• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Guide to Walt Disney World
    • Guide to The Magic Kingdom for Beginners
    • Guide to Epcot For Beginners
    • Guide to Animal Kingdom for Beginners
    • Guide to Hollywood Studios For Beginners
    • Walt Disney World Useful Information
    • Guide to Disney Springs
    • Disney World Tips
      • Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World
      • Avoiding Crowds at Walt Disney World
      • Walt Disney World Mistakes to Avoid in 2022
      • How To Find Characters at Walt Disney World
      • How to Beat the Orlando Weather
      • Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World with Disabilities
      • Disney World Survival Guide
      • A World of Fabulous Fascinating Facts
      • Guide to Walt Disney World Transport
    • Disney World Resorts for Beginners
    • Guide to Walt Disney World Dining
      • Guide to Walt Disney World Character Meals
      • Guide to the Disney Dining Plan
      • Visiting Walt Disney World with Food Allergies & Intolerances
  • Cruise
    • Top Cruise Articles
    • Disney Wonder
    • Jewel of the Seas
    • Allure of the Seas
    • Oasis of the Seas
    • Independence of the Seas
    • Harmony of the Seas
    • Crown Princess
  • Disney World News
  • Universal Orlando
  • Contact Us

Modern Life is Good

Disney World, Universal Orlando, Cruise & Family Travel

You are here: Home / Travel / Orlando / Who wins in 2019? Will it be Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World?

Who wins in 2019? Will it be Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World?

December 10, 2019 by @Modlifeisgood Leave a Comment

Over the last two years, we have compared Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando to decide which is the better resort. Comparisons are not that easy as Walt Disney World remains much bigger than Universal Orlando. Walt Disney World is, after all, the most visited resort destination in the World. However, Universal Orlando has some of the top attractions in Orlando and is undergoing a period of expansion. Who wins in 2019? Will it be Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World?

Over the last two years, we have sat on the fence and declared a draw between the two resorts. However, this year we have a winner.

Who wins in 2019? Will it be Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World?

Service

We have not changed our opinion on this from last year. While traditionally, this would be a clear win for Disney on our previous few trips we have found Universal staff much more helpful. Disney has not suddenly become bad at service, but they have been overtaken.

The little extra niceties which Disney was famous for are now done just as well by Universal, perhaps even better. Mrs. Modernlifeisgood celebrated her birthday this year at Universal, and it was better than Walt Disney World. From greetings to freebies to getting offered our own raft on Jurassic Park, it was all just a little more magical.

Our Opinion: Win Universal

Cocktails at Chez Alcatraz
Cocktails at Chez Alcatraz Universal Studios Friendly Service

New Attractions

Both resorts have had new attractions in 2019. Unfortunately, both have not gone quite to plan. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios is now not opening until 2020 and the new Disney Skyliner had an unfortunate crash following its opening.

Over at Universal, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has been plagued with reliability issues. Over 6 months following the coasters opening full capacity has still not been reach. Although reliability has improved it is still inconsistent. Unfortunately, there has been no other big new attractions in 2019, and 2018’s Fast & Furious – Supercharged has not become a big draw.

Walt Disney World has been more successful with the well-received Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The land is now fully open, and Rise of the Resistance is receiving rave reviews. Also, 2017’s Avatar and 2018’s Toy Story attractions continue to be very popular.

It is hard not to award the point for new attractions to Walt Disney World. However, with a new Jurassic World Coaster coming and the new Park Universal’s Epic Universe announced, expect this to be a tight contest in the coming years.

Our Opinion: Win Walt Disney World

Pandora - World of Avatar
Pandora – World of Avatar Animal Kingdom

Choice of Food

Over the last two years, Walt Disney World has won this category, and it does not change in 2019. While food has improved at Universal it can’t even get close to the number of options you will find at Walt Disney World.

This year we also needed to explore gluten-free options, and while both resorts do offer good selections, Walt Disney World provides by far the better selections.

Our Opinion: Win Walt Disney World

Desserts at California Grill
Desserts at California Grill

Thrill Seekers

A new category for 2019 is which resort offers the best thrill-seeking experience. While there is plenty for all guests to enjoy at both resorts, this is an area Universal excels. Universal does not do filler attractions and is the home to big thrills.

Our Opinion: Win Universal

Incredible Hulk Islands of Adventure
Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure

Whole Family Experience

Everyone can enjoy a few days at both Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World. However, if you have young children or do not enjoy big-thrills, Walt Disney World does cater more to your needs. Hopefully, the new Universal park provides more for young children than current offerings.

Our Opinion: Win Walt Disney World

Pirates of the Caribbean the Magic Kingdom great Family Fun
Pirates of the Caribbean the Magic Kingdom great Family Fun

Lines

Last year the winner was Universal, but Hagrid’s Coaster has made this decision more difficult.

We find this a difficult area to judge as we have used Universal Express Pass for our recent visits. Walt Disney World certainly seems to be a fairer system with everyone having access to Fastpass+.

However, if you judge standby waits at both Universal & Disney World, the winner used to be obvious. You would ride more attractions at Universal, but waiting for Hagrid’s Coaster has made this more difficult to predict.

Our Opinion: Draw

Simpsons in Universal Studios Florida Universal Orlando Resort. Walt Disney World News 2018
Simpson in Universal Studios

Cleanliness & Park Maintenance

Last year we noted standards of cleanliness appear to have deteriorated in parts of Walt Disney World in recent years and awarded Universal a point. We still feel resort cleanliness is better at Universal.

However, we have noticed areas at both resorts are in need of increased maintenance. The most noticeable areas are in Islands of Adventure which I feel needs some urgent TLC.

Our Opinion: Draw

Men In Black at Universal Studios
Men In Black at Universal Studios is great fun for all the family

Resorts

We love staying at both Universal and Walt Disney World. However, we have a favorite, and that is Walt Disney World.

Universal’s resorts are all charming, but they don’t feel very magical. In comparison, Walt Disney World’s Resorts all feel an enhanced part of your vacation.

Both Universal & Disney World offers several added benefits for resort guests. Generally, these benefits are better at Walt Disney World unless you book one of Universal’s Top 3 resorts and get an included Express Pass.

Our Opinion: Win Walt Disney World

We love Walt Disney World Resorts
We love Walt Disney World Resorts

The Final Result

It is a Walt Disney World win!

In 2019, we feel Walt Disney World is better than Universal Orlando Resort. However, it is a close call and both resorts have their strengths.

There is a lot of expansions happening at both resorts over the next few years. It certainly isn’t impossible for Universal Orlando to take the title next year.

Filed Under: Blog, Disney World, Orlando, Travel, Uncategorized, Universal Orlando Resort Tagged With: disney world, Universal Orlando Resort, walt disney world

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search Modern Life Is Good

Who are Modern Life is Good?

Welcome to Modern Life is Good we are a Family Travel site specialising in Walt Disney World Planning, Universal Orlando, Orlando Attractions & Cruising.

We are family of 4 based in the United Kingdom who have become Orlando Fanatics and Enthusiastic Cruisers. We hope this website will help you plan the perfect Family Vacation.

Our blog is updated regularly with handy family travel tips, guides & reviews. We also bring you all the latest Walt Disney World Updates & Disney World Rumours in our monthly Disney World News.

Follow Us

Subscribe to Modern Life is Good

Loading

Footer

All About Us

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Share

Blogger
Delicious
Digg
Email
Facebook
Facebook messenger
Google
Hacker News
Line
LinkedIn
Mix
Odnoklassniki
PDF
Pinterest
Pocket
Print
Reddit
Renren
Short link
SMS
Skype
Telegram
Tumblr
Twitter
VKontakte
wechat
Weibo
WhatsApp
Xing
Yahoo! Mail
Powered by WP Socializer

Copy short link

Copy link
Powered by WP Socializer