Transport to Universal from International drive

[stba2006]

For the first part of our holiday we are staying at Ramada Plaza - International Drive.

We will be taking a car, but when I have done a route finder it is coming up as a 4 minute drive. This seems like a waste of petrol and car parking costs.

Has any-one stayed there or close by, and if so does this distance sound right?

What would the best alternative be?

 

[wilma-bride]

I haven't stayed there but if it's the Ramada Plaza suites opposite Wet 'n' Wild then, yes, it will be a relatively short drive (it's about a mile and a half by road).

As far as I'm aware, there isn't any alternative (other than Shank' pony) mode of transport to get to Universal.

I know that another poster here (Kath) regularly walks to Universal from I-Drive and also uses a lot of public transport so she may be able to tell you of any other options.

Does the hotel not have a shuttle to Universal?

ETA: According to their website, they offer free transport to the Universal and Disney parks.

 

[Pinkgirl]

When we stayed at Rosen Inn (closest to Universal) we took a cab. It was $10 there (set price) and usually around $8 back

When you consider parking costs its well worth it.

 

[Kath2003]

Walking will be easiest. 15 mins flat walk from there - walk to Wet n Wild, turn left at Walgreens - you can see Universal from there. Loads of people walk from I Drive - just follow the masses! It's all shady except for the bridge over the highway. Lots of people cycle, too, so keep your eyes open, but the pavements are really wide so no issues. You pass two small lakes where you can see fish, pelicans, terrapins etc. You can also get us obstructed photos outside the Universal sign on the way in.

A cab should be max $10 if you're tired at the end of the day.

There's a bus but walking is faster and easier.

Parking is $16 so no way worth it.

We have stayed at the Four Points which is only slightly closer and found there to be no issues. When staying elsewhere, we get the bus to Wet n Wild and then walk from there. Have done this over 6-7 trips now without issue or complaint - even a few times in August!

 

[stba2006]

The first time we went to Orlando we stayed just off international drive and tried using the hotel shuttles (can't remember which hotel it was now) but it was a nightmare as they shared with at least one other hotel and they were really unreliable and we ended up just using the car.

I think we will try the hotel shuttle service but if I have a back up plan I won't stress as much if it goes wrong lol

Kath2003 - Thanks for the directions. This sounds like the best option. I also did a route finder for walking and it came up with 29 minutes (just seemed a little too long to spend just walking to the park) so that's why I ruled that out to start with, but having the information from some-one who has done it makes me feel better about it.

 

[Kath2003]

The first time we went to Orlando we stayed just off international drive and tried using the hotel shuttles (can't remember which hotel it was now) but it was a nightmare as they shared with at least one other hotel and they were really unreliable and we ended up just using the car.

I think we will try the hotel shuttle service but if I have a back up plan I won't stress as much if it goes wrong lol

Kath2003 - Thanks for the directions. This sounds like the best option. I also did a route finder for walking and it came up with 29 minutes (just seemed a little too long to spend just walking to the park) so that's why I ruled that out to start with, but having the information from some-one who has done it makes me feel better about it.

Those things always assume you walk at a snail pace. It's like a mile, so 15 minutes should be plenty if you don't saunter!

 

[Button]

Does the ITrolley run that way? I thought that was supposed to be a good cheap way of heading up and down I drive.

 

[Kath2003]

Does the ITrolley run that way? I thought that was supposed to be a good cheap way of heading up and down I drive.

It does but it would only take them about 300m closer! Fine for longer journeys, though.