8 Things This Disney Adult Knows Epic Universe Does Better

Epic Universe is open in Orlando!

I’m a Disney girlie through and through, but Epic Universe has really made me fall in love with Universal theme parks even more than I already did. It’s also really made me notice the things that Epic Universe does better than Disney World.

I never thought I would see the day when I thought that Universal was blowing Disney out of the water, that was until Epic Universe came around. The new Universal theme park was sure to be amazing when it was announced in 2019, but since it opened in May 2025, I haven’t stopped thinking about it!

It’s made me a little bit mad at Disney if I’m being totally honest (which you can read about here.) So I’m here to share everything that I think Epic is doing better than Disney World, starting off with the bars. This one isn’t really a surprise if you consider Magic Kingdom in the equation, which is a dry theme park.

If you’re an adult looking for an adult beverage or a mocktail, Disney has some amazing options, but Epic Universe has so many that it’s blown us away! From spots like the Burning Blade Tavern to Bar Moonshine, there is a little something for everyone with and without alcohol.

Now, EPCOT will forever hold the ultimate drinking around the world title, but have you considered drinking around the universe? Because you definitely should! I also think it’s time Disney really started working on diversifying their mocktail offerings rather than just calling a sparkly lemonade a mocktail. A drink doesn’t require alcohol to be fun and special for adults.

Next, Disney’s mac and cheese cone can’t hold a candle to Epic Universe’s! If you haven’t heard about the cones in the Isle of Berk, I am so pleased to be the one to share the good news. Over at Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel, you can try 3 different types of mac and cheese cones.

They’re all delicious, but my personal favorite is the PB & J cone with pork and bacon jam on top of creamy mac and cheese, all in a buttery bread cone with everything but the bagel seasoning. I am literally drooling thinking about it, and I’ve had it multiple times. Disneyland Resort has a similar snack at Cozy Cones in Disney California Adventure.

These used to be my favorites, but after tasting Epic Universe’s version, I will never be the same. Another thing Universal does better is thrill rides (and this isn’t exclusive to Epic!) Stardust Racers is a prime example of that!

Epic Universe’s biggest thrill is Stardust Racers, which is a duel-launch steel coaster in Celestial Park. Disney does have coasters like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Cosmic Rewind, but there are none as big or as thrilling as Stardust Racers. You can also toss Velosicoaster in on this list if you want to discuss Universal thrills overall, but I’m focusing on Epic today.

It would be a missed opportunity to talk about things Epic Universe does better than Disney if I don’t mention how quickly Epic Universe is able to build things. Universal announced the new theme park in 2019, and it officially opened in May 2025, so it took them roughly 6 years to build the park from the time it was announced.

In comparison, it took Disney World 6 years to build the Tron rollercoaster, which was a copy of the same coaster in Shanghai Disneyland. Yes, we’ve been over this topic to death, but when it comes to pointing out places where Epic prevails, this is a big one. This could change once Universal decides to expand this park in the future, but for now, Epic takes the crown.

Another thing Epic just keeps winning at is the reusable mug situation! In Disney World, we love getting reusable mugs, but you can only refill them at your resort. That means if you take them to the park, once they’re empty, you can only refill them using free water or sodas that you have to pay for.

Universal, however, has refill stations throughout the parks, allowing you to really get your money’s worth out of these mugs! Not only are Universal’s mugs cheaper at  $17.99 plus tax, but you can also bring them back on your next trip and reactivate them for  $10.99. That is so many sodas included in your one time payment!

Early entry? Yeah, Epic Universe does that better, too. In the new theme park, the early entry for resort guests is an entire hour to start your day! Over in Disney World, you only get 30 minutes if you’re staying a select resorts.

At both resorts, early entry doesn’t grant you access to every attraction in the park you’re going to, but having double the time makes the hotel perk even sweeter at Universal. Now, I’m not a momma, but I also have it on good authority that Epic’s Family Care Center is better than Disney’s, too. 

The inside was significantly nicer and offered more than Disney World’s. Plus, they’ll store your pumped milk at Health Services in the fridge, which Disney World doesn’t offer at any of the parks (you have to bring your own cooler). They also had a private sensory sensitivity room inside the Family Care Center for those who get overstimulated out in the park and need to come to a quiet, cool, relaxed place.

While Disney does share that you’re able to come into First Aid if needed, they recommend finding quiet spots around the parks first. (You can see Disney’s full list of quiet spots here.) We can really appreciate that these rooms provide an activity wall panel, sensory toys, dimmable lights, weighted blankets, and rubber floor tiles. These spaces are available for one family at a time for up to 30 minutes, but you can also talk to a team member if you need to see about extending your time.

They also have private places to nurse for people breastfeeding or looking for a quiet place to feed their kiddos. In Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, these spaces are communal, which might not be comfortable for everyone.

Finally, we can really appreciate the land-specific merchandise that Epic Universe provides! One of our biggest gripes with Disney is that they currently have a pattern of not providing merchandise for certain lands or attractions, despite our begging.

We have loved Disney’s move to a more “streetwear” vibe when it comes to merch, but they also haven’t provided merchandise collections related to entire lands in a while. Heck, Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom is closing in 2026, and we just now got Dinosaur merchandise again after years of begging. Epic Universe has done a great job of giving up land-specific and general park merchandise to fill our happy little shopping bags. (Plus, the quality is amazing!)

Now, all of this to be said, I love Disney World so much. I also think this can feel like comparing apples to oranges at times but hopefully, this healthy competition will inspire both companies to keep striving for more! As always, be sure to keep following AllEars for more Universal updates and news.

Epic Universe Has Honestly Made Me Really Mad At Disney

Will you go to the new Universal park? Tell me in the comments!

Post a Comment