Transportation from AKL to Universal Studios

[NewDisneyTravelers3-20]

Hi. My family is staying at AKL in March and we want to spend one day at Universal Studios. We haven't bought the Universal park tickets yet. We want the 1-day/2-parks tickets and would also like to get the express passes. (We're trying to see as much Harry Potter in one day as we can!) I'm having a hard time figuring out the transportation from AKL to Universal. Our kids are 5 and 7. The five year old should really be in a full car seat because she's small, but I think under FL law a booster is technically okay. The 7 yr old needs a booster too.

I looked into the ticket/travel packages recommended on these forums, and am still confused about a couple of things. I'd really appreciate some advice!

1) I'm confused about whether a car seat is actually required on these shuttles/taxi services. It sounds like Mear transportation runs the WDW shuttles (where car seats are not allowed) but if you hire Mear directly, they say you need to bring a car seat.

2) The package deals don't appear to include the Universal express passes. Can I add those on to my tickets separately somehow? Or, are the packages out for us if we want express passes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SwanVT2]

I am also curious about transportation from AKL to Universal for next year. We won't need the car seat but DD really wants to stay with the animals and we want to do Universal.

 

[Alesia]

Car seats and boosters are not allowed in buses, but are required in cars and vans. That's why you can't have them on magical express but are required to have them on the mears shuttle or a taxi.

Personally, I would rent a car

 

[NewDisneyTravelers3-20]

The only issue with renting a car is having to check two booster seats on the airplane. We have the type that have a backing (not just the bottom seat part), and they would be sort of a pain to lug around. We'll do it if we have to, but that would be our least preferred option.

Are there buses that go from AKL to Universal, where we wouldn't be required to do the boosters at all?

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's a dedicated thread pinned above https://www.disboards.com/threads/transportation-to-us-ioa.2517318/ and you would want to ask your ticket questions on the Universal forum further down the main page.

 

[gatour]

Child seats are required for children 5 and under, so you will need one. Seat are fine for people 6 and over.

Express passes can be bought once entering the park.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you're going to get Express passes anyway, I suggest looking at spending one night at whatever Universal Resort offers the free express passes. We did that a year or so ago and it was SO much easier. Check in the night before, get up, pack (leave luggage w/bell services) and head to the park. You get an earlier start, a dedicated entrance, and "free" EP.

 

[sponica]

Just bring a bubble bum booster for the 5 year old and use uber/lyft. But I know Mears also has cabs with car seats, so you could just ask the front desk to call for a cab with a car seat/booster.