How far are the Universal parks from WDW?

[bettyann29]

Just wondering how far of a drive is it if we were to stay in a Disney hotel but go to Universal?? I am looking into a trip next year for the family and thinking about 5 days at Universal and 2 days in the Disney parks and then 1/2 day at a Disney waterpark and 1/2 day at Disneyquest.. I would prefer to stay in one of the value resorts and then we would just drive to Universal.. but not sure how far of a drive to expect..

 

[serendipity]

the drive is approximately 15 minutes without traffic. With traffic and parking leave at least an hour before you want to be there. There's a really long walk from the parking garage to the actual park but people movers help.

 

[bettyann29]

Thanks for the info.. I am still undecided about what we'll do.. I want to go to Universal for 5 days and WDW for 2.. We've never been to Universal so this will be a nice change.. but there's no way I can go to Orlando and not go to WDW so 2 days will be good and then of course there is the water park and DQ.. Im still undecided if we will stay at a Universal hotel while we are there for those 5 days and then when we go to WDW go to a value resort.. I want to stay at WDW definitely while we are there so we can get the EMH..

Now I just have to decide what we'll do..

 

[WillCAD]

How long depends on exactly what part of WDW property you start from and what route you take.

I-4 is the quickest, most direct route. From the All-Star Resort, you would follow the signs to I-4 East and get off at the Universal exit. Travel time from the All-Stars is about 20-25 minutes via I-4.

If you are coming from the Downtown Disney area, it's only about 15 minutes via I-4.

 

[F-L-A]

Stay on-site at Universal. It would make the most sense.

 

[flortlebap]

If you're spending more time at Universal, stay in one of the resort hotels. The drive for us was more like 30 mins, btw!!

You could stay on I Drive too, then you're sort of in between both...

 

[robvia]

Here's my page with the drive.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstoioa.htm

Your plan to stay in a Disney Value resort is good, but then you want to switch to an onsite USF hotel, like the RPR. That way you'll get the entire experience and "feel" like part of the action. Those who drive over from their Disney hotel don't think much of Universal. Why? Because they're missing out. If you have an AAA card, that gets you the best rates. Bring up the RPR web page, put AAA in the box and see what rates you get.

The RPR is more expensive than a Disney value resort. Therefore, I'd say to plan 4 nights at Disney, then 2 nights at the RPR. The way you can get the most for your money is to check into the RPR very early in the morning. That way you get your magic keys and you can get started. You'd actually have 3 days of FOTL doing that, they work the day you check out.

If you can make it 3 nights at the RPR, that would be even better. But it's over $200 a night. Think of it as a splurge. Worth the money, you just need to save up for it.

 

[joelkfla]

Wouldn't you want to stay at a Universal resort for the front-of-line privileges in their parks?

 

[t-and-a]

You might consider purchasing a Preferred AP to Universal because you will get a discount on your onsite room. It saved us about $100 per night when we were there in June. It also saved us 20% on merchandise in the parks, 15% on food in the parks, and 10% on food at CityWalk!

 

[WillCAD]

Depending on time of year, FOTL is not always nessecary at Uni. In fact, I have never stayed at a Uni resort and have only experienced FOTL once when touring with a friend who was staying at HRH. That was in June, when FOTL is way more useful, but I usually go to Uni in the off seasons when crowds are lower and lines are shorter, and in those times of year FOTL is not nessecary at all.

If you go to Uni during the off seasons and don't have the moolah to spend on one of the Uni resorts, there are plenty of very nice off-site hotels in the Uni area, mostly on International Drive.

Naturally, if the on-site resorts are within your budget, FOTL is a fabulous bennefit, and all three on-site resorts are phenomenally beautiful, classy, and wonderous places to stay.

T-and-A's point about the preferred AP is also valid; if you are planning to stay on-site, the $189 preferred AP can save enough through its room, food, and merchandise discounts to pay for itself for at least one member of your party.