Bus Drop,Off Location at Citywalk

[conandrob240]

Having been to Universal once last year via car, I want to understand where the Endless Summer resort drop,off spot is at CityWalk. The parking and then walking in experience we had last year is one I NEVER want to experience again, the walk seemed endless from the parking garage then moving walkways, then more moving walkways, then that horrific security hub then more moving walkways. Where within that terrible process do you get dropped off for CityWalk when coming from the hotels?

 

[AJA]

You still have to use the moving walkways.
The bus drop is by the elevator and stairs just before security.

 

[AJA]

If you stay at Adventura Hotel you could use the SF boat and avoid the bus.

 

[conandrob240]

Ugh, that sounds awful. Why is it set up that way? No other hotels available now for our dates. Honestly, this makes me want to cancel. Why didn’t I start thinking about this before?

 

[AJA]

Keep checking daily for openings at SF or Aventura Hotels.

If it's in the budget you could always take the boat back to SF in the evening (when you are most tired) and then get a ride share back to Endless Summer. SF is beautiful, it's not a bad place to hang out and wait a few minutes on a ride share in the evening.

 

[cschaaf]

Ugh, that sounds awful. Why is it set up that way? No other hotels available now for our dates. Honestly, this makes me want to cancel. Why didn’t I start thinking about this before?

Would you rather they not have moving walkways?

There's no place closer for the busses to drop off. It was all designed before there was a security issue. They also had to maximize space, so having a common hub made sense.

Last trip was the first time we used bus transportation (from Aventura) and maybe we got lucky with timing, but we never had issues at security. There were plenty of checkpoints open and the resort bus people stayed to the left side while parking garage people stayed to the right. I don't think there was anything forcing you those ways, it was just the natural flow. In the 3 or 4 times we went through security, I don't think we had to wait for more than about 2 people in front of us in a line. We almost always see a longer line at the boat docs, but it just 'feels' different.

I'd guess the walk from the bus drop to City Walk is maybe half that of the walk from the parking garage to City Walk. Could me a lot more or less depending on what parking spot you are in.

 

[conandrob240]

I’d rather they have a security check point inside of that catastrophe of a parking nightmare with a dedicated drop off much closer to the entrance of the parks, actually. What does a person who can’t really walk do? You wind up walking a mile or maybe even two by the time you even get to the park entrance. It’s an absurd set up. Half of that hike is still way too long.

anyway, when I put in a different check out date and Shift our dates by one day, every hotel is available. So I’ll be switching to one with boat service today. Whew! Crisis averted! Can’t possibly make that bus/walk every time imwant a Voodoo donut!

 

[cschaaf]

Sorry that you hate the walk that much and happy to see you were able to avoid it.

They do have handicapped parking, but I don't know where it is.

Adding this for anyone in the future reading the thread - mappedometer.com puts the walk from the farthest parking space to the turnstiles at either park at just over .7 of a mile.

Just under .4 miles from the bus drop off to the turnstiles.

It certainly feels like a lot longer, particularly at the end of the day.

For comparison, the walk from RPR to IOA is just under .5 miles (that's from the path starting near the RPR dock.) But there aren't any people movers helping you along that route

 

[SPAM]

If you were really concerned about it I would imagine you could get a rideshare to Hard Rock and enter through their security entrance near the entrance to the parks.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I’d rather they have a security check point inside of that catastrophe of a parking nightmare with a dedicated drop off much closer to the entrance of the parks, actually. What does a person who can’t really walk do? You wind up walking a mile or maybe even two by the time you even get to the park entrance. It’s an absurd set up. Half of that hike is still way too long.

anyway, when I put in a different check out date and Shift our dates by one day, every hotel is available. So I’ll be switching to one with boat service today. Whew! Crisis averted! Can’t possibly make that bus/walk every time imwant a Voodoo donut!

A huge plus of staying at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay is that not only do they have the water taxis, but you get Express Unlimited included in your stay. I'm not sure if everyone knows that.
That said, from Royal Pacific, it's less than a 7-minute walk to Islands of Adventure (about 10 to Universal Studios), Hard Rock is maybe a 6-minute walk to Universal Studios and 9-10 to Islands of Adventure, and Portofino Bay is about 15 minutes to Universal Studios and 18-20 to Islands of Adventure. Definitely worth using the water taxis for Portofino Bay.

 

[georgina]

I’ve taken the bus from CBBR a lot and never had a long wait at security. I usually go Feb, May, and Oct. I’m guessing 10 minutes has been the max. The trip from the parking garage can be long, but the bus drops off right by security. I rarely take buses at Disney World because I hate them, love universal transportation. Not sure Valet parking is open yet, but that makes the walk shorter.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I’ve taken the bus from CBBR a lot and never had a long wait at security. I usually go Feb, May, and Oct. I’m guessing 10 minutes has been the max. The trip from the parking garage can be long, but the bus drops off right by security. I rarely take buses at Disney World because I hate them, love universal transportation. Not sure Valet parking is open yet, but that makes the walk shorter.

Valet is open, but it’s quite expensive if you’re not a Premiere Passholder.

 

[Tink3815]

How far is the walk to the restaurants in City Walk from where the boat from Sapphire Falls drops you off?
Thanks

 

[macraven]

You are at city walk when you get off the boat
All you need to do is walk up the stairs to city walk level

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Depends on which restaurant. Max 5-10min, probably less.

 

[Tink3815]

From reading the posts am I understanding correctly anyone can use the water taxi to get to the hotels even if they are not staying there.
We are at Sapphire Falls, but would like to visit the next level up hotels.

 

[macraven]

Many that are day guests for the park eat at the onsite hotels

 

[Tink3815]

You are at city walk when you get off the boat
All you need to do is walk up the stairs to city walk level

For those who have recently been at SF, how long has the wait to get on the boat to Citiwalk. Does the boat run prior to 4pm now?
Thanks

 

[cschaaf]

For those who have recently been at SF, how long has the wait to get on the boat to Citiwalk. Does the boat run prior to 4pm now?
Thanks

What do you mean by the 'prior to 4pm' bit? As far as I know, the boats have run from before the first park opens (it's either 30 minutes or an hour before, I can't remember which) to some time after City Walk closes (might be an hour?).

 

[Tink3815]

What do you mean by the 'prior to 4pm' bit? As far as I know, the boats have run from before the first park opens (it's either 30 minutes or an hour before, I can't remember which) to some time after City Walk closes (might be an hour?).

I thought I read some where that they do not start until 4pm to Citi walk?