Flying, staying onsite, how to get to Universal?

[AmyinPA]

Hi everyone, We are going to Disney 10/2-10/9. Now that our children are older we are thinking of doing a day at Universal/Islands of Adventure. My QA is, we are flying down. What is the best(cheapest) way to get there and back to our resort. Someone told me taking a taxi is expensive. Should we rent a car for one day? Is there a shuttle? Last time we went to there was years ago and we drove so we had our own car. Thanks!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Hi everyone, We are going to Disney 10/2-10/9. Now that are children are older we are thinking of doing a day at Universal/Islands of Adventure. My QA is, we are flying down. What is the best(cheapest) way to get back/forth to our resort from Universal. Someone told me taxis are pricey. Should we rent a car for one day? Is there a shuttle? Last time we went to there was years ago and we drove so we had our own car. Thanks!

rental car or taxi.

 

[AmyinPA]

Wow! Thanks for the quick response! Thats what I was thinking, I was wondering if anyone has used either recently and can give me an estimated cost on both per day.

 

[disneymath]

When we've gone to US/IoA from a WDW Resort we've taken the Mears shuttle. (The last last time we did this was 2006 and I think it was $15 per person - but I could be wrong.) If I'm not mistaken, there was a set pickup time at our Resort and we stopped at a few other WDW Resorts along the way (it was a coach bus). On the way back we were given a number to call - were told to call an hour or so before we wanted to leave. One time we came back by coach, another day it was in a 12 passenger van.

A taxi might or might not be cheaper, but at least with the shuttle you know what you are going to pay up front.

Mears also operates a taxi fleet and their website lists their current prices.

 

[Oz-kateer]

Mears run a door to door shuttle from Disney hotels to Universal. Your hotel concierge desk will have more info, it's about $15 round trip per person.

Sometimes travel agents sell tickets that include transport.



Here you go I found this: http://www.mearstransportation.com/pdf/Rates2010.pdf

 

[weewuvvdisney]

We recently took a taxi from ASMovies to the Universal and I think it was about $33.00 each way. There were 7 of us and we reserved a larger van the night before. Even when the tip was added on, it was cheaper than Mears and much quicker.

From Universal to the Hotel, we didn't have to reserve a taxi. We just walked out and there was a stand with taxi's waiting.

 

[TheMusicLives]

Yep, I was going to suggest Mears as well. My DBFF and I went to WDW/Universal last year (we flew in) and used the shuttle service; I believe we boarded around 8am (we were in the van with one other couple) and returned from the park around 5pm or so. It took us about 45 minutes to get back to our resort (Saratoga) and we made one stop at Sea World to pick up other passengers. The return service was provided by a charter bus.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I took a cab from Universal to DTD and back in Feb. It was about $27 each way. If you want to save money, I would get the cab from DTD because that is nearest to the edge of Disney property. If you're all the way back toward MK, it can be another $10 each way. Mears will be more expensive if you have four and you may have to ride with other people.

 

[MErnst]

Call Mears. We stayed at CBR in 2004 and were picked up by Mears bus at Port Royale in AM.....took return bus back to resort end of day. There were 4 of us and I think it was about $45-50 roundtrip.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If you have 4 or more people in your group, you're better off with the taxi than Mears.

 

[AmyinPA]

Thanks Everyone! It sounds like the taxi might be the cheapst way. There are 4 of us. Me, Husband, Son(12) and Daughter (7). I am assuming fees for Mears doesn't change with age?

 

[Ilovedis30]

Morning Disers,

I also had the same question, now for me it will just be my DD12 and I, so I guess for us it would be cheaper to take the mears shuttle bus?? Do you have a set time when you have to return or do you just call them when you're ready? Well thank you for the info.

Jen

 

[disney4us2002]

I would suggest checking the rental car companies when you are much closer to your dates. We rented a mid-size car with a code I found in People Magazine last year for our one day trip to Universal to see Blue Man Group and it was something like $18 per day. We used the car care center at Disney and they have a shuttle that picked us right up at Pop Century to pick up the car and then dropped us off at DHS when we returned the car. We asked for DHS. They said they could drop us anywhere on property.

 

[CarolAnnB]

We are going to rent a car from Alamo at the Dolphin. To pick it up at 3pm on the Monday (closes at 4pm) and return it at 10pm on Tuesday is $70 during our stay with a code from mousesavers. Since there are 4 of us it is not much more expensive than the shuttle and I can be sure I get to Universal extra early since we are going specifically to see HP and I know it will be very crowded. You can just return it to the valet at the hotel when you get back. The Care Car Center has the shuttle to/from your hotel but they close between 6 and 8 and I was not sure when we are getting back.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I would suggest checking the rental car companies when you are much closer to your dates. We rented a mid-size car with a code I found in People Magazine last year for our one day trip to Universal to see Blue Man Group and it was something like $18 per day. We used the car care center at Disney and they have a shuttle that picked us right up at Pop Century to pick up the car and then dropped us off at DHS when we returned the car. We asked for DHS. They said they could drop us anywhere on property.

We are going to rent a car from Alamo at the Dolphin. To pick it up at 3pm on the Monday (closes at 4pm) and return it at 10pm on Tuesday is $70 during our stay with a code from mousesavers. Since there are 4 of us it is not much more expensive than the shuttle and I can be sure I get to Universal extra early since we are going specifically to see HP and I know it will be very crowded. You can just return it to the valet at the hotel when you get back. The Care Car Center has the shuttle to/from your hotel but they close between 6 and 8 and I was not sure when we are getting back.

But renting a car means you'll pay $15 to park. We used Mears shuttle in Jan 09. Booked it a month early. For a buck more than a 2 park 1 day ticket, we got that and the shuttle. We were picked up at POP at 7:30 and prearranged to be picked up at 4:30. We were back at POP by 5:15.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board in case the folks over there have more input.

 

[CarolAnnB]

But renting a car means you'll pay $15 to park. We used Mears shuttle in Jan 09. Booked it a month early. For a buck more than a 2 park 1 day ticket, we got that and the shuttle. We were picked up at POP at 7:30 and prearranged to be picked up at 4:30. We were back at POP by 5:15.

Worth it for me to be sure to be at US well before it opens. I don't want to be sitting on a shuttle that stops at other hotels worrying about a huge crowd getting there ahead of me.

 

[brenda1966]

Worth it for me to be sure to be at US well before it opens. I don't want to be sitting on a shuttle that stops at other hotels worrying about a huge crowd getting there ahead of me.

This is what concerns me about the shuttle as well. I would want to get to US early, before I could get in the gate. So, I'm leaning toward taxi, even if I have to pay a bit more. My *time* is very valuable.

Am also considering staying at US for a night or two. So much to consider on whether it's worth it to move hotels mid-trip.