Universal Studios Hollywood vs Orlando – Which Universal Park Is Best?

Universal Studios currently has two locations in the United States; Universal Studios Hollywood located in California and the Universal Orlando Resort located in Florida.

If you’re a theme park enthusiast then you might be looking to base your vacation around one of these two locations and wondering which one is best.

Universal Studios Hollywood is better for those looking for a single-day theme park experience and for seeing a working film set. Meanwhile, the Universal Orlando Resort is better for those looking for an all-encompassing theme park vacation.

That’s because the Universal Orlando Resort is exactly that, a resort. It’s got two theme parks, a water park and multiple on-site hotels which means that it takes a couple of days (at least) to experience everything here.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios Hollywood is a working film studio that’s been expanded to include rides and performances that make this place an attraction. However, the park is smaller and stands alone with the entertainment district CityWalk which means that most people only need a single day here.

Similarities Between Universal Studios Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?

Given that both Orlando and Hollywood are both Universal theme parks you’ll find a lot of overlap. Although keep in mind that some sizes, styles or durations may differ.

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

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

Differences Between Universal Studios Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?

Of course, not everything at Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort is the same. Being that the Universal Orlando Resort is two theme parks instead of one, there is unsurprisingly a lot more to see and do in Orlando.

Unique To Universal Studios Hollywood

• Super Nintendo World
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Toadstool Café
• 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

Size Difference Between Universal Studios Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood

The Universal Orlando Resort is significantly bigger than Universal Studios Hollywood being that Orlando is home to two theme parks and a waterpark compared to Universal Studios Hollywood which is a stand-alone theme park.

In terms of acreage, the Universal Orlando Resort currently covers 541 acres. This includes all of the on-site hotels, theme parks, water park and the CityWalk Entertainment complex.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter At Universal Studios Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood?

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort is significantly better than the one at Universal Studios Hollywood. This again predominantly comes back to the amount of space that the Universal Orlando Resort has and has therefore been able to dedicate to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood is based around Hogsmeade and features;

• Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Three Broomsticks
• Hogshead
• Ollivanders
• Honeydukes

Over at the Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split across both theme parks;

• Universal Studios Florida: Diagon Alley & Kings Cross Station
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure: Hogsmeade

Guests with a park-to-park ticket are then able to use the Hogwarts Express to travel between these two areas. With more space, for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll find more Harry Potter inspired rides, stores, shows and restaurants including;

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• The Hopping Pot
• Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
• Leaky Cauldron
• Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
• Gringotts Money Exchange

Who Has The Best Rides Universal Studios Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood?

In our opinion, the Universal Orlando Resort also has better rides when compared to Universal Studios Hollywood. Especially when it comes to thrill rides.

Some of our favourite rides at the Universal Orlando Resort include;

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Harry Potter And The Escape From Gringotts
• Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride

Meanwhile, some of our favourite rides at Universal Studios Hollywood include;

• The World Famous Studio Tour
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
• Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey