Disney vacation.. want to check out Universal!

[IamErica]

So my family and I are going to be on vacation in February from the 3rd thru the 10th. My son and I just took a trip to DW 2 years ago and I would like to take him to Universal Studios while we are in Florida this time around. What are your recommendations?
We are staying on site (AllStars Mu) at Disney with the family.
Are there buses we can take? How does it work? Cost for both parks?
If we go I would like to take in both parks... stuff at both I can see us enjoying.
I would like to take one or two days at Universal, one day for the ocean (with the whole famdamily) and the rest at Disney among the parks (which would be about 3 or 4 days depending on flight schedule)
Any tips?
Thanks!

 

[macraven]

when you stay at the disney resorts, you can book the Mears shuttle from your disney hotel to universal.

you sign up in the lobby of your hotel the night before to reserve and pay for your seat. for adults it is $18 rt.
children prices are cheaper.

you are dropped off at UO and picked up at the same location.

 

[Tank]

spend 2 days at the parks if you can, 1 at each park. tickets will cost you around $100 each for the 2 day, just keep reading these boards and you will know when ticket deals come up.

 

[Darcy03231]

I would do the WDW portion of your trip first and then transfer to an on-site hotel at US/IOA for one night. This way you'll get unlimited Express access for the two days you plan to spend there.

The beach (either coast) is an hour to an hour and half (depending on traffic) from the Orlando area. The best way to do that would be to rent a car for the day.

 

[IamErica]

I wish I could transfer to an onsite hotel at Universal. My whole family is staying onsite at Disney and this is just going to be a side trip for my son and I. The hotel is already booked and set
Just trying to figure out the easiest and cheepest way to do that
Thanks for the replys thus far!

 

[Candy30]

For the Mears shuttle....Is there a pick up time for your arrival and return?

 

[Echo queen]

Good ???

 

[Metro West]

For the Mears shuttle....Is there a pick up time for your arrival and return?

You would need to arrange that with Mears directly. There is no set schedule though.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We are hoping to do a couple of days at Universal during our Christmas holiday - Disney is holding us hostage with free dining so HRH is out this trip. We were considering renting a car as I'm thinking it will be considerably less than the shuttle for four of us? I'm also thinking we probably have more freedom in arrival/departure times? Anyone know how long it takes to drive there and whether it's a fairly uncomplicated route? We'll do two days at the parks - I'm also guessing we would want to do it in the first part of our holiday before the Christmas crowds hit? (we are there from the 16th to 29th) Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

 

[Metro West]

We were considering renting a car as I'm thinking it will be considerably less than the shuttle for four of us? I'm also thinking we probably have more freedom in arrival/departure times? Anyone know how long it takes to drive there and whether it's a fairly uncomplicated route? We'll do two days at the parks - I'm also guessing we would want to do it in the first part of our holiday before the Christmas crowds hit? (we are there from the 16th to 29th) Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

Keep in mind you would still have to pay the parking fee of $12.00 at the garage if you rent a car but that shouldn't be a big deal. The Christmas crowds really explode from 12/26 until 1/2 so the first part of the trip will be fine. If you're looking for an easy way from Disney to Universal, it would take you 25 minutes or so depending on the traffic.

 

[Planogirl]

We ran back and forth this past June often spending half the day in Universal and half in a Disney park. Once I figured out the route, I thought that it was an easy trip between the two.

I would also allow two days for Universal. I did so the first time we went but then we ended up going for four. You can usually get the tickets good for a week for about the same price as the two day pass.

 

[maxie]

You can take a taxi as well. We did this a few months ago. From ASMovies to US it was about $65 round trip.

 

[IamErica]

bumping for any additional tips
I have the park hours for Disney.. when do the hours for Universal come out? Do they typically follow the same schedule? I found the 2009 hours for February which were 9-6. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row so I can make dinner reservations
Thanks

 

[Metro West]

I have the park hours for Disney.. when do the hours for Universal come out? Do they typically follow the same schedule? I found the 2009 hours for February which were 9-6. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row so I can make dinner reservations
Thanks

The hours this year should be the same as last year.