Questioning about professionals & cons of Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando? This compares & contrasts the 2 most well liked Florida theme park complexes, with a have a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the theme parks (together with Epic Universe) and lodge resorts at every that can assist you resolve which is the most efficient select on your time out. (Up to date August 9, 2025.)
Walt Disney Global as opposed to Common Orlando. Mickey Mouse. Mario. Olaf. Harry Potter. The controversy has raged since each entered the theme park scene in Florida, and is warmer than ever with Epic Universe opening, and Disney ‘responding’ by means of saying large enlargement plans for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. On this combat royale, TWO THEME PARK COMPLEXES ENTER, ONLY ONE WILL LEAVE.
Ok, in reality, now not in reality. This does now not have interaction within the conventional fanboy arguing over which is best. If you have already got a favourite, not anything I write goes to modify that (most probably) passionate opinion. I will be able to say that any intended competition is most commonly a synthetic advent of theme park enthusiasts, and now not one thing that in reality exists between the parks themselves. This submit is for many who don’t seem to be diehard enthusiasts of both, however slightly, are merely seeking to resolve allocate their restricted holiday time between the Central Florida theme parks.
For us, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey, Epic Universe, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are all like youngsters. Positive, we would possibly have personal tastes and private favorites, however we in the long run love all of them. To that time, we’re Annual Passholders at each Common Orlando and Walt Disney Global, however we’ll be the primary to confess that we spend way more time on the latter.
That is written to match and distinction Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando, to provide the ones of you who haven’t lately visited each an concept of the way it’s possible you’ll need to allocate your holiday time in Central Florida. Expectantly it’s relatively honest in doing that. In the end, I feel the 2 lodge complexes are higher as complementary locations slightly than aggressive ones, so I don’t have a lot hobby in that “combat,” anyway.
We obtain numerous questions on whether or not Common is “value it?” That’s a surprisingly loaded and subjective query, however I think like this sort of comparability submit is the easiest way to respond to it. The truth is, every brings so much to the desk, and has its strengths and weaknesses.
For lots of of you, Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando would possibly paintings nicely in tandem, and it could make a large number of sense so that you can spend a while at every lodge complicated. For others, just one might cling any enchantment because of your birthday celebration’s demographics, benefits of staying on-site at one or the opposite, price, or for a number of different causes.
As initial information, Walt Disney Global Hotel comprises 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, plus Snowstorm Seaside and Hurricane Lagoon water parks, over two-dozen on-site lodge resorts, and the Disney Springs buying groceries house.
Common Orlando Hotel has 3 theme parks: Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Epic Universe, plus Volcano Bay water park, 11 on-site lodge resorts, and the CityWalk buying groceries house. Despite the fact that it’s continuously mis-portrayed as a theme park, the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter isn’t one of the vital parks at Common Orlando–it’s lands throughout the above-mentioned parks. Identical is going with Tremendous Nintendo Global, which is an international/realm/portal/land inside Epic Universe, now not a ‘Mario theme park’ because it’s once in a while portrayed.
We will be able to quilt all of that on this submit, as we check out the strengths and weaknesses of Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando Motels…
Epic Universe
Let’s get started with the elephant within the room, which may well be why you’re coming to this submit or taking into account Common Orlando for the primary time. Epic Universe is the primary primary theme park to open in the US in over twenty years (first in Orlando this century) and contours 5 immersive portals: Celestial Park, The best way to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Tremendous Nintendo Global, Darkish Universe, and the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
We gained’t beat across the bush: Epic Universe is a game-changer, that includes lands on par with Walt Disney Global’s best. We have now already fallen in love with Epic Universe. Or possibly extra correctly, the thought of Epic Universe. It’s an incredible theme park on paper, or even in observe on a excellent day. The issue is that the nascent theme park has a large number of operational woes, and remains to be discovering its footing. From a realistic viewpoint, that is exacerbated by means of restrictive ticketing insurance policies that make visiting tricky till 2026.
Suffice to mention, there are primary downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park right through its opening season(s), as specified by Why You Will have to Skip Epic Universe (or Wait to Discuss with Till 2026). As nice because the park is on paper, or days with extraordinarily low crowds plus favorable climate, it’s going to take some time to figure out the operational rising pains.
When you consult with Epic Universe right through its first yr, you’re prone to stumble upon technical difficulties, journey downtime, and different frustrations. With that mentioned, there also are nice causes to consult with ASAP, and commit extra of your Florida holiday time to the brand new park–Right here’s Why You Want 2 Days at Epic Universe.
For the reason that it’s tricky to enjoy Epic Universe as a part of a regular holiday to Central Florida presently, and the truth that we’re now not actively recommending it till (a minimum of) early 2026, it kind of feels untimely to totally incorporate it into this sensible making plans information. So as a substitute, it’s up most sensible as a bit of of an asterisk earlier than the remainder of the information starts. Epic Universe holds nice promise, nevertheless it isn’t reasonably able for top time for reasonable visitors. (Diehard theme park enthusiasts are a distinct beast, and a probably other tale.)
Rides
In accordance to a few, Walt Disney Global is for households with youngsters and Common Orlando Hotel is for teenagers and younger adults. No less than, that is what has been perpetuated. The truth is a little more nuanced.
It’s a observation that you’ll be able to take at face price and kind of know what is supposed by means of it, despite the fact that it’s incomplete. Common Orlando does skew extra against teenagers and adults. A complete of 24 points of interest at Common Orlando have top necessities, for a mean of 12 in line with park. At Walt Disney Global, there are 22 points of interest with top necessities, for a mean of five.5 in line with park.
That is compounded by means of the truth that maximum of Common Orlando’s very best points of interest have top necessities. This comprises the entire flagship Wizarding Global of Harry Potter points of interest, in addition to all 3 Tremendous Nintendo Global points of interest (even if the bar for Yoshi’s Journey isn’t specifically prime, nevertheless it’s additionally now not a marquee journey). In reality, there are 9 rides in Epic Universe with top necessities and eight of them are 40″ or 48″. Handiest two rides at Epic Universe don’t have such minimums.
Numerous rides are eradicated for households with by means of distinctive feature of this top requirement by myself. Whilst there are nonetheless numerous points of interest that youngsters can do within the Common parks, those points of interest don’t seem to be Common’s robust swimsuit, while lots of Walt Disney Global’s vintage points of interest are aimed squarely at youngsters.
You probably have young children and are considering a time out to Common Orlando, you’ll for sure need to seek the advice of top requirement charts to ensure that they’re tall sufficient for no less than a bit of them. The excellent news is that Common is creating a concerted effort to strengthen its family-friendly choices.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is for nearly everybody (apart from babies). Common now has extra kid-friendly characters, a brand new daylight hours parade, and there’s different leisure aimed toward households. DreamWorks Animation Land may be aimed squarely at youngsters. The standard of those family-friendly additions is up for debate, however Common is making an effort.
Then there’s Epic Universe. The level to which this park is family-friendly is in reality a bit of extra age dependent. After visiting Epic Universe for the primary time on a ‘analysis’ consult with, and falling in love with the park, I temporarily learned it wouldn’t be a excellent are compatible for our family members. We have now a baby and my spouse has movement illness, so Epic Universe misses the mark for us. It nonetheless leans too closely into displays and rides with top necessities, versus slow-moving darkish rides or boat rides with every age enchantment.
With that mentioned, we now have pals with youngsters who’re a bit of older–fundamental faculty age–and Epic Universe is a colossal hit with them. Tremendous Nintendo Global and The best way to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, specifically, are favorites with this crowd. Larger youngsters and younger adults love the combination of IPs and rides much more.
Despite the fact that you don’t have young children, it’s possible you’ll to find lots of Common’s headliners just too intense. Movement illness is handiest a subject with a handful of points of interest at Walt Disney Global–such things as Expedition Everest, Megastar Excursions, and Cosmic Rewind. Just about each thrill journey and/or simulator at Common can provide issues for visitors with movement illness.
The turn aspect of that is that Walt Disney Global is vulnerable in the case of thrill rides. Positive, there are some choices however maximum of Disney’s rollercoasters are tame by means of standard requirements, and there are fewer of them (therefore fewer top necessities).
Thrilling, well-themed points of interest are squarely in Common Orlando’s wheelhouse. Excluding coasters, nearly all of those points of interest are brilliantly done, and don’t seem to be simply affordable, amusement park thrills. Transformers, Spiderman, Revenge of the Mummy, and the Harry Potter points of interest, amongst others, are one of the most very best points of interest in Orlando.
Those points of interest don’t seem to be too intense for reasonable visitors–on the contrary, they command long wait instances, in order that they’re obviously suitable for maximum other folks. If you’ll be able to care for Expedition Everest or Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, you’ll be able to most probably care for anything else at Common Orlando.
Along with that, they splendidly fuse thrills with thematic supply. Those action-packed points of interest are Common Orlando’s particular robust swimsuit, and if that is your taste, you’ll be specifically inspired with what they have got to supply. Many of those fast paced, action-packed points of interest are not like anything else that exists at Walt Disney Global.
One commonplace criticism about Common Orlando is that it leans completely on screen-based points of interest. There are for sure a number of cases of displays getting used (and lots of greater than at Walt Disney Global), with displays utilized in lieu of animated figures (Audio-Animatronics in Disney parlance). Common has began to escape from the overreliance on displays, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a power drawback.
In equity, contemporary highly-popular Walt Disney Global points of interest also are trending in that very same path. Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle Run have a mixed overall of 0 Audio Animatronics however heaps of displays. In each instances, displays are used purposefully and as suitable. In fast paced, action-heavy thrill rides (amongst different situations), animated figures merely wouldn’t be pragmatic.
Transformers wouldn’t be conceivable with large Autobots scaling structures and bouncing throughout a town leaving a path of destruction of their wake. Identical is going for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure and the Superb Adventures of Spiderman, amongst others. Additionally to Common’s credit score, however the points of interest that do make the most of displays don’t make the most of handiest displays. They’re all mixed-media, and there’s sufficient selection that I don’t suppose you ever in reality really feel that you simply’re simply “looking at a video.”
It’s value declaring that the distance has been final between Common and Disney within the final decade. Walt Disney Global has apparently adopted Common’s lead and positioned a better emphasis on exciting points of interest. When you have a look at one of the most greatest contemporary additions–each rides in Megastar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avatar Flight of Passage, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle Run, and Slinky Canine Sprint–all have top necessities and be offering various levels of thrills. And as mentioned above, Common is doing extra to cater against youngsters.
Walt Disney Global does have extra selection and classics than Common Orlando, with the latter striking a more potent emphasis on fresh films and what’s fashionable now. Disney’s enchantment lineup has been subtle over the past 4 many years, and most of the international’s maximum iconic and vintage theme park points of interest exist at Walt Disney Global.
Relying upon your viewpoint, this can be a excellent or dangerous factor. Those classics will enchantment in your sense of nostalgia in conjunction with the youngest and oldest individuals of your touring birthday celebration. Many have completely stood the check of time, however the teenagers and younger adults to your workforce might to find them lame or dated.
Masking the enchantment roster at Walt Disney Global is past the scope of this submit (and you almost certainly are aware of it, anyway), however in the event you’re unfamiliar with Walt Disney Global’s journey lineup, we quilt it park-by-park in our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides. Suffice to mention, Walt Disney Global has a large number of ‘Fantasyland’ taste points of interest that may enchantment to youngsters, and a large number of slow-paced points of interest that may enchantment to an older crowd in search of leisurely issues to do.
Leisure
Traditionally, Walt Disney Global has introduced extra and higher leisure. Level presentations, atmospheric performers, personality meet & greets, and midnight spectaculars have all been awesome at Walt Disney Global. Manufacturing values are generally upper and Disney has get right of entry to to extra loved characters in conjunction with a deep nicely of nostalgia.
To that final level, Disney highbrow assets is so much more potent than Common’s. Whilst the latter does have Harry Potter and can quickly have Nintendo, Walt Disney Global another way has a near-monopoly on loved animated characters from the final half-century. Characters from Frozen, Encanto, Moana, Toy Tale, The Incredibles, Discovering Nemo, and many others.
In contrast, Common’s large identify characters that enchantment to youngsters are the Minions and Spongebob. That’s now not everybody–different characters come with Optimus Top, Bumblebee and Megatron; The Simpsons; Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona; Scooby-Doo & Shaggy; Trolls; Blue the Velociraptor; Kung Fu Panda; and Surprise Comics characters. It’s a protracted record, however the sheer quantity of fashionable characters within the Disney vault dwarfs Common.
Moreover, Walt Disney Global has a surprisingly powerful lineup of scheduled leisure with purpose-built venues. Right here, we’re referring in large part to degree presentations with are living performers, comparable to Discovering Nemo: The Giant Blue & Past, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, Good looks and the Beast Live to tell the tale Level, Frozen Sing-Alongside, Pageant of the Lion King, simply to call a couple of.
Along with this, there are extra tech-driven productions. Those come with Nation Endure Musical Jamboree, Corridor of Presidents, Carousel of Growth, Monsters Inc. Snigger Ground, PhilharMagic, and numerous different 3D motion pictures.
Then there are the midnight spectaculars, which can be recently the Fortunately Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom, Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Luminous at EPCOT. (Unfortunately, there’s not anything at Animal Kingdom.) Common Studios Florida has CineSational: A Symphonic Impressive at evening and the daylight hours Common Mega Film Parade. The ones are each in reality excellent, however now not on par with Walt Disney Global’s general leisure lineup.
The place Common Orlando in reality excels is with streetmosphere. You’ll be able to’t stroll quite a lot of hundred toes with out stumbling upon an leisure act of a few kind—musicians, degree presentations, characters, or atmospheric performers.
Whether or not it’s the Blues Brothers, Scooby Doo Thriller Device, Bart Simpson, Marilyn Monroe, or Mardi Gras bands, you’ll be able to’t pass a ways in both of the Common parks with out seeing one thing. Common additionally has get right of entry to to extra Surprise characters, albeit the comedian guide variations.
On-Website Advantages
Proper from its opening in 1971, Walt Disney Global located itself as a holiday vacation spot slightly than a day-trip theme park. Disney has reinforced its place on this regard, now not simply with the hole of three further theme parks and all of that different stuff, however with perks and programs that make it an all-inclusive holiday.
For many of us, this has been without equal hurdle in visiting Common Orlando. Even the ones with hobby within the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter would possibly prefer being within the “Walt Disney Global Bubble” on holiday. For lots of diehard WDW enthusiasts, that’s an intangible that has been very tricky to triumph over.
That is every other house the place the tables have became “thank you” to the top of unfastened FastPass+ and Disney’s Magical Categorical. Whilst on-site perks have progressed at Walt Disney Global, there are nonetheless fewer incentives to stick on-site at Walt Disney Global than there have been 4 years in the past, and extra to stick on-site at Common Orlando.
In the most recent updates to our Off-Website v. On-Website at Walt Disney Global article, we’ve lined this shift intimately. That still covers contemporary additions at Walt Disney Global, together with Lightning Lane precedence reserving home windows, Early Access, Prolonged Night time Hours, and extra.
All Common resorts be offering Early Park Admission to Epic Universe day-to-day (and different parks pursuant to a agenda) one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most people. Visitors staying at Common’s Premier Accommodations get unfastened Limitless Categorical Move to skip the common traces at most well liked points of interest in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. (There’s no Limitless Categorical Move receive advantages for Epic Universe.)
Categorical Move is Common’s identical of FastPass (retired) or Lightning Lanes (present), however higher—and it usually prices cash.
We like Categorical Move, and would strongly counsel a break up live between Walt Disney Global and Common’s resorts in the event you’re making plans a consult with to each only for the sake of “unfastened” Categorical Move. (See Common’s Categorical Move v. Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney Global for more information and a complete comparability.)
Whilst past the scope of this newsletter, Common Orlando lodges be offering most of the identical benefits of Walt Disney Global resorts. Common’s resorts additionally function nice themed design, transportation to the parks, and an ideal location—maximum are inside strolling distance of Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey or Epic Universe. (See Common Orlando v. Disney Global Accommodations for extra at the professionals & cons of every complicated’s lodges.)
Any other receive advantages to staying on-site at Common Orlando is the format. The principle campus of Common Orlando can also be likened to Disneyland Hotel in California. Just like that, Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey are adjoining to each other and CityWalk may be shut by means of. There also are a half-dozen on-site resorts at Common Orlando inside strolling distance of those two theme parks and CityWalk.
Each and every of those resorts and CityWalk be offering quite a lot of types of leisure, buying groceries, and eating, and Common Orlando has been aggressively increasing those non-theme park choices with an eye fixed against making Common Orlando in a similar fashion seen as a holiday vacation spot. This has been aided by means of lodge leisure choices, just like the lazy river and bowling alley in Cabana Bay Seaside Hotel.
There’s now a 2d campus at Common Orlando, which is the place you’ll to find Epic Universe plus 3 new resorts. If Epic Universe is your emphasis, we’d counsel staying at this south campus. When you’re spending equivalent time in any respect 3 parks, it’s possible you’ll need to live at the major campus–however we advise that specialize in Epic Universe in the event you’ll be doing it in any respect. In case your funds lets in, we’d counsel staying at Helios Grand Resort if Epic Universe is a concern.
When you’re on a tighter funds, we advise Stella Nova or Terra Luna Motels, which can be price resorts inside strolling distance of Epic Universe. This trio of resorts is on the Epic Universe ‘campus’ of Common Orlando, which is a good distance from the opposite parks and lodges.
Whilst Walt Disney Global nonetheless has extra to supply past the parks, Common Orlando is gaining floor, and is appearing no indicators of slowing down. Additions at Walt Disney Global were coming at a snail’s tempo, while Common Orlando is development at a breakneck tempo.
In relation to holiday sort, they in reality each might be seen as catering to equivalent demographics. Nonetheless, if you’re in search of a single-site vacation spot for an extended holiday, Walt Disney Global has the merit. Common Orlando has the brink if you wish to do a number of issues, and handiest need to spend a few days at theme parks.
In case you are taking into account a theme park-centric time out to Florida with more than one locations, the most efficient thought is allocating a while at every and doing a split-stay between an legitimate Common Orlando lodge and an on-site Walt Disney Global lodge.
Theme & Environment
One division through which Walt Disney Global has a transparent merit is theme and surroundings. The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter lands (Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade) are good examples of themed design that you simply would not have to be a Harry Potter fan to understand. Either one of those lands blow me away. Those lands aren’t simply on par with the most efficient of Orlando, they’re Tokyo DisneySea caliber. Likewise, Port of Access is a rather well carried out land. Each and every unmarried portal of Epic Universe is amazingly well-done.
Sadly, while you get previous those spaces lands, the wheels type of fall off. Common Studios Florida will get a bit of of a cross in this, because it’s a studios park, or even Disney type of punts on theming on its studios parks, permitting them to serve as in large part as collections of points of interest that don’t are compatible in other places.
In relation to theme, each legacy Common Orlando parks fall in need of Walt Disney Global’s parks. This isn’t to mention each land at Walt Disney Global is a thematic masterpiece, however general, its lands are awesome. And if anything else, Epic Universe makes Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida glance worse by means of comparability; going from the brand new park from the outdated parks is a bit of difficult, and there are a number of lands within the legacy gates that really feel blighted.
As any person who loves being in immersive theme park environments, Common’s thematic missteps are a letdown for me. Once more, Wizarding Global of Harry Potter does so much to excuse this–Hogsmeade is a smart land and Diagon Alley is next-level. There also are flashes of brilliance in Jurassic Park, San Francisco, New York, Hollywood, Springfield, Misplaced Continent, Seuss Touchdown, and different spaces. Alternatively, Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey don’t seem to be as constantly robust thematically.
Which is okay–they’re other types of parks. The Walt Disney Global parks are typically extra relaxing puts to ‘be’ in and absorb the ambience, while the Common parks do action-packed points of interest higher. My private opinion is that each lodge complexes fill enchantment line-up gaps now not totally served by means of the opposite, and if the entire points of interest stated above enchantment to you, an ideal holiday technique can be to spend time at every.
Conclusion
In the end, Common Orlando isn’t going to be for everybody, simply as Walt Disney Global isn’t for everybody. You probably have a trio of four yr olds and also are bringing grandma and grandpa at the holiday, your birthday celebration is most probably going to desire Walt Disney Global by means of a large margin. When you’re taking your 13 and 16 yr olds, Common Orlando must for sure be for your radar. That’s doubly true in the event that they’re Potterheads or enthusiasts of alternative franchises featured at Common.
Additionally, this in reality simply scratches the skin of the similarities and variations of the parks, and what it’s possible you’ll need to know in the event you’re taking into account venturing to Common Orlando Hotel. Any other one is meals, which is ruled by means of Disney. Transportation is but every other; it’s very location-dependent at Walt Disney Global, however nice around the board at Common.
The general one is price. Because of incremental worth will increase, doing each Common and Disney will price greater than doing one or the opposite for the same quantity of time. With that mentioned, Common is more economical than Walt Disney Global in maximum techniques. Park tickets and meals costs don’t seem to be specifically noticeable, however the large one is lodge charges.
No longer handiest is Common (generally) less expensive, however its lodges come with perks that will price further cash at Walt Disney Global. Alternatively, even that isn’t constant. There are specific instances when Walt Disney Global gives competitive lodge reductions for most people, and Common handiest has offers to be had for Annual Passholders and Florida citizens. Basically, we pay much less to consult with Common, however that’s extremely variable–and for sure now not at all times true. As with such a lot of this comparability, your mileage might range at the same time as to which prices extra.
Want time out making plans pointers and complete recommendation on your consult with to Central Florida? Remember to learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the entirety about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the entirety about the ones parks, lodges, eating places, and so a lot more. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and a lot more, join our FREE e-mail e-newsletter!
Your Ideas?
When you’ve visited Epic Universe, Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey lately, what did you suppose? The place does Common surpass Disney, and vice-versa? Is there anything else we neglected otherwise you suppose is wrong? Do you favor Common or Disney resorts? What about rides, leisure, and meals? Do you compromise or disagree with our evaluate? Any questions we will permit you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas beneath within the feedback!
Questioning about professionals & cons of Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando? This compares & contrasts the 2 most well liked Florida theme park complexes, with a have a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the theme parks (together with Epic Universe) and lodge resorts at every that can assist you resolve which is the most efficient select on your time out. (Up to date August 9, 2025.)
Walt Disney Global as opposed to Common Orlando. Mickey Mouse. Mario. Olaf. Harry Potter. The controversy has raged since each entered the theme park scene in Florida, and is warmer than ever with Epic Universe opening, and Disney ‘responding’ by means of saying large enlargement plans for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. On this combat royale, TWO THEME PARK COMPLEXES ENTER, ONLY ONE WILL LEAVE.
Ok, in reality, now not in reality. This does now not have interaction within the conventional fanboy arguing over which is best. If you have already got a favourite, not anything I write goes to modify that (most probably) passionate opinion. I will be able to say that any intended competition is most commonly a synthetic advent of theme park enthusiasts, and now not one thing that in reality exists between the parks themselves. This submit is for many who don’t seem to be diehard enthusiasts of both, however slightly, are merely seeking to resolve allocate their restricted holiday time between the Central Florida theme parks.
For us, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey, Epic Universe, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are all like youngsters. Positive, we would possibly have personal tastes and private favorites, however we in the long run love all of them. To that time, we’re Annual Passholders at each Common Orlando and Walt Disney Global, however we’ll be the primary to confess that we spend way more time on the latter.
That is written to match and distinction Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando, to provide the ones of you who haven’t lately visited each an concept of the way it’s possible you’ll need to allocate your holiday time in Central Florida. Expectantly it’s relatively honest in doing that. In the end, I feel the 2 lodge complexes are higher as complementary locations slightly than aggressive ones, so I don’t have a lot hobby in that “combat,” anyway.
We obtain numerous questions on whether or not Common is “value it?” That’s a surprisingly loaded and subjective query, however I think like this sort of comparability submit is the easiest way to respond to it. The truth is, every brings so much to the desk, and has its strengths and weaknesses.
For lots of of you, Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando would possibly paintings nicely in tandem, and it could make a large number of sense so that you can spend a while at every lodge complicated. For others, just one might cling any enchantment because of your birthday celebration’s demographics, benefits of staying on-site at one or the opposite, price, or for a number of different causes.
As initial information, Walt Disney Global Hotel comprises 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, plus Snowstorm Seaside and Hurricane Lagoon water parks, over two-dozen on-site lodge resorts, and the Disney Springs buying groceries house.
Common Orlando Hotel has 3 theme parks: Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Epic Universe, plus Volcano Bay water park, 11 on-site lodge resorts, and the CityWalk buying groceries house. Despite the fact that it’s continuously mis-portrayed as a theme park, the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter isn’t one of the vital parks at Common Orlando–it’s lands throughout the above-mentioned parks. Identical is going with Tremendous Nintendo Global, which is an international/realm/portal/land inside Epic Universe, now not a ‘Mario theme park’ because it’s once in a while portrayed.
We will be able to quilt all of that on this submit, as we check out the strengths and weaknesses of Walt Disney Global and Common Orlando Motels…
Epic Universe
Let’s get started with the elephant within the room, which may well be why you’re coming to this submit or taking into account Common Orlando for the primary time. Epic Universe is the primary primary theme park to open in the US in over twenty years (first in Orlando this century) and contours 5 immersive portals: Celestial Park, The best way to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Tremendous Nintendo Global, Darkish Universe, and the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
We gained’t beat across the bush: Epic Universe is a game-changer, that includes lands on par with Walt Disney Global’s best. We have now already fallen in love with Epic Universe. Or possibly extra correctly, the thought of Epic Universe. It’s an incredible theme park on paper, or even in observe on a excellent day. The issue is that the nascent theme park has a large number of operational woes, and remains to be discovering its footing. From a realistic viewpoint, that is exacerbated by means of restrictive ticketing insurance policies that make visiting tricky till 2026.
Suffice to mention, there are primary downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park right through its opening season(s), as specified by Why You Will have to Skip Epic Universe (or Wait to Discuss with Till 2026). As nice because the park is on paper, or days with extraordinarily low crowds plus favorable climate, it’s going to take some time to figure out the operational rising pains.
When you consult with Epic Universe right through its first yr, you’re prone to stumble upon technical difficulties, journey downtime, and different frustrations. With that mentioned, there also are nice causes to consult with ASAP, and commit extra of your Florida holiday time to the brand new park–Right here’s Why You Want 2 Days at Epic Universe.
For the reason that it’s tricky to enjoy Epic Universe as a part of a regular holiday to Central Florida presently, and the truth that we’re now not actively recommending it till (a minimum of) early 2026, it kind of feels untimely to totally incorporate it into this sensible making plans information. So as a substitute, it’s up most sensible as a bit of of an asterisk earlier than the remainder of the information starts. Epic Universe holds nice promise, nevertheless it isn’t reasonably able for top time for reasonable visitors. (Diehard theme park enthusiasts are a distinct beast, and a probably other tale.)
Rides
In accordance to a few, Walt Disney Global is for households with youngsters and Common Orlando Hotel is for teenagers and younger adults. No less than, that is what has been perpetuated. The truth is a little more nuanced.
It’s a observation that you’ll be able to take at face price and kind of know what is supposed by means of it, despite the fact that it’s incomplete. Common Orlando does skew extra against teenagers and adults. A complete of 24 points of interest at Common Orlando have top necessities, for a mean of 12 in line with park. At Walt Disney Global, there are 22 points of interest with top necessities, for a mean of five.5 in line with park.
That is compounded by means of the truth that maximum of Common Orlando’s very best points of interest have top necessities. This comprises the entire flagship Wizarding Global of Harry Potter points of interest, in addition to all 3 Tremendous Nintendo Global points of interest (even if the bar for Yoshi’s Journey isn’t specifically prime, nevertheless it’s additionally now not a marquee journey). In reality, there are 9 rides in Epic Universe with top necessities and eight of them are 40″ or 48″. Handiest two rides at Epic Universe don’t have such minimums.
Numerous rides are eradicated for households with by means of distinctive feature of this top requirement by myself. Whilst there are nonetheless numerous points of interest that youngsters can do within the Common parks, those points of interest don’t seem to be Common’s robust swimsuit, while lots of Walt Disney Global’s vintage points of interest are aimed squarely at youngsters.
You probably have young children and are considering a time out to Common Orlando, you’ll for sure need to seek the advice of top requirement charts to ensure that they’re tall sufficient for no less than a bit of them. The excellent news is that Common is creating a concerted effort to strengthen its family-friendly choices.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is for nearly everybody (apart from babies). Common now has extra kid-friendly characters, a brand new daylight hours parade, and there’s different leisure aimed toward households. DreamWorks Animation Land may be aimed squarely at youngsters. The standard of those family-friendly additions is up for debate, however Common is making an effort.
Then there’s Epic Universe. The level to which this park is family-friendly is in reality a bit of extra age dependent. After visiting Epic Universe for the primary time on a ‘analysis’ consult with, and falling in love with the park, I temporarily learned it wouldn’t be a excellent are compatible for our family members. We have now a baby and my spouse has movement illness, so Epic Universe misses the mark for us. It nonetheless leans too closely into displays and rides with top necessities, versus slow-moving darkish rides or boat rides with every age enchantment.
With that mentioned, we now have pals with youngsters who’re a bit of older–fundamental faculty age–and Epic Universe is a colossal hit with them. Tremendous Nintendo Global and The best way to Teach Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, specifically, are favorites with this crowd. Larger youngsters and younger adults love the combination of IPs and rides much more.
Despite the fact that you don’t have young children, it’s possible you’ll to find lots of Common’s headliners just too intense. Movement illness is handiest a subject with a handful of points of interest at Walt Disney Global–such things as Expedition Everest, Megastar Excursions, and Cosmic Rewind. Just about each thrill journey and/or simulator at Common can provide issues for visitors with movement illness.
The turn aspect of that is that Walt Disney Global is vulnerable in the case of thrill rides. Positive, there are some choices however maximum of Disney’s rollercoasters are tame by means of standard requirements, and there are fewer of them (therefore fewer top necessities).
Thrilling, well-themed points of interest are squarely in Common Orlando’s wheelhouse. Excluding coasters, nearly all of those points of interest are brilliantly done, and don’t seem to be simply affordable, amusement park thrills. Transformers, Spiderman, Revenge of the Mummy, and the Harry Potter points of interest, amongst others, are one of the most very best points of interest in Orlando.
Those points of interest don’t seem to be too intense for reasonable visitors–on the contrary, they command long wait instances, in order that they’re obviously suitable for maximum other folks. If you’ll be able to care for Expedition Everest or Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, you’ll be able to most probably care for anything else at Common Orlando.
Along with that, they splendidly fuse thrills with thematic supply. Those action-packed points of interest are Common Orlando’s particular robust swimsuit, and if that is your taste, you’ll be specifically inspired with what they have got to supply. Many of those fast paced, action-packed points of interest are not like anything else that exists at Walt Disney Global.
One commonplace criticism about Common Orlando is that it leans completely on screen-based points of interest. There are for sure a number of cases of displays getting used (and lots of greater than at Walt Disney Global), with displays utilized in lieu of animated figures (Audio-Animatronics in Disney parlance). Common has began to escape from the overreliance on displays, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a power drawback.
In equity, contemporary highly-popular Walt Disney Global points of interest also are trending in that very same path. Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle Run have a mixed overall of 0 Audio Animatronics however heaps of displays. In each instances, displays are used purposefully and as suitable. In fast paced, action-heavy thrill rides (amongst different situations), animated figures merely wouldn’t be pragmatic.
Transformers wouldn’t be conceivable with large Autobots scaling structures and bouncing throughout a town leaving a path of destruction of their wake. Identical is going for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure and the Superb Adventures of Spiderman, amongst others. Additionally to Common’s credit score, however the points of interest that do make the most of displays don’t make the most of handiest displays. They’re all mixed-media, and there’s sufficient selection that I don’t suppose you ever in reality really feel that you simply’re simply “looking at a video.”
It’s value declaring that the distance has been final between Common and Disney within the final decade. Walt Disney Global has apparently adopted Common’s lead and positioned a better emphasis on exciting points of interest. When you have a look at one of the most greatest contemporary additions–each rides in Megastar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avatar Flight of Passage, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle Run, and Slinky Canine Sprint–all have top necessities and be offering various levels of thrills. And as mentioned above, Common is doing extra to cater against youngsters.
Walt Disney Global does have extra selection and classics than Common Orlando, with the latter striking a more potent emphasis on fresh films and what’s fashionable now. Disney’s enchantment lineup has been subtle over the past 4 many years, and most of the international’s maximum iconic and vintage theme park points of interest exist at Walt Disney Global.
Relying upon your viewpoint, this can be a excellent or dangerous factor. Those classics will enchantment in your sense of nostalgia in conjunction with the youngest and oldest individuals of your touring birthday celebration. Many have completely stood the check of time, however the teenagers and younger adults to your workforce might to find them lame or dated.
Masking the enchantment roster at Walt Disney Global is past the scope of this submit (and you almost certainly are aware of it, anyway), however in the event you’re unfamiliar with Walt Disney Global’s journey lineup, we quilt it park-by-park in our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides. Suffice to mention, Walt Disney Global has a large number of ‘Fantasyland’ taste points of interest that may enchantment to youngsters, and a large number of slow-paced points of interest that may enchantment to an older crowd in search of leisurely issues to do.
Leisure
Traditionally, Walt Disney Global has introduced extra and higher leisure. Level presentations, atmospheric performers, personality meet & greets, and midnight spectaculars have all been awesome at Walt Disney Global. Manufacturing values are generally upper and Disney has get right of entry to to extra loved characters in conjunction with a deep nicely of nostalgia.
To that final level, Disney highbrow assets is so much more potent than Common’s. Whilst the latter does have Harry Potter and can quickly have Nintendo, Walt Disney Global another way has a near-monopoly on loved animated characters from the final half-century. Characters from Frozen, Encanto, Moana, Toy Tale, The Incredibles, Discovering Nemo, and many others.
In contrast, Common’s large identify characters that enchantment to youngsters are the Minions and Spongebob. That’s now not everybody–different characters come with Optimus Top, Bumblebee and Megatron; The Simpsons; Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona; Scooby-Doo & Shaggy; Trolls; Blue the Velociraptor; Kung Fu Panda; and Surprise Comics characters. It’s a protracted record, however the sheer quantity of fashionable characters within the Disney vault dwarfs Common.
Moreover, Walt Disney Global has a surprisingly powerful lineup of scheduled leisure with purpose-built venues. Right here, we’re referring in large part to degree presentations with are living performers, comparable to Discovering Nemo: The Giant Blue & Past, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, Good looks and the Beast Live to tell the tale Level, Frozen Sing-Alongside, Pageant of the Lion King, simply to call a couple of.
Along with this, there are extra tech-driven productions. Those come with Nation Endure Musical Jamboree, Corridor of Presidents, Carousel of Growth, Monsters Inc. Snigger Ground, PhilharMagic, and numerous different 3D motion pictures.
Then there are the midnight spectaculars, which can be recently the Fortunately Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom, Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Luminous at EPCOT. (Unfortunately, there’s not anything at Animal Kingdom.) Common Studios Florida has CineSational: A Symphonic Impressive at evening and the daylight hours Common Mega Film Parade. The ones are each in reality excellent, however now not on par with Walt Disney Global’s general leisure lineup.
The place Common Orlando in reality excels is with streetmosphere. You’ll be able to’t stroll quite a lot of hundred toes with out stumbling upon an leisure act of a few kind—musicians, degree presentations, characters, or atmospheric performers.
Whether or not it’s the Blues Brothers, Scooby Doo Thriller Device, Bart Simpson, Marilyn Monroe, or Mardi Gras bands, you’ll be able to’t pass a ways in both of the Common parks with out seeing one thing. Common additionally has get right of entry to to extra Surprise characters, albeit the comedian guide variations.
On-Website Advantages
Proper from its opening in 1971, Walt Disney Global located itself as a holiday vacation spot slightly than a day-trip theme park. Disney has reinforced its place on this regard, now not simply with the hole of three further theme parks and all of that different stuff, however with perks and programs that make it an all-inclusive holiday.
For many of us, this has been without equal hurdle in visiting Common Orlando. Even the ones with hobby within the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter would possibly prefer being within the “Walt Disney Global Bubble” on holiday. For lots of diehard WDW enthusiasts, that’s an intangible that has been very tricky to triumph over.
That is every other house the place the tables have became “thank you” to the top of unfastened FastPass+ and Disney’s Magical Categorical. Whilst on-site perks have progressed at Walt Disney Global, there are nonetheless fewer incentives to stick on-site at Walt Disney Global than there have been 4 years in the past, and extra to stick on-site at Common Orlando.
In the most recent updates to our Off-Website v. On-Website at Walt Disney Global article, we’ve lined this shift intimately. That still covers contemporary additions at Walt Disney Global, together with Lightning Lane precedence reserving home windows, Early Access, Prolonged Night time Hours, and extra.
All Common resorts be offering Early Park Admission to Epic Universe day-to-day (and different parks pursuant to a agenda) one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most people. Visitors staying at Common’s Premier Accommodations get unfastened Limitless Categorical Move to skip the common traces at most well liked points of interest in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. (There’s no Limitless Categorical Move receive advantages for Epic Universe.)
Categorical Move is Common’s identical of FastPass (retired) or Lightning Lanes (present), however higher—and it usually prices cash.
We like Categorical Move, and would strongly counsel a break up live between Walt Disney Global and Common’s resorts in the event you’re making plans a consult with to each only for the sake of “unfastened” Categorical Move. (See Common’s Categorical Move v. Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney Global for more information and a complete comparability.)
Whilst past the scope of this newsletter, Common Orlando lodges be offering most of the identical benefits of Walt Disney Global resorts. Common’s resorts additionally function nice themed design, transportation to the parks, and an ideal location—maximum are inside strolling distance of Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey or Epic Universe. (See Common Orlando v. Disney Global Accommodations for extra at the professionals & cons of every complicated’s lodges.)
Any other receive advantages to staying on-site at Common Orlando is the format. The principle campus of Common Orlando can also be likened to Disneyland Hotel in California. Just like that, Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey are adjoining to each other and CityWalk may be shut by means of. There also are a half-dozen on-site resorts at Common Orlando inside strolling distance of those two theme parks and CityWalk.
Each and every of those resorts and CityWalk be offering quite a lot of types of leisure, buying groceries, and eating, and Common Orlando has been aggressively increasing those non-theme park choices with an eye fixed against making Common Orlando in a similar fashion seen as a holiday vacation spot. This has been aided by means of lodge leisure choices, just like the lazy river and bowling alley in Cabana Bay Seaside Hotel.
There’s now a 2d campus at Common Orlando, which is the place you’ll to find Epic Universe plus 3 new resorts. If Epic Universe is your emphasis, we’d counsel staying at this south campus. When you’re spending equivalent time in any respect 3 parks, it’s possible you’ll need to live at the major campus–however we advise that specialize in Epic Universe in the event you’ll be doing it in any respect. In case your funds lets in, we’d counsel staying at Helios Grand Resort if Epic Universe is a concern.
When you’re on a tighter funds, we advise Stella Nova or Terra Luna Motels, which can be price resorts inside strolling distance of Epic Universe. This trio of resorts is on the Epic Universe ‘campus’ of Common Orlando, which is a good distance from the opposite parks and lodges.
Whilst Walt Disney Global nonetheless has extra to supply past the parks, Common Orlando is gaining floor, and is appearing no indicators of slowing down. Additions at Walt Disney Global were coming at a snail’s tempo, while Common Orlando is development at a breakneck tempo.
In relation to holiday sort, they in reality each might be seen as catering to equivalent demographics. Nonetheless, if you’re in search of a single-site vacation spot for an extended holiday, Walt Disney Global has the merit. Common Orlando has the brink if you wish to do a number of issues, and handiest need to spend a few days at theme parks.
In case you are taking into account a theme park-centric time out to Florida with more than one locations, the most efficient thought is allocating a while at every and doing a split-stay between an legitimate Common Orlando lodge and an on-site Walt Disney Global lodge.
Theme & Environment
One division through which Walt Disney Global has a transparent merit is theme and surroundings. The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter lands (Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade) are good examples of themed design that you simply would not have to be a Harry Potter fan to understand. Either one of those lands blow me away. Those lands aren’t simply on par with the most efficient of Orlando, they’re Tokyo DisneySea caliber. Likewise, Port of Access is a rather well carried out land. Each and every unmarried portal of Epic Universe is amazingly well-done.
Sadly, while you get previous those spaces lands, the wheels type of fall off. Common Studios Florida will get a bit of of a cross in this, because it’s a studios park, or even Disney type of punts on theming on its studios parks, permitting them to serve as in large part as collections of points of interest that don’t are compatible in other places.
In relation to theme, each legacy Common Orlando parks fall in need of Walt Disney Global’s parks. This isn’t to mention each land at Walt Disney Global is a thematic masterpiece, however general, its lands are awesome. And if anything else, Epic Universe makes Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida glance worse by means of comparability; going from the brand new park from the outdated parks is a bit of difficult, and there are a number of lands within the legacy gates that really feel blighted.
As any person who loves being in immersive theme park environments, Common’s thematic missteps are a letdown for me. Once more, Wizarding Global of Harry Potter does so much to excuse this–Hogsmeade is a smart land and Diagon Alley is next-level. There also are flashes of brilliance in Jurassic Park, San Francisco, New York, Hollywood, Springfield, Misplaced Continent, Seuss Touchdown, and different spaces. Alternatively, Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey don’t seem to be as constantly robust thematically.
Which is okay–they’re other types of parks. The Walt Disney Global parks are typically extra relaxing puts to ‘be’ in and absorb the ambience, while the Common parks do action-packed points of interest higher. My private opinion is that each lodge complexes fill enchantment line-up gaps now not totally served by means of the opposite, and if the entire points of interest stated above enchantment to you, an ideal holiday technique can be to spend time at every.
Conclusion
In the end, Common Orlando isn’t going to be for everybody, simply as Walt Disney Global isn’t for everybody. You probably have a trio of four yr olds and also are bringing grandma and grandpa at the holiday, your birthday celebration is most probably going to desire Walt Disney Global by means of a large margin. When you’re taking your 13 and 16 yr olds, Common Orlando must for sure be for your radar. That’s doubly true in the event that they’re Potterheads or enthusiasts of alternative franchises featured at Common.
Additionally, this in reality simply scratches the skin of the similarities and variations of the parks, and what it’s possible you’ll need to know in the event you’re taking into account venturing to Common Orlando Hotel. Any other one is meals, which is ruled by means of Disney. Transportation is but every other; it’s very location-dependent at Walt Disney Global, however nice around the board at Common.
The general one is price. Because of incremental worth will increase, doing each Common and Disney will price greater than doing one or the opposite for the same quantity of time. With that mentioned, Common is more economical than Walt Disney Global in maximum techniques. Park tickets and meals costs don’t seem to be specifically noticeable, however the large one is lodge charges.
No longer handiest is Common (generally) less expensive, however its lodges come with perks that will price further cash at Walt Disney Global. Alternatively, even that isn’t constant. There are specific instances when Walt Disney Global gives competitive lodge reductions for most people, and Common handiest has offers to be had for Annual Passholders and Florida citizens. Basically, we pay much less to consult with Common, however that’s extremely variable–and for sure now not at all times true. As with such a lot of this comparability, your mileage might range at the same time as to which prices extra.
Want time out making plans pointers and complete recommendation on your consult with to Central Florida? Remember to learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the entirety about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the entirety about the ones parks, lodges, eating places, and so a lot more. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and a lot more, join our FREE e-mail e-newsletter!
Your Ideas?
When you’ve visited Epic Universe, Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey lately, what did you suppose? The place does Common surpass Disney, and vice-versa? Is there anything else we neglected otherwise you suppose is wrong? Do you favor Common or Disney resorts? What about rides, leisure, and meals? Do you compromise or disagree with our evaluate? Any questions we will permit you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas beneath within the feedback!
