How to get from Disney to Harry Potter?

[mom2val]

Not sure where this should be posted... When we go to Disney we use the ME and then Disney busses from the resort to the parks. When we go to Disney this December 2010 we want to pop over and check out the new Harry Potter area at Universal. Would calling a taxi be the best way? We've never been to Univeral and have no idea.

 

[helenk]

A taxi might be costly depending on traffic etc. You can take a shuttle from Mears, which costs about $16 round trip per person. Or you can take a town car service which will cost about $65 round trip.

 

[NancyIL]

You could rent a car for the day. National and Alamo are at the Dolphin and the Car Care Center near the MK.

 

[MomPOM]

You really need to evaluate the cost of a shuttle from Mears vs renting a car for the size of your family. A cab probably wouldn't be very cost effective.

 

[BillSears]

I think the best way would be Floo Powder or Portkey. Assuming you didn't pack your broom.

 

[Disney-&-Baseball]

too funny!!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Also, I'm sure you already know this, but when pricing things out, make sure to search for "Universal" rather than Harry Potter. HP is simply an Island in the Islands of Adventure at USF, not its own theme park.

 

[terribm]

I think the best way would be Floo Powder or Portkey. Assuming you didn't pack your broom.

Love it!!

 

[tpettie]

I was wondering this too is the Links Bus a reasonable option we have used this to get to seaworld in past trips and it worked well. Wondering if it will be effective to get to Universal too??

 

[ksdave]

Not sure where this should be posted... When we go to Disney we use the ME and then Disney busses from the resort to the parks. When we go to Disney this December 2010 we want to pop over and check out the new Harry Potter area at Universal. Would calling a taxi be the best way? We've never been to Univeral and have no idea.

May I strongly suggest planning at least one night at a Universal resort hotel. All three of their hotels, Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific, are spectacular and very reasonably priced if you reserve correctly (I actually had a two-room suite at Portofino, their best hotel, in July 2008 for $159/night). The huge advantage is that you will get two days of "front-of-the-line" access to virtually all of the attractions at both Universal Studios Florida AND Islands of Adventure (which includes the Harry Potter area). If you need additional advice, surf down to the Universal portion of the DIS boards. There are alot of people in that area that can provide great advice.

 

[kbelle8995]

I'm not sure about Floo Powder remember you have to precise about where you are going.

You and your family might want to take your broomsticks.

Seriously, a cab or a rental car might be your best bet.

I plan to go for Harry Potter myself. But we plan to stay at a hotel at Universal if we can and take advantage of the extras.

 

[mom2rtk]

A lot of folks here have commented how slow the Universal parks were this December.

Here's hoping that everyone goes to Universal next December and the record crowds at Disney thin out for my trip!

 

[iteach7th]

May I strongly suggest planning at least one night at a Universal resort hotel. All three of their hotels, Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific, are spectacular and very reasonably priced if you reserve correctly (I actually had a two-room suite at Portofino, their best hotel, in July 2008 for $159/night). The huge advantage is that you will get two days of "front-of-the-line" access to virtually all of the attractions at both Universal Studios Florida AND Islands of Adventure (which includes the Harry Potter area). If you need additional advice, surf down to the Universal portion of the DIS boards. There are alot of people in that area that can provide great advice.

That was the best advice someone gave me several years ago when we did IOA and Universal - Royal Pacific was wonderful and the front of the line passes was worth it. I will never do those parks again without staying at one of the hotels.

 

[TDC Nala]

They may not offer front of the line on new attractions.

The cheapest way there from Disney will depend on how many in your party, but it's possible to take the Mears bus, rent a car for a day (there are a few car rental outlets on or near Disney property), take a cab, or hire a towncar.

 

[mom2val]

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure what we will do. We are booked for 6 nights at the WL. We'll fly in on a Saturday and leave late afternoon the next Friday. We do 6 days in the park and have a partial day for DTD - the day we fly in. I really want to see Harry Potter but I am not sure it is worth the cost: losing 1 day at the Disney parks, plus the cost of 3 - 1 day tickets to Universal, food and transportation: we'd spend $300 easily. I guess I'll just wait and see what everyone thinks once its open. I'm sure the boards will have lots of reviews and opinions of the new attraction.

 

[Disneyadore]

Is the HP open already?

(putting now superpower on my broomstick )

 

[rutgers1]

We went to Universal for the first time last year. Even without Harry Potter, it was worth the trip. There are people here who like to defend Disney to the death and portray Universal as a cheap, low-class version, but I didn't find that to be the case....and I have very high standards for this type of thing. I felt that most of Universal was very well themed, and many areas out-themed the theming masters at Disney. Many of the rides were GREAT, especially for kids who are outgrowing some of the Disney rides. We loved the Hard Rock Hotel, and we absolutely enjoyed the front of the line passes.

To me, the main downside of Universal is simply that you are not on Disney property. It is well-themed, but it doesn't have the Disney magic. That magic might be in my head, or it might be a product of size. Disney is so much bigger, so you feel like you are in enveloped in the magic for days on end. With Universal, we did everything that we wanted to do in two days. The hotel was REALLY nice, but it wasn't a Disney magical nice, rather it was simply just nice.

If I were you, I would cut the Disney trip in half for this year and stay on Universal property for a few days. It will be worth it.

 

[jlx2]

ksdave,
How did you get that amazing rate at Portifino? We're staying there 3 nights in May, and are in a standard room for more than that. I would love to get a lower rate. Thanks!

 

[BradyBz12]

Is the HP open already?

I think they're still floating "Spring 2010" for the open. Haven't seen anything more concrete than that yet.

 

[mickeymotto]

ksdave,
How did you get that amazing rate at Portifino? We're staying there 3 nights in May, and are in a standard room for more than that. I would love to get a lower rate. Thanks!

I would love to know this too. We were thinking about a stay at the HRH if the price is right.