Shuttle to Universal - Early arrival and late departure?

[Agent 86]

Hi all,

We will be visiting Disneyland in May 2016. We're not staying at a Disney hotel, but close by. We will have one day to visit Universal Studios on Monday, 23 May 2016. We can't afford the "Front of the Line" tickets ($200 per person!) so we want to be able to spend the entire day from open to close (9am to 8pm) at Universal to maximise our ride time, especially if the new Harry Potter themed area is open.

However, I am having trouble finding any shuttle services departing from Disneyland / Anaheim which arrive at Universal before it opens and which depart Universal after it closes. Can anyone make a recommendation? We could probably afford up to $50 per person (two people) if it means that we can spend the entire day at Universal.

We haven't purchased our Universal tickets yet, so we could buy a package ticket (i.e. transport and entry). But, we would like to buy the tickets soon due to the adverse changes in exchange rates (AUD vs. USD).

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[ParkHopper1]

If you walk over to any of the resort hotels you can get a flat rate voucher from Valet for $100 to Universal then pick up a cab at the hotel. You do not need to be a guest. Do not know if there is a flat rate voucher return option from US to DL though.

 

[sheetz]

You can always catch the Amtrak or Metrolink train into downtown Los Angeles and then transfer to the Red Line subway to USH. Should cost under $30 per person.

 

[lildreamer101]

Check out this link:

http://www.viator.com/tours/Anaheim...rt-Universal-Studios-Hollywood/d797-3357USHTO

 

[lildreamer101]

Did the link work for you? I wonder if Viator is good though...

 

[Chris9ty]

We used Viator, they put us with the same Grayline bus tours. They picked us up at our hotel at 8:15, loaded another bus about 9:15 and arrived at Universal about 10:50. - the park opened at 10am that day. The bus left at 6:30- the park closed at 6pm that October Wednesday. We went straight back to our hotel and were there by 8pm.
So we missed opening of the park.

 

[ADLFAN]

For a little over 100.00, you may be able to rent a car and drive yourselves, but then you can get into extra costs and insurance and having to navigate yourself.

We rented a tiny economy car and navigated to Universal ourselves and thought it was an easy trip, with plenty of signage once you get close.

Otherwise, I like the idea of bus then subway! Definitely the most affordable option and they'll likely have the times you desire and a good buffer on either end.

 

[lildreamer101]

For a little over 100.00, you may be able to rent a car and drive yourselves, but then you can get into extra costs and insurance and having to navigate yourself.

We rented a tiny economy car and navigated to Universal ourselves and thought it was an easy trip, with plenty of signage once you get close.

Otherwise, I like the idea of bus then subway! Definitely the most affordable option and they'll likely have the times you desire and a good buffer on either end.

This sounds like a good idea. But parking a car seems a little pricey...hmm...

 

[Agent 86]

Thanks everyone.

We looked at public transport, but not being familiar with it, we couldn't seem to find any method which would get us there in under two hours. My partner is also wary of catching public transport in LA. And neither of us wants the challenge and stress of driving in LA traffic.

We've booked with "Lux Bus". They indicate that we'll arrive at 10am and leave at 7pm. It's a shame that we'll arrive an hour late and have to leave an hour early. I'm surprised that Universal doesn't offer some kind of shuttle service as surely many international tourists visiting Disneyland have the same issue?

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Have you thought about catching an Uber? I just did a fare estimate from Disneyland to Universal and it came up as $41-$55. That way you'd be able to get there before the park opened and return after park closing