To the lovers of theme parks in the United States and overseas, it is not a secret that the two greatest theme parks Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood have been strong rivals. While each of the two South California amusement parks has its own signature rides attractions and cultures, people often get torn between visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. MAIN CLAM: Even though Universal Studios Hollywood has several advantages over Disneyland, I choose the latter because it has more exciting themes, offers better rides, and has better logos as a children’s brand.

If to compare the diversity and nature of the themes offered at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, one can say that Disneyland offers more interesting themes, and these themes outnumber those offered by Universal Studios Hollywood. There are fourteen major themes in Universal Studios Hollywood all inspired by various popular films as well as Hollywood’s movie industry. For instance, one attraction WaterWorld is student show with explosions and multiple surprises. Other themed areas and activities are Shrek 4-D, offering Shrek experience, The Walking Dead Attraction, offering post-apocalyptic world experience, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, providing a funny trip across Gru’s laboratory of super villains, Super Silly Fun Land (a playground inspired by Minion characters), Universal Plaza (the central park’s area with diners, shops, and a seating area), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, offering the experience of taking part in a Forbidden Journey and the Flight of the Hippogriff, Studio Tour (“a working studio backlot tour”).

The Simpson’s Ride with its cinematic experience of the Simpsons characters and a visit to hilarious Krustyland, Special Effects Show with its in-depth examination of special effects technology, Universal’s Animal Actors, offering a show with real animals that re-enact some scenes from The Secret Life of Pets, Jurassic Park – the Ride with its water ride through a terrain full of dinosaurs, Revenge of the Mummy – the Ride, with its fast-moving rides on a coaster, special effects and surprises, and Transformers: The Ride 3D, offering a combination of 3D theater technologies and simulation of movement.

By contrast, Disneyland offers 8 major theme areas and 39 themes. The themes presented in Disneyland are all from hilarious animated films or movies and have exciting activities. To compare, in Disneyland one can visit the famous Main Street, U.S.A., have fun in Adventureland, namely in enchanted Tiki Room, on Indiana Jones thrill ride, on a Jungle Cruise, on a tour of the jungle home of Tarzan, visit New Orleans Square with its Haunted Mansion and a water ride of Pirates of the Caribbean, drop by Critter County slow-moving Winnie the Pooh coaster and go on a Splash Mountain drop ending in a huge splash, get exciting experiences at Frontierland offering a high-speed ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as well as Frontierland Shooting Exposition, walk around the enormous Fantasyland, with its Alice in Wonderland caterpillar coaster, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo the Flying Elephant flight, water-based It’s a Small World Ride, King Arthur Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad’s Wide Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and Storybookland Canal Boats, visit Mickey’s Toontown with its own 7 thrills featuring Chip and Dale, Donald, Goofy, Roger Rabbit, Gadget Go, Mickey, and Minnie characters, and get all rides and take part in all activities offered at Tomorrowland, including Astro Orbiter, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters, Disneyland Monorail, Hyperspace Mountain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Tours, and Star Wars video compilation.

Next, if to compare the rides at both amusement parks, Disneyland has a greater variety of rides catering to children of all ages whereas Universal Studios Hollywood has few rides and mostly targets teen or young adult population. Universal Studios Hollywood’s rides are just Jurassic Park – the Ride and Revenge of the Mummy – the Ride. The rest of its rides are 3D or 4D experiences. At the same time, Disneyland offers a great number of rides catering to the children of all ages. For instances, some of its rides, such as Alice in Wonderland caterpillar coaster, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh coaster, Storybookland Canal Boats, are slow and thus suitable for younger visitors. They are also fun-oriented rather than focused on horror, as one has it at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Also, Disneyland has a better brand because its logos cater to children’s tastes and needs and relate to cartoon characters while Universal Studios Hollywood’s brand is gloomy and full of dark themes in its logos. Throughout the history, Disneyland has had various logos, and most have evoked positive emotions because of the connection with such characters as Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Peter Pan, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Little Mermaid, etc. The logos of the Universal Studios Hollywood logos are related to films and often linked to horror, gloomy landscapes, magic or nightmares. They are less attractive because they evoke less positive emotions.

Overall, if to compare the two theme parks Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood in terms of themes, rides, and brands, Disneyland is much better. Not only does it offer a greater variety of rides and themes catering to the needs of children of different age groups, but it also has better logos evoking much more positive feelings than what is offered by Universal Studios Hollywood.