My Trip

Question

Hello all I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me plan my trip and to everyone who gave advice. I cam back to the UK a few days ago from my Universal and WDW trip.

One thing I would like to gain some knowledge on, is that we (wife and I) had a terrible time with food especially in WDW. So the wife has allergies and I let them know like months in advance yet there solution majority of the time was to give us the dish without the sauce, which meant everything was super dry and bland. The worse restaurant I feel was one of the most expensive in Jiko. Don't know if anyone else has suffered as we have to find decent food. Best we could get was burgers and pizza which isn't that great all the time.

We somehow preferred Universal over WDW, I think that is largely to do with the hotel (hard rock), gave us so much flexibility the 7 nights we were there with the express passes and how close it was. We loved animal kingdom lodge, as we got a savannah view (without asking for it, was expecting a resort view). I think the weather played a damper when we got to WDW but I have to say the only parks we really enjoyed was epcot and Hollywood studios. Animal kingdom was cool but I was left down by magic kingdom. Maybe I got carried away by it, you know being the OG, but the crowds, wait time really doesn't make this place appealing to me. Maybe we just went during the wrong weekend. But even the rides seemed a bit tame and I love dark rides (or has my taste changed).

Anyway the only other thing I really wanted to say is while we really enjoyed Universal, I feel like something is missing at studios. I am hoping it gets massive investment after epic opens up.

Answer

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience! It’s great that you took the time to reflect on both Universal and Walt Disney World (WDW) and what worked for you during your trip.

Regarding the food challenges at WDW, this is unfortunately a common issue for guests with allergies. While Disney does have a reputation for accommodating dietary restrictions, the approach of removing sauces or ingredients can sometimes leave dishes bland. Higher-end restaurants like Jiko are expected to offer more personalized solutions, but it seems your experience fell short.

One option for future trips is to speak directly with the chef upon arrival, rather than relying solely on advance notes. This often allows for more creative substitutions and flavorful dishes that still respect allergies.
Mobile ordering in many WDW locations now allows you to specify allergies in advance, which sometimes leads to better-prepared meals.
For more complex allergies, consider booking a dining reservation with a focus on allergy-friendly options, such as Coral Reef in Epcot or Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which have experience accommodating multiple restrictions.

It’s interesting that you preferred Universal over WDW. Your observations about hotel convenience, express passes, and flexibility are spot-on—Universal’s on-site hotels, particularly Hard Rock, really enhance the park experience by reducing travel time and giving priority access to rides. The savannah view at Animal Kingdom Lodge is indeed a highlight and a pleasant surprise when you get it without requesting it.

For parks, it seems Epcot and Hollywood Studios resonated with you due to the rides and immersive experiences, while Magic Kingdom felt overcrowded and tame in comparison. This can vary greatly depending on timing and personal taste, especially for those who favor dark rides and thrill attractions.
Weather can significantly affect the experience, particularly in Orlando where afternoon storms are common. Visiting in February or March can mitigate this, but July and August often include heavy rain and humidity.

Your insight about Universal Studios lacking a bit of depth is shared by many fans—while Islands of Adventure often feels more complete with thrilling rides and immersive areas, Universal Studios is sometimes perceived as needing more investment in attractions. The opening of Epic Universe in the future is expected to bring significant enhancements, potentially adding the kind of experiences that appeal to thrill-seekers and dark-ride fans.

For Universal, staying on-site and using Express Passes is strongly recommended, as you noted, to maximize the value of your time and reduce waits.
Future trips could also benefit from a split stay: a couple of nights at Universal on-site, followed by a short WDW visit if you want to sample specific experiences, like Epcot’s World Showcase or Hollywood Studios attractions.

Overall, your reflections highlight how personal preferences, crowd levels, and hotel convenience greatly influence the park experience. Both Universal and WDW have strengths, and your insights can help others decide how to balance rides, dining, and hotel benefits.

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