Walt Disney World vs Universal Orlando (Including Epic Universe): What Each Resort Includes

What Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando each include, how Epic Universe fits into Universal, and how Disney's Lightning Lane compares with Universal Express.

Published November 6, 2026

Park lineups and paid line products change. Confirm tickets and pass rules on the official Disney and Universal sites before you buy.

Direct answer

Orlando’s two big theme park resorts are run by two companies. Walt Disney World has four theme parks. Universal Orlando Resort also has four, and Epic Universe is one of them, not a separate resort. Both sell paid ways to use shorter lines: Disney’s Lightning Lane passes and Universal Express. Compare the parks by the lands and attractions your group cares about, then check each resort’s official pages for your dates.

Geographic scope

This page covers Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. It does not cover SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, or other Central Florida attractions.

Walt Disney World

Disney’s Lightning Lane page covers four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Lightning Lane Passes, checked 2026-11-06).

Universal Orlando, including Epic Universe

Universal names its four theme parks as Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, and Universal Epic Universe, and says it has 11 resort hotels (Universal press release, February 4, 2026, checked 2026-11-06).
Epic Universe opened May 22, 2025. It has five worlds: Celestial Park; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country); How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe. Universal counts “more than 50 experiences” across those worlds, including attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping (Universal opening release, May 22, 2025, checked 2026-11-06).
At opening, Universal said Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, has a lobby entrance to Epic Universe for hotel guests, with valid theme park admission still required (same release).

Check universalorlando.com for current attractions in each park.

Disney Lightning Lane

From Walt Disney World’s Lightning Lane Passes page (checked 2026-11-06):

Multi Pass: choose up to 3 experiences and arrival windows in one park ahead of time. You can add more after using them, subject to availability. With Park Hopper, later picks can be in another park.
Single Pass: one of the “most in-demand” attractions, which are not available with Multi Pass, with an arrival window. You can buy up to 2 per day.
Premier Pass: one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience in one park for one day. Limited quantities.
When to buy: guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can buy up to 7 days before their stay. Other guests can buy up to 3 days before their visit. Sales open at 7:00 AM Eastern and are only in the My Disney Experience app. Valid park admission is required, and park reservations may also be required, depending on admission type and date.
Price and rules: prices vary by park or attraction and by date, and may be higher in peak periods. Passes are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Each pass allows one Lightning Lane entry per attraction per day. Standby lines are still available.
Multi Pass replaced Disney Genie+. Single Pass replaced individual Lightning Lane purchases.

Universal Express

Universal sells Universal Express for skipping regular lines. In March 2025 it announced Express options for Epic Universe ticket holders, including a 1-day Express valid at Epic Universe (Universal press release, March 27, 2025, checked 2026-11-06). The participating attractions and product types can change, so check the current list and rules on universalorlando.com before you buy.

FAQ

Is Epic Universe a separate resort from Universal Orlando? No. Universal lists Epic Universe as one of Universal Orlando Resort’s four theme parks (February 4, 2026 release, checked 2026-11-06).

When did Epic Universe open? May 22, 2025 (opening release, checked 2026-11-06).

What are Disney’s paid Lightning Lane options called? Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass (Disney Lightning Lane page, checked 2026-11-06).

Sources

Walt Disney World, Lightning Lane Passes: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/lightning-lane-passes/ (checked 2026-11-06)
Universal Orlando press release, February 4, 2026 (four parks, 11 hotels): https://media.universalparksusa.com/press-releases/universal-orlando-resort-takes-the-field-in-nbc-peacocks-super-bowl-lx-with-new-brand-campaign/ (checked 2026-11-06)
Universal Orlando press release, May 22, 2025 (Epic Universe opening): https://media.universalparksusa.com/press-releases/universal-epic-universe-is-now-officially-open/ (checked 2026-11-06)
Universal Orlando press release, March 27, 2025 (Epic Universe Express products): https://media.universalparksusa.com/press-releases/universal-orlando-resort-guests-can-now-purchase-exciting-products-to-enhance-their-visit-to-universal-epic-universe/ (checked 2026-11-06)