When people think of Orlando, Florida the first thing that they probably think of is all of the theme parks the area has to offer. After Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando is the biggest theme park resort in Florida and ranks as the sixth most attended theme park in the United States. The Universal Orlando Resort spans two parks, five hotels, a water park and a shopping center.

Disney and Universal have always been in an “arms race” with one another. Always trying to outdo the next by incorporating the latest technology and thrills into its attractions so then guests keep coming back to them and not the competition. While competing with the Disney empire, Universal has been able to set itself apart from the Mouse by providing more thrill attractions into their park and by inquiring popular characters into its parks. Universal also incorporates licensed properties that they don’t own in the parks such as:

• Animal Planet (Discovery Communications)
• Marvel Characters (Disney)
• Men in Black, (Sony’s Columbia Pictures)
• Hanna-Barbera properties, Harry Potter films (Warner Bros.)
• Nickelodeon, Transformers film series (Paramount Pictures).
• The Simpsons (20th Century Fox)
• Terminator (The Halcyon Company)
• AT&T

By outsourcing characters from rival companies, it allows Universal to expand on their own brand by bringing outside characters to their parks that audiences enjoy. This is done in order to raise attendance and allow them to not worry about rival parks acquiring them either.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal gave Disney a run for its money with the incorporation of the Harry Potter universe into its parks. This allowed them to maintain their popularity with the young adult crowd who grew up with this series and who were also looking for a more thrilling attraction. With the success of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure, Universal then expanded this popular franchise to Universal Studios where they were able to create an entirely new area for guests to continue following along with the story. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter essentially launched Universal Studios back into a growing success in Orlando.

Thrills

Another big thing that sets Universal apart from Disney is the amount of thrill rides it has at its parks. Universal is marketed more towards teens and younger adult, unlike Disney who is marketed towards families with small children. With this, Universal understands what their market is interested in and has responded accordingly by focusing mainly on creating new rollercoaster and motion simulation for its guests. Some of the Thrill rides that Universal currently has include:

• Hollywood Rip Rockin Rollercoaster
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Harry Potter and the Escape of Gringotts

**For those inquiring about ticket prices, Ticket prices for 2018 start off at: **

• $115 for 1 park/1 day
• $170 for park to park/1 day
• $259 Seasonal Annual Pass (Blockout Dates)
• $349 Preferred Annual Pass