Transporation to Universal from Pop Century... 9 people, 2 different days

[Trinity524]

What is the most cost effective way to do this? Mears quoted me something ridiculous, like 130 each way....

 

[jimandami]

Do you already have Universal tickets? If not, I found the best deal to be through Dreams Unlimited. If you purchase your Universal tix, they basically give you round trip shuttle transport for free. Also, those tickets allow you into the WWOHP an hour early, just like on-site guests!

 

[Darcy03231]

It would be around $50 each way for a taxi.

When we've done it, I've rented a car for the day. Pick-up and drop-off at either the Car Care Center or the Swan.

Another option is to do your two days at either the beginning of your trip or the end and stay somewhere close to (or on property) at US/IOA. There is shuttle service that runs for some hotels on I-Drive.

 

[seasheller]

Check out the community bus service in that area (Lynx?) and see if they go to Universal. We stayed at Pop Century and went to Downtown Disney to catch the bus to Seaworld. The pick up lot is behind Cirque du Solei (sp?). We freaked out when we got there and the huge lot was absolutely empty. But the bus came at the exact time that they told us and right to the station where they told us to wait. Cost less than $1 to ride six years ago. At the end of the day we were dropped off at Downtown Disney. Disney will tell you that it is impossible to do this, but it worked out perfectly for us and we were there during Christmas week.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It would be around $50 each way for a taxi.

When we've done it, I've rented a car for the day. Pick-up and drop-off at either the Car Care Center or the Swan.

Another option is to do your two days at either the beginning of your trip or the end and stay somewhere close to (or on property) at US/IOA. There is shuttle service that runs for some hotels on I-Drive.

I would do this too. The best way to do Universal is staying onsite. You can use your room key like an unlimited fast pass. It's great and except for super peak times, you almost walk right onto each ride.
It's more expensive than Pop for sure but we wouldn't do Universal w/o a room key. Ever.
For our last trip in March the APH code (for annual passholders) took around $100/night off the rate so for our 3 night stay it was worth it to buy 1 AP. They also have a AAA discount. Also even if you only stay 1 night, that gives you 2 full days of room key use: the day you check into the hotel & the day you check out until park closing.
Royal Pacific is usually cheapest but we love the Hard Rock Hotel for theming best & it's the shortest walk to the parks. Equivalent to the walk from BC to Epcot. Really convenient.
We use Happy Limo for transfers to/from Universal.