Disney vs. Universal: Can You Do Both in One Trip?
Planning a family vacation to Orlando? One of the biggest questions I get as a travel agent is: Should we do Disney, Universal, or both? And the answer really depends on your family, your interests, and how much time (and energy!) you have.
As someone who visits the parks regularly with my own family, I can tell you—yes, you can do both in one trip! But should you? Let’s break it down.
How Many Days Do You Need at Each Park?
Disney World has four parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), and you really need at least four to five days to experience them without feeling rushed. Universal Orlando has two theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) plus Volcano Bay (their water park), which can be done in two to three days.
If you want to experience both without feeling completely exhausted, I’d suggest:
✔️ 4-5 days at Disney
✔️ 1-2 days at Universal
That gives you enough time to soak in the magic of Disney while still getting your dose of thrill rides at Universal.
Best Ways to Split Your Time
There are two main ways to plan a Disney + Universal trip:
1️⃣ Stay at a Disney Resort & Visit Universal for a Day
This is great if you’re mostly focused on Disney but want a little Hogwarts magic or Jurassic Park adventure.
You can take an Uber/Lyft or use a private transportation service like Orlando Magical Rides to get there.
The downside? You’ll miss out on Universal’s Early Park Admission perk that resort guests get.
2️⃣ Do a Split Stay (Disney Hotel + Universal Hotel)
This is my favorite way to do both! Spend a few nights at a Disney resort, then move over to a Universal Premier Hotel (like Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific) for unlimited Express Passes.
This lets you fully enjoy both parks without the stress of commuting back and forth.
One year, my family did a split stay, and when we checked into Hard Rock Hotel, we immediately took advantage of the free Express Passes (which come with the Premier Hotels) and knocked out both Wizarding World lands in one afternoon. It was totally worth it!
How to Budget for Both Parks
Let’s be honest—doing both parks in one trip isn’t cheap. But here are a few ways to make it more affordable:
💰 Stay at a Value Resort for Disney (like Pop Century) and then splurge on a Universal Premier Hotel for the Express Pass perk.
💰 Use Disney’s Free Transportation instead of renting a car.
💰 Buy tickets in advance (prices only go up, so locking in your tickets early can save you money).
💰 Bring your own snacks and water—especially for Disney, where you can bring in outside food!
Who Should Do Both?
A Disney + Universal trip isn’t for everyone. Here’s who it’s best for:
✔️ Families with older kids & teens – If your kids love big thrills, Universal is a must!
✔️ Harry Potter fans – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is incredible and worth the visit.
✔️ Families who don’t mind a busy itinerary – If you love being on the go, this kind of trip is perfect.
On the other hand, if you’re traveling with toddlers or want a slower-paced trip, sticking to just Disney might be a better option.
Final Thoughts
So, can you do Disney and Universal in one trip? Absolutely! But planning it right makes all the difference. Whether you want to do a quick day at Universal or a full split stay, I can help you figure out the best plan for your family.
✨ Want free help planning your Disney + Universal vacation? Fill out a travel inquiry on our website, and I’ll create a custom itinerary just for you! ✨
Let me know—have you ever done both in one trip? How did it go?
