Universal Studios vs Walt Disney World:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Walt Disney World had more branded searches than Universal Studios among theme parks in the United States. Walt Disney World had about 1.6 million branded searches, while Universal Studios had 673,000. Walt Disney World made up 31.4% 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, Walt Disney World appeared in two of the three answers and Universal Studios in one. Universal Studios and Walt Disney World were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Walt Disney World, about 2 searches for every 1 for Universal Studios
Who does AI mention more?
Walt Disney World, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Universal Studios in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top theme parks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Walt Disney World 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. Universal Studios and Walt Disney World were each listed first in one of the two answers 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 Universal Studios or Walt Disney World more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Universal Studios and Walt Disney World 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 Walt Disney World, 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 Universal Studios and Walt Disney World comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Walt Disney World was ahead of Universal Studios in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Walt Disney World’s share of searches among theme parks in the United States moved from 27.9% to 31.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.6M.
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, Walt Disney World gained share of searches among theme parks in the United States, from 29.8% to 31.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Universal Studios’ and Walt Disney World’s 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.
Universal Studios
1 branded search term
- universal studios
Walt Disney World
2 branded search terms
- disney world
- walt disney world
Other head-to-heads among theme parks
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