Universal Studio vs Hollywood Studios

[Dsnymouse]

We are planning a trip to Disney and I'm am not thrilled with all this Magic Band and Fastpass+ stuff. We plan to do a split stay between the two parks. Can anyone sell me on passing up Hollywood for Universal?

 

[mbrou24]

We are planning a trip to Disney and I'm am not thrilled with all this Magic Band and Fastpass+ stuff. We plan to do a split stay between the two parks. Can anyone sell me on passing up Hollywood for Universal?

Universal studios will have a lot more in terms of attractions. Hollywood studios has more shows, but universal studios will have more rides and attractions. Also consider that depending on when you guy diagon alley Could be open expanding the ride selection even more.

 

[Senator Tressel]

Yeah, Universal is a much more complete theme park than Hollywood Studios. Has advantage in both quality and quantity. Really Magic Kingdom is the only Disney park that is what it should be in terms of attractions. Both Universal parks are on that level.

 

[Metro West]

Yeah, Universal is a much more complete theme park than Hollywood Studios. Has advantage in both quality and quantity. Really Magic Kingdom is the only Disney park that is what it should be in terms of attractions. Both Universal parks are on that level.

 

[wiigirl]

Universal studios will have a lot more in terms of attractions. Hollywood studios has more shows, but universal studios will have more rides and attractions. Also consider that depending on when you guy diagon alley Could be open expanding the ride selection even more.

 

[rowan555]

We spent 4 or so hours at the Disney park and decided we were done and had no interest in returning. My daughter and I spent a full 2 days at Universal Studios last August and are already planning a return trip in two months. There is SO much more to do there, it's a much more "complete" theme park experience IMO.

 

[Dsnymouse]

We spent 4 or so hours at the Disney park and decided we were done and had no interest in returning. My daughter and I spent a full 2 days at Universal Studios last August and are already planning a return trip in two months. There is SO much more to do there, it's a much more "complete" theme park experience IMO.

Rowan - You say you spent 4 hours at Disney, was this recent? Why only 4 hours? We are big Disney fans but having a hard time with the Magic Band & Fastpass+ stuff, all these years I over plan my vacation and this extra step is making the magic wear off. Really looking forward to our Universal stay. Currently we are just doing Island of Adventure but trying to decide if another day might be a good idea to see Universal Studios.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

If you're looking for a park that goes in depth into the movies you love, Universal Studios wins by a landslide. Not everything is CURRENT (Terminator II), but almost every ride there is related to an actual movie in some way, including actor endorsement, which can make you feel like you're living part of the movie.

I love Hollywood Studios though. It's my favourite park in terms of rides/attractions for Disney, but it's so small you can get most of it done in less than a day.

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I don't do the split-visit thing because when I go to US/IOA, I'm at US/IOA. And when I go to WDW, I'm at WDW.

That being said, if you want better rides, you gotta go to US. I'm a Disney freak, but my best ride in any theme park on the planet is ROTM. There simply is no queue better (OK, except for HP, of course!)

 

[Dsnymouse]

Universal studios will have a lot more in terms of attractions. Hollywood studios has more shows, but universal studios will have more rides and attractions. Also consider that depending on when you guy diagon alley Could be open expanding the ride selection even more.

mbrou24 - We are going in November so Diagon will be open.

I don't do the split-visit thing because when I go to US/IOA, I'm at US/IOA. And when I go to WDW, I'm at WDW.

That being said, if you want better rides, you gotta go to US. I'm a Disney freak, but my best ride in any theme park on the planet is ROTM. There simply is no queue better (OK, except for HP, of course!)

poeticdiabetic - clue the newbie in, what is ROTM?

 

[damo]

mbrou24 - We are going in November so Diagon will be open.



poeticdiabetic - clue the newbie in, what is ROTM?

Return of the Mummy

 

[JillyBean1899]

How old (and tall) are the people that are going? Do they like rides more, or do they like shows more? Are there any particular movies that they like? For example, are they Minion freaks, or do they love Star Wars? Just asking why you should do one park over the other isn't enough info, because the reasons I may think USF is better than DHS could possibly be reasons you wouldn't want to go anywhere near USF.

 

[Planogirl]

I like both parks but I've noticed that more people seem to recommend skipping Hollywood Studios than any other park lately. There just isn't that much to do.

Universal's version has plenty to do. It's my favorite park anywhere so I'm a bit biased though. Plus you can enjoy Citywalk so easily too and that is always a big plus for me.

 

[DOOM1001]

I like both parks but I've noticed that more people seem to recommend skipping Hollywood Studios than any other park lately. There just isn't that much to do.

Universal's version has plenty to do. It's my favorite park anywhere so I'm a bit biased though. Plus you can enjoy Citywalk so easily too and that is always a big plus for me.

Most of the Disney parks are painfully lacking in attractions,DHS probably the worst of the bunch,they have two great thrill rides and a good family interactive ride but everything else is dated.AK at least has Avatar coming in probably 4 years,yeah Disney works slow.Which is another reason I worry for DHS,they've had new attraction rumors for years and they never happen.You know eventually Star Wars is coming,but when 2024??? The Universal parks just have more to do and experience.

 

[keishashadow]

We are planning a trip to Disney and I'm am not thrilled with all this Magic Band and Fastpass+ stuff. We plan to do a split stay between the two parks. Can anyone sell me on passing up Hollywood for Universal?

Not sure how many days you have to work with but we manage to enjoy a leisurely split trip in 7 -8 days.

You reference visiting in November which is usually quiet before the holiday but might want to check out when 'jersey week' falls this year since WDW gets a spike in attendance, not sure how it impacts Universal.

If at all possible consider staying onsite at one of the Universal properties to enjoy the FOTL perc, which would give you access the day of arrival and departure. On the Universal departure day, you could segue over to WDW and enjoy one of the parks that has evening hours if desired.

jmho of the four WDW parks, AK followed by Epcot, would get the axe of an itinerary before MGM (which is a good park for departure day if you can get an early evening flight back home).