Disneyworld or Universal Studios?

Disneyworld hands down. So much more to see and do at Disney. Universal is OK. We usually go there when we have to fill in a day.
Since you kids are old enough, I would sit and discuss the pros and cons
of each. You can get books on both.

Disney all the way. I've been to Disneyland a lot and Universal a few times. Disneyland is way better than Universal and Disneyworld is cooler than Disneyland. That being said, if there is going to be sullenness among the older males if you insist on Disneyworld, I bet the younger guys will still have fun at Universal. Hope you get more input from other Moms.

:)

I would do disney. I have heard that universal is beyond crowded b/c of Harry Potter. Plus-its Disney! Its an 'experience'. Universal will be much more like a typical amusement park with the thrill rides etc. While disneys are not the most thrilling they are certainly the most interesting.

you gotta do it with your kids at least once! You will regret not doing it I think.

We have been going to Disney World nearly every year since I was 13 and now I take my kids. I have been to both parks and I would recommend Disney.
Universal Studies is fun, but it is just a theme park. Granted it is a big one with cool themed rides, but it is just a theme park. Disney is an experience. It is cleaner, the people are nicer and the rides are much more unique.

Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studies both have roller coasters, action shows and more thrill rides than the other two parks. Animal Kingdom is like a big zoo, but they do have some thrill rides as well, including Expedition Everest.
Epcot is my favorite, but it does not have as many fast paced rides. Plus, each park has a pretty amazing final show at the end of each day.... except Animal Kingdom.
If you can afford it, I would suggest that you get the park hopper option, so you can switch parks if find that your current park is not what you wanted.

Disney is also known for doing everything that they can to make your vacation the best that it can be. So you could even call the hotel or Disney Rep and tell them your concerns, you might end up with special passes to a unique show or front rows seats as an incentive to get to to visit their parks instead of Universal.

Have fun!!

My husband and I have taken our son 6 times to Disney World. We are going back in April. My son is 10 years old. There are lots of big thrilling rides at Disney World but there is 4 amusement parks that are considered Disney World. There is Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot (our favorite). Universal is not owned by Disney what so ever. There is nothing Disney themed there at all. So, do not go Universal Studios. The big kids will be glad they went to Disney after they get there and see all the fun stuff to do there. Get a package deal so you can go to all 4 parks. All the parks are awesome thats we we go once or twice a year. Disney is the most magical place on earth! Don't go to Orlando without going to Disney, you will totally regret it. Universal is just like Six Flags just better theming. Hope this helps.

We just did this over Christmas break.
Universal will take you two days tops to go through all the parks (2 small ones) and the rides and shows. While it is definitely geared toward older kids, the younger ones will enjoy it, too. If you do go to Universal, skip the meal plan. It is expensive, the food is very limited and there are every few restaurants that take it. It is all fast food junk, anyway. We ended up getting a refund for our food plan tickets.
Harry Potter is part of Islands of Adventure and is very small and very crowded. But very worth it. The best ride is the Harry Potter experience. First thing you do in the morning is go to get your HP entrance time. Be prepared to stand in lots of lines. Even the shops have lines!!!

Disney, on the other hand, has 4 large parks and each park will take you at least 2 days to enjoy. There is just so much more to do at Disney than there is at Universal. For older kids, I would recommend Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Hollywood Studios is the smallest of the parks but has 2 of the best rides (Rockin' Roller Coaster and Star Tours) It also has Tower of Terror.
Disney Meal plan is also significantly better. It is cheaper, you get more food and can be used at ANY restaurant. Disney also does a significantly better job controlling crowds. Universal will not close their parks for crowds, but Disney will.
If you go to Disney, stay on property. They have several budget friendly hotels. You get free transportation all over Disney property, package delivery service to your hotel room and your key to the world card is used for everything- tickets, room key, charge card. No need to carry anything but it an ID and a very small amount of cash (some of the carts are cash only).

Have fun!

We're planning our 7th trip to Disney this Thanksgiving and we have yet to cover even 1/2 of what Disney offers. We keep saying we'll hit Universal one of these years and that yasn't happened. Disney has alot to offer everyone and Universal is geared more toward the older kids.

Disney. Universal is good for a day. No more.
We have taken our kids about 5 times to Disney for a week at Thanksgiving. Last time we went they were 16,12 and 10. That year we spent a day and went to Universal. They rode all the rides-some multiple times- in one day. They were glad they went but no one has asked to go back.
Disney, on the other hand, is magical. My kids are 19,15, and 13 and they are still begging to go back. Disney makes waiting in line fun -or at least tolerable. Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Himalayan Adventure, Test Track-these are the rides! My kids even love the classics-Runaway Mine Train, Splash Mountain ( the all time favorite of all three), Pirates of the Caribbean( which is tame but still the fantasy of it is is fun). Surprisingly, Space Mountain -the roller coaster in the dark- is the only one that they said was lame....too creaky.
So, if you only have one day go to Universal. If you have multiple days and get a multiple pass that allows you to go to ALL parks-do Disney. If you are trying to choose only one Disney park only-then maybe Universal is the way to go. ALL of the Disney parks together is what makes everything great. But Universal won't fill more than one or two days.
I HIGHLY recommend the Unofficial Guide to Disney books. Buy a current one as rides change. It is worth it to pay $30 for a book when you are considering spending $1000s for a trip. It goes over accommodations, rides, recommends plans for each of the parks, explains Fast Passes and park opening hours. It also mentions Universal since it is not a Disney sponsored book.
Good luck and have fun. My kids would love to go with you!

With their ages, they may prefer Universal. My son and husband liked Magic Kingdom too.

Hands down, DISNEY!! You will not regret it at all. We just took our 3 boys this summer and they all wanted to go back at Christmas...lol. My 12 yr old has been 4 times and I think this summer at 11 he really enjoyed the whole experience because he could do more things than when he was smaller. They will treasure it and so will you when you see the excitment on their faces. Have fun!

We went to Universal 2 years ago. We had great weather and it was an awesome vacation but hands down I say go to Disney. In my opinion there is nothing like seeing the castle as you walk down main street. Also, if you are going for a week there is just so much more to do at Disney and there are still really cool rides, just not as many of the big roller coasters. If you want the big roller coasters though there are parks all over the country that meets that need but there is nothing comprable to Disney that I have seen. At Universal we stayed at The Hard Rock which is a nice hotel with a really great pool but it did not make me say WOW! Even the moderate resorts at Disney make me say Wow! Not the rooms but the lobby and the grounds, restraunts etc. really make you feel like you are on vacation versus staying at just a nice hotel. Also, the Disney meal plan is great and we eat much better at Disney than Universal but I enjoy nice dinners. The food / ambiance may not be quite as important to your family. Have a great time!!!
PS - last year we went to Disney and next vacation will be to Disney as well.

My brother was 16 the first time he went to Disney...and he LOVED it!!!! We also went to Universal Studios, but Disney was, by far, way more fun. My vote goes to Disney!

I would sit with your hubby and look at the websites for each. That will give you a better idea of the rides and such that's at each park. I like both but for different reasons so it's really a matter of personal preference.

You got lots of good answers about the different parks at Disney. So as you plan you trip, look at what you will do each day. You said you cant afford to to do both, but you arent staying at Universal you will be staying at Disney and Universal is an option because its in the area. if you are planning to buy different park tickets, consider for one of your days getting the older kids a pass to Universal. At Disney my 12 year old loved Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Epcot has a cool Kim Possible mission going on that while you are i nthe park you respond to clues via a communicator and getting mission briefings. So much fun for my 5 year old and 12 year old. We also liked the Test Track ride. Note that Disney has a studio theme park too, Hollywood Studios. One of the rides is Tower of Terror. My 12 year old went with her soccer team while the younger daughter and I went back to Magic Kingdom. The biggest draw right now at Universal Studios is the Harry Potter World ride. I like the suggestion you got to look at the websites with your husband and plan what you would like to do based on the family fun desires.

Kids will have fun no matter where you go, but I loved the roller coasters and the simulations at Universal more than the attractions at Disney. For reference I was 19 at Disney and 25 at Universal. For me Disney was a lot to see, while Universal was a lot to do. I agree with the other poster, go to both websites, sit down will all your family and figure out what would be best for you. If you really do your research on prices and time needed at each park you maybe able to do parts of both. I think Universal has 2 sections, maybe you can do just one, and I think Disney has 4, maybe you can do just 2.

When I was around 11-12 we took a trip to Florida and did Universal because my parents had taken us to Disney when we were younger, I was so young I don't remember it. LOL But anyway for the fact that I never really feel like I got to see Disney, I don't feel like I missed out on much. Universal was a lot of fun!!! At that time there was a Roger Rabbit exhibit and Honey We Shrunk the kids. We got to see how they made certain scenes from both of those movies.
And also, my husband tells me his parents took him and his brother when he and his brother were 12, 13 their younger brother 7. He said they didn't enjoy Disney at all, felt they were too old for it.

That being said, I would also suggest checking out the websites and basing your decision from there. (I hope we are able to take my kids to Disney next year...wanted to wait until my youngest was 5.)