From WDW to Universal

[white_domino]

Does anyone have a good strategy for getting from WDW to the Universal parks and back for a family without a car staying in the magic? A few years back we used a taxi which was fine, but I'd like to know if any other members have successfully used public transport to achieve the same return trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think that using the Lynx system can be convoluted at best. I've used it to get to SeaWorld from TTC but don't think I would do it to Universal. It isn't a direct bus, you have to make a transfer.
I would either use a towncar service or rent a car for the day. I'll be doing one of those two things in Oct.

 

[white_domino]

Excuse my ignorance (I'm British!) but what is a 'towncar service'?

 

[Edd]

The taxi service from your resort is the cheapest and quickest way to Universal. You can get the taxi, at your resort, when you are ready to go to Universal and pick up a Mears taxi when you leave Universal. The public bus system is not the answer as it takes to much time. I admit is is very cheap and maybe you would rather spend the two hours on the bus for the $1.00 or 2.00 per person it cost each way.

 

[Edd]

Towncar car service is similiar to taxis, but you usually ride in more luxurious vehicles. I said usually. A town car is actually a Lincoln sedan which gets pretty crowded with more than 3 passengers in it. The trend now-a-days is to the SUV which is much more roomier and comfortable. Also you can carry more luggage than the town car.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Edd...have to ask you a question. YOu say the towncars are cramped with more than 3, which I would agree with since I sure as heck don't want to be the one sitting up with the driver. How many can a taxi accomodate comfortably? Our group is 4 adults, 2 of whom are pretty slim. Trying to figure the best way to get from BW to Universal for a day...rent a car, take a cab, use a towncar.

 

[Edd]

Diane,

Most taxi sedans are the Ford make which includes the Lincoln towncar. They actually all have the same amount of room. Four people going to Universal is different than four people from the airport. Usually no luggage is the difference. The town cars seem to be smaller because of the more luxurious seats. SUV's are fast becoming the way to go with 4 - 7 passengers because of the room they afford a passenger. You probably won't have any problem with a taxi or town car with your group of 4.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

From Saratoga Springs Resort, our taxi was $28 there and $14 back. (The trip there is more expensive because of the way you need to loop around to get onto the highway. It's a straight shot on the return trip.) I thought $42 was a fantastic price for the round trip. ($50 with the tips.) We'd paid $30 (plus $10 tips) round trip for the two of us to Sea World on a Mears Shuttle the day before. The taxi was only $12 more, and we could come and go on our schedule rather than the Mears schedule. We also weren't crammed in as the last two of twelve people in a small van as we were on the shuttle. For a family, the taxi would actually be cheaper than the shuttle. (There's no additional fee for extra passengers. You just pay the meter.)

Last year, we took a town car. It was a luxurious ride, but also cost us $120.

Other resorts are farther away and are therefore much more expensive for the taxi. What you could do, though, is take Disney transportation to Downtown Disney, and catch a taxi from there. SSR is right next to Downtown Disney, so your fare would be somewhat comparable to ours. I believe these are the closest places to Universal and Sea World on the Disney transportation network.

 

[magicaldisney]

White-domino, thanks for asking this question. I was also curious about how to get to Universal.

Can anyone tell me how much time it takes to get to Universal?

 

[Edd]

It should take transportation other than bus about 20 miutes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Diane,

Most taxi sedans are the Ford make which includes the Lincoln towncar. They actually all have the same amount of room. Four people going to Universal is different than four people from the airport. Usually no luggage is the difference. The town cars seem to be smaller because of the more luxurious seats. SUV's are fast becoming the way to go with 4 - 7 passengers because of the room they afford a passenger. You probably won't have any problem with a taxi or town car with your group of 4.

Thanks Edd! I'm thinking a taxi may be the way to go.

 

[Edd]

Diane,

Just take the taxi from your resort. Mears is the only taxi company I would recommend.

 

[magicaldisney]

It should take transportation other than bus about 20 miutes.

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it!!

 

[LAS]

I am sure glad I found this thread. We are planning a trip next year and starting off at Universal. I was trying to figure out how to get to Disney and how much it would cost. We will be leaving from the Royal Pacific and transferring to POFQ. Thanks to everyone.

 

[Edd]

The Mears transportation taxi also services your hotel at Universal.

 

[paarras]

My wife and I are thinking of taking a limo from WDW to Universal this year.
We've used the Mears shuttle in the past, but as other posters have pointed
out you're on they're schedule and often times you're crammed into a van which makes multiple stops.

Anyway, my question is: Has anyone used Tiffany Town Car service or *********** tours before? and if so what was your opinion?

Thanks,

Paul