Can’t decide between Hollywood Studios or Universal Studios for your next theme park trip? We can help!
As confusing as their names may be, Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios are definitely not the same park. They are owned by separate companies and are located on separate properties- about a 15-20 minute drive apart.
Generally, Hollywood Studios is currently considered to be better than Universal Studios. While Universal has many great rides and the incredible Harry Potter Wizarding World, Hollywood Studios’ addition of Galaxy’s Edge & Toy Story Land definitely gave it a big advantage.
That’s a way-too-short answer because, realistically, each park has a long list of pros and cons that should be considered. Depending on your own personal preferences, either park could easily be a much better choice than the other.
This comprehensive comparison will cover everything you need to how about how each parks’ rides, food, attractions, entertainment, and general experiences stack up against one another.
P.S. – If you’re planning a grown-up trip, definitely check out our Insider’s Guide to Hollywood Studios for Adults.
About Each Park
Hollywood Studios is a part of Walt Disney World Resort, located in Lake Buena Vista, FL on its own property. It’s extremely close to Epcot and multiple Disney resort hotels. The park offers multiple forms of transportation to these properties by way of the Disney Skyliner and bus transportation. Hollywood Studios also has it’s own parking lot.
Hollywood Studios was originally started as an old Hollywood movie-themed park, featuring lots of movie sets and backdrops, along with attractions based on classic Hollywood films. Today, the primary attractions in the park revolve around Star Wars, Disney Junior and Pixar Animation.
Universal Studios is a part of Universal Orlando, located in Orlando, FL. It’s directly connected to Islands of Adventure by walkway and by train via the Hogwarts Express. Universal Orlando resort hotels are a short distance away. Guests can access the park on foot from the hotels or they can park their vehicles in the parking garage or valet.
Universal Orlando is only accessible by way of City Walk, which is free to enter, and houses many different themed restaurants and shops. Guests will enter and exit the park going through this area. Universal Orlando also began inspired by Hollywood, focused on 1940’s and 50’s America. Now the park is focused on popular franchises like Harry Potter, Transformers, Fast & Furious, the Simpsons, Despicable Me and more.
Rides
WINNER: Hollywood Studios
While we think that Universal Studios has two of the best individual rides, (see Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Rip Ride Rockit), we feel as though Hollywood Studios has the best collection of rides in one park. Hollywood recently introduced Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. These in addition to their classic Rock’n’Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror solidify Hollywood Studios as the winner in this category.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS’ BEST RIDES
RISE OF THE RESISTANCE (10/10)
Rise of the Resistance is one of Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars themed experiences inside the Galaxy’s Edge section of the park. You’ll be transported to outer space where you’ll come face to face with the Empire and get rescued by the Resistance. This is by far the most highly rated ride in Hollywood Studios ever since it’s debut in 2019. The technology is superb and the experience is quite literally out of this world.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLLER COASTER (10/10)
Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster may be older but the thrilling experience remains unchanged. The band Aerosmith acts as your guide through this super fast coaster, inviting you to join them backstage at a concert in L.A. Once aboard their super-stretch limousine, you’ll reach speeds of 57mph in less than 3 seconds and go through a series of inverted loops, corkscrews and turns before arriving at your destination.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR (10/10)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a true classic Disney ride, harkening to the old Hollywood days of the 1940’s. Riders who dare take a seat in this paranormal elevator shaft will be quickly spirited into the twilight zone. Expect a series of drops, always in different sequences, with one big drop from the very top of the tower to the bottom. While the theme or drop sequence can be scary for some, we’ve seen people of all ages on this one.
MILLENNIUM FALCON: SMUGGLER’S RUN (10/10)
Here’s another great Star Wars themed ride, also located inside Galaxy’s Edge. Guests get to take flight on Han Solo’s cherished Millennium Flacon, aiding the Rebel Force in smuggling cargo from the Empire fleet. Each rider is assigned a position where they are responsible for piloting, engineering or gunning while you evade the enemy. Perhaps the best part about this ride is how truly realistic the sets are in comparison to the movies.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (10/10)
The cute and fun new ride is a great experience for people of all ages to enjoy together. You’ll accompany Mickey and Minnie as they seek to have a romantic picnic in the park but end up facing a few distractions along the way. As your train takes you to the final destination, it ends up breaking a part and your ride vehicle will pilot itself through multiple scenes that include state fairs, underwater reefs and even a dance studio.
STAR TOURS (9/10)
Star Tours is the last but not least of the Star Wars rides, located in the Tatooine portion of Hollywood Studios. C3PO and R2D2 are your guides in this unique ride, where you embark on an epic journey to get your own Rebel spy to the Resistance base. This ride is different every time you go on it, mixing and matching different planets you may go to and characters you might see.
TOY STORY MANIA! (9/10)
Join the toys as you set off through this shooter game-style ride inside Andy’s bedroom. Toy Story Mania is set up as a competition with your ride partner, prompting you use your pop gun to shoot different items on the 3D screen for points. You’ll be presented with many different scenes featuring all of Andy’s toys and at the end be placed in a category of winners based on the points your scored.
SLINKY DOG DASH (8/10)
Slinky Dog Dash is the only other true roller coaster at Hollywood Studios. Unlike Rock’n’Roller Coaster, Slinky is slow and smooth, designed for young children to relax and enjoy. That said, it’s not a boring ride – it has multiple stops and starts, a large incline, darting movements and lots of different toys to see in Andy’s backyard.
Universal Studios’ BEST RIDES
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (10/10)
Gringotts is quite the sight to behold. Before you even get onto the ride, guests will be amazed by the sheer magnitude of this fictional bank as it looks remarkably like the one in the movie, complete with goblins and marble pillars. This is a steel coaster track with familiar feats like drops and turns, along with unique vehicle movements like spinning as you move between 3D scenes.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (10/10)
This impressive steel coaster is one of the largest roller coasters on Universal Orlando property, featuring a 167 foot drop and top speed of 65 mph. It’s very popular and usually has a long wait time. One of the best parts about the ride is that you can choose your own track to accompany you on the ride. Selections from ZZ Top, Daft Punk and Kenny Chesney amp up this extreme experience.
Revenge of the Mummy (10/10)
Based on the Mummy movie, this ride is full of ancient Egyptian sets and undead creeps. The steel track roller coaster is enclosed in it’s own separate building which allows for guests to fully feel the water, fire and wind effects as you escape the death trap of Imhotep. Just when you think the ride has ended, guests are catapulted at 40mph into a new thrilling sequence.
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station (9/10)
Wizards and muggles alike will enjoy embarking on the iconic Hogwarts Express, which transports guests from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure. You’re required to have a pass for both parks in order to board this ride, but the cost is worth it. The train station itself is gives each passenger the feeling of being cast as an extra in Harry Potter. As you journey, you’ll encounter several movie characters outside the window including Hagrid who welcomes you to a new year at school.
Transformers: The Ride 3d (9/10)
Movie fans will appreciate the lifelike Transformers in all their glory on this ride. Each guest is on a mission to protect the Allspark from the Decepticons as they ride on motion-platform vehicles through different sets. The ride is primarily 3D and features everyone’s favorite Autobots who guide you through the city to safety. Aside from Gringotts, we consider Transformers to be the best 3D ride in Universal Studios.
Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (8/10)
This is another primarily 3D ride, relaying more so on the 3D imaging than ride vehicle movements. The theme of the ride is unique in that Jimmy Fallon is literally taking you through New York City and onto other tracks, including a shot to the moon. Probably the most fun part about the ride is the line queue where you get live entertainment before the ride begins.
Men in Black (7/10)
Admittedly, this ride could use an update. However, we really like the original Men in Black theme of this shooter ride. The line queue takes you through the super secret MIB offices and suggests you use their target practice facility before going after real aliens. Each rider has a laser gun to practice with before you eventually encounter real aliens that must be destroyed.
Restaurants, Food, & Drinks
WINNER: Draw
Overall, neither of these locations has knock-your-socks-off restaurants. However, both have a couple really good options. We suggest trying Leaky Cauldron at Universal Studios or getting the quick service meals in Hollywood Studios’ Galaxy’s Edge. Universal Studios only has two table service restaurants, however their quick service food can easily rival Hollywood Studios’ food any day of the week. Hollywood Studios has more table service restaurants, but none really stand above the rest.
It also has to be considered that Universal Studios has direct access to CityWalk. This means that you’ve got tons of great sit-down and quick service restaurants, snacks, and drinking spots within a short walk from Universal’s front gates.
We also have a separate guide specifically to all of the best restaurants, snacks, and drinks at Hollywood Studios.
Universal Studios’ BEST RESTAURANTS
LOMBARD’S SEASFOOD GRILL (9/10)
Lombard’s is definitely the nicer of the two table service restaurants at Universal Studios, offering a more upscale selection of local and nationally sourced seafood dishes for guests looking to have a finer dining experience. It’s right on the water and has a fancy nautical theme. Menu items like Calamari, Filet Mignon and the Cioppino Ocean Bowl will elevate your theme park experience.
Finnegan’s Bar and Grill (9/10)
Finnegan’s Bar and Grill is an excellent choice for those looking to take a break from the hot Florida weather. Most of the menu items here are traditional Irish pub fare, therefore they can be a little heavier than the usual salads and sandwiches. However, the food is delicious and great for a big appetite. There is open seating at the bar, so even if you don’t have a reservation or prefer not to wait for a table, bar service is the way to go for a small party.
Universal STudios QUICK-SERVICE RESTAURANTS (8/10)
Universal is lacking in comparison to Hollywood Studios as far as food options goes, but their quick service can easily rival what you’ll find in Hollywood Studios. Here are our top choices for quick service, which all have great seating options:
The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley is an exact replica of the decrepit restaurant you’ll find in the Harry Potter movies. Traditional English food is served up on temporary plates so you can choose to sit and eat inside or take it with you while you walk the park. You can order Butterbeer here along with Bangers & Mash, Pot Pies, and English Stews.
Lard Lad Doughnuts and Bumblebee Man’s Tacos are two great little stands that are extremely popular for quick service. A humorous part of Springfield: Home of the Simpsons makes the experience more realistic to the show while offering delicious dessert and Tex-Mex inspired choices.
Mel’s Drive-in is inspired by George Lucas’ American Graffiti and features classic 1950’s American food. Try a selection of burgers, chicken fingers, fries, milkshakes and Root Beer Floats at this intricately detailed establishment. The color scheme and vintage cars out front will definitely transport you to this time period.
Krusty Burger is part of the Springfield: Home of the Simpsons section of Universal, where you can find other show eateries like Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck, Lard Lad and Luigi’s Pizza. If you’re in the mood for a giant burger that’s worth the calories, Krusty Burger delivers 1/3 and 2/3 lb burgers with various toppings and sodas and milkshakes to wash it down.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS’ BEST RESTAURANTS
THE HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY (8/10)
The Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios is based on the real Brown Derby in Hollywood, CA. The cool part about their interior is that it’s filled with caricatures of modern celebrities, along with those of past stars. The top menu item is undoubtedly their Cobb Salad, which has been a staple of the original Brown Derby since it’s inception.
OGA’S CANTINA (8/10)
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drink at the real Star Wars bar from the movie, now’s your chance. Oga’s Cantina was designed to look and feel like the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine. Instead of the famous Cantina Band, Oga’s features their DJ R3-X who spins tracks all day while bartenders serve up interesting beverages from all over the galaxy.
Since its opening, Oga’s is solidly on our Definitive List of Disney World Must-Do’s.
SCI-FI DINE-IN THEATER RESTAURANT (7/10)
The Sci-Fi Dine-In has been a crowd favorite for ages. Each dining party gets a seat in their own car while they watch old tv commercials, shows and movies from days gone by. The menu is mainly comprised of American classics like burgers and fries, milkshakes, turkey sandwiches and more.
50’S PRIME TIME CAFE (7/10)
50’s Prime Time is a throwback restaurant set in what appears to be your great-grandmother’s home. Waiters will treat you like family, literally, as they expect you to set the table and clean your plate if you want dessert. Longtime family favorites are served here like meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANTS (6/10)
Hollywood Studios has gotten an upgrade to their quick service food recently with great additions located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. They have unique offerings like “Totchos”, Ronto Wraps and Blue Milk. These are the locations we highly suggest going to for small meals and snacks as the rest of the park has very standard food that isn’t often worth the price.
Entertainment & Attractions
WINNER: Hollywood Studios
Both of these parks have very different entertainment options, so it really comes down to what’s more desirable for your vacation. Universal Studios is going to have some great Harry Potter themed interactions, along with a character parade and several varying stage shows. Hollywood Studios places a high priority on their Disney IP with broadway-esque performances and the ever-popular Fantasmic! nighttime show.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS’ BEST ENTERTAINMENT & ATTRACTIONS
FANTASMIC! (10/10)
Fantasmic! is one of the best theatrical and stunt shows on Disney property. It takes place on a huge stage across a large body of water with an enormous outdoor amphitheater that can hold thousands of people. This is a nighttime show that combines lots of Disney’s popular movie music in a dream sequence going on inside Mickey’s head. If you wanted to see dozens of Disney’s best characters all at once, this is the place to be.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: LIVE ON STAGE (9/10)
Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage is an abbreviated retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. It’s got broadway caliber performers who sing and dance to the most popular musical numbers from the movie. Despite it being outdoors, most guests will quickly forget how hot they are as they marvel at the elaborate costumes and performance given by these talented artists.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER: FROZEN SING-ALONG CELEBRATION (8/10)
While it’s definitely geared toward children, adults will also have some laughs at this popular indoor stage show. The audience is taken through a humorous narration of the first Frozen movie as they sing through every single song. At the end, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff reveal themselves as snow falls on the crowd.
MUPPETVISION 3D (8/10)
Muppetvision 3D is a great way to cool down and sit for a while. It’s not the most exciting attraction at Hollywood Studios, so lines will usually be short, but you’ll get a performance from the Muppets that you won’t find anywhere else.
STAR WARS: A GALACTIC SPECTACULAR (7/10)
This is Hollywood Studios’ nightly firework and laser show that worth seeing if you’ve never experienced it. However, for those who have seen it, it’s a great excuse to get out of the park early before the hoards make their way to the exit. The show features a few scenes from the Star Wars saga along with many different fireworks and a few laser effects.
INDIANA JONES EPIC STUNT SPECTACULAR (7/10)
The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is an action stage show. The point of the show is to explain to audiences how each stunt and explosion can be recreated with the help of a Hollywood director and lots of stunt doubles. A person is selected from the audience to participate, which makes the show a little more exciting.
Universal StudioS’ BEST ENTERTAINMENT & ATTRACTIONS
Ollivanders Experience in Diagon Alley (10/10)
This is a truly magical experience for anyone who desires to go through the same wand selection process as Harry Potter from the Sorcerer’s Stone. Each wizard will meet Ollivander himself who takes you through the full process of finding a wand that chooses you. You’ll go through several trials and errors as you test different wands until one is a perfect fit.
The Bourne Stuntacular (10/10)
The Bourne Stuntacular follows Jason Bourne through a series of epic stunts replicated from the films – and it’s truly “stuntacular”. Believe us: don’t snooze on this experience! This is an indoor stage show that takes place on an open stage with a 3D backdrop that recreates scenes from the saga. The actors perform various high-level stunts from the movie like car chases, helicopter drops and fist fights.
Universal’s Superstar Parade (9/10)
Superstar Parade puts lots of beloved Universal characters on display, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Despicable Me, and Dora the Explorer. The parade runs every day starting behind Revenge of the Mummy and ending at E.T. Adventure. It’s best suited for kids since it features many of their favorite childhood characters on Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-caliber floats.
Tales of Beedle the Bard (8/10)
Several performers gather on a small stage in Diagon Alley to put on a trunk show of magical tales. They use intricate puppets and props to tell several stories from the famed wizard author, Beedle the Bard, as visitors can look on from afar or stand up close for a better view.
Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration (8/10)
This nighttime water and projection show is a great way to end the day at Universal. The water is streamed in sheets so you can see scenes from different movies like Fast & Furious or Jurassic World, while other fountain features and lasers create varying spectacles. The downside to this attraction is that it’s only available on select nights, so you’re not always guaranteed to catch it.
Marilyn and the Diamond Bellas (7/10)
This is an entertaining street show that takes place regularly throughout the day on the backlot, between Race Through New York and Revenge of the Mummy. Marilyn and her backup performers sing and dance different songs and a guest from the audience is selected to direct it. Afterward, people can take pictures with the actors.
Animal Actors on Location! (7/10)
This is an adorable show for all ages and stars some actual animal actors from movies we all know and love. They perform a few of their recognizable tricks for the audience and members from the crowd can even get involved at different points. You’ll see several dogs, cats, birds and more in this short show.
Conclusion
Universal Studios will always be one of our favorite parks to visit, but when you compare every single detail with that of Hollywood Studios, Hollywood definitely wins out.
The addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was a great expansion on their part, introducing incredible extraterrestrial scenery, delicious food and next-level rides. Toy Story Land helps their case by pairing beloved movie characters with child-appropriate rides and more tasty dishes.
The revamping of stage shows like Fantasmic!, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen Ever After are perfect for a reprieve from the bustling walkways and hot temperatures, and the brand new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway seals the deal.
Additional Park Comparisons
We have plenty more theme park comparisons in the Central Florida area so you can better plan your next trip!
