POR transportation to Universal

[V2000]

Hello!

I would like to know what is the best option for transportation to Universal Studios from Port Orleans Riverside.

I heard about Mears but I am concerned with the multiple stops. We only have one day at Universal (and the park closes early that day for HN). We have 3 people total in our group. What suggestions do you have? We would like to leave at 8:30am to be there when the park opens at 9am.

 

[erionm]

Taxi

 

[jimandami]

We used Uber in January and it was great! We earned a couple free rides using promo codes so didn't have to pay anything, but we were quoted around $22, which is cheaper than a taxi. But, I would recommend leaving earlier than 8:30 if you want to get there at opening, more like 8:00. It is a bit of walk from the drop off area to the gate, the gates/fingerprint scans are very slow at Uni.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If the shared shuttle is not considered an option, then taxi or car service.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I completely agree with erionm. Taxi is your best bet for getting there even close to open. I've done the Mears shuttle and with the multiple stops we were there well past open. I would also maybe leave a little bit earlier than 8:30am so that you get to the gates a little before 9am. It is a bit of a walk from where they drop you off in the taxis.

 

[srauseo]

If that's your timing, a taxi would probably be your best bet. With no issues it's a 20-25 minute ride but, and I apologize if you already know this, you don't get dropped off right at the park entrance. The bus and taxi stand is a fair distance from the park entrances. You have to go up an escalator and down some long moving sidewalks just to get to CityWalk (the area outside the parks with restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.). You have to walk through CityWalk to get to the entrances to the parks. This whole process takes a little while, even if you are moving at a good clip. If you look at the map for the whole Universal area, you'll see CityWalk at the bottom. The parking area and taxi stand are beyond that.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/PrintableMapsUOR_tcm13-20826.pdf

And, if you don't already have tickets, you'll need time to buy those. So, if you want to be walking into the park when they open the turnstiles, you might want to allow yourself a little more time.

 

[CAL2]

hi

We used Uber in January and it was great! We earned a couple free rides using promo codes so didn't have to pay anything, but we were quoted around $22, which is cheaper than a taxi. But, I would recommend leaving earlier than 8:30 if you want to get there at opening, more like 8:00. It is a bit of walk from the drop off area to the gate, the gates/fingerprint scans are very slow at Uni.

can you tell me about Uber please what is it? thanks

cal

 

[IrishNYC]

hi


can you tell me about Uber please what is it? thanks

cal

Uber is an app that will connect you with an unlicensed, improperly insured (for taxi service purposes) driver. I do not recommend it, not matter how good a deal it is.

 

[CAL2]

oh, that's not good. thank you for your reply.

cal

 

[nkereina]

Uber is an app that will connect you with an unlicensed, improperly insured (for taxi service purposes) driver. I do not recommend it, not matter how good a deal it is.

Not trying to get into an Uber debate but this is false. Uber is not a taxi service, it's a car share service. They are not subject to the same licensing and insurance as a taxi driver is. They're convenient because you can order one on an app and the one closest to your proximity will pick you up within minutes, they quote you a price on the app which includes tip, and it's cashless - your fare (which includes tip) is paid via PayPal through the app. You can also view real reviews from other passengers on the driver so you know what you're dealing with.

I love Uber but was hesitant to use it in Orlando. The first thing we saw in the airport when we got off the plan was signs advising against Uber. I think Orlando is one of the cities trying to outlaw it - many cities have inserted legislation recently trying to ban car share services and because they are stiff competition for taxi services.

We took a cab from CBR to Universal. They had cabs waiting on standby, so the bellmen just flagged one over when we needed it. I suspect POR would be the same. A cab was $28 including tip and took 20 minutes top. Easy peasy!

 

[IrishNYC]

I may have called it the wrong thing, but my statement about being improperly licensed and insured for what they do still remains.

 

[nkereina]

I may have called it the wrong thing, but my statement about being improperly licensed and insured for what they do still remains.

Sorry, that's not true. They ARE properly licensed and insured for a car share service, which is what they are. Uber DOES have an application process to vet this. Taxis carry much more strict insurance and licensing requirements - car share services do not because they have not been properly regulated yet. It's still a new concept, which is why taxi drivers are opposed to it and many cities are trying to put a stop to it. Anyone who voluntarily takes a car share service is generally familiar with the concept, and should make themselves aware of the risks of such service.

As I also mentioned, I wouldn't recommend it in Orlando because it seems to be a city trying to get Uber banned. Some cities are more open to it than others.

 

[jimandami]

Although there is legal debate in several areas (especially Orlando because Mears doesn't want someone providing a cheaper service), as an Uber rider, you are covered up to $1,000,000 by their insurance policy. The drivers we have had have all been much more professional and polite than pretty much any cab driver I have ever encountered.

 

[jimandami]

But is IS legal in Orlando at this time, they just can't pick people up at the airport. I mean, we received free round trip transportation from AKV to Uni, plus a ride from Cali Grill to AKV...paid nothing. We were transported by very polite drivers dressed in suits, with cars that were in great shape and much cleaner than a typical taxi...I will take that any day.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for the clarification on the Orlando situation, jimandami. Having only ridden Uber in Atlanta and Seattle where it was widely accepted, the Orlando airport had me freaked out about it - as if I'd be breaking laws by using Uber. Glad to know that's not the case.

 

[jimandami]

You're welcome!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Have you considered a one-day car rental? You can pick one up either at the Dolphin resort or at several of the Downtown Disney hotel plaza hotels. Pick it up the night before and drop it off on your way back from Universal.

 

[BrittyRo]

The only reason there's "issues" with Uber is because it provides competitive rates that taxis cannot/will not match. They want to "outlaw" Uber so they (taxi companies) can continue to charge the outrageous prices that they do. That doesn't mean it's unsafe, unprofessional or illegal. They are merely trying to use propaganda tactics in order to take business away from Uber and keep their monopoly.
I've taken Uber and have never had an issue. Here in NYC it's commonplace to use Uber even professional parties hand out Uber cards (with discounts offered for attending the events) to get people home. It is a professional business. Just because it's a "car share" doesn't make it unsafe.
With their promo codes you can probably get a ride to and from Uni for free (that's what I did in September)
Don't be "scared" to try it just because the taxi companies say it is bad. It's probably the best, cheapest option to get to and from Universal. (I plan on using it every time i go down to Orlando)
Sorry for the long rant

 

[Laketravis]

I've used Uber extensively here in Austin as well as Orlando and to a lesser extent in several other cities they operate in.

Not only have I never had an issue, I have always found that:

• Uber is much less expensive than a cab
• Uber vehicles are newer and cleaner than most cabs I've been in
• Uber drivers have always been more professional than most cabs I've been in
• I've felt much safer using Uber than many cab services I've used
• I've always found the trust factor to be higher when knowing the route and charge in advance - this has never been true for me with a cab

No cash or credit cards exchange hands, the app assesses the charge to your credit card on file. You also have an opportunity to rate your driver.

You'll find an Uber ride from WDW to Universal will run you between $15-$18 one way, and that includes the tip.

I would encourage you to check out their website (Uber.com) and see exactly what safeguards they have in place. As previous posters have indicated, Uber's largest enemies are cab companies (and specifically Mears in Orlando who has long had a stranglehold on transportation). The Orlando city council passed several revisions to their ordinances late last year that specifically address Uber - primarily at the lobbying of cab companies - and reached several compromises based on overwhelming public support.

In the cities where Uber is offered it is an extremely popular service. Thus the overwhelming opposition from existing transport carriers who have monopolized the market for years.

.

 

[shalom]

The only reason there's "issues" with Uber is because it provides competitive rates that taxis cannot/will not match.

In cities like New York, taxis will never be able to match Uber's rate because the taxi medallion costs so much (recently dropped from over a million to $840,000), and that medallion has to be paid for, because you can't legally drive a cab there without one. If NYC would allow more medallions, taxis there wouldn't cost nearly so much.

Dunno if the government limiting taxi licenses is an issue in Orlando, but it generally is in big cities, and I know there are illegal taxis running in Orlando, which is generally an indication that licensing is either limited (no more than x-number issues) or crazy expensive.