How to Add Universal Studios to Your Disney World Vacation

Last reviewed: October 2026

I'm a Disney girl at heart. But someone recently told me that around 80% of people who book a Disney World vacation will also book or consider booking a day or two at Universal Resort too.

There is a lot to consider when deciding if you should add time at Universal Studios. What do those parks have to offer? What are the best ages to take kids to Universal Studios? How do I get there if I'm staying at a Disney Resort? Here we'll discuss all of this and more.

(Or listen to my podcast episode where we discuss adding Universal to Disney)

What Does Universal Resort Have to Offer?

Universal Studios is made up of three different parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. A water park called Volcano Bay, and also a shopping and restaurant area called City Walk.

The third theme park, Epic Universe, opened in May 2025.

Universal Studios

This is the original park where you'll find the E.T ride that we were all in awe of 20-something years ago. You'll also find the amazingly impressive Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield, Home of the Simpsons, and the Despicable Me Minions.

Islands of Adventure

The second Universal park is home of Hogsmeade from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You'll also find Marvel Superhero Island, Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park, and more.

Volcano Bay

This water theme park offers several slide rides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and more. You'll find lots of seating and food and drink options. This water park is unique in how they handle a couple of things. Long lines and carrying cash around. So they offer an interactive bracelet called TapuTapu to help skip lines (more on that in a minute).

City Walk

If you're looking for shopping, dining, and entertainment without a park ticket this is your stop. This is Universal's version of Disney Springs. It is walking distance to the Universal Parks.

Universal Resorts

Universal offers 11 resorts:

Universal's Surfside Inn and Suites
Universal's Dockside Inn and Suites
Universal's Aventura Hotel
Universal Stella Nova Resort
Universal Terra Luna Resort
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Loews Royal Pacific Resort*
Hard Rock Hotel*
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel*

*These are premier resorts that give an EXTRA perk of Unlimited Express Pass. Unlimited Express Pass works at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure only. It is NOT valid at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay (Universal's Express Pass page, checked October 2026).

Similar to staying at a Disney World resort, staying at one of these hotels can give you some perks when you are at the Universal Parks

Option of charging to your room
Free on-site transportation via bus and water taxi
Early Park Admission to select attractions
Priority seating at restaurants
Park purchases delivered to your room
Unlimited Express Pass (Only for premier resorts noted, and not valid at Epic Universe)

Extras Offered at Universal Parks

Express Pass

Universal Parks offer their own version of Lightning Lane that they call Express Pass. But there are major differences in how Universal handles this perk.

When you have Express Pass you don't need to make reservations or grab times on an app for rides. If you have this pass you can show up and skip the lines.

If you are staying at a participating Universal Resort this perk is included for free. If you aren't staying you can purchase this pass as an add on to your park ticket.

Depending on how many people are in your party and the number of days you are visiting, sometimes staying at a Universal Resort is cheaper than buying these passes. It's a smart idea to have a travel agent who handles both Disney and Universal compare these prices for you to make sure you don't overpay (we can help you with that here).

Child Swap

Similar to Disney World's rider switch program, Universal Parks offer child swap if you are touring with a child who doesn't meet the height requirements of certain rides.

Here is how you take advantage of this perk:

Your entire group will get in the ride queue (even the child who wont be riding)
When you get close to the loading area of the ride a team member will show the adult and child to a waiting room, and the rest of the group can ride
After the first group rides, they meet up in the child swap waiting room and guests can then switch who rides

I actually find this system to be way better than what Disney World offers. My experience with Child Swap has been pleasant waiting rooms with cartoons or movies playing. There are seats and often changing tables as well.

This system is also better in how relaxed Universal is about Child Swap. Disney now allows rider switch for a child who is tall enough but does not want to ride, but Disney limits the second group to two riders. Universal doesn't limit how many people can ride in the second group. So if you have older children (or multiple adults) they will be able to ride every ride twice. As long as there is always one adult with the child, Universal is amazing about letting older kids ride twice.

TapuTapu

If you head to Volcano Bay water park you'll be given a wrist band called TapuTapu. The lines at this water park are virtual. If you want to ride you tap your wrist, and you'll be notified when it's your turn to ride. So in the mean time you can enjoy the lazy river or a cold drink.

You can also use this wrist band to make purchases at the water park. So you wont have to carry your wallet around with you or worry about having wet cash.

What Does Adding Universal Cost?

Universal tickets that include Epic Universe start at $134.99 per adult for one day. The Special 3-Day Ticket (one day each at Epic Universe, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) starts at $297 per person.

Both are plus tax, and the lowest prices are on select dates only (Universal's ticket store, checked October 2026).

For tickets, Express, hotels and parking side by side, see my Disney World and Universal trip cost page.

Who Would Enjoy Universal AND Disney World?

Universal Parks are very different from Disney World Parks. At Universal you'll find larger thrill rides, and fewer rides for smaller children.

Universal can be enjoyed by anyone! But you'll get the most out of Universal if everyone in your group enjoys thrill rides, if the people in your group are tall enough where height requirements wont be a huge issue, if you are a huge Harry Potter fan, and if you love Marvel Superheroes.

Universal might not be for you if you are traveling with small children (toddlers or babies), you aren't a big Harry Potter fan, or you aren't a big fan of large roller coasters and thrill rides.

Even the areas for children often have rides with height requirements. So you might want to check Universal's website before deciding.

We personally found our 4 year old was just the right age for Universal. She didn't mind waiting with us and hanging out in the Child Swap areas, there were enough characters she enjoyed, and she could ride everything at Seuss Landing. I suspect if she were any younger, she may not have gotten as much out of the experience.

How Do I Get There From Disney World?

You have three ways to get from Disney World to Universal. A transportation voucher covers your Disney Resort to Universal and back, but you can only buy it through a travel agent. You can rent a car from Alamo or National at Disney World. Or take a taxi, Lyft or Uber. Check the fare in the app before you ride, because it changes with demand.

If you know you want to add a day or two, you might be wondering how to get there from your Disney World resort.

You have several options.

You can get a transportation voucher. This will get you from either your Disney Resort to Universal (and back), or the Orlando Airport to Universal (and back). These voucher are the best option financially, but can only be purchased through a travel agent. You can get your rate quote here.
You can rent a car. Both Alamo and National have car rental locations at Disney World, which would make pick up and drop off easy. Just remember to consider any parking fees at the Universal Parks.
You can use a Taxi, Lyft (use code doubleyourwdw to get a discount on your first ride) or Uber. If you are using a ride share service be sure to download the app before your trip. Check the fare in the app before you ride, because it changes with demand.

Bottom Line

Adding Universal Parks to Disney World can be an amazing addition to your vacation. Especially if you love Harry Potter. With Express Pass you can easily enjoy these parks in one to two days, which makes it a realistic add on to your Disney vacation.

If you need help pricing out Disney and Universal resorts and tickets, and finding the best deal, let us help! Sorting out staying at Disney World or splitting your resort stay with Universal, versus purchasing Express Pass can be overwhelming. Get your free quote here and let us do that math for you.

Ready to Book Your Vacation?

Get a free quote here!

Still Confused or Need Help?

I am happy to help! Contact me.

See you at the parks,
-Julie