getting to Islands of adventure from WDW

[babywewe]

I'm staying at all-star at WDW... i'm not renting a car for the week. What is the best way for me to get to islands of adventure for a day from WDW? Is there a bus, should i take a cab, or should i rent a car for the day?

 

[clkelley]

If there is just one or two of you, then your best bet is Mears.

The day before you wish to go to Universal/IOA, dial "0" from your room phone (or any Disney House phone).

Ask to be connected to Mears.

When Mears picks up the phone, tell them you wish to go to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure the next morning.

Tell them which resort you are staying at and approximately what time you wish to leave and how many people in your party.

They will give you a pick up time and location (Mears bus stop in front of All-Stars).

The next morning be at the pick up location 15 minutes before your pickup time.

Pay the Mears driver in cash when you board (14 or 15 dollars pp round trip).

When you arrive at the Universal/IOA shuttle dropoff area, the driver will give you a return trip voucher. You can schedule your return to All-Stars at that time OR two hours before you wish to return you can call the number on your return ticket to schedule your pickup.

Return to your dropoff spot at the appointed pick up time and you will be returned to your resort.

FYI, you may stop at other hotels/resorts both on the way to Universal and on the way back to All-Stars.

If you are flying into MCO you can purchase your Mears transfers with a credit card at the Mears desk at the airport. (The drivers only take cash). You still need to make phone reservations the day before.

I usually tip the driver $1 per direction.

If there are three or more in your party then a taxi or towncar will be cheaper.

 

[Shagley]

That is great information, I was wondering this myself. Do you know if for the roundtrip fare, if you have to go to Universal and then back to Disney in the same day?

I am going to Disney/Universal in September, and we are going to stay at a Universal resort for one night. Because of the free dining promotion, it ended up working out better for us to keep our hotel room at Disney for that night, and then just taking an overnight bag with us to Universal for the one night we are staying there. So anyway, I need to get to Universal on the morning of Sept. 23rd, then back to Disney the afternoon of Sept. 24th. When you purchase a round trip fare for Mears, do you know if you need to make both trips on the same day?

 

[clkelley]

Should be no problem. A friend of mine went to Universal/IOA every trip to Disney. One time she got a ride back to Disney from a friend. The next trip, she used the return ticket to get to Universal, then purchased another roundtrip for her ride back to Disney, so was using the tickets in reverse. So I don't think it matters when you use the tickets.

However, if you do this, the overnight bag you carry needs to be small enough to sit in the seat with you or at your feet, as those shuttles will have no luggage assistance.

 

[Shagley]

Thanks for the info!! We will make sure to only take a backpack or a small bag that we will be able to comfortably hold in our laps or place them at our feet during the shuttle ride. Thanks for mentioning the lack of luggage space - sometimes I don't even think about details like that, and that could have made for a very uncomfortable shuttle ride (while holding a small suitcase) .

 

[babywewe]

is Mears a Disney shuttle?

 

[clkelley]

No, they are not, but they are a major transportation company in Orlando, and have a contract with Disney to provide Magical Express service.

The service from Disney resorts to other points around Orlando is a regular service for them.

The reason I suggested dialing "0" from any Disney house phone instead of dialing Mears directly is that the Disney operator can connect you with Mears without incurring the 75 cent charge from your room phone.