As a theme park journalist, I frequent the parks throughout the year, but the holidays are my favorite time to visit. From stunning decor to specialty eats, both theme parks go all out.
Here's how the two holiday celebrations stack up.
It’s getting more expensive to experience the Disney parks during the holidays.
Standard ticket prices at Disney World tend to go up at the end of the year.
Carly Caramanna
With ever-rising ticket costs, visiting Disney parks during the holidays is becoming challenging.
Admission to one of its four parks starts at $150.
My annual pass, which allows for year-round entrance, costs over $1,500. But it doesn't cover special ticketed events like the after-hours Christmas parties.
Universal’s admission is much more affordable.
I don't think Universal's tickets are as expensive.
Carly Caramanna
My Universal annual pass, which also grants year-round access, costs $800. Plus, it includes daily free express passes after 4 p.m., which help me skip some attraction lines.
Without a pass, tickets start at $130.
I love exploring Disney World’s resorts, but they're expensive to stay at during the holidays.
There are fun gingerbread houses at the Disney resorts during the holidays.
Carly Caramanna
Disney resorts go all out during the holidays, with seasonal decor and elaborate gingerbread houses.
I love exploring — which is allowed even if you're not staying there. But it's pricey to book rooms during the holiday season.
Basic resorts can go for well over $300 a night, and Disney's deluxe hotels can cost over $1,000 a night.
I’ve found great deals at Universal hotels during the holidays.
Universal doesn't have as many resorts, but they usually have some good deals.
Carly Caramanna
Universal's eight on-site resorts go all out during the holidays, with decor, tree-lighting events, and menorah-lightning ceremonies.
I've found great deals during the holidays, including overnight stays for less than $100.
Disney’s after-hours events feature exclusive holiday experiences — at a price.
Jollywood Nights is a ticket add-on at Disney World.
Carly Caramanna
Many of Disney's special holiday experiences are exclusive to its pricey after-hours holiday events, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights.
These events cost upwards of $200 a person.
At Universal, most holiday activities are included in standard admission.
There are fun holiday-themed shows in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Carly Caramanna
Universal's holiday celebration includes park-wide decor, specialty eats, and a number of live shows, including Grinchmas and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All of that is included in standard admission.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter celebration has specialty shows and the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, a limited-time projection light show inspired by the series' films and books.
Universal even hosts free concerts from holiday-music icons Mannheim Steamroller.
Disney’s best holiday shows require a separate ticket.
Jollywood Nights has holiday-themed shows at Hollywood Studios.
Carly Caramanna
Disney's best holiday shows, including a "Nightmare Before Christmas" sing-a-long, are great. But they're not included in standard theme-park admission.
To experience this, I ended up spending nearly $200 to attend Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.
On the other hand, Universal’s top-notch shows are included.
The Grinch-themed holiday show is a blast.
Carly Caramanna
My favorite part of Universal's holiday celebration is its stage show, "The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular."
There are several showtimes offered daily, and they're included in standard admission.
The musical retelling of the Dr. Seuss story always gets me in the holiday spirit and features an incredibly talented cast.
Some of Disney’s holiday characters are only at the ticketed events.
Minnie Mouse has a special holiday outfit.
Carly Caramanna
In order to catch some of Disney's limited-time meet and greets, including Mickey and Minnie in special holiday attire, you'll have to drop hundreds of dollars to attend the after-hours events.
Universal’s holiday characters can be found during daytime admission.
Earl the Squirrel is a holiday icon at Universal.
Carly Caramanna
Universal's holiday icon, Earl the Squirrel, greets guests throughout the day.
Posing with him has become a favorite tradition for my family.
Disney’s famous holiday parade is part of the add-on ticket.
"Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" only happens at the ticketed Christmas party.
Carly Caramanna
In order to see Disney Word's beloved "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade," you'll have to purchase tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Universal’s fan-favorite parade is part of regular admission.
Universal brings the famous Macy's balloons to Florida.
Carly Caramanna
One of my favorite traditions at Universal is the annual holiday parade featuring Macy's. It's included in standard admission and shown daily.
The special collaboration between Universal and Macy's blows me away each time with its iconic larger-than-life balloons.
I love Disney’s holiday food festival, but the crowds are large and the portions can be small.
Disney World offers all kinds of holiday treats.
Carly Caramanna
I've been visiting Disney's award-winning food festivals since the 1990s. My favorite is the Epcot Festival of the Holidays.
But with its popularity, I've found that crowds are often large and the food portions can be quite small.
Universal’s holiday food festival is a new favorite.
Universal hasn't been doing a holiday food festival for as long as Disney World.
Carly Caramanna
Food is my favorite part of the theme-park experience, and in recent years, Universal has been upping the ante in that department.
I love all the seasonal eats available throughout the year, and the park really delivers during the holidays.
Universal has become my family's favorite park to visit for the holidays.
I look forward to celebrating the holidays at Universal every year.
Carly Caramanna
With strolling street entertainment, free shows, and stunning decor, Universal's holiday experience has a party feel without the sticker shock of an add-on ticket.
Both parks embrace the holidays, but the ever-increasing cost at Disney has caused me to spend much more time at Universal.
I really feel like the value is there, and I get my money's worth.
