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In the battle of Universal Orlando Resort versus Universal Studios Hollywood, there are no losers — just two wildly different experiences. One is built around a working movie studio, while the other is a full-blown resort destination. Maybe you're deciding which to visit, or you’ve been to one and are eyeing the other (you should toadally go for it, BTW!). Both resorts deliver thrilling rides, larger-than-life worlds and iconic characters. But the vibes are shaped by their size, setting and unique attractions. Orlando is massive with multiple parks and hotels, while Hollywood is compact and set on real, working movie studio grounds. Whether you're craving wizarding magic, high-speed coasters or a walk through cinematic history, both parks offer something truly unfrogettable. So, let’s hop to it and review both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood to help you find the perfect fit for your next adventure!

Universal Orlando Resort Versus Universal Studios Hollywood
Let’s take a look at each location’s size and number of parks to give you an overall sense of each location. We offer many other hopful links throughout this post to help you in your research and vacation planning, so be sure to click for further reading.
Size of the Resorts
The size of Universal Orlando versus Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the biggest differences between the Universal resorts. Universal Studios Hollywood is built in the hills and is divided up between CityWalk, the Upper Lot (where the shows, rides and lands are pretty close to each other), the Lower Lot (which houses some thrill rides) and the Studio Tour (which is an hour-long tram tour of the Backlot with additional ride experiences built into it). If a smaller footprint with less walking involved appeals to you, then this is your park.
The Universal Orlando property is spread out. The entire resort consists of several resort hotels, CityWalk, much larger theme parks with several large water features and a whole water park. It's massive in comparison! That means, with larger lands and worlds, there's more to do. Hopping around will take more time, but you will be getting your daily steps in!
Number of Theme Parks at Each Property
Universal Studios Hollywood is the one-and-only theme park, which is built around a working movie studio. It’s the OG Universal park and the best choice for Hollywood fanatics. Universal Orlando, on the other hand, is a large resort property with three huge theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and the brand-new Universal Epic Universe (which is open, as of May 22, 2025!) — plus a frogtastic water theme park, Universal Volcano Bay.
Universal CityWalk
Both locations offer fun and dining just outside the theme park entrances at Universal CityWalk. This entertainment district is a great place to grab a bite in the morning before hitting the theme parks, and is the place to kick back after leaving the parks for the day. It has restaurants, bars and shopping that conveniently connect parking to the theme park entrances for day visitors. Hotel guests in Orlando can walk or take shuttles or boat rides to get back to the “lily pad.” Some offerings are the same in both locations, and some differ. CityWalk Hollywood has an urban Hollywood street vibe, whereas CityWalk Orlando has a more relaxed vacation vibe.
In Orlando, resort hotels are either within walking distance and/or water taxi/shuttle distance — no need to get in a car. Universal Studios Hollywood does not have on-site hotels. However, there are two nice hotels conveniently within walking distance (and they offer shuttles, as well). But they are not part of Universal and do not come with the perks that Universal hotel guests in Orlando enjoy.
Hotels Near the Universal Resorts
If you want that vacation destination feeling, Orlando has all the feels. Why stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel? As mentioned above, it's convenient, and you get perks such as Early Park Admission to the theme parks (and Volcano Bay) each day of your stay. (Check the Universal Orlando website to see which parks are offering Early Park Admission during your stay.) Some hotels come with Universal Express Unlimited to help you skip the lines at select theme parks. Other property hotels offer a more friendly price tag and still offer the convenience of being on the property.
In L.A., there are no on-site hotels at Universal Studios. You can, however, stay at the very nice Universal Hilton or Sheraton Universal Hotel, both of which are a short walk away from the park entrance and CityWalk. They are convenient to the park and have pools, but they do not give you that same destination feel of the Orlando Universal property. Even if you stay off-site, the water features and layout of Universal Orlando just feel more like a tropical resort than Hollywood. The warm Florida climate certainly helps, too! We have a whole post on where to stay at Universal Orlando Resort (including the new Epic Universe hotels) for you to read through.
What Is the Same at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood?
Both parks have rides and shows, but the rides at Universal Orlando are much bigger. You will find large roller coaster thrill rides and many more lands/worlds. With extreme coasters such as the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Stardust Racers, thrill-lovers will enjoy the kinds of rides that Hollywood visitors would have to seek out at Six Flags Magic Mountain or Knott’s Berry Farm. (However, Hollywood is getting its first major roller coaster in 2026, with the addition of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift!)
Universal Orlando also offers a lot more for young tadpoles than Universal Studios Hollywood. But if you're looking for Hollywood tips for toddlers, hop over to our post on small children to Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood is the only place to take the World-Famous Studio Tour (more on this later!).
Similar Rides and Attractions
Both resorts are themed around movies and television, with lands, attractions and shows based around characters and places created for the screen. There are some similar lands, rides and shows on each coast, but even the same ride can vary somewhat from its cross-country twin.
These rides and major attractions can be found at both properties:
- Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (now in Epic Universe)
- Revenge of the Mummy (it's bigger in Florida)
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Ollivanders
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
- The Simpsons Ride
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong (King Kong 360 3-D is part of the Studio Tour in Hollywood)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Triwizard Spirit Rally
- Frog Choir
- Hogwarts Castle shows
Universal Studios Florida
Rides and attractions that are unique to Universal Studios Florida
- E.T. Adventure
- Fast & Furious - Supercharged
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hogwarts Express - King's Cross Station (connects to Islands of Adventure)
- Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast
- Kang & Kodos’ Twist ‘n’ Hurl
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack!
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Trolls Trollercoaster
- King Harold's Swamp Symphony
- Poppy's Playground
- Po's Kung Fu Training Camp
- Shrek's Swamp for Little Ogres
- Animal Actors On Location!
- Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show
- The Bourne Stuntacular
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard
- Universal Mega Movie Parade
- Mardi Gras Parade (seasonal)
- CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
- DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
Universal Islands of Adventure
Rides and attractions that are unique to Universal Islands of Adventure
- Camp Jurassic
- Caro-Seuss-el
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Hogwarts Express - Hogsmeade Station (connects to Universal Studios Florida; requires Park-to-Park ticket)
- If I Ran the Zoo
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Jurassic Park Discovery Center
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Me Ship, The Olive
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges
- Pteronodon Flyers
- Storm Force Accelatron
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- The Cat in the Hat
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Oh! The Stories You'll Hear!
Of course, all the rides and attractions at Universal Volcano Bay are unique, as there is no water park at Universal Studios Hollywood. Hop over to our insider's guide to Volcano Bay for all the deets on that park. Although Hollywood does not have a water park, the tadpoles should definitely bring their swimsuits and water shoes for the large water play area in Super Silly Fun Land inside the theme park.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Rides and attractions that are unique to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Jurassic World - The Ride
- Dino Play
- Kung Fu Panda Adventure
- Super Silly Fun Land
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!
- WaterWorld
- The World-Famous Studio Tour
In 2026, Universal Studios Hollywood is getting its first real outdoor coaster! Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is set to be one of the most high-tech outdoor coasters. We've got some hints at what we can expect by comparing some of Universal Orlando's newest (and amazing) coasters!
Studio Tour
The Studio Tour is perhaps what tips the scales the most out of anything at Universal Studios Hollywood. The tram takes you to the Backlot through a working movie studio and past iconic scenes, such as the metropolitan sets, "Jaws," the Bates Motel, Jupiter's Claim (from NOPE) and Wisteria Lane. Ever seen "Back to the Future"? Because you're passing by the real clock tower and the set it was filmed on. If you get lucky, your guide will turn their mic off and take you through a "quiet zone." This means you're passing by something being filmed at that exact moment. You never know what or who you might see.
You'll also ride through experiences that you'll find as stand-alone rides at Universal Orlando, such as King Kong 360. The tram takes you through the magic of movies, and you'll experience a flash flood, fire and even an earthquake underground! This is the premier attraction, and the Studio Tour has a rich history that takes guests all the way back to the silent film era when the studio began in 1915. The studio offered a Studio Tour back in 1964, and that eventually evolved into the theme park we know and love today.
If you decide to spend the money and take VIP Tour, you can actually get out of your private Studio Tour trolley and walk through some of the sets. We've been able to experience the VIP Tour and were absolutely blown away!
Epic Universe
There’s one more major reason Potterheads and thrill-seekers alike are buzzing about Universal Orlando. Epic Universe, the brand-new theme park (open as of May 22, 2025), is Universal Orlando’s fourth park (including Volcano Bay), and is a total game-changer. It's bigger, bolder and packed with groundbreaking tech and storytelling.
Epic Universe includes five brand-new worlds:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic: A new Wizarding World land set in 1920s Paris (like the "Fantastic Beasts" movies!). Take a quick Metro-Floo trip into the 1990s Ministry of Magic, where Dolores Umbridge stands on trial.
- Dark Universe: An entire land dedicated to the Universal Monsters! Join the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein as she works to restore honor to her family name.
- How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk: Yep! An entire "How to Train Your Dragon" world. Complete with a coaster, small experiences and even a chance to meet Hiccup and Toothless.
- Super Nintendo World: Just like in Universal Studios Hollywood, step into the world of Mario and friends and even drive your own kart! Epic Universe's version of this super immersive land also includes a Donkey Kong-themed area and a coaster that "jumps" the track!
- Celestial Park: This cosmic land includes one of the most high-tech and exciting dueling coasters.
Epic Universe is expected to significantly increase the length of stay for Orlando guests. With four theme parks, Universal Orlando is becoming more than just a few days of fun — it’s a full vacation destination that rivals any resort in the world. And if you're a fan of Harry Potter, gaming or Universal’s monster legacy, this new park should definitely be on your radar.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
For Harry Potter fans — casual movie watchers to die-hard Potterheads — both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood deliver rich, immersive experiences. But they’re not identical, and the differences can seriously impact your visit depending on how deep your love of The Wizarding World goes.
Three Worlds versus One
With the opening of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort is now home to three separate Harry Potter areas — each in a different park: Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida, Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Ministry of Magic in Epic Universe. The first two lands are connected by the Hogwarts Express, a fully themed train ride that’s different in each direction. You’ll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride it, but for fans, it’s a must.
Universal Studios Hollywood only has Hogsmeade, set at the base of Hogwarts Castle. It’s beautifully detailed, with all the snow-topped charm, but no Diagon Alley or Hogwarts Express. Plus, more lands means more shops and dining locations. Both have a Three Broomsticks, Ollivanders, Honeydukes, Butterbeer stands and a few more shops. Diagon Alley includes Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, The Leaky Cauldron and our favorite secret spot: Knockturn Alley featuring Borgin and Burkes.
The Rides
Orlando:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Diagon Alley) — A story-driven coaster that blends screens, animatronics and dark ride elements inside Gringotts Bank.
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Hogsmeade) — A motion-based dark ride that takes you through Hogwarts, past a fire-breathing dragon, through the Chamber of Secrets and into a Quidditch match.
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Hogsmeade) — A must-ride for fans, this coaster dives deep into the magical creatures side of the lore.
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Hogsmeade) — A family-friendly coaster offering quick views of Hagrid’s hut and a beautiful view of the castle.
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Ministry of Magic) — Dolores Umbridge has escaped prior to standing trial at the Ministry, and you must join Harry, Ron and Hermione to catch her in a brand-new, high-tech ride featuring state-of-the-art animatronics.
Hollywood:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — Nearly identical to Orlando’s version.
- Flight of the Hippogriff — There is a super cute Buckbeak animatronic right at the beginning of this attraction that toadally makes the short ride worth it.
Spell Casting
Both coasts include a bunch of interactive spell casting locations where magic is revealed with the flick of a wand. Orlando has more interactive spots where spells reveal dark magic secrets. And, you can hop through the brick wall to visit Grimmauld Place, see the Knight Bus and even take the Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade for a completely different journey!
Don't get us wrong, you're still going to be blown away by Hogsmeade in Universal Studios Hollywood. But in our froggy opinion, Orlando wins the Wizarding World duel.
How Much Time and Money Do You Have to Spend at Each Resort?
How much time do you have to devote to these theme parks? You can do most of Universal Studios Hollywood in one day. This is especially true if you visit during the off-season or get Universal Express. Universal Orlando, however, requires a few more days to see and do it all. We suggest taking three days to see most of the resort, especially now that Epic Universe has entered the chat.
How Much Does Each Resort Cost?
A single day at Universal Studios Hollywood starts at $109 ($103 from Undercover Tourist!). Currently, Universal is running a buy one day, get a second day free promotion, and you can save even more on that same deal through Undercover Tourist!
Universal Orlando Resort starts at $119 for a one-day, one-park ticket to either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Adding the option to jump back and forth between the two parks during a single day brings you to a starting rate of $174 per ticket. A two-day ticket with one park per day starts at $116 per day, while a two-day ticket with the option to jump between parks each day starts at $146 per day. As always, you can save even more by purchasing discount tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Tickets to Epic Universe cost a little more, starting at $139 per day. If you want to purchase a two-day ticket, you can use one day to jump between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and one day to just cover Epic Universe. That ticket starts at $156 per day. There are currently no ticket options that offer Park-to-Park access to and from Epic Universe.
Assuming you can get Universal Studios Hollywood done in one day, your total starts at $103. Needing two or three days at Universal Orlando Resort bumps your starting vacation rate up to $280-$412. Plus, if you're doing more than one day at Universal Orlando, you'd most likely be adding on the cost of somewhere to stay.
How Does Express Work at Both Resorts?
One of our favorite tools to skip the lines at Universal Studios is Universal Express. Hop over to our posts on the Universal Express Pass in Orlando and Hollywood to learn more. For Hollywood, you can purchase a discount Universal Express ticket (which includes admission and Express access) through Undercover Tourist. Or, you can upgrade a regular ticket to include Express at the park. And you can also upgrade regular Universal Express (with the ability to skip the regular queue one time per ride) to Unlimited Universal Express (with unlimited skipping) once you are in the park.
In Orlando, you can get Unlimited Universal Express passes when you stay at select Universal Signature Collection Hotels, such as:
Plus, we have hoppin’ news! Now, all guests of other hotels have the option of purchasing a Universal Orlando Express add-on through Undercover Tourist, no matter where they stay! You can add on either regular Express (to skip the line once at participating attractions) or Unlimited Universal Express (to skip the lines as many times as you'd like at participating attractions) — the latter not valid at Epic Universe.
Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood both deliver the scares, but they offer very different experiences.
Orlando goes big — with more haunted houses (we're talking 10!), sprawling scare zones and an overall festival-like atmosphere. The houses at Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Florida are long, detailed and often blend popular horror IPs with original concepts fans love. Plus, Orlando features more entertainment, including live shows and iconic HHN characters that return year after year. It’s a massive event that feels like a full-on Halloween world.
Hollywood, on the other hand, trades size for intensity. With fewer houses (around 7-8), Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood leans into its movie roots. Some houses are built in actual soundstages or backlot sets, which gives everything a raw, cinematic feel. While scare zones are more limited, the Terror Tram (only in Hollywood) offers a one-of-a-kind walk-through experience on the real Universal backlot. It’s compact, high-energy and especially great for fans who want their horror served Hollywood-style. Both parks are terrifyingly fun, so you just have to pick your flavor of fear.
Final Thoughts
If you've already visited either the Hollywood or Orlando resort and are considering a trip to the opposite coast, be sure to hop over to our Universal Orlando Fan’s Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Hollywood Fan's Guide to Universal Orlando Resort. Our hopful fan guides will help prepare you and tell you what you need to expect, since these properties are so different from each other.
So, what did you decide in the Universal Orlando Resort versus Universal Studios Hollywood debate? No matter where you visit, it's going to be great. Make it even better by saving money and time with discounted Universal Orlando Resort tickets and Universal Studios Hollywood Resort tickets with Undercover Tourist. Don't froget to look into Universal Express and our hoppin' rates on hotel rooms.
Related: Universal Orlando Fan’s Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: Universal Studios Hollywood Fan's Guide to Universal Orlando Resort
Keep hopping!