Universal Studios Hollywood vs Orlando – Which Universal Park is Best?
Universal currently has two locations in the United States:
- Universal Studios Hollywood in California
- Universal Orlando Resort in Florida
But which one is best?
I’m an annual pass holder for Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. As a result, I’ve been to both Universal theme parks several times. However, I always find Universal Orlando is significantly better than Universal Studios Hollywood.
That’s not to say that Universal Studios Hollywood is a bad theme park – far from it. It’s just that the Universal Orlando Resort has a lot more to offer.
What’s the Difference Between Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?
The biggest difference between Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood is that Universal Orlando is a resort, whereas Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park.
Universal Orlando has:
- 2 theme parks (with a 3rd currently being built)
- 1 water park
- 8 on-site hotels
- Entertainment District
Universal Studios Hollywood has:
- 1 theme park
- Entertainment District
Subsequently, the difference in size between the two locations is also huge. Universal Orlando Resort currently covers 541 acres. In contrast, Universal Studios Hollywood is just 415 acres.
Universal Studios Hollywood is the size of the filming studios. These production studios have been used to film:
- Candy Cane Lane
- Superstore
- Good Girls
- Bird Box
- Dunkirk
- Ted 2
- Gone Girl
- The Hangover Part III
These filming studios are covered in The World Famous Studio Tour.
Universal Orlando is set to increase in size further in 2025 with the opening of a third theme park, Epic Universe. The Epic Universe theme park is estimated to be 110 acres. However, since Universal owns 750 acres in the area, the Universal Orlando Resort will likely expand further in the near future.
Of course, size isn’t the only difference between these two theme parks. Here’s what’s unique at Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort.
Unique To Universal Studios Hollywood
- Super Nintendo World
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Toadstool Cafe
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
- The World Famous Studio Tour
- WaterWorld
- Minion Cafe
- Silly Swirly Fun Ride
- Super Silly Fun Land
Unique To The Universal Orlando Resort
- 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
There are a couple of things to note about these differences.
- Super Nintendo World will open at Universal Orlando in 2025 as part of the new Epic Universe theme park.
- Given the difference in size, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood takes one day. Meanwhile, to see everything at Universal Orlando for three to four days is best. This includes one day at the Volcano Bay water park.
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 significantly better than the one at Universal Studios Hollywood.
At Universal Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split across the two theme parks. At Universal Studios Florida, you’ll find Diagon Alley. Whereas at Islands of Adventure, you’ll find Hogsmeade. Across these two areas, you’ll find the following:
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