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Here's how Disney imagines its new theme park in Abu Dhabi will look

7 May 2025 at 09:42
Disney's Bob Iger announces Disneyland Abu Dhabi in May 2025. Pictured with Josh D'Amaro.
The Walt Disney Company will work with Miral to build its seventh theme park.

Mohamed Al Balsoohi / Abu Dhabi Media Office/Mohamed Al Balsoohi / Abu Dhabi Media Office

  • The Walt Disney Company's new theme park resort will be in Abu Dhabi.
  • Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the company's seventh theme park.
  • The company shared renderings of the theme park.

Disneyland is officially coming to Abu Dhabi.

The Walt Disney Company announced its seventh theme park on Wednesday. It will be built on Yas Island, which already hosts several theme parks and entertainment experiences, including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Disney, which is licensing operations to Miral, an immersive experiences company, shared renderings of Disneyland Abu Dhabi with Business Insider.

Rendering of Disneyland Abu Dhabi shared by Disney in May 2025.
The Walt Disney Company shared a rendering of Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Disney/The Walt Disney Company

"As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a company blog.

"Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati β€” an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come."

Miral, based in Abu Dhabi, will build and develop the theme park resort. Disney Imagineers will spearhead creative design and operational oversight.

"What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination β€” an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever," His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman at Miral, said in the Disney blog post.

Disney announced its new destination ahead of its second-quarter earnings call. The company surpassed analysts' estimates, reporting 23.6 billion in revenue.

Paul Verna, EMARKETER's vice president of content, said Disney's stronger-than-expected results would come as a relief to investors.

"Although CEO Bob Iger acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainty for the remainder of its fiscal year, the company raised its EPS outlook, brushing off fears of a recession and threats of heavy tariffs on films produced outside the US," Verna said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

After 100 trips to Disney, I tried Dollywood. Many things surprised me about Dolly Parton's Southern theme park.

30 March 2025 at 06:31
Dollywood sign with "I will always love you" below it
I visited Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park for the first time and found it compared to Disney in some interesting ways.

Megan duBois

  • I've been to Disney World over 100 times and only recently made my first trip to Dollywood.
  • Dolly Parton's Southern theme park impressed me with its entertainment and photo opportunities.
  • I appreciated how the park highlighted the singer's history in multiple ways.

I've lived close to Disney World for my entire life. I've been over 100 times and still visit as often as I want as an annual pass holder.

Recently, though, I was excited to try a different theme park that's been on my radar for years: Dollywood.

The Dolly Parton park has been nestled among the Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for decades.

After spending two days exploring Dollywood, here's everything that surprised me.

I appreciated how Parton's history was highlighted throughout the park.
Inside the Dolly Parton Experience
The Dolly Parton Experience was fun to walk through.

Megan duBois

One of my favorite park areas was the Dolly Parton Experience, where I learned all about Parton and her life through a range of exhibits and displays.

In the park, I was also able to step onto one of Parton's old tour buses and view many of her glamorous outfits and jewelry pieces.

The park's most famous food is actually easy to find throughout the park and its resorts.
Cinnamon bread from Spotlight Bakery
I picked up Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread at Spotlight Bakery.

Megan duBois

As many theme-park foodies know, Dollywood and cinnamon bread are synonymous.

Since the treat is so popular, I worried I might have to wait in long lines to order it or get up early to track it down before it sold out. Fortunately, it was even easier to find than I expected.

Plenty of it was available at Grist Mill and Spotlight Bakery inside the park. Plus, the bread could be purchased at Dollywood resorts DreamMore and HeartSong β€” or even ordered using room service.

The park's entertainment was top-notch and varied β€” and even included a show featuring Parton's niece.
Heidi Partons Kin & Friends show at Dollywood
I saw "Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends" while at Dollywood.

Megan duBois

Throughout the park, I found all kinds of impressive entertainment, including performances from a country string band and a Southern gospel singing group.

The park even had an educational show featuring birds of prey.

One show I especially loved was "Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends," where Parton's niece, Heidi, and a crew of talented performers sang songs across a range of genres.

There's an entire land dedicated to kid-friendly attractions, which seems great for families.
Country Fair area of Dollywood
The Country Fair area of Dollywood seems ideal for little kids.

Megan duBois

The rides at the park are quite varied, from attractions for preschool-aged kids to high-speed roller coasters that thrill seekers would love.

One area that surprised me was the Country Fair, where kid-friendly attractions are all clustered together. This setup makes it easy for families with little kids to hang out in one spot and enjoy multiple attractions.

Country Fair also features carnival games, a picnic pavilion that looks like a classic red barn, and a splash pad.

Dollywood's rotating festivals throughout the year seemed good enough to compete with Disney's.
Author Megan duBois with Dollywood sign
I visited Dollywood during the I Will Always Love You music festival.

Megan duBois

The park hosts five different festivals throughout the year, and each has a different theme. Similar to Disney parks, Dollywood has exclusive entertainment and special foods during each of its festivals.

I visited during the park's first festival of the season, the I Will Always Love You music festival, which runs through mid-April.

Other festivals at Dollywood include the Flower and Food Festival in spring, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration through the summer, the Harvest Festival in fall, and Smoky Mountain Christmas during the holiday season.

A simple but pricey parking upgrade added surprising value to my trip.
Preferred parking entrance and exit area  at Dollywood
I didn't wait long at the preferred-parking entrance.

Megan duBois

Parking at any theme park can be pricey. At Dollywood, standard parking costs $25, and preferred is $50.

Much to my surprise, I'd recommend paying more for the latter. It was a surprisingly good value. With preferred parking, I got to keep my car in the closest lot to the park and access an exclusive security line and entrance.

When I arrived, the park's main entrance had a big line out front and a wait time of about 45 minutes to get inside. At the preferred-parking entrance, I only waited about 10 minutes.

I love that my upgrade allowed me to spend more time in the park instead of waiting in line outside of it.

There are a ton of good pop-up photo spots around the park.
Megan duBois posing with butterfly sign with "Dolly" in middle at Dollywood
Photos are a great way to remember your trip.

Megan duBois

I love just how many photo opportunities I found at Dollywood, especially in its Showstreet area.

The main entry area of the park features a giant Dollywood sign that's a perfect backdrop for family photos. Plus, I found tons of cute art installations that are swapped out throughout the year.

While I was at Dollywood, big shimmering sequins hung over part of Showstreet, and a fun "LOVE" sign was displayed at the end of the road β€” both nodding to the current festival theme.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I've taken my kids to all 3 Legolands in the US. They all have perks, but one has totally won me over.

16 March 2025 at 07:05
Woman at Legoland New York
The author has been to all three Legolands in the US.

Courtesy of the author

  • We first visited Legoland in Florida, and my kids were more into it than Disney World.
  • We've since also gone to Legoland New York and San Diego, and have enjoyed all three parks.
  • Still, there are a few reasons Legoland Florida is my favorite of the three.

The first time we visited a Legoland park, it wasn't really even on our radar.

It happened to be next to the brand-new Peppa Pig amusement park in Florida that my husband and I wanted to take our kids to. Our kids loved the show, and the park seemed age-appropriate for our then 4-year-old and 2-year-old twins.

The park was next to Legoland Florida, and tickets for both parks were pretty affordable, especially compared to Disney World, so we went there, too.

Our kids loved the Legoland park so much that we ended up taking them to the one in California and New York in later years.

Here's how the three parks compare, and which I love the most.

The parks have some overlap, though they offer slightly different experiences.
Woman at Legoland California
The author loved the submarine ride at Legoland California.

Courtesy of the author

As parks from the same franchise, all three Legolands feature very similar attractions.

Although the layouts are different, and the order in which you enter each world may vary, you pretty much can expect very similar experiences in all three.

They all have a land that features miniature versions of iconic places in the world. All three have different landmarks, but kids still get to walk around and explore the miniature buildings.

The "Ninjago" ride is exactly the same in all three parks (ask me how I know β€” it's my oldest's favorite show), and it's a crowd-pleaser.

All three parks also have The Dragon, a coaster for kids ages 6 to 13.

However, each seemed to have at least one notable, unique attraction.
Mom posing with Lego figurine
The author enjoyed her visit at Legoland Florida.

Courtesy of the author

In California, the one ride that stood out the most for both my oldest and myself was a submarine ride called LEGO CITY: Deep Sea Adventure. We got to enter a submarine and explore real and Lego block creatures underwater.

In New York, we rode The Dragon's Apprentice, a roller coaster for younger kids (3 to 5 years old). It was as much of a thrill as my twins could handle.

In Florida, we all enjoyed hiding from the sun and heat at the Pharaoh's Revenge Land of Adventure, an indoor play area where kids can climb, run through tunnels, and load foam balls into tubes.

There's more to do in all three parks than just go on rides.
Woman at legoland new york
The author visited Legoland New York during their Brick or Treat month.

Courtesy of the author

When we visited our first Legoland, my twins were just a little over 2 years old. I worried there wouldn't be much for them to do at the park. Thankfully, I was wrong.

All across the three parks, there are tons of things for kids to do and discover beyond the rides.

First of all, they all have figurines from Lego shows that are ready to pose with for photos. My son has a photo of the same punk-rocker sculpture in all three parks.

The parks also offer seasonal events. We visited Legoland New York during its Brick or Treat Halloween special. The park was full of skeletons and pumpkin decorations the kids could pose with and play with.

Plus, each has building stations throughout the property where kids can build with Lego blocks and earn badges.

It's worth staying at the hotel no matter which location you choose.
Inside Legoland hotel room
The rooms at Legoland hotels are absolutely kid-friendly.

Courtesy of the author

I won't lie, I'm a sucker for a themed anything, so when we first walked into the hotel adjacent to Legoland Florida, I was sold.

The hotel is decorated with Lego blocks and even has pools of blocks kids can get into and play with.

After that stay, we stayed in the Legoland hotels in New York and Orlando as well.

It's clear that the rooms in all three were designed with family in mind. This was especially important for me as standard hotel-room layouts usually don't easily accommodate a family of five like mine.

For example, the bunk beds have a roll-out bed to fit three kids in one room β€” which is rare in my traveling experience.

The rooms we stayed at had a kid's area separate from a space for adults, so my husband and I could watch television or read a book without fear of waking the kids.

The hotels all helped keep my family fed and entertained.
Kids playing with Legos
The author's kids loved seeing all the Lego and Duplo figurines at the hotel's lobby.

Courtesy of the author

Walking into the rooms, my kids squealed in excitement. While there are different themes, we were always assigned the pirates' room. There are also Lego Dreamz and Ninjago-themed rooms.

My kids loved that the rooms had a safe, where we had to crack a code by answering questions about the space (for example, how many ladybugs were hidden in it). Inside the safe, there was a complimentary Lego set for each of them.

There's a restaurant at all three hotels that's also fully decorated with Lego characters which my kids loved.

The food wasn't that impressive, but I appreciated that we could get a quick bite after a long day of playing without having to leave the premises.

All that said, my favorite park was Legoland Florida.
Family at Legoland Florida
The author and her family visited Legoland Florida first.

Courtesy of the author

Although all three parks kept my kids entertained and busy, my personal favorite was the one in Florida.

The California park is the first Legoland to open in the US, in 1999, so certain parts of it feel a bit outdated and old. It's also smaller, and although that allowed us to explore the entire property (except for the water park area) in half a day, I left wanting more of an experience.

We saw fewer characters walking around, and the stores felt pretty bare bones β€” but this could also be because our visit was near closing time.

The New York park in Goshen is the newest, having opened in 2021. I like that it's just a short trip away from New York City. We visited on a Friday, thinking it would be less crowded than the weekend, but we were wrong.

The lines were incredibly long, and we barely got to do any attractions. We later found out that day was a school holiday in New York, which partially explained the chaos.

However, the crowds didn't feel like such a big deal in the Florida park β€” maybe because it's the biggest of the three. It opened in 2011 and has over 50 rides for a wide range of ages.

Legoland Florida reminded us of Disney parks the most in a few ways, like its larger size and wide range of activities. I also found its gift shops had a bigger variety of items to purchase.

Plus, Legoland Florida being next to Peppa Pig Land is a huge plus for those with younger kids.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Theme parks aren't one-size-fits-all, and larger fans say they're paying the price with their comfort and confidence

7 March 2025 at 06:37
shot of tron lightcycle run roller coaster lit up at night at magic kingdom in disney world
Theme parks aren't built with every body type in mind, fans say.

Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

  • Certain theme-park rides aren't accessible for larger body types, fans say.
  • Solutions presented at the parks, like test seats, don't always fix the problem.
  • Some midsize and plus-size visitors say they steer clear of anything that may leave them embarrassed.

This story was originally published in July 2023.

When the new Tron coaster opened at Disney World's Magic Kingdom back in April, theme-park reporter Madison Blancafor, couldn't wait for her chance to ride the high-speed coaster, based on the popular sci-fi franchise.

But when her opportunity to test-ride the Florida attraction, renamed Tron Lightcycle / Run, during a preview event finally came, the ride attendants told her she wouldn't be able to sit in the regular seat because of her size. Blancafor wears a US size 20 and identifies as plus-sized.

"The cast member up front was kind and gave me a few tips for how to shimmy my legs deeper into the knee hold for the seat," she told Insider, referring to the ride's bike-style vehicles. "But there was no amount of wiggling my hips or changing the angle of my knee or sucking in my stomach that was going to make that metal bar fit over my calf to lock me into place."

When the ride was still in previews, plus-size β€” typically size 18 and up in the US β€” Disney employees and early riders began sharing first-person accounts of not fitting safely on the newΒ attractionΒ because the seat didn't lock into place. Their only alternative was to ride the more accessible bench seat attached to some of the trains, which required waiting in a second line.

"I get a small spike of anxiety every time I step in line for a new coaster these days: Am I going to fit? If I don't, will the other riders in line be rude as I try? Will the ride operators be frustrated that I attempted?" Blancafor said.Β 

Insider spoke to seven other US theme-park fans who said riding roller coasters isn't accessible, let alone comfortable, for every body type.

Theme parks have a size problem, fans say

What started as an innovative way to experience an attraction with bike-style ride vehicles is now causing issues for anyone with a larger body type.Β 

"As I tried to board the bike, the employee who was helping me started pushing the bar near my knees until I felt like I'd get bruises," Molly Kay Nelson, a size-16 content creator who regularly visits Disney World and Disneyland, told Insider of her experience on Tron.

Representatives for Disney did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

The theme-park fan said she eventually asked to ride in one of the more accessible bench seats because she was so uncomfortable.

"It was also embarrassing, and it made my ride experience entirely unenjoyable because of my own mental block," Nelson told Insider.

Avatar Flight of Passage Link Chairs restraints Disney World
Screen showing the restraints on Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom.

Kim Renfro/INSIDER

Animal Kingdom's Flight of Passage, an Avatar-themed flight-simulation ride that opened in 2017, has a similar bike-like ride vehicle with back and leg restraints.

"I waited in the long line with friends and then was the only one who didn't fit and couldn't ride," Erynn Leighton-Herrmann, who's a size 20, told Insider. "It's embarrassing as everyone watches you struggle and then be escorted to wait for your party outside."

The problem is not unique to Disney parks or the new wave of bike-like seats. Blancafor has also run into issues on some of the big-ticket classic rides at Universal Orlando in Florida.Β 

"It is still discouraging and disheartening and, frankly, embarrassing every time it happens," she said. "As someone who has always loved roller coasters, it's sad that one of my favorite things is now also a source of insecurity and shame."

Brittany Cannon, who's a size 18, had trouble locking her seat on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a high-speed X-coaster with a thrilling drop at Universal Orlando, and ultimately wasn't able to ride, even after trying two different cars.Β 

"They moved me to another 'more spacious' car and the lap bar still didn't lock," she said. "I heard some negative comments from other guests in line and ran as fast as I could to get away from the ride."

Any attractions with individual seats or lap restraints can be difficult for riders like Melani Avila, who's a size 20 and told Insider she carries most of her weight around her hips and thighs. In particular, she said, SeaWorld's Mako roller coaster, one of the fastest and tallest coasters in Orlando, is her "worst enemy."Β 

"Some days, I can go on it, but I have had times where I've waited in line and gotten up there and the ride attendants weren't able to get the restraint to lock," she told Insider.

Representatives for SeaWorld Orlando did notΒ respond to Insider's request for comment.Β 

Other fans say ride vehicles can be uncomfortable for a wide range of body types

Rides like Haunted Mansion at Disney World and Disneyland along with Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Orlando offer more comfortable seating for a wider range of body types. But even "family-friendly" coasters like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom can be hard for adults to ride because of the smaller seats and the type of restraints used.Β 

This is especially true on kid-targeted rides that require an accompanying adult for children under 7, said Sarah Gilliland, a size-12 theme-park reporter. Even though she's considered a mid-size woman (between size 10 and 16), her 5-foot-7 height can affect her ability to ride with her child.

"Not only are my legs crunched for space in those, but my hips and midsection often make it difficult to lock down the restraints to properly restrain myself and my 3-year-old," she said.

Mad Tea Party ride Disney World INSIDER
Guests share a teacup-ride vehicle on the Mad Tea Party ride.

Kim Renfro/INSIDER

Height can also be a concern for riders like Gavin Doyle, the founder of the popular Disney fan site MickeyVisit.com and the best-selling author of "Disneyland Secrets." He's 6-foot-4 and, due to his height, struggles to fit into attractions at parks around the world.

At Disney World and Disneyland, he said, the Mad Tea Party attraction "always gives me a moment of anxiety" since multiple riders have to sit on a circular bench together. "My legs are just too long to comfortably fit down into the vehicle with multiple people," he added.Β 

At Universal Orlando, the Escape from Gringotts attraction has also caused issues for Doyle because there's an "uncomfortable" shin guard in addition to a lap bar.Β 

"The seat is also low so my legs are really bent out of shape," he told Insider. "This was the closest I was to opting out of a ride at Universal."

Most major US theme parks don't have clear guidelines for people with larger bodies

Although theme-park fans have recently been more open about issues with size-inclusivity on rides, the parks themselves don't currently offer many solutions.

Disney World doesn't have guidelines for those who have difficulty fitting into attraction seats. There's only a height-requirement page on its website and a note about reading the signage at each individual attraction for health and safety advisories along with guidelines for accessibility for those with disabilities. The same goes for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.Β 

SeaWorld Orlando has a 21-page PDF safety guide with a section called "Riders of Size" that lists out certain attractions guests might have trouble riding. But there aren't really any guidelines beyond using the test seats β€” ride vehicles typically located outside an attraction's queue that guests can try out before riding.Β 

megan posing for a photo in the tron roller coaster test seat outside the attraction at magic kingdom
Tron Lightcycle / Run is the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom.

Megan duBois

Universal Orlando has a 63-page PDF guide for rider safety and accessibility that lists over 20 rides that may not accommodate people who have a waistline of 40 inches or more. According to the guide, guests at the park who think they may not fit "are strongly encouraged to try the test seats provided at the entrance of the attractions to ensure their ability to ride."

But test seats aren't always a one-to-one fit. Cannon told Insider that even though she was able to fit into the test seat on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, once she got on the actual ride, the lap bar didn't close.

A representative from Universal said this can be a result of wear and tear on the test seats, and that they are working to ensure test seats are accurate to the ride vehicles.

In Nelson's experience, test seats are often used by people taking photos. This adds a level of embarrassment for riders, who told Insider they don't always want other fans watching as they test their ability to ride.Β 

Beth Shenker, a size-16 theme-park fan, told Insider, "Seeing people not be able to do rides, or being put in a test seat which is being used as a photo op while everyone watches you, is truly mortifying."Β 

A representative from Universal told Insider the company is experimenting with placing test seats for certain rides in more private locations at the Orlando parks. The representative added that the parks are also looking to improve size accessibility through "a company-wide task force actively working to safely increase access to our experiences."Β 

One of the most inclusive sources Insider found was a blog post written by a plus-size theme-park fan on the official Dollywood website that mentions which rides in the Tennessee park owned by legendary country artist Dolly Parton are the most plus-size-friendly.Β 

Mid- and plus-size fans say theme-park designers and engineers should take their experience into consideration

slinky dog ride disney world
Slinky Dog Dash ride in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World.

John Raoux/AP

Ride restraints like lap bars and shin guards are ultimately there to keep riders safe, but if they don't work for a wide range of body types, they may be causing bigger problems.

Theme-park fans Insider spoke with seemed optimistic that, in the future, rides can be built for every body. Attraction designers and engineers would just need to take larger and taller builds into account from the very beginning of the design process.

"Size 16 is what is considered the national average size for women as of 2023 and if an 'average'-sized woman can't fit on a theme-park ride, we've got a lot of work to do," Nelson said.

Cannon explained how "frustrating" it can be to be turned away from a ride on a family vacation because of your size.Β 

"Theme parks have the ability to cater to everyone, they just need to be more mindful about it," she told Insider.Β 

Beyond making the start of the design process more inclusive of size, other fans have suggestions for how rides should be built. Avila, for instance, suggested making seats a little wider or building ride vehicles without rigid seat dividers.

"I understand that safety is a huge factor when making these rides, but I believe there are ways to make it safe while also including more people, especially on mid-thrill rides," she told Insider.

Gabriella Stewart, a former Disney Imagineer who helped design rides for the company from 2011 to 2019, told Insider that "size and inclusivity" is a priority in the US. Part of the process of building and opening a new attraction, specifically at a Disney theme park, includes collaboration between Imagineering and other divisions, including operations and facility-asset management.Β Β 

But Justin Martin, a themed entertainment art director who worked for the Universal Parks between 2018 and 2019, told Insider that "size-inclusivity was never a conversation point that was made."Β 

He added that safety was much more of a priority when it came to ride-vehicle design. But he's hopeful that recent accessibility features, like the bench seat on Tron, will become the norm.Β 

"We really need to continue to push having vehicles that are sensible for everybody," he said, later adding, "I think diversifying the voices in the room will ultimately help change the trajectory of how these rides are designed."

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm a Disney fan who visited Universal for the first time. It didn't win me over, but a few of its perks blew me away.

25 January 2025 at 05:25
Universal Hollywood globe near entrance
I went to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time, and some parts of my visit impressed me.

Timothy Moore

  • I've been going to Disney parks for years, but I visited a Universal theme park for the first time.
  • Universal Studios Hollywood had great character interactions and incredible ride-skipping passes.
  • However, I felt disappointed by some food, prices, and attractions I think Disney parks do better.

I first went to Disney World when I was 2 years old, and it's been a favorite destination ever since.

Now, as the editorial director of two print magazines dedicated to Disney World and Disneyland, I visit the parks for about four weeks every year.

Although I'm a die-hard Disney fan, I also just really love theme parks. Kings Island, Cedar Point, and Six Flags are great β€” but, somehow, I'd never set foot inside a Universal park until recently.

While on a trip to Los Angeles, my friends, husband, and I spent two days at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Here's how it went and how I felt Universal compared to Disney.

Universal had cool themed restaurants, but I found I preferred Disney's food options
Author Timothy Moore holding large pink doughnut at Universal
We loved the pink doughnut with sprinkles from Lard Lad Donuts.

Timothy Moore

When it came to food, Universal let me down a little bit.

We ordered food from Toadstool Cafe, Hog's Head Pub, and multiple restaurants in the Simpson area β€” and I found a lot of it felt overpriced and a bit lackluster.

For example, the decent fish and chips at Hog's Head cost me $19. I'd much rather grab a tastier fish-and-chips platter for just $13.50 while walking around Disney's Epcot World Showcase.

Although the restaurants and dishes we tried had excellent theming, the only food we really enjoyed was the giant pink doughnut with sprinkles from Lard Lad Donuts.

In this category, I felt Universal was overshadowed by Disney parks, which are great for foodies with fantastic sit-down restaurants, creative snacks, and festivals throughout the year that celebrate food.

In general, I felt some of Universal's prices were a bit high.
Super Mario World wristbands on arms with fists touching
Disney isn't cheap, but neither was Universal.

Timothy Moore

Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland have comparable ticket prices that both start at just over $100 a day.

However, Universal felt more expensive than even nearby Disneyland. Although neither park is cheap, I found myself quickly blowing through my budget at Universal.

For example, the interactive wristbands for Universal's Super Nintendo World β€” which are considered essential to truly experience the land β€” felt expensive at over $42 each.

Worse, some of the wristband-related technology didn't seem to be working correctly both times I rode the Mario Kart ride. My group also encountered tech issues with a few games around the land.

Disney isn't perfect, either, and I know issues and glitches can happen with any attraction, but I still felt let down, especially because I'd paid so much for my wristband.

The band felt especially pricey compared to Disney's MagicBand+, which starts at $35. These bands allow visitors to interact with special elements throughout all Disney parks β€” not just one land β€” and aren't essential to fully enjoying a visit.

There are too many screen-based attractions at Universal for my liking.
Simpsons Krustyland ride entrance
We found the Krustyland area had a dizzying screen-heavy ride.

Timothy Moore

Friends had warned me that Universal was packed with screen-based rides and that my husband, who gets severe motion sickness, would have little to do.

They were right. Of Universal Studios Hollywood's 13 attractions, roughly half rely heavily on screens. Even the World-Famous Studio Tour inserts screens into a few portions of the experience.

Although I absolutely loved some of these attractions, I wish there had been more variety.

Disneyland also has screen rides, but the park is also packed with coasters, dark rides, and more traditional screen-free attractions, like carousels, Ferris wheels, and trains.

I was disappointed by Universal's lack of parades, but the park had great character experiences.
Raptor creature at Universal
Some of the character encounters in Universal blew me away.

Timothy Moore

Although Universal had some performances and shows on offer, I was sad not to find a single parade during my visit. At Disney parks, there are usually multiple parades each day.

However, I must give Universal kudos for its random character encounters. I felt like I experienced more here than I usually do at Disney.

I especially loved the raptor encounter in the Jurassic Park area, where guests interact with a giant dinosaur accompanied by a cast member who teaches them about the creature.

I also liked the wand experience at Universal, which felt accessible and fun.
Hand holding a wand at Ollivanders in Universal Hollywood
Any guest can participate in buying a wand at Ollivanders.

Timothy Moore

Another highlight of visiting Universal was going to the Ollivanders wand experience at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Although the interactive show is short, it's free for all guests, and no appointment is required.

You have to pay if you want to purchase a wand (and they're expensive at $65 a pop), but the actual wand-selecting experience is cool in its own right.

It kind of reminded me of the lightsaber-building experience at Savi's Workshop at Disney. Although the experience is more immersive and includes a saber, it also requires a $250 reservation β€” and you can't simply watch the process for free.

In my opinion, Universal has a better security experience.
Security gate and conveyer belts at Universal Hollywood
We didn't spend long going through security at Universal, but it felt quite thorough.

Timothy Moore

Disneyland's security process makes me feel fairly safe, but Universal Studios Hollywood's felt like it was on a whole other level.

The bag and body scanners at the entrance reminded me of what I might find at the TSA at an airport.

Although Universal's process felt more thorough, it was also faster. We spent less time going through security here than we usually do at Disney.

Universal's Express Pass is an incredible value β€” especially compared to line-skipping options at Disney parks.
Universal Studios Hollywood entrance with red carpet and palm trees and groups of people out front
Universal's Express Pass is an incredible value.

Timothy Moore

When it comes to add-on line-skipping services, Universal's blows Disney's out of the park.

Universal's Express Pass is expensive but absolutely worth the cost. They vary in price but start as low as $199, which includes the cost of admission to the park.

With our passes, we were able to ride everything in the park without waiting for even a second β€” seriously, we walked right onto each attraction β€” and we didn't have to plan our day around specific entry times.

On the other hand, Disney's comparable skip-the-line program, Lighting Lane, is expensive and has multiple tiers that can be confusing to navigate.

The most expensive option, the Premier Pass, starts at about $300 per person per day at Disneyland, which doesn't even include park admission.

Although there are cheaper options for the skip-the-line service at Disney, I don't find they're of great value: You'll still wait in several lines and probably spend the day on your phone trying to plan your next steps while inefficiently walking around the park.

I had fun, but I wasn't completely sold on Universal by the time I'd left.
Two adults playing touchscreen games in Super Mario LAnd
Universal Studios Hollywood had some cool experiences and games, but I wasn't 100% impressed.

Timothy Moore

There are things I love about Universal, and being immersed in two of my favorite franchises (Mario and Harry Potter) was a dream come true.

However, Disney parks feel even more immersive β€” and two days at Universal was more than enough time for me.

In my opinion, nearby Disneyland is an overall better value than Universal Studios Hollywood, especially when looking at food choices and the variety of attractions.

Still, I look forward to someday checking out Universal Studios Orlando as it's much bigger, and I've heard it's even better than the Hollywood park.

Until then, though, I'll get my magic at Disney.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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