Comparing Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World - Independent Guide to Universal Orlando 2015 - page 123

Nightlife - As far as nightlife is concerned, Universal Orlando hands-down beats Walt Dis-
ney World. Universal has a much wider variety of clubs and bars and is truly considered a
party scene. Disney does not do badly with some bars and a club, but it is just nowhere near
the scale of Universal's offerings. Both resorts host a large-scale nighttime paid admission
show - Blue Man at Universal, and Cirque du Soleil at Disney World.
Special events - Both Universal and Disney know that to keep people coming all year-
round to the resort the parks need to diversify - this does not simply mean adding new at-
tractions,butalsodifferentofferingsyear-round.AsfarasHalloweenisconcerned,Univer-
sal Orlando offers a much scarier portrayal of the season with Halloween Horror Nights ,
Disney goes for a “not so scary” approach. Christmas, however, is much bigger at Dis-
ney than at Universal with all four of the theme parks celebrating it in one way or another
through unique shows, decorations, lighting ceremonies and even stories from around the
world at EPCOT. Universal celebrates Mardi Gras and holds concerts. Disney holds con-
certs too and celebrates the Flower and Garden festival and the Food and Wine festivals
too. Both resorts of course celebrate the New Year in style.