Disneyland vs Universal Studios Hollywood - Comparing the two popular Southern California theme parks

Both are amusement parks with themes from popular movies; movies which each theme park owns exclusive rights to represent.

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
Disney and Universal

We’ve put together a list of the key similarities and differences between the two attractions broken down by:

  • General Admission Price
  • Skip the Line Options
  • Park Themes
  • Location of the Parks
  • Attractions and Rides
  • Conclusion: an At-a-Glance Comparison

Should I visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood?

You'll save on admission to Universal Studios Hollywood plus dozens of other top LA area attractions with a pass for Los Angeles! General admission tickets are included on our All-Inclusive 3, 4, 5, or 7-Day Passes.

Please note, tickets to Disneyland are separately ticketed and not included on the Go Los Angeles pass.

If you're a fan of rollercoasters and theme parks, check out our guide to the best LA attractions for thrill-seekers. You may want to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain or Knott's Berry Farm.

What is the price of General Admission at Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland?

  • Universal Studios Hollywood: General Admission ranges from $105-$116, depending on the day.
  • Disneyland: General Admission ranges from $97-$124, depending on the day.

How do you skip the line at Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland?

Both parks offer ways to 'Skip the Line' at popular attractions and rides and minimize waiting time in lines.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Front of Line upgrades are available for around $70-$150, depending on the day. This is in addition to general admission. Front of Line lets visitors skip to the front of the line at each ride or attraction once.

Disneyland: select rides and attractions feature FASTPASS on a first-come, first-serve basis at no additional cost. However, quantities are limited. FASTPASS kiosks are located near the main entrances of major attractions. They dispense timed tickets tied to your admission ticket that let you come back at an assigned time for an expedited wait in a shorter line.

 

What are the park themes of Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland?

Both parks cater to the whole family with attractions specifically designed for young kids, teens, and adults. But which is better? Depending on the main purpose of your trip, one park might be better suited to your travel group than the other.

Universal Studios Hollywood features attractions inspired by popular films. Plus, it has tours of the working studio included with the park's general admission. Families with kids ranging from toddler age to young adult. While there are rides and attractions geared towards younger kids, the majority of the park's attractions are suitable for a slightly more mature audience than Disneyland. Most rides have a minimum height requirement of 40" or more. If you are visiting SoCal with young kids, we highly recommend a trip to LEGOLAND California.

Disneyland themes exclusively revolve around characters and setting from the Disney movie franchise with a large emphasis on their animated films, Mickey, and Minnie Mouse. Families with kids ranging from toddler age to young adult and nostalgic millennials. While there are rides and attractions geared towards all ages, the majority of the park's attractions are suitable for ages 2-10. Disneyland also targets loyal Disney fans, particularly 'budding princes and princesses.'

 

Where is Universal Studios Hollywood? Where is Disneyland?

Both parks are located in California. Universal Studios Hollywood is located right in Hollywood, outside of Los Angeles and Disneyland is located in Anaheim, CA which is about a 50-minute drive south of Los Angeles. How big is each park? Disneyland is a larger park with a greater number of attractions and rides, but Universal Studios Hollywood is expanding at a faster pace.

 

How long does it take to visit Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland?

Both parks require about a full day to experience all of the attractions. Universal Studios Hollywood a little less, Disneyland at least a full day, especially if visiting during a peak time or on the weekend. If visiting with younger kids, you may want to break up the day and visit over a two or three day period, especially at Disneyland as there are more attractions geared towards younger kids.

 

What attractions & rides are at Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland?

Universal Studios Hollywood:

Universal Studios Hollywood is arranged around its major attractions, which can be themed areas, rides, or activities.

 

Jurassic World – The Ride

Jurassic World has just opened in Universal Studios Hollywood. Based on the popular movie franchise, this area includes lots of new rides, dining options and shops, including...

  1. Raptor encounter: meet Blue the velociraptor and a triceratops
  2. DinoPlay: DinoPlay is a fun, interactive play area for smaller children
  3. Jurassic Cafe: A Costa Rican inspired lunch spot.
  4. Jurassic Outfitters: Clothing and jewellery store – perfect for gifts or souvenirs
  5. Isla Nu-Bar: A tropical tiki cocktail bar.
  • WaterWorld®: inspired by the hit movie, this 20-minute stunt show features water-packed fun with explosions, surprises, and more
  • Shrek 4-DTM: enter Lord Farquaad's dungeon and make your way to the 4-D theater for an exclusive Shrek experience. It features moving seats, water, wind, mist, and other special effects that will make you feel like you're fully immersed in the story
  • The Walking Dead Attraction: prepare to fight for your survival in a post-apocalyptic world based on the popular TV show. (Parental advisory).
  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: transform yourself into a Minion and help Gru and his daughters in their latest scheme.
  • Super Silly Fun Land: this outdoor family play zone features a wacky, Minion-inspired playground. It has water play features, climbing structures, slides, and more.
  • Universal Plaza: central area in the park featuring shops, cafés, and dining and seating areas.

The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM:

  1. Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM: follow Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a journey through the castle grounds as you dodge obstacles and surprises along the way.
  2. Flight of the HippogriffTM: hop on the back of a Hippogriff on this family-friendly coaster and soar around Hagrid's hut and through the pumpkin patch.
  • The Simpsons RideTM: a cinematic experience featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie and a hilarious visit to Krustyland.
  • Special Effects Show: learn all about what really goes on to create 'Hollywood Magic' in your favorite movies with a behind-the-scenes look at special effect technology and some of the best stunt performers in the business.
  • Universal's Animal Actors: watch real animals in this live show re-enact some of your favorite scenes from The Secret Life of Pets.
  • Jurassic Park®--The Ride: this water ride travels through terrain inspired by the hit movie, Jurassic World, where you'll narrowly miss dinosaurs, including a 50-foot T-Rex.
  • Revenge of the MummySM - The Ride: this fast moving coaster ride travels through scenes from Revenge of the Mummy with hair-raising special effects and unexpected surprises along the way.
  • TransformersTM: The Ride-3D: combining 3D theater technology with motion simulation, you'll be fully immersed in a battle of epic proportions as you fight alongside Optimus to save the human race.

Studio Tour:

Go behind-the-scenes of many of your favorite TV shows and movies on this real, working studio backlot tour in an open-air tour bus.

  1. King Kong 360 3-D: the world's largest 3-D experience takes you on a heart-pounding struggle between King Kong and a massive T-Rex.
  2. Fast & Furious - Supercharged: at the end of the tour, your bus will get involved in a high-speed chase in the world of fast cars and international crime cartels.

Disneyland:

Disneyland features a central 'kingdom' that the park revolves around with 8 themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A.: Main Street ushers visitors into the park and features a variety of shops, cafés, theaters, and more. Adventureland:

  • Enchanted Tiki Room: presented by Dole®, the Enchanted Tiki Room is a 15-minute musical celebration featuring tropical birds, tiki gods, and colorful flowers
  • Indiana JonesTM Adventure: fast-paced thrill ride that navigates rough terrain through a cursed temple starring Indiana Jones
  • Jungle Cruise: a gentle, guided water cruise through some of the world's most remote rivers
  • Tarzan's TreehouseTM: a tour of Tarzan's jungle home that requires navigating suspense bridges and stairs up in Tarzan's larger-than-life tree

New Orleans Square:

  • Haunted Mansion: one of Disney's most iconic attractions. This hair-raising ride features a slow moving coaster that takes you on a tour of a haunted mansion full of paranormal activity, ghosts, ghouls, and more frightening surprises
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: embark on a treacherous voyage on the seas on a 15-minute water ride with small drops

Critter Country:

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: this slow moving coaster travels through Hundred Acre Wood through scenes from Pooh's adventures
  • Splash Mountain: follow the adventures of Br'er Rabbit as he tries to escape Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox. Enjoy a 5 story drop ending in a big splash

Frontierland:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: a high-speed coaster that travels through cursed southwestern mines in search for gold

Frontierland Shootin' Exposition:

  • Practice your target shooting skills at this rustic shooting range. It features replica .54-caliber Hawkins buffalo rifles set amid a southwestern landscape.

Fantasyland:

  • Alice in Wonderland: follow the White Rabbit to his 'very important date' into the nonsensical world of Alice in Wonderland. You'll hop aboard a slow-moving caterpillar themed coaster.
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train: a kid-centric colorful train ride through Storybook Land.
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant: take flight with Dumbo on this spinny, high-flying ride geared towards younger kids.
  • It's a Small World: one of the most famous rides. This water-based ride travels through various parts of the world exploring different cultures and customs through animatronic dolls and catchy tunes.
  • King Arthur Carrousel: a classic theme park ride inspired by Knights of the Round Table.
  • Mad Tea Party: an Alice in Wonderland Unbirthday themed of the spinning tea cups ride.
  • Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: buckle up and get behind the wheel of an open-air, 2-seater buggy for a wild ride.
  • Peter Pan's Flight: fly to Never Land by way of London aboard a flying ship.
  • Pinocchio's Daring Journey: follow Pinocchio as he makes it back to Gepetto to become a real boy and avoid the evil puppet master, Stromboli.
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: explore Princess Aurora's castle and re-live scenes of Sleeping Beauty.
  • Snow White's Scary Adventures: follow Snow White as she ventures into the dark forest to avoid the evil Queen.
  • Storybookland Canal Boats: float along a mini tour of fairytale settings on a slow canal cruise

Mickey's Toontown:

  • Chip 'n Dale Treehouse: climb up the nutty treehouse home of Chip 'n Dale for an unbeatable view of Mickey's Toontown
  • Donald's Boat: take a tour of Donald Duck's "quacky" boat home
  • Gadget's Go Coaster: this small-scale thrill ride features small drops
  • Goofy's Playhouse: walk through Goofy's goofy house, featuring a loony layout and fun design elements
  • Mickey's House and Meet Mickey: head to Mickey's House for a chance to get a photo with Mickey Mouse
  • Minnie's House: go on a walk-through of Minnie's living room, kitchen, and bedroom
  • Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin: hop behind the wheel of a runaway taxi and navigate the loony streets of Toontown in pursuit of Roger Rabbit

Tomorrowland:

  • Astro Orbiter: a high-flying, spinny, space rocket-themed ride geared towards younger kids.
  • Autopia: buckle in and get ready to race on the Tomorrowland Speedway behind the wheel of a racecar.
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: practice your target shooting skills on this slow moving ride. It features glow lights in a dark, space-themed setting.
  • Disneyland Monorail: for a smooth ride with incredible views of the park, board the high-speed monorail.
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: climb aboard a submarine for an undersea expedition following Marlin and Dory on their journey to find Nemo.
  • Star Tours - The Adventures Continue: this motion-simulated 3D experience explores a galaxy far, far away aboard a Starspeeder 1000.
  • Hyperspace Mountain: this high-speed thrill ride darts around in outer space dodging dangerous extraterrestrial elements.
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: go behind the scenes of Rogue One and see your favorite characters from the Star Wars universe, including film props, video clips, and more in this exhibition.
  • Star Wars: Path of the Jedi: watch a video compilation of all the highlights of the Star Wars films and re-live Luke Skywalker's heroic tale.

Each area in Disneyland caters towards a diverse crowd with rides geared towards younger kids and rides geared towards older kids (and adults).

 

Conclusion & Comparison At-a-Glance:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Gr4eDBu_y/ Both parks are similar in that they offer entertainment for the whole family. But the experience at each park can be quite different. If you're trying to decide between the Universal Vs. Disney parks, do both. If you have to choose one, narrow your choice down to the following deciding factors:

  • Price: Universal Studios Hollywood is more affordable. Plus you can save on combined admission with a Go Los Angeles pass.
  • Age: Disneyland has more activities geared towards ages 2-10. Many of Universal Studios Hollywood's attractions require a minimum height of 40" or more.
  • Location: Universal Studios Hollywood is significantly closer to Los Angeles.
  • Time: Universal Studios Hollywood can be done in less than a day. Disneyland requires at least a full day, but is more manageable in two or more days.
  • Experience: If you've visited each respective park's sister park in Orlando or another location, they're arguably very similar. Perhaps you prefer a new theme park experience.
  • Theme: Disneyland features Disney's beloved characters, like Mickey Mouse and popular Disney Princesses, and stories. Universal Studios Hollywood features a variety of attractions inspired by various blockbuster movies, including The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM.

If you choose Universal Studios Hollywood, be sure to check out our helpful guide for top tips. Plus, check out the attractions near Universal Studios Hollywood.

Save on Admission at Universal Studios HollywoodTM

Save on combined admission to dozens of popular attractions in Los Angeles. Your pass will include Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, when you buy a All-Inclusive Pass for Los Angeles of 3 days or more.

The All-Inclusive Pass includes admission to your choice of as many other included Los Angeles attractions as you want. These include Universal Studios Hollywood, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, Pacific Park - Santa Monica, Aquarium of the Pacific, and lots more. So grab a Los Angeles pass and save while you sightsee!

 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

The Spectator's Guide to the Long Beach Marathon

The hours are ticking down to the 28th annual Long Beach International City Bank Marathon, which will take over the city on Sunday, October 7th. One of the most scenic and flat courses in America, the Long Beach Marathon draws tens of thousands of athletes and spectators each year. The course meanders through quaint seaside communities and urban landmarks, offering ocean views throughout 80% of the route. Although 23,000 athletes are expected to take part in the five events offered, only about 5,000 will be running the full marathon, making it a somewhat intimate event. Moreover, the certified marathon course is the perfect qualifier for other popular races, even the notorious Boston Marathon. As a spectator, you’ll appreciate Long Beach’s moderate Mediterranean climate and the spectacular views of the ocean and the cityscape along the race course. So whether you're a runner yourself, or just someone who loves excitement and good cheer, viewing the Long Beach Marathon is one of the truly unique things to do in Los Angeles. To make the most of your marathon experience, check out the guide below. Events Five separate athletic events will take place over the race weekend: the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 26.2 Mile Bike Tour, Run Forest Run 5k, and the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids Fun Run. The Kids Fun Run will take place on Saturday, October 6th, while all the other events will be held on the official race day (Sunday). The race day events will kick-off with the Bike Tour at 6 AM, followed by the Marathon and Half Marathon at 7AM and finally the Run Forest Run 5k at 8:30 AM. Fore more information on start times and specific waves, visit the Marathon’s official website. The Health & Fitness expo draws nearly 50,000 visitors each year, and is the perfect prelude to the race. A surplus of vendors and exhibitors will be on display, selling official Long Beach Marathon merchandise, including top-of-the-line performance gear, running caps, visors, headbands, and much more. The Finish Line Festival on Marina Green is THE place to be as exhausted runners cross the finish line. Celebrate with the athletes and enjoy a wide variety of vendors as well as a Beer Garden for those of age. Best Viewing Areas  The Long Beach Marathon boasts one of the most beautiful courses in the country. Start/Finish Line – As this is a loop course, you can catch the start and the end of the race without moving a muscle. You’ll also be able to enjoy the food, drinks, and other entertainment as the first runners cross the line. Situate yourself on Shoreline Drive between Linden and Pine. Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool (Mile 9) – Catch the runners here as they get into their groove. There’s a huge grass area to sit on while you wait for the runners. Colorado Lagoon (miles 14 and 22.5) – This is an ideal spot because you can catch the runners in two places, just by taking a quick walk along the grassy Lagoon. Cal State University (Mile 17-20) – If you want to be there for the runners as they “hit the wall,” find yourself a viewing spot by the California State Academy. Ocean Avenue between Livingston and Alamitos (Mile 24-26) – Cheer the runners on as they race to the finish on Ocean Avenue. You’ll also be able to catch the end of the half marathon from this spot. Accommodations Finding inexpensive accommodations on marathon weekend can be tricky. However, these hotels offer reasonable prices and still currently have vacancy. Best Western Golden Sails Hotel 6285 E Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, California, 90803-4803 Phone: (562) 596-1631 Holiday Inn Downtown 1133 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, California 90813 Phone: (562) 590-8858 Parking By far the most convenient place to park on race day is in the Convention Center/Arena/Terrace Theater parking lots. Although there is a $10 charge for parking, you will be located adjacent to the Long Beach Arena and will be within walking distance of the official start/finish line. Make Your Way Around LA While in Greater Los Angeles for the race day festivities, why not see what else the area has to offer? Spend the day before the marathon taking advantage of our Go Los Angeles Card including access to over 39 attractions for one low price. Some of the most popular attractions include the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, and Knotts Berry Farm—to name a few.
Go City Expert
Christmas Decorations at Griffith Park Trail
Blog

A December to Remember: Your Guide to LA in Winter

From sunny beaches to dazzling lights, December in LA is packed with surprises.
Hollywood
Blog

10+ Best Places in LA for Movie Fans

If you’re visiting LA with a movie fan (or if you are one!) there's so much to see and do. From behind-the-scenes tours and museums to the Walk of Fame and real film locations, you won’t be short of things to do in Los Angeles. Movie buffs head to Hollywood to soak up the history and glamour of the industry. You might even spot a starlet or two along the way. Check out our list of things to do for movie fans including... Madame Tussauds Universal Studios Hollywood Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Museum Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour Sony Pictures Studio Tour Dolby Theatre Tour Griffith Observatory Union Station And more! 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% on Los Angeles attractions Madame Tussauds Hollywood Fancy brushing shoulders with your favorite actors? Head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood. You’ll get to ‘meet’ stars of the silver screen like Marilyn Monroe, Robin Williams, Zac Efron, and more. Check out the Making Movies area to see what goes on backstage, and see directors Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino hard at work. Classic movie lovers should head to the Spirit of Hollywood room to get up close and personal with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn. It’s your chance to take a selfie with the movie stars of past and present!  Getting in: Entry to Madame Tussauds Hollywood is included on all Los Angeles passes. Hollywood Walk of Fame A trip to LA would be incomplete without a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See the stars of Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Douglas, Patrick Swayze, and hundreds more. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public sidewalk and is completely free to walk along. Or, use your pass and take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes tour (more on that below) for a guided tour of the trail. Keep an eye out for your favorite actors and directors and be sure to get that all-important snap.  Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to see. Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour Take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour to see famous LA sights such as TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign. Your guide will reveal Hollywood’s secrets and scandals as you explore. Feel like an Oscar winner on the Dolby Theatre’s Awards Walk, and don't forget to place your hands and feet on the prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre.  Getting in: Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour is separately ticketed. Warner Bros Studio Tour The Warner Bros Studio Tour is your chance to tour a real, working studio to see where the magic happens. Your knowledgeable guide will take you around 110-acre backlot which is home to well-loved shows like The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Big Bang Theory. Batman fans will be in for a treat, as the studios served as a filming location for the films. Plus, there is a special DC exhibition featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, plus the props used in the films. You’ll even get to see the Batmobile up close!  Getting in: Entry to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes. Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood is a mecca for movie fans, with rides inspired by everything from Harry Potter to Transformers and Despicable Me. Plus, you don’t need to be a fan of roller coasters to enjoy Universal Studios. A visit to this theme park would be incomplete without taking the world-famous Studio Tour. Take a tram through the historic four-acre studio and see the sets of your favorite movies and TV shows. The interactive tour will even take you through a King Kong 4D ride, through a Jaws set complete with a very realistic shark. Norman Bates of Psycho might even pay a visit... you'll never guess what’s coming next.  Getting in: Entry to Universal Studios Hollywood is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. Hollywood Museum The Hollywood Museum is a must-see for movie fans. It's home to the largest collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, an exhibition on 20th-century superheroes, and artifacts documenting the portrayal of LGBTQ+ lives on the big screen. The Hollywood Museum features more than 10,000 items over four floors, including costumes, props, scripts, and much more.  Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Museum is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Sony Pictures Studio Tour On the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, you will explore a working studio and learn all about its history and secrets. See where the likes of The Wizard of Oz and Spider-Man were filmed and get up close to real Academy Awards. Be sure to keep an eye out for stars working at the studio and don’t forget to take a picture under the famous 94ft rainbow.  Getting in: Entry to Sony Pictures Studio Tour is separately ticketed. Dolby Theatre® Tour Every film fan knows that the Dolby Theatre® hosts the most important night of the film industry calendar: the Academy Awards. Take a 30-minute guided tour of the stage and backstage. The Dolby Theatre is 180,000 sqft and has a massive 3,400-seat capacity. You’ll see an Oscar up close and discover where celebrities celebrate their wins. Plus, see photos of Oscar winners such as Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando.  Getting in: Entry to The Dolby Theatre® Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes. Griffith Observatory LA is not only home to film sets - countless movies are filmed on location in the city. The Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most famous landmarks and features in films like La La Land, The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels, and many more. Griffith Observatory is a must-see attraction for movie fans wanting to visit where the scene of the action.  Getting in: Entry to Griffith Observatory is free. Union Station Another real-life location that is always popping up on screen is Union Station. The well-known station features in tons of movies such as Blade Runner, The Dark Knight Rises, and Catch Me If You Can. See Union Station for yourself and try to guess which other movies were filmed there. You’ll be surprised at just how many there are!  Getting in: Entry to Union Station is free.  Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City® Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you. 😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.
Go City Expert

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.