Disney to Universal Question

[Synndy]

I'm sure this question has been asked 1234860218602384 times but I have been searching the forum for about 45 minutes and can not find an answer. So I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong area.

My brother & I are surprising my mom & Dad with a Disney trip for September. Two of my cousins are joining us. My parent's 31st anniversary is September & they wanted to go last year but my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My brother & I have been saving our money and finally have enough to surprise them with their dream vacation.

My mom is recovered & a survivor but I think she will need a day to rest. Not to mention my Dad health isn't the greatest either.

So my cousins, brother & I are planning to spend a day at Universal to give them a day of rest (plus my brother is a HUGE comic & roller coaster fan)

We are staying at AKL and I was wondering what types of transportation are available.

Would be better off renting a car? Getting a taxi (there will be 4 of us)? Riding a bus?

What options are there?

 

[wendyt_ca]

Renting a car. DH and I had this same debate when we went back in June for our honeymoon and we found it cheaper to rent a car. It's about $30-$40 each way by taxi and the bus system is kind of complicated.

 

[Kimberle]

I believe you can purchase transfers from Mears as well.

 

[Metro West]

I believe you can purchase transfers from Mears as well.

That's usually the best way since you won't have to pay the $12.00 parking fee or have to deal with traffic.

www.mearstransportation.com

 

[Synndy]

There will be 4 adults so what would be the most cost effective way?

I'm trying to get an idea & am unsure.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

If you'd rather rent a car, Alamo has offices at the Dolphin and the Disney Car Care Ctr. I've only rented from MCO since we usually stay off site, but lots of Diser's rent from the other offices when they're staying onsite and don't want to have rent a car the whole trip.

Right now, prices are high for that time of year but they usually come down as it gets closer. Sept is extremly slow time of year in Orlando so you should be able to find a good deal. If any of you belong to BJs or Costco, their websites offer rental car discounts too. Mousesavers.com also lists lots of discount codes.
I think this is so nice that you're doing this for your parents. My mom is also a Brca survivor, 15 yrs now!! so for their 40th anniversary/her 60th bday, we all chipped in and surprised them with a Caribbean cruise. I even called their employers to make sure they could get off work. We told them that Sept (anniv.) that the cruise would be in Nov. (bday) She cried such happy tears. It was great. This was 5 yrs ago and since then they've become total cruise junkies, 2x/year but that's another story...
Life is such a precious gift. Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[Synndy]

Thanks for the info! I noticed it was expensive but it is so early so I'm hoping we can get a great last minute deal!

It's just been a debate of whats most cost effective. When I was down there in March we stayed off site & had a rental for MCO that we used all week. So getting to & from places was easy.

Awe... that's so sweet you did that for your mom. Yay for kicking BC's butt!

My mom is the strongest woman I know & the whole awful ordeal brought all of us closer, so I am thankful for that.

My parents have wanted to go for a while now (our last trip was Nov 1993) but haven't really had the money.

I cant wait to tell them & I'm sure I'll have a post at some point about their reaction!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It's just been a debate of whats most cost effective.

Well, what's the cheapest usually is the most inconvenient (public bus)
Most convenient/fastest is usually most expensive. (taxi)
Car rental or Mears is in between. I've never used Mears so I don't know how it works. Do they force you to tell them a pick up time in advance? or can you call and say we'll be ready to leave in an hour, where do we meet?
USO parks usually close at 6 in Sept and you may want to linger at City Walk, chill at Margaritaville, etc. Sometimes it's hard to predict early in the day exactly when you'll want to leave.

Renting a car would give more flexibility.

 

[Metro West]

Well, what's the cheapest usually is the most inconvenient (public bus)
Most convenient/fastest is usually most expensive. (taxi)
Car rental or Mears is in between. I've never used Mears so I don't know how it works. Do they force you to tell them a pick up time in advance? or can you call and say we'll be ready to leave in an hour, where do we meet?
USO parks usually close at 6 in Sept and you may want to linger at City Walk, chill at Margaritaville, etc. Sometimes it's hard to predict early in the day exactly when you'll want to leave.

Renting a car would give more flexibility.

With the car you would also have to pay $12.00/day parking fee. I think you can safely rule out the bus...it would take you too long to get there and back. The fare for the Lynx bus is either $2.00 or $1.00 but it would take you over an hour to get from Downtown Disney to Universal.

You can play with the schedule on the website: http://www.golynx.com/

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

With the car you would also have to pay $12.00/day parking fee. I think you can safely rule out the bus...it would take you too long to get there and back. The fare for the Lynx bus is either $2.00 or $1.00 but it would take you over an hour to get from Downtown Disney to Universal.

You can play with the schedule on the website: http://www.golynx.com/

I only mentioned the bus b/c the op asked repeatedly for the most cost effective method. I personally would rather pay more but the kids are sending their parents as a gift and may be on a tight budget.
Just giving all options...

 

[calgarygary]

If you are really wanting to enjoy Universal, rent a car so that you are there at least half an hour before the gates open. Front of the Line benefit is the single best benefit of any onsite hotel but it is frustrating to those who do not have it. So you will want to be at the park early to get on the most popular rides before it gets busy. If you are going at a busy time, you might want to consider getting a room at Universal just for the fotl benefit - it is often worth it.