Disney WorldDisney's Art of Animation Resort
Family suites for up to 6 with two bathrooms and a kitchenette, Disney's largest resort pool, and the Skyliner gondola to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Option one
Orlando, Florida
Option two
Orlando, Florida
Disney World vs Universal Studios with Kids: The Complete Comparison
Pick Disney World for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-7: unmatched character experiences and gentle rides at Magic Kingdom. Pick Universal for kids 6 and up, especially Harry Potter fans: more thrills and better value.
Where to stay in each
Disney WorldCheck dates at Disney's Art of Animation Resort at Disney's Art of Animation Resort on Booking.com
UniversalUniversal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
A retro 1950s-style value resort with a lazy river, a sand beach, a slide and family suites that sleep six.
Hotels: Booking.com · Tours: Viator. Links never change the verdict. Photos: Disney's Art of Animation Resort by Jayron32 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort by Farragutful (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Orlando's two biggest theme parks compete fiercely for family dollars. This breakdown covers everything from ticket prices to ride suitability for different age groups.
Decide in 30 seconds
Our pick
Walt Disney World
10/10 kid score
Best ages2-12
Hotel$200-500/night
Universal Studios Orlando
8/10 kid score
Best ages4-14
Hotel$180-400/night
Best for
Walt Disney World: Families with toddlers and preschoolers who want a magical, character-driven experience with maximum ride options for little ones Universal Studios Orlando: Families with school-age kids and tweens who love Harry Potter, thrill rides, and want more value for their dollar
Feel it
Either way, you're in Orlando
Morning
Personalized for New York
Personalized pick
Walt Disney World looks better for your current settings.
It scores higher after weighting nonstop flight logistics, great, best ages 2-12.
Fares: 2025 fare estimate · flight links search Booking.com · check live rates on Google Flights
January Weather
72°F · Great
72°F · Great
Side-by-Side Comparison
Option one
Walt Disney World
Option two
Universal Studios Orlando
Scores out of 10
- 10/10Kid-friendly: Walt Disney World 10/10, Universal Studios Orlando 8/10. Walt Disney World leads.8/10
- 9/10Stroller-friendly: Walt Disney World 9/10, Universal Studios Orlando 8/10. Walt Disney World leads.8/10
- 7/10Food scene: Walt Disney World 7/10, Universal Studios Orlando 8/10. Universal Studios Orlando leads.8/10
Flight time (shorter wins)
- 5h 15mFrom SFO: Walt Disney World 5h 15m, Universal Studios Orlando 5h 15m. Tie.5h 15m
- 4h 45mFrom LAX: Walt Disney World 4h 45m, Universal Studios Orlando 4h 45m. Tie.4h 45m
- 2h 45mFrom NYC: Walt Disney World 2h 45m, Universal Studios Orlando 2h 45m. Tie.2h 45m
Walt Disney World leads on 2 of 3 scores. Same figures as the table below.
| Category | Walt Disney World | Universal Studios Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Flight from SFO | 5h 15m | 5h 15m |
| Flight from LAX | 4h 45m | 4h 45m |
| Flight from NYC | 2h 45m | 2h 45m |
| Avg. Hotel / Night | $200-500/night | $180-400/night |
| Kid-Friendly Score | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| Best Age Range | 2-12 | 4-14 |
| Best Time to Visit | September through early November, January through mid-February | September through early November, January through mid-February |
| Food Scene | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Beach or Pool | Resort pools are themed and elaborate; no beach but some resorts have sandy play areas | Resort pools with themed areas; Volcano Bay water park is a full-day experience |
| Stroller Friendly | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Walt Disney World
- Flight from SFO
- 5h 15m
- Flight from LAX
- 4h 45m
- Flight from NYC
- 2h 45m
- Avg. Hotel / Night
- $200-500/night
- Kid-Friendly Score
- Better here10/10
- Best Age Range
- 2-12
- Best Time to Visit
- September through early November, January through mid-February
- Food Scene
- 7/10
- Beach or Pool
- Resort pools are themed and elaborate; no beach but some resorts have sandy play areas
- Stroller Friendly
- Better here9/10
Universal Studios Orlando
- Flight from SFO
- 5h 15m
- Flight from LAX
- 4h 45m
- Flight from NYC
- 2h 45m
- Avg. Hotel / Night
- $180-400/night
- Kid-Friendly Score
- 8/10
- Best Age Range
- 4-14
- Best Time to Visit
- September through early November, January through mid-February
- Food Scene
- Better here8/10
- Beach or Pool
- Resort pools with themed areas; Volcano Bay water park is a full-day experience
- Stroller Friendly
- 8/10
Book Your Trip
Theme-park survival gear
Whichever way you go, here's the kid-friendly gear that makes this kind of trip run smoother — current prices and ratings included.
Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon (220 lb)
mobility
4.5 · 3,807 reviews$39.99Portability · Quality · Durability · Ease Of Assembly
Buyers praise portability, quality, durability and ease of assembly. Mixed feedback on size.
Sukeen Cooling Towels (4-Pack)
weather
4.5 · 8,389 reviews$13.99Cooling · Quality · Functionality · Versatility
Buyers praise cooling, quality, functionality and versatility. Some flag durability.
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan
weather
4.4 · 62,024 reviews$26.99Cooling · Quality · Weight · Heat Reduction
Buyers praise cooling, quality, weight and heat reduction. Mixed feedback on reliability and airflow.
Owala Kids FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle, 16 oz
food
4.6 · 142,368 reviews$24.98Quality · Temperature Retention · Leak-Proof · Color
Buyers praise quality, temperature retention, leak-proof and color. Some flag durability.
Baby BanZ Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection (Ages 0-2+)
sensory
#1 Best Seller4.7 · 21,931 reviews$34.99Functionality · Fit · Quality · Comfort
Buyers praise functionality, fit, quality and comfort.
JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch (2-Pack, IPX8)
tech
4.5 · 40,781 reviews$7.99Water Resistance · Functionality · Quality · Value for money
Buyers praise water resistance, functionality, quality and value for money. Mixed feedback on ease of use and touch sensitivity.
Alpine Muffy Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs
sensory
4.6 · 14,779 reviews$29.95
| Product | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon (220 lb) mobility | 4.5 · 3,807 reviews | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Sukeen Cooling Towels (4-Pack) weather | 4.5 · 8,389 reviews | $13.99 | Buy on Amazon |
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan weather | 4.4 · 62,024 reviews | $26.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Owala Kids FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle, 16 oz food | 4.6 · 142,368 reviews | $24.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Baby BanZ Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection (Ages 0-2+) sensory #1 Best Seller | 4.7 · 21,931 reviews | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch (2-Pack, IPX8) tech | 4.5 · 40,781 reviews | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Alpine Muffy Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs sensory | 4.6 · 14,779 reviews | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| Buyer sentiment | Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon (220 lb) Portability Quality Durability Ease Of Assembly Buyers praise portability, quality, durability and ease of assembly. Mixed feedback on size. Based on 1,282 user mentions Sukeen Cooling Towels (4-Pack) Cooling Quality Functionality Versatility Durability Buyers praise cooling, quality, functionality and versatility. Some flag durability. Based on 1,064 user mentions JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan Cooling Quality Weight Heat Reduction Buyers praise cooling, quality, weight and heat reduction. Mixed feedback on reliability and airflow. Based on 11,813 user mentions Owala Kids FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle, 16 oz Quality Temperature Retention Leak-Proof Color Durability Buyers praise quality, temperature retention, leak-proof and color. Some flag durability. Based on 27,135 user mentions Baby BanZ Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection (Ages 0-2+) Functionality Fit Quality Comfort Buyers praise functionality, fit, quality and comfort. Based on 5,756 user mentions JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch (2-Pack, IPX8) Water Resistance Functionality Quality Value for money Buyers praise water resistance, functionality, quality and value for money. Mixed feedback on ease of use and touch sensitivity. Based on 3,316 user mentions | ||
Prices and ratings are approximate and may vary. Check the latest on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Tots & Trips earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Pros & Cons
Walt Disney World
Pros
- Unmatched character meet-and-greet experiences for young children
- Four theme parks plus two water parks offer days of entertainment
- Magic Kingdom is designed for toddlers with numerous low-thrill rides
- Excellent stroller accessibility and baby care centers in every park
- Magical atmosphere that resonates deeply with children ages 2-7
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than Universal for tickets and food
- Parks are spread out and require transportation between them
- Crowds can be overwhelming, especially during holidays
- Lightning Lane add-ons increase costs quickly
Universal Studios Orlando
Pros
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a bucket-list experience for older kids
- Shorter wait times on average compared to Disney
- Lower ticket prices and more value overall
- Walkable between parks or quick Hogwarts Express train ride
- DreamWorks Land and Universal's new areas add toddler-friendly zones
Cons
- Fewer rides suitable for children under 40 inches tall
- Character experiences are less immersive than Disney's
- Some signature rides may be too intense for younger children
- Smaller overall footprint means fewer total days of content
Best For
Walt Disney World: Families with toddlers and preschoolers who want a magical, character-driven experience with maximum ride options for little ones Universal Studios Orlando: Families with school-age kids and tweens who love Harry Potter, thrill rides, and want more value for their dollar
Our Verdict
Disney World remains the gold standard for families with toddlers and preschoolers, offering unrivaled character experiences and gentle rides. Universal Studios is the better pick for families with kids ages 6 and up who want thrills and better value. Many Orlando families find that a split trip — a few days at each — is the ultimate solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which park is better for a 2-year-old?
Disney World, specifically Magic Kingdom, is significantly better for 2-year-olds. It has more rides without height requirements, dedicated baby care centers, and character experiences that toddlers adore.
How much does a Disney World trip cost compared to Universal?
A typical family of four spends $5,000-$8,000 for a 5-day Disney trip vs $3,500-$6,000 for Universal. Disney tickets cost $109-$189/day per person while Universal starts around $109-$164/day.
Can you do both parks in one trip?
Yes, many families do a split trip. A common approach is 3 days at Disney and 2 at Universal. Combo tickets are not available, so you'll need separate tickets for each.
Which has better food options for picky kids?
Both parks accommodate picky eaters well with standard kids' menus. Disney has more themed dining experiences like character breakfasts. Universal's food courts tend to be slightly more affordable.
Is Express Pass worth it at Universal with kids?
Express Pass can be very worthwhile for families, especially during peak seasons. It reduces wait times significantly. However, it doesn't work on every ride, and staying at select Universal hotels includes free Express Pass.
Destination Guides
Orlando, Florida: Complete Family Guide
The undisputed theme park capital of the world, Orlando offers families more kid-friendly attractions per square mile than anywhere else on Earth.
Orlando, Florida: Complete Family Guide
The undisputed theme park capital of the world, Orlando offers families more kid-friendly attractions per square mile than anywhere else on Earth.
Related Guides
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