Disneyland vs Universal Studios:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Disneyland had more branded searches than Universal Studios among theme parks in the United States. Disneyland had about 1 million branded searches, while Universal Studios had 673,000. Disneyland made up 19.8% of all theme park searches we track, and Universal Studios accounted for 13.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about theme parks, Disneyland appeared in two of the three answers and Universal Studios in one. Disneyland was mentioned before Universal Studios in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Disneyland, about 49% more searches than Universal Studios
Who does AI mention more?
Disneyland, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Universal Studios in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Disneyland, named ahead of Universal Studios in 2 of 2 answers
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Top theme parks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Disneyland was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Universal Studios was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Disneyland was listed before Universal Studios in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Walt Disney World2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Disneyland2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Cedar Point2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Six Flags1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Universal Studios1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Busch Gardens0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
SeaWorld0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about theme parks
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best theme park in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which US theme park has the best roller coasters?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular theme parks in the US for families?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“theme parks”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“amusement parks”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.
Is Disneyland or Universal Studios more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Disneyland and Universal Studios by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven theme parks we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Disneyland, Universal Studios. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Walt Disney World | Disneyland | Six Flags | Universal Studios | Cedar Point | Busch Gardens | SeaWorld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.9% | 17.6% | 17.6% | 17.6% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 3.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 28.7% | 22.1% | 14.9% | 18.2% | 3.6% | 8.1% | 4.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.2% | 21.8% | 9.8% | 18% | 2.9% | 9.8% | 4.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.3% | 23.9% | 7.2% | 16.2% | 3.2% | 7.2% | 3.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.3% | 23.5% | 8.6% | 15.8% | 3.9% | 7.1% | 3.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 33.3% | 17.8% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 4.4% | 9.8% | 5.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.2% | 19% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 7% | 8.6% | 3.8% |
| May 2026 | 26.3% | 16.6% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 4.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.1% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 9% | 4.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.1% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 9% | 4.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.8% | 18.8% | 15.5% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 3.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.4% | 19.8% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 4% |
How has the Disneyland and Universal Studios comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Disneyland was ahead of Universal Studios in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Disneyland’s share of searches among theme parks in the United States moved from 17.6% to 19.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Universal Studios’ share of searches among theme parks in the United States moved from 17.6% to 13.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 673K.
How did search popularity change for United States theme parks in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Universal Studios overtook Cedar Point to rank 4th among theme parks in the United States, with 13.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, Disneyland gained share of searches among theme parks in the United States, from 18.8% to 19.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Disneyland’s and Universal Studios’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Disneyland
1 branded search term
- disneyland
Universal Studios
1 branded search term
- universal studios
Other head-to-heads among theme parks
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