Universal Edges Past Disney World on Crowd Management

Overview

• New reporting says Universal’s approach has produced a calmer, more deliberate guest experience that many visitors only recognize after their trip.
• Since Epic Universe opened in May 2025, Universal has applied resort‑wide adjustments that absorbed higher attendance without widespread strain.
• The resort relies on staggered openings, soft launches, and unpublicized early access to spread demand rather than trigger single‑day crowd spikes.
• Operational changes improved transportation timing and made early entry feel intentional, helping distribute guests more evenly across parks.
• At Disney World, crowds feel less predictable as rope‑drop gains diminish, midday surges arrive sooner, and Lightning Lane planning adds pressure.