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Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood

Families visiting Los Angeles no doubt have a visit to Disneyland and Universal Studios at the top of their list – however, you may be surprised that these two popular theme parks are nowhere near each other.

So if you’re planning on visiting both parks, you’re going to want to know the best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood or vice versa?  This is where this guide comes in handy.

In this guide, we’re going to cover all you need to know to decide what is the best way for getting from Anaheim to Universal Studios – and vice versa.  In particular, we cover:

• How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland?
• The best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios
• Disneyland to Universal Studios shuttle options
• Getting from Anaheim to Universal Studios on public transport

After reading all of that, you’ll easily be able to decide which is the best way to get from Anaheim to Universal Studios for your family.

Talk to other families about their tips on visiting Los Angeles and join our Thrifty Family Travel Facebook Group  o r get inspired on our Thrifty Family Travel Instagram Feed .

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Page Contents

• 1 How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland?
• 2.2 Renting a Car
• 2.3 Ride Share
• 2.4 Best time to Drive to Universal Studios from Disneyland
• 3.1 Renting a Charter Bus
• 4 Train or Bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios
• 5 Final Tips

How far is Universal Studios from Disneyland ?

In terms of how far from Disneyland to Universal Studios – it’s really not that far at only 35 miles / 56 km.  However, the main problem is a lack of good public transport options and the crazy, crazy Los Angeles traffic.

As we explain in more detail below, you’ll see that getting from Disneyland to Universal Studios by car can take anywhere from 35 minutes to a whopping 90 minutes!  By train or bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios , it’s even worse at around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Please note that all prices mentioned were correct at the time of writing and are in local currency.  To check the rate in your currency, click here.

Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios

With so much traffic, you’d think the best way to get from Disney to Universal Studios would be public transport – but as you’ll see in the section below – this is not the case. Instead, the easiest and most convenient way for getting to Universal Studios from Disneyland is by car.

Below we outline how to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios by driving your own car, renting a car or via ride share.

If you have your own car with you while staying in Los Angeles, driving from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland (or vice versa) is the fastest and easiest way between the two parks.  Both parks are close to freeway exits, so the journey is fairly straightforward.  

It’s recommended you use Google Maps to map out your best route.

Of course, with driving, you’ll need to allow for parking costs at both Universal Studios and Disneyland.  Parking at both theme parks starts at around $30 per day.

Renting a Car

If you don’t have your own vehicle while in Los Angeles but still wish to drive, then you can rent a car just for the day while driving to either Universal Studios or Disneyland.

From Disneyland, it’s easy to rent a car, with many car rental companies in the area.  Most companies open from 7.30 am or 8 am and allow you to return the car after closing time.  So you could easily hire a car for just the day while driving to Universal Studios.

From Universal Studios, renting a car is a bit harder, with most car rental companies located in and around Hollywood, which is about a 10 minute drive from the theme park.  However, you could easily take an Uber or Lyft to the car rental in the morning and back to your hotel after dropping off the car in the evening.

You’ll probably need to allow around $100 for hiring a car, plus gas.  And then you’ll also need to pay parking fees as well.

If you don’t have your own car with you and are not comfortable driving in Los Angeles, then your best option will be to use ride share such as Uber or Lyft.  There are plenty of drivers between Anaheim and Hollywood and you shouldn’t have too many issues finding a driver.

Expect to pay around $60-$100 each way for Uber or Lyft.  However, keep in mind that costs depend on demand and traffic, so it is possible that the rate could be much more than this, or even less.  The good thing with ride share apps is you’ll get a rough idea of the cost before booking.  So if it’s too much at any particular time and you have some time up your sleeve, just try again in 30 minutes or so and see if the price has reduced.

Taking the Anaheim to Universal Studios Uber or Lyft option will be more expensive than renting a car. Still, at least you don’t have to mess around with picking up the vehicle or dropping it back or any parking fees.  You also don’t have to worry about driving in the insane Los Angeles traffic.

The downside with ride share is that the maximum number of passengers in most cases is four people – so not ideal for larger families, and if travelling in LA with small kids, you may struggle to find an Uber or Lyft with a child car seat.

Best time to Drive to Universal Studios from Disneyland

If you decide to drive your own car, hire a car or take a ride share, you’ll need to consider the Los Angeles traffic.  If you leave at the wrong time, you could be stuck on the freeway for hours!

Unfortunately, the drive between Universal Studios and Disneyland is a popular commute for Los Angeles workers. So it really does pay to plan your trip outside peak hour traffic to avoid long lengthy delays.

Traffic is worse on weekdays between 7.30 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6.30 pm.  So if possible, avoid these times at all costs.  During these times, expect the Disneyland to Universal Studios drive time to be at least an hour or more.

So from a traffic perspective, the weekends would be the best time to drive to Universal Studios or Disneyland, but that’s also when the parks will be the busiest.  Some families like to go on a weekday but leave early before peak hour traffic and have breakfast outside the parks.  Then you can stay inside the park until after peak hour traffic in the evening or hang around the downtown areas outside the parks. 

Shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios

Given Disneyland and Universal Studios are so popular among tourists to Los Angeles, you’d think there would be a shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios – but there isn’t.  However, you can book a private Disneyland to Universal Hollywood shuttle with a private vehicle and driver.

A private Disney to Universal Studios shuttle is probably the best option for those families that want to lock in a price and not have to worry about price surges Uber and Lyft sometimes experience.  The price will be what it is, no matter what.

Another benefit of booking a private shuttle service from Disneyland to Universal Studios is that for families with young children, you can hire the necessary booster seats required.  If using an Uber or Lyft, you’d need to provide these yourself.

You can also book a private shuttle well in advance and feel secure knowing the driver will turn up at the arranged time.  

With companies such as Xpress Shuttles or Anaheim Town Car Services expect to pay around $150 to $200 each way for a private shuttle for up to 4 passengers or about $220 to $250 for seven or more passengers.

Renting a Charter Bus

Depending on how big your family is, or if you’re travelling with other families in a group, going in on a charter bus could be a more affordable option than renting a car or a private shuttle. 

Both parks accommodate tour groups and have bus parking available, and you typically have options for a minivan for up to 25 or a full charter bus of up to 57 (though that’s a large family reunion!). 

Hourly rates for charter buses in California can vary between $99 – 110 depending on who you choose, and usually, there is a minimum hour/spend. It can be a fast and affordable option if you’re travelling with enough people. 

Train or Bus from Disneyland to Universal Studios

If you’re after the cheapest Disneyland to Universal Studios transportation option, you can take the bus and train.  However, getting from Disney to Universal Studios without a car can take around 2.5 to 3 hours one way!

The time of day you travel between Disneyland and Universal Studios will depend on your route; however you’re likely to need to take a combination of buses and trains with multiple transfers along the way.  There is no direct route between the two theme parks.

I’d recommend using Google Maps to plan your route, but expect your journey to be something like this:

• Take the 460 Bus near Disneyland from the closest stop near your Anaheim accommodation . 
• Get off the bus at Figueroa and 7th
• Walk about 3 minutes to the 7th Street and Metro Center Subway Station
• Take the Metro Red Line towards North Hollywood
• Get off the subway at the Universal/Studio City Station
• Take Universal Studios’ free shuttle to the park (it runs about every 15 minutes) or walk for about 15 minutes to the park

However, the good news with this option is it’s by far the cheapest way to travel

To ride the train and bus, you’ll need a TAP card, which can be purchased for $2 USD from vending machines at the station. You can also download the TAP LA app and purchase cards there.

Now in terms of fares.  The standard fare is $1.75 USD per 1 way trip on a bus and train with multiple transfers within 2 hours.  Given this trip will take you more than 2 hours,  $7 USD will get you a one day pass.

Hopefully, you’ve decided which is the best way to get to and from Disneyland to Universal Studios.  However, my other tip would be to get your tickets to each theme park in advance.  You can purchase Disneyland tickets here and Universal Studio tickets here.

We also have a range of other guides to help plan your trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios, including:

• Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids
• Best Hotels in Los Angeles for Families
• Best Family Hotels Near Disneyland
• Is Genie+ Worth the Money?
• Is the Universal Studios Express Pass Worth the Money?

____________________________________________________________________________

We hope you enjoyed this guide on all the best way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood.  We also have guides on where to stay in LA with kids,   how to plan your LA itinerary  and a more general guide on  things to do in California with kids.   Plus if you decide to head North and explore San Francisco, check out  things to do in San Francisco with Kids . Alternatively, if you decide to head South, here is  things to do in San Diego with Kids  or our guide on  things to do in Mexico with kids. 

1 thought on “Best Way to get from Disneyland to Universal Studios, Hollywood”

Just curious if you know when they stopped offering shuttles? I haven’t been for 12 years but the last two times I went there were shuttles from Anaheim to Universal, as well as Anaheim to Sea World.

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Studio tour at universal studios hollywood celebrates 60 years, since 1964...60 years of behind-the-scenes magic, universal studios hollywood reissues iconic glamor trams as world-renowned studio tour celebrates a milestone 60 years with new and nostalgic enhancements, including a unique step off tram and onto a movie set moment, a reimagined earthquake attraction, return of the runaway train and a colossal  jurassic world  t. rex dinosaur encounter from april 26 through august 11, the installation of the first-ever authorized hollywood sign replica and retro-themed food and merchandise help commemorate this momentous anniversary program.

Universal City, California, April 2, 2024 –  Universal Studios Hollywood  invites guests to take a nostalgic walk down memory lane as the destination celebrates the  Studio Tour ’s 60th milestone anniversary with a dedicated experiential program from April 26 through August 11, 2024.

In 1964, Universal City Studios invited tourists to take a whirlwind adventure for a first- hand look at Hollywood moviemaking in action. Five times a day, for approximately just over two hours, Monday through Friday, iconic red and white Glamor Trams, with their ruffled awnings, would whisk eager tourists through its studio backlot to be a fly on the wall in the making of Universal movie and television productions.

Over the span of 60 years, Universal Studios Hollywood has cultivated the Studio Tour into a dynamic world-renowned experience visited by over 200 million guests worldwide. As part of the origins of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Destinations & Experiences’ (UDX) global theme parks portfolio, the Studio Tour is stepping into the spotlight and inviting guests along for the ride as part of this notable celebration.

“The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and celebrating its 60-year milestone pays homage to its indelible impact,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests. We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way.”

In addition to the return of several iconic red and white candy-striped Glamor Trams, the centerpiece of the Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration will treat guests to the unique opportunity to step off the tram and onto a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram awaits. The area will provide additional memorable photo opportunities and social media posts, including a giant King Kong backdrop and the theme park’s original hanging  Jaws  shark.

A highlight of the 60th celebration also includes the “Earthquake—The Big One” attraction, which debuted on the Studio Tour in 1989 and has been shaking things up ever since with its eerily realistic 8.3 magnitude quake. To coincide with this diamond anniversary, this simulated natural disaster attraction has undergone a top to bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.

Other exciting features will include a visit to Courthouse Square aboard the Studio Tour, where scenes from the blockbuster  Back to the Future  movies were filmed and where an original time machine picture car will sit prominently on display, not far from a nearby Doc Brown character.

As the Studio Tour navigates around the historic backlot, additional surprises from a time long gone will make a cameo appearance, including the temporary return of the 1976 Runaway Train as warning bells and sirens alarm from its stationary location. Moments of nostalgia will also be featured aboard the tram’s monitors showing clips of former Studio Tour attractions as they once appeared on the tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood will also be digging into its archive of prehistoric props with a behemoth dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display used in the promotion of Universal Pictures’  Jurassic World  movie. This giant, growling creature, bearing a large bite of sharp teeth, will be located adjacent to a locked paddock of wild dinosaurs that can be heard screeching and clamoring to escape.

To commemorate the spirt of Hollywood’s glamorous past, Universal Studios Hollywood is partnering with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, responsible for promoting and enhancing the business, cultural and civic well-being of Hollywood, and the  Hollywood Sign Trust , a 501(c)3 nonprofit, responsible for maintaining the Hollywood Sign and educating the world about its historical and cultural importance.

Originally installed as a giant billboard for a real estate development (Hollywoodland) in 1923, today, the Hollywood Sign is a universal metaphor for the place, industry, lifestyle and aspiration known as Hollywood. It stands as one of the world's best-known monuments and was declared Los Angeles Cultural Historical Monument No. 111 in 1973.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is thrilled that this incredible opportunity will enable guests to step off the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood and enjoy an up close look at a perfectly scaled replica of the Hollywood Sign,” said Steve Nissen, CEO and President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “It has been a dream of millions to be able to climb the hillside to the actual sign atop Mt. Lee, so this collaboration with Universal Studios Hollywood is the ideal way to inspire guests around the world to dream big.”

"We are thrilled to share in this 60-year milestone with Universal Studios Hollywood and its behind-the scenes magic, which definitely strikes a chord with the hopes and dreams the Hollywood Sign brings to its fans, " said Jeff Zarrinnam, Chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust. "And for people to have this vibrant way to experience the Sign, including capturing selfies and photos, with such an iconic leader in the industry is a true celebration. We congratulate Universal on this big anniversary."

As a result of this collaboration and in celebration of both the Hollywood Sign’s centennial and the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary, Universal Studios Hollywood is debuting the first-ever original replica of the Sign to be situated along the studio backlot, adjacent to the tram step off moment. This large scale reproduction was meticulously crafted from the Sign’s historic records to faithfully recreate this iconic landmark and bring it to visiting Studio Tour guests, where it will be nestled for several years along the hillside. The original Hollywood Sign towers at 45 feet; this official replica will stand tall at 10 feet to complement the landscape.

Guests disembarking the tram to experience the original movie set on the studio backlot will now have the unique and exclusive opportunity to pose for the first time ever in close proximity to this officially sanctioned Hollywood Sign replica for interactive social media posts.

The Studio Tour is a world class attraction that takes guests onto an authentic movie and television production lot, past state-of-the-art soundstages, through hyper-realistic outdoor sets and even past the studio’s corporate offices where, behind closed doors, exciting deals are being made. As guests queue up to board the Studio Tour and experience the magic and mystery of the studio backlot, they will be met with archival images and videos detailing its incredible history, along with an all-original augmented reality (AR) Studio Tour trivia challenge designed to test their knowledge of this iconic attraction through the years with the ability to share their results on social media.

While much has transpired in six decades, the Studio Tour has remained true to its roots of immersing guests in the awe-inspiring world of movie-making magic, providing remarkable access to production sets on a genuine studio backlot. The once celebrated two-hour Glamor Trams have been replaced with a contemporary, approximate 60-minute experience, infused with advanced technology that enlightens and entertains millions of film buffs, theme park fans and tourists alike visiting from across the globe.

With its sights on the future, the Studio Tour is in the midst of converting its fleet of 21 diesel-hydraulic engines to electric trams to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the guest experience by reducing noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engine.

From ushering guests past iconic sets, including the renowned film  Psycho  directed by Alfred Hitchcock—one of the very first film sets accessible for visitors to see up close in 1964— to the evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood, immersing guests in innovative, groundbreaking rides and attractions themed to compelling film and television properties, the Studio Tour was “act one” in the development of the notable Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio of global theme parks.

Rounding out the entire Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration will be a selection of specially created, highly themed food and beverages, curated by the theme park’s Executive Chef Julia Thrash, along with themed merchandise and memorabilia.

A special Dining Pass celebrating the 60th anniversary will be available for purchase and will allow guests to choose six eligible menu items: a choice of two entrees, plus a choice of four snacks, sides, desserts or beverages at participating restaurants or food carts. Select in-park venues and food carts are excluded, and the Dining Pass is valid only on the day of purchase.

Guests basking in a day of nostalgia can step back in time and enjoy retro style entrees, sweets and drinks. A sampling of items at select locations will include:

Hollywood & Dine , located on the Upper Lot of the theme park, will serve up BBQ Brisket Sandwich, BBQ Cheeseburger, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Summer Strawberry Salad, BBQ Corn Dog and Film Reel Cookie Sandwich.

Mel’s Diner , also located on the Upper Lot, will feature such favorites as Mel’s Classic Burger, Beyond Meat® BBQ Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Dog, Tuna Melt, Chicken Caesar Salad, as well as two entrees that harken back to iconic mid-century TV dinner style platters: the Meatloaf Combo and Fried Chicken Combo.

Studio Scoops  ice-cream parlor on the Lower Lot will whip up tasty treats in honor of the theme park’s signature attractions.

And lastly, the  City Snack Shop  standalone outdoor food cart, located on the Upper Lot, will be transformed into a Glamor Tram and serve up a selection of treats emblematic of the 60- year celebration, including the Glam Tram Cookie, Film Reel Cookie Sandwich, Giant 60th Pretzel, 60th Celebration Cookies and Banana Breath Popcorn.

An all-new dedicated Studio Tour 60th anniversary merchandise collection will invite guests to take home a piece of this historical celebration with such unique products as a 60th anniversary popcorn bucket shaped as an iconic Glamor Tram, plus an array of retro-themed souvenirs, including a Glamor Tram themed pillow, blanket, backpack, jacket, tops, tee shirts, hats, mugs, keychains, salt and pepper shakers, chocolates and candies.

More information is available at  www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com . Like Universal Studios Hollywood on  Facebook  and follow @UniStudios on  Instagram  and  X (formerly known as Twitter) .

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Get Ready for the Ultimate Hollywood Movie Experience!

If you haven’t been to Universal Studios Hollywood™ lately, you won’t believe it. So much has changed. You’ll go behind-the-scenes on the world-famous Studio Tour to explore real film sets where Hollywood movies are made. Then, face action head-on in heart-pounding rides, shows and attractions that put you inside some of the world’s most popular movies and TV shows.

Universal Studios Hollywood™. Come see what you’ve been missing. You’ll be amazed at what we’ve become.

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Why the Battle Between Disney and Universal for Orlando Theme Park Dominance Rages On: ‘It’s Just Getting Started’

On Aug. 10, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro got on a stage and made a promise about the future of Disney Parks.

“Everything that we’re going to share with you tonight is in active development,” D’Amaro proclaimed in Anaheim, Calif., at the semi-annual D23 fan convention. “This means that plans are drawn, this means that dirt is moving. I just want to be clear with all the fans out there – this isn’t blue-sky, we are going to do all of this.”

The 12,000 Disney fans in attendance cheered.

Over the next two-and-half hours, Disney parks announcements came fast and furious. There would be a new “Encanto” attraction for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Avatar” and “Coco”-themed attractions coming to Disney California Adventure, four new Disney Cruise Line ships being added to the fleet, and a “Monsters, Inc.” rollercoaster based on the movie’s climactic door chase.

By the end of the presentation, it felt as if Disney would be returning to theme park dominance after a few years when the company’s superiority seemed to wobble.

Disney knew it had to bring the fireworks. Next year, rival Universal Studios is unveiling Epic Universe , which it calls “the biggest, most technologically advanced theme park in decades,” just down the street from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

A renewed battle between Disney and Universal is heating up as theme parks, which have become vital to each company’s bottom line, are struggling with soft demand that they expect to continue.

When Disney faltered at the box office in 2023 and struggled to make its streaming business profitable, parks served as a money machine. The Experiences segment, which includes parks, pulled in a record $32.55 billion in revenue last year, or 37% of Disney’s total revenue — and generated six times as much operating income as its entertainment division in 2023, and three times as much in 2022.

Theme parks contributed $8.95 billion, or 21% of the NBCUniversal parent company Comcast’s Content and Experiences revenues in 2023, and half of the adjusted (EBITDA) earnings. Comcast theme parks revenues have ballooned 77% since 2021, while adjusted EBITDA is up 164% in that period, which spanned the global COVID-19 pandemic.

To get that cash machine turned back on, Universal’s 110-acre, state-of-the art Epic Universe is coming to Orlando in 2025 with lands dedicated to beloved franchises like “Harry Potter” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” Disney will employ a collection of stop-gap measures – ride re-themes, live shows, 3D movies and nighttime spectaculars – before some really-for-real projects get built near the end of the decade.

“If you look at the last six or seven years, we’ve opened up a lot in Orlando,” CEO Bob Iger said at the MoffettNathanson media conference in May when asked about Disney’s lack of response to Epic Universe.   “As we’ve seen in the past, Universal’s expansion does bring more visitation to Orlando…I’m mindful of what they’re doing. But I’m confident in what we built and I’m confident in what we will continue to build. It’s not something that should be distracting to us or anxiety provoking.”

Iger cited Galaxy’s Edge, the “Star Wars”-themed land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which opened in the summer of 2019; along with a “Guardians of the Galaxy” coaster in EPCOT (summer 2022) and a “TRON”-themed coaster in the Magic Kingdom (early 2023).

But he failed to mention Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the costly and problem-plagued redo of Splash Mountain that was just a few weeks away from opening. As one insider said, “Nobody is booking a plane from Dallas to ride TRON.”

While Iger projects a lack of concern about Universal’s new plans, massive layoffs during the pandemic have decimated the ranks of Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive arm of the company responsible for theme parks — and diminished the unit’s institutional knowledge.

Iger also didn’t acknowledge Universal’s recent pattern of adding at least one major new attraction to one of its parks each year — attractions like the Velocicoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Villain-Con Minion Blast down in Orlando.

Attendance is but one aspect of the parks revenue battle. Disney, in recent years, has perfected the art of squeezing more out of each guest through costly add-ons.

Earlier this month, the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM published its list of most popular theme parks, with the Magic Kingdom at #1 with a slight increase in visitors and EPCOT at #3 with a sizable increase in visitors, thanks to attractions like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” coaster and a walkthrough exhibit inspired by “Moana.”

But both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom showed a decrease in 2023 attendance.

“The lower-income consumer is feeling a bit of stress, and the higher-income consumer is traveling internationally a bit more,” Disney CFO Hugh Johnston said on the Disney earnings call this month. This “softening,” Johnston warned, could “impact the next few quarters.” Guests with the means aren’t going to the parks anymore, they’re traveling overseas. And those with less income can’t afford it.

While attendance is down, per capita spending is up 2% thanks largely to add-ons like the Lightning Lane program (formerly Genie+), a skip-the-line feature that used to be free and now costs between $20 and $40 per person per day, with additional costs on a per-attraction basis (costing up to $20 each). And Disney has employed Magic Bands, a wristband that allows you to get into your hotel room, check into the park and charge things to your credit card. This also used to be free but is now something for which customers pay extra.

Len Testa, a theme park analyst and owner of TouringPlans.com, estimated that the skip-the-line add-ons have generated between $500 and $800 million in revenue a year for Disney. Another source said that when Imagineers are pitching new attractions estimates for these numbers are factored in before being given the go-ahead.

The added costs are unpopular, complicated and require customers to give considerable attention to their phones when they’re supposed to be on vacation.

But the squeeze isn’t just on at Disney. A recently unveiled first-of-its-kind dining package for Universal Orlando Resort could save guests as much as $1,000 on a trip  between now and April , Testa noted. The same TEA-AECOM report showed that attendance to the Universal Orlando Resort parks has also slowed. One individual with knowledge of the situation, who watches theme park trends, remarked that the marketing for Epic Universe has been so strong that those planning a trip have likely decided to wait until next year, when they can visit a brand-new theme park.

The origins of the Disney vs. Universal war

The Disney vs. Universal theme parks battle dates to the mid-1980s when Michael Eisner was running Disney.

In 1985, Eisner announced a bold new addition to Walt Disney World — a working studio. The eventual park, Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), first made a go at being a full-day theme park, with a behind-the-scenes tour.

Years earlier, Universal was desperate to open a new park in Orlando. The studio had gone to corporate partners, including Paramount Pictures, where Eisner was an up-and-coming executive.

When Eisner announced Disney-MGM Studios, Universal felt betrayed. Sid Sheinberg, Universal’s CEO and president, was so incensed that he considered suing. The Disney park was “a rip-off of a concept that we worked hard to develop,” he later told Kim Masters, author of “Keys to the Kingdom: How Michael Eisner Lost His Grip.” While Disney held a near monopoly on Orlando theme parks, “they sure as hell weren’t in the studio-based theme park business,” Sheinberg said.

Eisner, for his part, denied being present for any park pitch meeting while at Paramount and assured the media that Universal was invading Disney’s “home turf.”

Ultimately, Disney beat Universal to the punch. Disney-MGM Studios opened in the summer of 1989, amidst a flurry of activity at the Florida park that makes the announcements at D23 look positively quaint. Disney opened the nighttime dining, entertaining and shopping district Pleasure Island, a new water park called Typhoon Lagoon and the Wonders of Life pavilion at EPCOT Center.

Universal Studios Florida (now known as Universal Orlando Resort) opened in 1990. Unlike Disney’s new park, Universal’s was plagued by faulty ride systems and sluggish attendance. It went for the same you-are-there behind-the-scenes atmosphere, with a (briefly running) tram tour and a working film and television studio.

Still, the escalation continued. In 1998, Disney opened Disney’s Animal Kingdom, its boldest gamble yet, which combined attractions with real-life animals along the lines of Busch Gardens. A year later, Universal opened Islands of Adventure, which included lands devoted to Marvel (pre-Disney acquisition), “Jurassic Park” and classic newspaper comic strip icons, but also featured lands devoted to mythological characters and ancient lands. Again, Islands of Adventure got off to a rocky start but found its footing and is widely celebrated today.

A seismic change happened in 2010 with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. J.K. Rowling first gave Disney a shot at developing theme park attractions based on the source material. When she became unhappy with Disney’s approach, she took the project to Universal Studios. The highly immersive land, with exclusive merchandise, food and an attraction (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) that used proprietary technology, wasn’t just as good as anything Disney could have cooked up – it was better.

With the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal established itself as a must-visit destination. “Harry Potter started to change the center of gravity,” said a theme park insider. “Before, you’d go to Disney and Universal – or maybe SeaWorld – would be the second choice.”

And Universal continued to battle Disney every step of the way.

In 2017, for instance, the media previews for Pandora – The World of “Avatar,” a highly themed addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, happened at the same time as the press event for Volcano Bay, Universal’s first “water theme park.” Volcano Bay and the “Avatar” land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened almost simultaneously.

An epic universe

Next year the opening of Epic Universe, a sprawling theme park with lands dedicated to Nintendo characters and the company’s stable of Universal Monsters, will heat up the competition once again. A new hotel buttresses the park. And an original land, Celestial Park, connects the various portals cascading through the center of the complex like a shimmery sliver, with a new rollercoaster (Stardust Racers) adding kinetic energy.

Epic Universe loomed over some of Disney’s announcements at D23. The proposed villains land in the Magic Kingdom seemed like a volley following Universal’s Monsters-themed land coming to Epic Universe, with the emphasis on edgy spookiness.

But the timing of when things will open makes the theme park arms race much closer than originally imagined.

As Testa points out, the ideal opening date for Epic Universe was early 2024. But with the dining plan announced already, the earliest it could now open is probably late May 2025. Assuming that Epic Universe opens next year, that would give the park only a 12- to 18-month head start to change the hearts and minds of Orlando visitors. “They’re giving up a lot of their advantage,” said Testa.

And before Epic Universe can open, Universal needs to have a transportation infrastructure in place that feels “seamless and smooth,” especially since it will be connecting geographically disparate locations, Testa said. With the opening of Epic Universe, complete with a new hotel (and value-priced hotel rooms elsewhere on property that are far cheaper than Disney), Universal will “try and lock you into a week-long vacation.”

Not that everyone thinks that Universal will be able to shift the habits of countless Central Florida vacations.

“I don’t know if you can change 50 years of Disney vacations,” said Alicia Stella, a leading theme park blogger. Even if Epic Universe is a runaway success, Stella said, “It’s not going to shift the tide as much.” Disney has “more parks, they have more history.”

Instead, the war between the two giants will result in other casualties – smaller parks like Sea World and Busch Gardens and cheaper hotels that line International Drive (those are already being eaten into by Universal’s value hotels).

Individuals with knowledge of the situation said that Disney is likely to complete its initial projects, including a re-theme of the 3D movie in the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom going from “A Bug’s Life” to “Zootopia” by next year. 2026 will see Test Track, an attraction that took over for World of Motion in EPCOT in 1998, reopen with a new theme. And by 2027 an Indiana Jones attraction will take over for Dinosaur in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“Spreading out these attractions over multiple parks is smart,” said Stella. “But [it’s] also the bare minimum Disney could do.”

Disney also plans to open a new Magic Kingdom nighttime spectacular, parades (fan-favorite Paint the Night is rumored to finally head to the Magic Kingdom) and other live experiences, like a Disney Villains-themed show that would replace a “Cars” show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and serve as a trial run for the bigger villains land.

The post Why the Battle Between Disney and Universal for Orlando Theme Park Dominance Rages On: ‘It’s Just Getting Started’ appeared first on TheWrap .

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