4. Perks

Disney's Polynesian ResortWalt Disney World gives fantastic perks to cast members, such as discounts at the deluxe Disney resorts.

Universal Orlando is extremely generous to its Team Members. For example, the company gives away free holiday turkeys to all active employees. The park also provides significant discounts on shopping, dining and hotel stays.

However, Disney handily trumps Universal in its sheer number of local, national and even global corporate connections. Disney Cast Members receive sizeable discounts on everything from rental cars to apartments in the local area. Smart Cast Members show their Disney IDs everywhere in their community, as it seems that most places give at least a small Cast Member discount.

5. Special events

Halloween Horror NightsDisney may have Mickey Mouse, but only Universal's Halloween Horror Nights features the Rat Lady.

Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando host numerous special events throughout the year. As employees generally receive free or very heavily discounted tickets to special events, a large portion of employee life involves meeting up with coworkers to attend them. In addition, many employees pick up extra hours by working the events. These activities further promote the particular company’s corporate culture by immersing employees in that culture.

The resorts’ different focuses and target markets, however, mean that these events are very different from each other. For example, during the Halloween season, Universal hosts the intentionally frightening adult party known as Halloween Horror Nights. Walt Disney World hosts the kid-friendly Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

6. Soundstages and filming

At one time, Orlando was hailed as “Hollywood East.” Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando kept their soundstages booked with movie and television productions. Changes in tax laws and other political maneuvers largely killed the film industry in Orlando, which has now mostly relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Nonetheless, Universal Orlando retains its soundstages. Filming is not as prevalent as it once was, but it is far from nonexistent. Walt Disney World, on the other hand, shuttered its soundstages in favor of the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction, which opened in 2008. The remaining space is used for special events, such as the annual Star Wars Weekends.

The soundstages help Universal Orlando retain its connection to the film and television industries. While filming is not incredibly common, the soundstages are still used fairly regularly. Universal Team Members sometimes have opportunities to appear as extras, attend casting calls, or simply pick up extra hours by working crowd control around the soundstages.