What is the best way to visit Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in one trip?
How to structure your trip
A combined Disney and Universal trip works best over 5 to 7 days. Disney World has four theme parks and two water parks, while Universal Orlando has two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) plus the Volcano Bay water park. Trying to do both in less than 5 days means rushing and missing a lot.
A common split is 3 days for Disney and 2 days for Universal, with a rest day in between. If you have 7 days, you can do 4 days at Disney, 2 at Universal, and 1 rest day. This pace lets you see the highlights without exhaustion.
- Day 1: Magic Kingdom
- Day 2: Epcot
- Day 3: Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Day 4: Rest or Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Day 5: Universal Studios Florida
- Day 6: Islands of Adventure
Where to stay and how to get around
Staying on-site at either resort gives you perks like early park admission and free transportation. Disney resorts offer buses, monorails, and boats; Universal resorts offer buses and water taxis. If you stay off-site, you'll need a rental car or rideshare, which adds cost and time.
If you want to stay on-site at both, you can split your stay: a few nights at a Disney resort, then a few at a Universal resort. This avoids daily commuting and lets you take advantage of each resort's perks. Alternatively, stay at a hotel in between, like in the International Drive area, which is central to both.
- Disney on-site: free Magical Express (discontinued) but buses, monorail, boats, Skyliner
- Universal on-site: free buses and water taxis
- Off-site: rental car or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) recommended
Tickets and budgeting
You'll need separate tickets for Disney and Universal. Disney tickets are priced by date and park; Universal tickets are also date-based. A park hopper option lets you visit multiple parks in one day at each resort, but it costs extra. If you're visiting both resorts, consider a package that includes tickets and hotel.
Budget for food, souvenirs, and possibly Genie+ or Express Pass. Prices vary by season and party size. A family of four can easily spend $5,000 to $8,000 or more for a week-long trip including hotel, tickets, and meals, depending on choices.
- Disney: date-based tickets, park hopper add-on
- Universal: date-based tickets, park-to-park add-on for Hogwarts Express
- Consider packages for savings
Common mistakes
- Trying to do both resorts in 3-4 days, which leads to exhaustion and missing major attractions.
- Buying tickets without checking date-based pricing; off-peak dates can save significant money.
- Assuming you can walk between Disney and Universal; they are about 10-15 miles apart and require a car or rideshare.
Related questions
- How many days do you need for each Orlando theme park?
- Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it for a family?
- What are the best times of year to visit Orlando theme parks?
- Can you park hop at Disney World and Universal in the same day?
- How much does a typical Orlando theme park vacation cost for a family of four?