How to get from Disney to Harry Potter?

[OhMari]

Is the HP open already?

(putting now superpower on my broomstick )

First March was announced, but I think I read the end of June/July.

You can buy front of the line passes for $35 a piece.
I went the Friday after Easter, and both parks were empty, and I wouldn't have needed the front of the line pass. But with Harry Potter, that could all change.

Universal Studios has one indoor roller coaster, and lots of virtual reality rides. The Simpson's ride is really fun.

Island of Adventures is mostly a roller coaster park.

If you took a cab, it will probably be around $40 each way. Unless you can work with a cab driver and bargain a price for around $25 and give him a $5.00 tip.

 

[vicb]

Is the HP open already?

(putting now superpower on my broomstick )

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

First March was announced, but I think I read the end of June/July.

So I guess it won't be open in Feb. 2010 then... oh well can't time everything right!

 

[weewuvvdisney]

We are going to be at Disney in March. Our DD and our friends DD really want to go to Universal for a day.

I was thinking that it would be better to rent a vehicle and have a full day at the parks. If we go by Mears, I would think that we would loose time going from hotel to hotel picking and then dropping off on the way back.

Does anyone know (from past experience) the pick up (from the hotels in the am) and the time that the bus would leave from Universal to head back?

tks



Jan

PS WOuld love to bring our brooms but don't think we could bring them on the plane. Too long and cold of a trip to Florida to fly them!!!

 

[Timmy Boy]

Island of Adventures is mostly a roller coaster park.
.

IOA has 4 roller coasters. Hulk, Fire Dragon, Ice Dragon, and Pteranodon Flyers. To me, a roller coaster park is Cedar Point, or Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, with each park having almost 20 roller coasters each. So if IOA is a roller coaster park with 4 roller coasters, then Magic Kingdom is a roller coaster park, with Space mountain, Goofy's Barnstormer, then Big Thunder Mountain.

 

[Planogirl]

IOA has 4 roller coasters. Hulk, Fire Dragon, Ice Dragon, and Pteranodon Flyers. To me, a roller coaster park is Cedar Point, or Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, with each park having almost 20 roller coasters each. So if IOA is a roller coaster park with 4 roller coasters, then Magic Kingdom is a roller coaster park, with Space mountain, Goofy's Barnstormer, then Big Thunder Mountain.

I don't even consider Pteranodon Flyers a coaster so calling IOA a coaster park struck me as odd too. Spiderman, probably the best ride in Florida, certainly isn't a roller coaster!

I agree with those who suggested staying one night at a Loew's hotel. You can't beat walking to the two parks and these hotels are amazing!

 

[BradyBz12]

Universal Studios has one indoor roller coaster, and lots of virtual reality rides.

The Mummy coaster ride is a ton of fun, but don't forget the new Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster that opened at IoA in the spring too.

 

[Disneyadore]

First March was announced, but I think I read the end of June/July.

You can buy front of the line passes for $35 a piece.
I went the Friday after Easter, and both parks were empty, and I wouldn't have needed the front of the line pass. But with Harry Potter, that could all change.

Universal Studios has one indoor roller coaster, and lots of virtual reality rides. The Simpson's ride is really fun.

Island of Adventures is mostly a roller coaster park.

If you took a cab, it will probably be around $40 each way. Unless you can work with a cab driver and bargain a price for around $25 and give him a $5.00 tip.

Thank you. We are hoping to visit it half of May so I'll burn a few "hope candles ".

 

[chimo2u]

We've been to WDW twice, and enjoyed both trips immensly. This upcoming trip is just my "then" 14yo son and myself. My son is a huge harry potter fan. He's always wanted to experience Universal Studios, but we've never had the time, and always stayed at WDW the whole trip. This summer our trip is 1 week. If I was to split our stay with the first days (Sat night - Wed) at Disney and then Wed night - Sat. Departure (approx 5 pm flight departs) we could experience both. However, what would you recommend the best way to go about doing this?? How would we get from Universal back to the airport? We'd be using Magical Express upon arrival...but if we deviate away from Disney for the last half of our days, we won't be able to use ME for the departure. Also, what hotel do you recommend on site for a 14 yo and his mom?? We are Deluxe Disney hotel ppl, and both our Disney stays have been Club Level, if that helps.
I don't know if it would be worth it to split the trip up like this, but it is now something I am considering my son would like to experience Universal Studios. I am not a large roller coaster person, so I don't know how much of the park would appeal to me!
Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Marie

 

[Planogirl]

The Mummy coaster ride is a ton of fun, but don't forget the new Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster that opened at IoA in the spring too.

Actually Rip Ride & Rockit is in the Studios not IOA. Maybe that's where the confusion lies!

 

[Planogirl]

We've been to WDW twice, and enjoyed both trips immensly. This upcoming trip is just my "then" 14yo son and myself. My son is a huge harry potter fan. He's always wanted to experience Universal Studios, but we've never had the time, and always stayed at WDW the whole trip. This summer our trip is 1 week. If I was to split our stay with the first days (Sat night - Wed) at Disney and then Wed night - Sat. Departure (approx 5 pm flight departs) we could experience both. However, what would you recommend the best way to go about doing this?? How would we get from Universal back to the airport? We'd be using Magical Express upon arrival...but if we deviate away from Disney for the last half of our days, we won't be able to use ME for the departure. Also, what hotel do you recommend on site for a 14 yo and his mom?? We are Deluxe Disney hotel ppl, and both our Disney stays have been Club Level, if that helps.
I don't know if it would be worth it to split the trip up like this, but it is now something I am considering my son would like to experience Universal Studios. I am not a large roller coaster person, so I don't know how much of the park would appeal to me!
Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Marie

First of all, Universal actually has very few coasters. There is Dueling Dragons and the Hulk in IOA. (And a kiddie coaster when it reopens.) And Rip Ride Rockit and the Mummy (an indoor coaster that is actually more than a coaster) in the Studios and that's it. Universal is way more than roller coasters.

Also, all three of the Loew's onsite hotels are quite nice. They all three have their own theming so I'd suggest reading up on them to see which appeals more. They have boat launch transportation or you can easily walk to everything. And you can pool hop.

You might want to ask some questions on the Universal forums here. I was like you before we went, uncertain about what to expect. Personally I was thrilled with Universal and now I have two must-do destinations in central Florida.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board in case they have other suggestions over there.

 

[Lewisc]

A car service is going to charge $80-$100 R/T. A taxi would probably be about the same but would let you leave whenever you want. A car service would make you commit to a specific time.

A one day car rental might be cheaper but make sure to include the cost for parking and a couple of dollars for gas.

 

[Darcy03231]

We've been to WDW twice, and enjoyed both trips immensly. This upcoming trip is just my "then" 14yo son and myself. My son is a huge harry potter fan. He's always wanted to experience Universal Studios, but we've never had the time, and always stayed at WDW the whole trip. This summer our trip is 1 week. If I was to split our stay with the first days (Sat night - Wed) at Disney and then Wed night - Sat. Departure (approx 5 pm flight departs) we could experience both. However, what would you recommend the best way to go about doing this?? How would we get from Universal back to the airport? We'd be using Magical Express upon arrival...but if we deviate away from Disney for the last half of our days, we won't be able to use ME for the departure. Also, what hotel do you recommend on site for a 14 yo and his mom?? We are Deluxe Disney hotel ppl, and both our Disney stays have been Club Level, if that helps.
I don't know if it would be worth it to split the trip up like this, but it is now something I am considering my son would like to experience Universal Studios. I am not a large roller coaster person, so I don't know how much of the park would appeal to me!
Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Marie

I can't do large rollercoasters and I love US/IOA! We just spend a week there in April 2009 and I really could have used more time.

My kids (17 & 15, at the time) really liked the Hard Rock. It had a lot to appeal to them with the decor and the pool activities.

For transportation I would take a taxi from WDW to US/IOA and then another taxi to the airport. I rented a car and drove (we travel to Orlando 2-3x per year and I'm very comfortable driving around) as we planned to do some other things off property.

Have a great trip!

 

[sister2797]

Hi Everybody!
My son and I are going to be going to WDW in late May and we too are going to go to Universal to see the Harry Potter thing..(I Dont have a clue..my son LOVES the books and movies..Its going to be his Birthday Surprise)..I was advised my a very nice girl in customer service today @ Universal to "Get There Early" before Park opens as from what she said,,Its going to be insane..A BIG deal to alot of people.
BTW..Going to be Bold...Renting a car in for a couple days to see Universal..Driving in Traffic is going to be Interesting..I live in Nebraska..no such thing here...Watch Out!!

 

[bgsnmky]

FYI - Universal provides free transportation from WDW to Universal IF you buy the two park one day ticket for $109.00

if you buy the one park ticket for 79.00...they have transportation for $15.00 pp that is round trip....

 

[jfelcie]

I tried to find that offer and all I was able to get was . . "sorry that offer is no langer available". Where did you get your info? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I believe that was an offer put out by Dreams Unlimited, not by Universal.
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/tickets.htm

Check this out...should give you more info.

 

[brenda1966]

I think there are going to be a lot of us trying this US thing when we are at WDW after Harry Potter opens up. So many questions, starting with how to get there from WDW. I'm also wondering if it's better to do US at the start of the vacation, then head to WDW? Or do the reverse. I think I would want to stay onsite at US -- not just do a day trip. (I may change my mind after I price the hotels LOL)

How much further is US than Sea World? When we went to Sea World we took a cab and found it to be quick and easy and not overly expensive (maybe $40).

 

[bgsnmky]

Well I know it was from Universal as I saw it on their page and was on a special webinar where they talked about it...BUT I can't find it on the normal web page at all....

I tried to find that offer and all I was able to get was . . "sorry that offer is no langer available". Where did you get your info? Thanks!

 

[cceandme]

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.

I called a few weeks agon and asked. you can use FOTL unlimited every where but harry potter and there can be used one time.