Rental or service...

[chrissyc72]

We are staying at universal for the first few days of our trip then heading to Disney! Trying to see if we should rent a car or use a service. Gotta get from Orlando to us then us to Disney then Disney back to Orlando. Will be 4 of us. Flight home is at 6 am so service needs to get us at 4 maybe. Not sure they start that early though. Is renting a car better?

 

[writerguyfl]

Can you clarify your terminology? Does "Orlando" mean the Orlando International Airport? And "us" is the Universal Orlando Resort?

What is "better" will be very subjective. For some, better means most convenient. Others will consider the cheapest to be better.

With regard to transportation options, both car services and shared van shuttle basically operate 24/7. Orlando International Airport is at least 30 minutes from WDW. Due to the size of the airport, most airlines have special luggage cut-off times. I know that both Delta and United have a 45 minute cut-off for flyer checking luggage. Perhaps you're a bigger risk-taker than me...but, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving WDW at 4am for a 6am flight.

You might garner better information at the Transportation board. Link to that board: http://disboards.com/forums/transportation.16/

 

[chrissyc72]

Orlando airport universal studios

 

[bumbershoot]

A 6am flight means walking in the door BY 4am for us. I never underestimate the crowds at MCO.

We always have a rental car. But a 6am flight...shudder.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you're going from Disney to MCO you can use the Magical Express. They'll pick you up around 3am.

 

[writerguyfl]

Car rental rates can vary wildly. For comparison, I priced out both shared van service and private towncar transfers from Orlando Airport to one of the Universal resorts using Mears Transportation. (If you are unfamiliar, Mears is a huge company with a good reputation. They run the Magical Express service for Disney.)

One-way prices from MCO Airport to Universal:
~ Shared Ride Shuttle: $21 adult/$16 child
~ Luxury Sedan: $65 flat Rate for 4 people

One-way prices from Universal to Disney:
~ Shared Ride Shuttle: not offered
~ Luxury Sedan: $47 to $53 flat Rate for 4 people (varies based on which Disney resort)

One-way prices from Disney to MCO Airport:
~ Shared Ride Shuttle: not offered
~ Luxury Sedan: $70-75 flat Rate for 4 people (varies based on which Disney resort)