Here is an honest question for fellow Disney fans: when you plan a vacation to Orlando, do you ever visit theme parks other than Walt Disney World? For a long time, my answer was yes.
When I lived in Orlando, it was easy to justify spending a day at Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, or one of the area’s other attractions. If a new ride opened or friends wanted to meet up, it was just a short drive down I-4. There was very little planning involved, and the cost of adding another park to my year was relatively small. Orlando’s incredible variety of attractions was one of the best parts of living there. That changed the moment Orlando stopped being home and became a vacation destination.
Now, every trip requires months of planning, flights, hotel reservations, vacation time from work, and a budget that can easily reach thousands of dollars. With only a week or two to spend in Central Florida each year, every day suddenly became much more valuable. Instead of asking myself which parks I wanted to visit, I found myself asking where I wanted to make memories. For me, the answer has almost always been Disney.
That is not because I dislike the other parks. Quite the opposite, actually. I genuinely enjoy Universal Orlando. Their attractions are world-class, the technology is impressive, and there is always something exciting happening. Epic Universe has only made the resort even more appealing for people planning an Orlando vacation.
I also have a lot of respect for SeaWorld Orlando. It offers some fantastic roller coasters and experiences that you simply cannot find anywhere else. If your priority is thrills, it is absolutely worth considering. But despite all of that, when I only have a limited amount of time in Orlando, I never find myself wanting to give up a Disney day. Universal is a place I enjoy visiting. Disney is a place I think about all year.
There is a difference between appreciating a theme park and feeling emotionally connected to it. Disney has become my family’s tradition, our escape, and the place where so many of our favorite memories have been made. I can picture walking down Main Street, U.S.A., hearing the music, watching my kids react to their favorite attractions, or simply sitting on a bench with a Mickey pretzel while soaking in the atmosphere. Those are the moments I miss when I am away.
I have never found myself daydreaming about spending an afternoon in another park the way I do with Walt Disney World. As much as I enjoy riding roller coasters or experiencing the latest attraction somewhere else, they simply do not give me that same feeling. When vacation time is limited, I want to spend it somewhere that feels special, somewhere that genuinely makes me happy. That is why I continue to choose Disney.
