Disney to Universal: Cab or Rental Car?

[ociana]

I need some assistance sorting out what the best option is to get to Universal in the middle of our Disney trip (our first trip!). We are staying at the Dolphin and will not have a rental car for any other reason on the trip. We are doing two days at Universal, so we would need to pay for two days of parking there and a night of parking at the hotel in addition to the rental car fee. From what I can estimate, that adds up to around $130. Mears taxi service estimator says $33 each trip, so that will be $132 plus tip. Seems that the taxi would be easier for a similar price, but I am not sure. Anyone have thoughts or advice? Thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have NO other need for a car during the trip, including at Universal, I wouldn't rent one just to park it there.

For us, we rent a car for the trip, because we like going to the store, to the outlet, and to outside restaurants (like Sweet Tomatoes), so we will rent a car.

For you, I'd just get a cab or call Mears.


Remember there's a whole Universal forum, if you haven't found it yet, here!

 

[sesame_123]

There is a 3rd choice. There is a mears shuttle too. I think the price is $18 round trip per person, so depending on the number of people???

 

[macraven]

There is a 3rd choice. There is a mears shuttle too. I think the price is $18 round trip per person, so depending on the number of people???

the price was increased and now $19 rt.
but, you can not take luggage with you on the shuttle.

 

[ociana]

There is a 3rd choice. There is a mears shuttle too. I think the price is $18 round trip per person, so depending on the number of people???

It's 4 of us, so that ends up being more than the other two options. It seems that a benefit of the taxi option is the ability to have one right there when we want it...that, together with no parking or navigating seems to make it preferential. My worry is that I don't see posts from others on the forums who choose to go with the taxi option...so perhaps there's something negative about it that I am missing.

 

[macraven]

go with the taxi.


for having four in your party, it will be the best way for you.

 

[bumbershoot]

but, you can not take luggage with you on the shuttle.

So good to know.

My worry is that I don't see posts from others on the forums who choose to go with the taxi option...so perhaps there's something negative about it that I am missing.

Well, we would have done it, if we didn't like the freedom to go where we want to go exactly when we want to go there. And if DH had gone along with my suggestion. But then DS is still in a booster due to age and height, and I don't want to deal with that in a taxi, either.

 

[goofy4tink]

Check this out....
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/

If you can get away with just backpacks for 'luggage' you can do this. My friend and I did it last year. Pack what you'll need for the night in your backpack and you can then take the Mears shuttle....we stayed a night at Royal Pacific..so took the earliest shuttle from BW and upon arrival at US/IoA, walked to the hotel, got checked in and dropped our stuff. Worked out very well. But,you can't take anything larger than a backpack on that shuttle.

If you can't make do with the backpacks, I would just get a cab over and back.

 

[macraven]

for the 4 of them, it would be close to $80 using the shuttle.

if they did a cab and went before rush hour traffic, it could run $35 a way for them.
that would make it $70 rt.


tipping would not be an issue.
you tip on both, cabs and shuttle.


they could take luggage with them, and pick their own times and get to their destinations quicker than the shuttle.

shuttles have drop offs at other wdw hotels.

 

[goofy4tink]

for the 4 of them, it would be close to $80 using the shuttle.

if they did a cab and went before rush hour traffic, it could run $35 a way for them.
that would make it $70 rt.


tipping would not be an issue.
you tip on both, cabs and shuttle.


they could take luggage with them, and pick their own times and get to their destinations quicker than the shuttle.

shuttles have drop offs at other wdw hotels.

Ummm, if they took advantage of the DU special, it also includes park passes...it's a very good deal. It's pretty much like getting free transport over there.
Yes, the shuttles have other stops. BUT...generally speaking, I haven't made more than 2 or 3 other stops when using this shuttle to and from WDW.

But, some can't get by with just backpacks. As I said..if you can't do that, go with a cab. It's much easier.

 

[macraven]

Ummm, if they took advantage of the DU special, it also includes park passes...it's a very good deal. It's pretty much like getting free transport over there.
Yes, the shuttles have other stops. BUT...generally speaking, I haven't made more than 2 or 3 other stops when using this shuttle to and from WDW.

But, some can't get by with just backpacks. As I said..if you can't do that, go with a cab. It's much easier.

there is no ONE way to do the transportation.

it boils down to just the personal preference of the party involved.

some have priorities of getting there early, others it might be the costs.


it is good to have these discussions so the op can see options that are available.

i think this will help the op think of what her priorities are for transportation.

 

[goofy4tink]

there is no ONE way to do the transportation.

it boils down to just the personal preference of the party involved.

some have priorities of getting there early, others it might be the costs.


it is good to have these discussions so the op can see options that are available.

i think this will help the op think of what her priorities are for transportation.

Absolutely true. That's why I like to mention all the various ways. I've used the shuttle and been there before 8:30. But, many times a cab, car or car service fits the bill much better. It's up to each person to make their own choices based on their needs for that particular trip.

 

[Lewisc]

Ummm, if they took advantage of the DU special, it also includes park passes...it's a very good deal. It's pretty much like getting free transport over there.
Yes, the shuttles have other stops. BUT...generally speaking, I haven't made more than 2 or 3 other stops when using this shuttle to and from WDW.

But, some can't get by with just backpacks. As I said..if you can't do that, go with a cab. It's much easier.

The DU deal is 166.12 (with tax) for a 2 day hopper with tax. Undercover tourist sells a 2 day hopper, with tax, for 141.95. The "free" transportation costs around $24 per adult.

I'd go with a taxi.

edited to add COSTCO members should check their local warehouse. Some locations may still have the 3 day pass for around $140 (tax?) Most Universal multi-day passes expire 14 days after you first use the ticket (basically good for one vacation). The COSTCO passes are good until the end of 2013. You can save the extra day for a future trip. You don't have to use your 2nd or 3rd day within 14 days of first use.

 

[Melanie230]

We hired a car service that is charging us $70 round trip from Hard Rock Hotel to Magic Kingdom. Keep checking to find a good service!