Rent a car vs. taxi for one day to universal

[psycgirl]

I'm weighing the options for transportation b/t disney resorts and universal b/c we only want to leave disney one day. Last time we rented a car for a day but it was time consuming to get a shuttle to take us to the rental place and then my husband had to get up early the next day to return the car and be back to our resort before we went to the opening of the park that day

So this time I'm wondering how close the price is to renting a taxi to universal and back versus the price and hassle of renting a car.

any thoughts about pros and cons

 

[goofy4tink]

How many of you will be heading to US/IoA??? That is going to make a difference. A car service (which I would do vs a cab) is going to run about $70 or so, plus tips. But, that would be good for up to 5 people. If you have only a few people going, you could always book the Mears shuttle..that's about $20 pp, r/t. But it has to be booked at least 24 hrs in advance.

 

[Lewisc]

Happylimo is $93 R/T. I don't think FL Tours will book MK-Universal unless you also book airport transfers. Some companies will only book local Orlando transportation if you also book airport transfers.

A car service means you have to select your return time in advance. A taxi means you can leave earlier or later then originally planned.

Posters on the Universal Board say cabs cost $35-$40. You'll pay more if there is traffic.

 

[skelooch]

Based on a couple of fare estimators a cab will be between $35 to $45 each way for up to 5 passengers. The advantage being you can set your own schedule and get picked up and dropped off at your resort, and you will be going directly there and back without any other stops.

Renting a car would definitely be cheaper but will be more inconvenient as you stated, where you are staying could make a difference.

 

[Lewisc]

You can get a taxi van (same price). I'm not sure if it seats 7 or 8.

 

[psycgirl]

we will have 4 people together (2 couples) so we will split the cost. I guess one of us would pay for the taxi there and one will pay for it to go back. $35-45 might not be so bad if it cuts out time (getting a shuttle to take us to the rental place, and hubby having to drive it back in the morning and get another shuttle back. Plus I forgot we would have to pay for gas and to park at Universal and to park at disney resort that night. Those little costs add up which might end up being close to the price of the taxi. Plus after riding on the disney buses all week I think we would love to have a car to ourselves to get a break from the noise and with MEARS it sounds like you share vans and have no control over noise and the number of stops which could cost us more valuable time.

I'm leaning towards a taxi for the day. I had budgeted for $100 for a rental car and so that should easily cover our cab if we are splitting it.

 

[skelooch]

we will have 4 people together (2 couples) so we will split the cost. I guess one of us would pay for the taxi there and one will pay for it to go back. $35-45 might not be so bad if it cuts out time (getting a shuttle to take us to the rental place, and hubby having to drive it back in the morning and get another shuttle back. Plus I forgot we would have to pay for gas and to park at Universal and to park at disney resort that night. Those little costs add up which might end up being close to the price of the taxi. Plus after riding on the disney buses all week I think we would love to have a car to ourselves to get a break from the noise and with MEARS it sounds like you share vans and have no control over noise and the number of stops which could cost us more valuable time.

I'm leaning towards a taxi for the day. I had budgeted for $100 for a rental car and so that should easily cover our cab if we are splitting it.

What resort are you staying at, it could make a difference between renting vs taxi.

 

[budbeerlady]

Take the cab, its so easy!

We just walked out of Universal toward the stand and they got us a cab. We could leave whenever we wanted, didn't have to deal with driving or paying to park or picking up a car. We did get dropped off at Downtown Disney and that made the return leg about $5 cheaper since we were hitting T-rex for dinner.

 

[nutty4wdw]

how convenient is the mears shuttle. i assume it makes several stops or do they just pick you up and head straight to universal

 

[brenalexacamp]

I asked concierge at SSR and they gave me a cab #- I called and they came so fast- it was about 33.00 to Universal- I gave him a tip- on the way back it was a different cab company- got a little nervous he didn't run the meter- waited patiently I figured it should cost 33-35 dollars- we get to SSR and he says 30.00 please- I gave him 40- he said oh no-30- I paid 40 in the morning- did the same- I would do a cab again- no hassle or responsibility for driving, parking, paying to park, and the time to pick up and return the car-gas- unless I was doing other stuff-grocery shopping too. we planned so we got there at nine when they opened and left at 6 when they closed.

 

[Brenle]

we will have 4 people together (2 couples) so we will split the cost. I guess one of us would pay for the taxi there and one will pay for it to go back. $35-45 might not be so bad if it cuts out time (getting a shuttle to take us to the rental place, and hubby having to drive it back in the morning and get another shuttle back. Plus I forgot we would have to pay for gas and to park at Universal and to park at disney resort that night. Those little costs add up which might end up being close to the price of the taxi. Plus after riding on the disney buses all week I think we would love to have a car to ourselves to get a break from the noise and with MEARS it sounds like you share vans and have no control over noise and the number of stops which could cost us more valuable time.

I'm leaning towards a taxi for the day. I had budgeted for $100 for a rental car and so that should easily cover our cab if we are splitting it.

We hired Tiffany towncar service for our family of 6. It's $90 round trip from WDW resorts to Universal. You arrange the pickup time and call an hour in advance when you want to leave. We thought this was a better option because of the hassle of parking, paying for parking, and getting a rental car to start with. Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[psycgirl]

We will be staying at the All Star Music resort

 

[psycgirl]

Take the cab, its so easy!

We just walked out of Universal toward the stand and they got us a cab. We could leave whenever we wanted, didn't have to deal with driving or paying to park or picking up a car. We did get dropped off at Downtown Disney and that made the return leg about $5 cheaper since we were hitting T-rex for dinner.

That is great information because we too are going to Downtown Disney after Universal so I'm glad to know they can drop us off there directly and that it is cheaper because it would certainly be more convenient to go straight there than to the resort first

 

[psycgirl]

I asked concierge at SSR and they gave me a cab #- I called and they came so fast- it was about 33.00 to Universal- I gave him a tip- on the way back it was a different cab company- got a little nervous he didn't run the meter- waited patiently I figured it should cost 33-35 dollars- we get to SSR and he says 30.00 please- I gave him 40- he said oh no-30- I paid 40 in the morning- did the same- I would do a cab again- no hassle or responsibility for driving, parking, paying to park, and the time to pick up and return the car-gas- unless I was doing other stuff-grocery shopping too. we planned so we got there at nine when they opened and left at 6 when they closed.

How long did it take for them to drive from the resort to Universal. We want to get there around 9ish when it opens and I was wondering if a half hour would be enough time to schedule for the cab ride over there. where do they drop you off at universal. i remember when we drove last time it was a very long walk from the parking garage. we were exhausted by the time we got to the park entrance b/c it was so far

 

[goofy4tink]

How long did it take for them to drive from the resort to Universal. We want to get there around 9ish when it opens and I was wondering if a half hour would be enough time to schedule for the cab ride over there. where do they drop you off at universal. i remember when we drove last time it was a very long walk from the parking garage. we were exhausted by the time we got to the park entrance b/c it was so far

It's a long walk if you get a cab or car service as well! The cabs/shuttles/car services drop you off on ground level, then you take the escalator up to the entrance area, then you hit those moving walkways. It is a long hike. the only way to avoid that is to stay onsite.

The thing that drives me nutty is that when we took a car service to US/IoA about 3 or 4 years ago, it cost $60. Now, it's up to $90??? Seriously?? That's just nutty. No way am I paying that. I'll keep doing the Mears shuttle for $19 pp. May not be as 'private' but who cares. If there were 4 of us, then sure, maybe I would go with the higher cost but not with 3 or fewer.

 

[AquaDame]

What time does the Mears shuttle start? I thought I read on their site the earliest pickup was 10am but we would of course want to be there before it opens...

 

[psycgirl]

How long does it take a taxi to get to the All Star Music Resort after you call and does the front desk call for a taxi or is there a number for us to call on?