I honestly didn’t think I’d be saying this. Don’t tell 2016 David I’m about to say it. My family and I are doing a full split stay between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
There, I said it!
To the “Disney Purist” version of me from a decade ago, the idea of leaving the “Disney Bubble” mid-vacation felt like a betrayal. Universal was once a one-day side trip to see Harry Potter and to check out the Velocicoaster hype. But, as we look at the landscape of 2026, the math has changed. The geography has changed. And, frankly, some of the “magic” is currently under a layer of plywood walls.
If you’re planning your 2026 getaway, here is why we are officially packing our bags and moving across town halfway through our trip.
1. The “Sea of Walls”
We all lived through the EPCOT transformation. We remember the “Great Wall of EPCOT” that made navigating Future World feel like. It was akin to trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while walking 15 miles. We thought we were done with the construction walls on that scale in the parks.
Walls everywhere in the World Showcase from 2022.
We were wrong.
In 2026, the construction has migrated to three other corners of the property, and it’s arguably more disruptive than the Epcot project.
Animal Kingdom is a ghost of its former self. My once-beloved DINOSAUR is to be replaced by the massive “Tropical Americas” construction site. Even Rafiki’s Planet Watch is behind walls right now as they prep for the new Bluey experience.
Magic Kingdom is in the middle of a “Frontierland” identity crisis. Between the massive work on the new Villains Land behind Big Thunder and the Cars expansion taking over the Rivers of America, the back of the park is a literal construction zone. I suffered through years of Tron development and zero Magic Kingdom train, but the pain is still fresh.
And, Hollywood Studios is “Muppet-shifting.” With the retheme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the new Monsters, Inc. land, the flow of that park is tighter than ever.
When you’re paying 2026 prices, “pardon our dust” starts to lose its charm. Spending half of your vacation in a place where the skyline is dominated by cranes makes the appeal of a brand-new, finished park next door very tempting.
2. The Elephant in the Room: Epic Universe
Let’s talk about the giant, shiny portal in the room. Universal’s Epic Universe has officially been open for a year now.
It was the “Wild West” in 2025 with insane crowds, technical hiccups, and a finicky virtual queue system. But now, in 2026, the park has had a chance to “season.” The staff has found their rhythm. The ride capacity has levelled out. And, the initial “influencer rush” has died down.
Entering Epic Universe in 2026 feels like stepping into the future of theme parks. It offers breathtaking Celestial Park to the incredible immersion of the Ministry of Magic and Super Nintendo World. It’s a level of “newness” that’s hard to pass up. While Disney is tearing things down to build for 2027 and 2028 (which is very exciting), Universal is delivering a finished, polished experience today. We get the nostalgia of Disney and the jaw-dropping innovation of Epic Universe because of our split stay. Plus, the other two parks that hold gems on their own.
3. The Unbeatable Math of Universal Hotels
This is the hardest part for the “2016 David” to hear: The cost savings at Universal are impossible to ignore.
As a family of four, we’ve always tried to stay at at least Disney Moderate resorts for the proximity and the “Extended Evening Hours.” But in 2026, a standard room at even a Moderate resort can easily push $700–$800 a night.
Meanwhile, over at Universal:
The Premier Advantage: If we stay at Loews Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay, we get Unlimited Express Passes included for the two original parks (Studios and Islands). In 2026, where “Lightning Lane Premier” at Disney can cost hundreds per person, getting a “skip the line” pass for free just for staying in a luxury room is a financial “cheat code.” The meal plan deals right now at Disney right now are incredibly welcome, but still doesn’t match the extended value at Universal right now.
The Value Tier: Even if we aren’t going Premier, staying at the new hotels next to Epic, Stella Nova or Terra Luna, offer us a sleek, modern experience for a fraction of the cost of a Disney Moderate.
When you look at the total “vacation tax,” Universal is giving families more for their dollar in 2026. By moving to a Universal hotel for the second half of our trip, we’re lowering our daily average cost while increasing our luxury.
The Verdict: It’s Not a Goodbye, It’s a “We’re Just Hopping Next Door”
Disney World will always be home. I’m genuinely excited for the Villains area to arrive and for Indiana Jones to take over DinoLand. But in the “In-Between Year” of 2026, the split stay is the only way to ensure the kids aren’t just taking photos in front of plywood.
We’re spending four days dodging the walls at Disney, then heading over to Universal to spend at least two full days living the Universal experience. It’s the best of both worlds, and 2016 David is just going to have to deal with it.
