Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando: Which One Should You Choose for Your Next Vacation?

By Sébastien Brunet, Travel Advisor at Partez en Voyage | Updated October 2026

Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? If you are planning a vacation in Orlando, this question comes up all the time. And with the arrival of Epic Universe, the choice has become even more exciting… but also a little harder!

Both resorts offer extraordinary experiences, but they do not necessarily appeal to the same kind of traveler. The answer depends mostly on the ages of your travelers, their interests, the number of days available and the type of experience you are looking for.

The Quick Answer

• Choose Walt Disney World if your children are between about 2 and 8 years old, if they dream of meeting the characters, or if this is your first family visit.
• Choose Universal Orlando if you are traveling with teenagers or older kids who love thrills, Harry Potter or Nintendo.
• Choose both if you have about 8 to 10 days and children of different ages.

Here are the details to help you make the right choice.

What Does Walt Disney World Offer?

Walt Disney World is much more than a theme park. It is a complete destination with four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, many hotels and a wide range of activities.

The four parks are:

• Magic Kingdom: the classic Disney experience, with Cinderella Castle, the characters and many iconic attractions.
• EPCOT: a mix of attractions, cultural discoveries, food and festivals.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios: especially for fans of Star Wars, Toy Story and more intense attractions.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom: a blend of nature, animals, attractions and immersive worlds.

Disney is especially appealing if you are traveling with young children, if your family loves the Disney characters or if you want a very immersive experience.

But Disney is certainly not just for little ones. Teenagers and adults will also find plenty to do, thanks to thrill rides, Star Wars, Marvel, shows and dining experiences.

What Does Universal Orlando Offer?

Universal Orlando offers a particularly exciting experience today for families with older children and teenagers.

Universal Orlando includes four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe and the Universal Volcano Bay water park. Park-to-Park tickets let you combine several parks, depending on the ticket you choose.

Since the opening of Epic Universe, Universal has added a whole new dimension to its offer, with immersive worlds such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

Universal is especially appealing if your family loves:

• roller coasters and thrills;
• Harry Potter;
• Nintendo;
• movie and video game worlds;
• more intense attractions.

Universal can therefore be an excellent choice for a family that feels its kids may have become "too big" for a traditional Disney experience.

Disney or Universal With Young Children?

If your children are about 2 to 8 years old, Walt Disney World is often the first choice I would look at. The Disney experience relies heavily on characters, fairy tales and worlds that children already know.

Meeting Mickey, seeing a princess, walking into Cinderella Castle or discovering Toy Story can become a much bigger family memory than the ride itself. In my experience with the families I help, these are often the moments children talk about years later.

That said, Universal should not be ruled out automatically. A child who is passionate about Harry Potter, the Minions or certain Universal worlds could find plenty to love. Age is only an indicator: your children's interests matter just as much.

Disney or Universal With Teenagers?

For a family with teenagers, the balance can tip more toward Universal. Thrill rides, Harry Potter, Nintendo and the different immersive worlds can be especially appealing. With Epic Universe, Universal now offers even more possibilities for building a multi-day stay.

Disney is still an excellent option, especially for teens who are passionate about Star Wars, Marvel or Pixar, or who love rides.

Disney vs Universal: The Comparison at a Glance

These ratings reflect my experience with our clients and are a general guide. They can vary widely depending on each family's tastes.

Is Disney More Expensive Than Universal?

It is a question I am asked often, and the answer is not as simple as you might think. The total cost depends on:

• the number of days;
• the type of tickets;
• the hotel you choose;
• the time of year;
• meals;
• ticket add-ons;
• transportation and car rental;
• additional activities.

So avoid comparing only the price of a park ticket. A stay at an on-site hotel can offer different advantages than a hotel outside the resort. At Universal, some hotels also include perks that can have real value for a family.

The best price is therefore not always the package with the lowest sticker price.

Which Hotel Should You Choose at Disney or Universal?

The hotel is an essential part of the experience. At Walt Disney World, Disney hotels extend the immersion all the way to your accommodation. The resort offers a wide variety of options, from value hotels to more upscale properties.

Universal also offers several categories of on-site hotels, including new properties linked to Epic Universe, such as Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort.

Your choice of hotel can therefore make a real difference to your budget, comfort and how you organize your stay.

How Many Days Should You Plan in Orlando?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some guidelines:

• Walt Disney World: a family that wants to see all four parks can easily spend 4 to 6 days at the resort. Disney also offers multi-day tickets that let you visit its four parks.
• Universal Orlando: with Epic Universe, you now need enough time to fully enjoy the different parks. Universal offers 3-day, 4-day and 5-day tickets that give access to its parks, depending on the product you choose.

My advice: do not try to see as many parks as possible in the shortest time. A day at a park can be very intense. Adding a rest day, a pool day or a quieter day can completely change a family's experience.

Can You Do Disney AND Universal on the Same Trip?

Yes, and it is probably the option I like most for some families. You could start your stay in the Disney world and finish with Universal, or the other way around.

Example of a 9-night stay in Orlando:

• 4 days at Disney
• 3 days at Universal
• 1 rest or pool day
• 1 free day

This lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. It is an especially good formula for families with children of different ages: a 7-year-old can have their favorite Disney moments, while a teenager looks forward to Harry Potter, Nintendo or Universal's big thrill rides.

When Should You Go to Orlando From Quebec?

For Quebec families, here are a few useful guidelines:

• Direct flights generally connect Montreal and Orlando, which makes a trip with children much easier. Schedules vary by season, so check them when you book.
• The busiest periods are generally March break, the holiday season and summer. Lines are longer and prices are higher.
• Early November, early December and late January are often quieter periods, but conditions vary from year to year.
• Summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Suitable travel insurance is recommended.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Disney if...

• You dream of meeting the Disney characters.
• You want a complete Disney experience.
• You are traveling with young children.
• Immersion and magic are your priorities.
• You especially love the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars or the princesses.

Choose Universal if...

• You are looking for more thrills.
• You are passionate about Harry Potter.
• You love Nintendo and video games.
• You are traveling with teenagers.
• You love movies, franchises and immersive worlds.

And choose both if...

• You have enough time and budget to fully enjoy both experiences.

The Most Important Thing: Choose the Trip That Fits You

There is no universal winner between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The best choice is the one that fits your family.

A family with two children aged 4 and 6 who dream of seeing Mickey will probably not have the same priorities as a family with two teenagers who love Harry Potter and roller coasters.

That is exactly why planning a trip to Orlando can be much more complex than it looks. You have to consider the children's ages, everyone's interests, the number of days available, the budget, the choice of hotel, transportation, tickets and how to organize your days.

Still undecided? At Partez en Voyage, our advisors can help you figure out which option best suits your family and build a trip that matches your expectations and your budget.

Disney, Universal… or both? The best option may be the one you had not thought of!

Frequently Asked Questions

Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando: which is better for a first family visit?

Walt Disney World is often the best choice for a first visit, especially with children aged 2 to 8, thanks to its characters and immersive atmosphere. With teenagers, Universal Orlando is a very serious option.

Is Universal Orlando more expensive than Walt Disney World?

Not necessarily. The total cost depends on tickets, hotel, time of year, meals and transportation. Comparing only the price of a park ticket gives an incomplete picture.

How many days do you need for Universal Orlando with Epic Universe?

Plan at least 3 days to enjoy the main parks, and ideally 4 or 5 if you want to add Volcano Bay or take a more relaxed pace.

How many days do you need to see all four Walt Disney World parks?

Most families spend 4 to 6 days on the four parks. Adding a rest day often improves the experience, especially with young children.

Can you do Disney and Universal on the same trip?

Yes. A stay of about 9 nights allows, for example, 4 days at Disney, 3 days at Universal and 2 rest or free days.

Is an on-site hotel worth it?

It depends on your budget and priorities. An on-site hotel offers immersion and certain perks specific to each resort, but an off-site hotel may suit a tighter budget. An advisor can compare the options for your family.

Information and offers for parks, hotels, tickets and attractions may change. Certain experiences, tickets and perks are subject to conditions, specific dates and availability. Please check the applicable conditions at the time of booking.