Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood – Which Theme Park is Best?
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universal hollywood vs orlandoDistinguishing move: Three-park Wizarding World verdict from the May 2026 press trip including Cosme Acajor at Epic Universe against Ollivanders Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, with VIP tour observations.
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- Universal Hollywood vs Orlando at a Glance
- Park Size, Layout and Days Needed
- Rides and Thrills Compared
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter Across Both Coasts
- Studio Tour and Hollywood-Only Experiences
- Hotels and On-Site Stays
- Flight Time and Cost From the UK
- Which Universal Should You Pick
- Universal Hollywood vs Orlando FAQs
There are currently two major Universal locations in the United States:
- Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida
- Universal Studios Hollywood in Burbank, California
But which one is best?
I am Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood annual passholder. As such, I’ve been to both Universal locations several times.
In my opinion the Universal Orlando Resort is better than Universal Studios Hollywood.
That’s not to say that Universal Studios Hollywood is a bad theme park – far from it. Instead, it’s just that the Universal Orlando Resort has a lot more to offer.
What’s the Difference Between Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?
So, how does Universal Orlando have a lot to offer? And what’s the difference between the two locations?
The Universal Orlando Resort is made up of:
- 2 theme parks (with a 3rd currently being built)
- 1 water park
- 11 on-site hotels
- CityWalk (free to enter entertainment district)
Meanwhile, Universal Studios Hollywood is made up of:
- 1 theme park
- CityWalk (free to enter entertainment district)
Of course, the difference in the number of attractions means a significant size difference. Universal Orlando Resort covers 1,500 acres, while Universal Studios Hollywood is just 415 acres.
Universal Orlando currently covers 1,500 acres. This includes the main Universal Orlando Resort area, Endless Summer Resort and the new Epic Universe.
Meanwhile, the size of Universal Studios Hollywood doesn’t just account for the size of the theme park. Instead, it also includes the production studios which have been used to film:
- Candy Cane Lane
- Superstore
- Good Girls
- Bird Box
- Dunkirk
- Ted 2
- Gone Girl
- The Hangover Part III
You’ll see some of these studios during The World Famous Studio Tour.
What’s Unique at Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?
Several attractions are unique to one of the two Universal theme parks in the United States.
The following is currently unique to Universal Studios Hollywood:
- Super Nintendo World – Coming to Universal Orlando.
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – Coming to Universal Orlando.
- Toadstool Cafe – Coming to Universal Orlando soon.
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
- The World Famous Studio Tour
- WaterWorld
- Minion Cafe
- Silly Swirly Fun Ride
- Super Silly Fun Land
Meanwhile, the following is currently unique to Universal Orlando:
- Hogwarts Express
- Diagon Alley
- Seuss Landing
- Volcano Bay
- Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts
- E.T. Adventure
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- Men In Black: Alien Attack
- Race Through New York, Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Caro-Seuss-el
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
- Pteranodon Flyers
- Storm Force Accelatron
- The Cat In The Hat
- The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
What’s the Same at Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?
Universal owns and operates both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. Therefore, there are several similarities. These include:
Rides & Attractions
- Transformers: The Ride 3D
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- The Simpsons Ride
- Jurassic Park: The Ride
- Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
- Ollivanders
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- King Kong: 360 3D
- Fast & Furious: Supercharged
Both King Kong and Fast & Furious are stand-alone rides at the Universal Orlando. However, at Universal Studios Hollywood, these rides are part of The World Famous Studio Tour.
Restaurants, Food & Drink
- Lard Lad Donuts
- The Three Broomsticks
- Krusty Burger
- Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck
- Cletus’ Chicken Shack
- Luigi’s Pizza
- HogsHead
- Butterbeer
- Coca-Cola Freestyle Refillable Cups
- Refillable Popcorn Buckets
Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is better than at Universal Studios Hollywood. That’s because at Universal Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split across the three theme parks.
Diagon Alley (Universal Studios Florida):
Shops:
- Ollivanders
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
- Borgin and Burkes
- Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
- Magical Menagerie
- Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
- Quality Quidditch Supplies
Restaurants:
- Leaky Cauldron
- The Fountain of Fair Fortune
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor
Attractions:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Knockturn Alley
- The Hogwarts Express
Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure):
Shops:
- Honeydukes
- Zonko’s Joke Shop
- Dervish and Banges
- Owl Post
- Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
Restaurants:
- Three Broomsticks
- Hog’s Head Pub
Attractions:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Meanwhile, at Universal Studios Hollywood, there’s only Hogsmeade which includes:
Shops:
- Honeydukes
- Zonko’s Joke Shop
- Dervish and Banges
- Owl Post
- Ollivanders
- Gladrags Wizardwear
Restaurants:
- Three Broomsticks
- Hog’s Head Pub
Attractions:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions readers ask me most often when choosing between Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando.
What is the difference between Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando?
Universal Orlando is a three-theme-park, eleven-hotel resort destination covering roughly 1,500 acres, while Universal Studios Hollywood is a single theme park built around a working film studio on a 415-acre lot near Los Angeles. Orlando has bigger thrill rides, three Wizarding World lands, and Epic Universe, while Hollywood’s signature attraction is the Studio Tour.
Is Universal Orlando better than Universal Hollywood?
For a full theme park holiday, yes. Orlando has three times the theme parks, a water park, eleven on-site hotels, the only Diagon Alley and Ministry of Magic in the US, Donkey Kong Country, and a deeper coaster lineup. Hollywood wins on the Studio Tour (a working backlot ride with film and TV sets) and on Secret Life of Pets, plus the new Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster opening in 2026.
Is Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando or Hollywood?
Both, but Orlando’s version is bigger and includes Donkey Kong Country. Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in February 2023 with Mario-themed areas only, then opened at Epic Universe in Orlando on May 22, 2025 with Mario plus Donkey Kong Country, which adds the Mine-Kart Madness boom coaster.
Does Universal Hollywood have Diagon Alley?
No. Diagon Alley is exclusive to Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando, and Ministry of Magic is exclusive to Epic Universe. Hollywood has Hogsmeade only (the same land Orlando has at Islands of Adventure), without Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express, or Ministry of Magic.
Can you do Universal Hollywood in one day?
Yes. Universal Studios Hollywood is one theme park plus CityWalk, and most guests cover the rides, Studio Tour, and shows in a single day. Orlando, by contrast, needs at least three days to cover its three theme parks at a comfortable pace.
Are there hotels at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Not Universal-operated ones. Hollywood has several third-party hotels within about a mile of the park (Hilton Universal City and Sheraton Universal among them), but none are run by Universal, and they rarely offer the perks Universal Orlando’s eleven on-site hotels include (Early Park Admission, free Express at the three Signature hotels, on-site dining plans).
