resort and their upcoming Epic Universe
expansion.

Projected to open in 2025, Epic Universe is expected to be made up of 4 new lands. So far, Universal has only confirmed Super Nintendo World.

It’s been heavily rumored that the additional “lands” could be:

• • Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
  • Dark Universe (Universal’s Classic Monsters)
  • How to Train Your Dragon
  • Celestial Themed Central Hub

Universal is staying tight-lipped on details, but it only makes for a more exciting build-up!

In addition to the new park, Universal Orlando is building a new hotel that should have in-park access. This would create a truly immersive and core memory vacation! I mean, can you imagine the park views from your room and the ease of being able to walk straight to the park from your room would create?

We will share more details as they are announced! But we are excited nonetheless.

Epic Universe is expected to be the “most technologically advanced park” yet for Universal. They will use facial recognition, photo validation technology. They are also planning to debut new technology for managing ticketing, revenue, and revenue management.

Universal has mentioned that these changes and accommodations will create a different and new theme park experience. We hope that the app is able to load and work as created with an influx of new guests,  attractions, restaurants, and entertainment.

These new additions are exciting and we can’t wait for it to open! What about cons? Well for starters, opening the doors to even more people will increase crowds and create longer lines, not just for the new attractions, but across all  parks at Universal Orlando

Not to mention, Epic Universe will be located approximately 15 minutes from the Universal Orlando complex, making it closer to Disney World Resort than Universal’s North Campus.

That means that Universal guests will have to be bussed in to the North Campus from Epic Universe and vice versa. There will likely be some sort of internal transportation system to help get guests to and from the parks but no specifics have been confirmed.

Now let’s take a short trip over to the Walt Disney World Resort to see what they’ve been working on to compete and better their guests’ experience.

Disney seems to be in a constant state of updating and perfecting the Genie+ system that was implemented in October 2021. This past summer, guests were given the option to purchase for single or multi-park. As for costs go, prices fluctuate based on busier and slower seasons throughout the year.

Disney World is home to four theme parks, Disney Springs and two water parks, all on the same property, with 25+ resorts for guests to choose from.

Transportation is accessible for all guests staying on property. We don’t mean just buses either. Disney World Resort offers the Monorail, the Skyliner, and Friendship Boats in addition to their bus fleet. Disney’s Minnie Van Service, connected by Lyft,  is also a paid option.

Disney is currently building the new Villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Anticipated to open in 2024, this Disney Vacation Club addition is set to include new dining and recreation options for guests.

For every new, shiny debut there is some kind of change implemented as well. For instance to build the new villas at the Polynesian, we had to say goodbye to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.

Genie+ replaced the free FastPass+ system.

We all know how the My Disney Experience app can be glitchy. With more crowds coming to the parks to check out these new updates, the more traffic on the server, causing these “hiccups” in loading.

When it comes to Central Florida theme parks, there’s no doubt we get the best of both worlds. Whether we prefer one over the other, we think we can all agree there are pros and cons to both. We, also, can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

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Which new addition to the theme parks are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!

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