Credit: Inside The MagicUniversal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World have long been locked in playful rivalry, pushing each other to outdo themselves in attractions, technology, and guest experiences. Over the years, this back-and-forth has fueled bigger rides, more immersive lands, and nonstop park expansions.
Lately, Universal has been quietly shaking things up, making some moves that feel very Disney-esque. It’s the kind of change that might make Disney fans do a double-take, and it’s not something you’d expect from the park that once prided itself on being the cheaper, scrappier alternative.
What exactly has changed?
Disney Prices: Tickets, Snacks & Resorts
Disney World’s pricing model works on dynamic, demand-based days—but here’s what’s generally available for 2025:
One-day tickets for ages 10+ start at $119 and, on especially busy days, climb to around $199.
Multi-day tickets lower the per-day cost, with typical rates around $145–$172 per day for two- or three-day visits.
Some off-peak summer offers on Disney’s site even list certain three-day, three-park passes as low as $89 per day (about $267 total)—though they exclude Magic Kingdom and have restrictions.
For food and snacks, Disney hasn’t published a full menu list, but typical prices seen across the parks are:
Popcorn scoops around $7.
Mickey ice cream bars ~$6.50.
Bottled water or soda ~$3.50–$4.
Quick-service meals usually cost between $10–$18 for adults, $7–$10 for kids.
Resort pricing shows moderate-level Disney hotels often in the $250–$350 per night range, depending on season. Disney does offer special deals—like 30% off select rooms or Free Dining plans—but base rates remain high, especially during peak periods.
Universal Prices: Closer Than Ever
Universal Orlando Resort’s pricing is now looking remarkably similar to Disney’s. Here are the overall UOR prices for 2025:
One-park, one-day tickets for adults start at around $119, while park-to-park tickets—which allow access to multiple parks on the same day—are about $174. Prices vary by date, following a demand-based model similar to Disney’s.
Multi-day passes lower the per-day rate but still place Universal in the same general range as Disney’s multi-day pricing, especially with Disney’s latest deals and discounts.
Snack and quick-service food prices closely mirror Disney’s. Most snacks cost between $6 and $8, and most quick-service meals are in the $10–$15 range.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is classified as a value property, but during peak seasons, rates can range from the mid-$200s to the $300s per night.
Surfside Inn is another Universal value property, but it regularly matches or exceeds Disney’s rates for comparable rooms like the Little Mermaid suite at Art of Animation Resort. On some nights, staying at Universal can actually cost more than a moderate Disney resort.
Is Universal Worth It Anymore?
Universal Orlando has taken a page straight from Disney’s playbook. From ticketing to snacks to resort rates, Universal’s numbers align with Disney’s—sometimes, they climb higher. With Epic Universe setting a new standard for immersive experiences, Universal is positioning itself as an equal rival in both scale and price.
The era of Universal being the clear budget-friendly option in Orlando might be seeing its final days. And for many families, that sting is even sharper, and they can’t help but wonder if a visit is even worth it. Universal has fewer parks overall, smaller footprints, and fewer attractions available if you’re traveling with children under 40–42 inches tall, meaning you’re paying more for less to do.
In today’s Orlando theme park scene, “affordable” is quickly becoming a thing of the past.