Transportation from WDW resort to Universal?

[NorthernCalMom]

Hello! We’ll be at Disney World’s All Star Movies Resort from March 29 to April 3. Our Universal day is April 2. We have park-2-park tickets, are planning to start at Universal Studios, and have neither express passes nor, obviously, early admission. The parks open at 8 that day.

How early should we be there, so we end up towards the front of the non-early-admission crowd?

We won’t rent a car. Which possible mode of transportation would you recommend? From what I can see, Uber might be our best bet. I’ve never used them before, so what should I know? We’re 4, so I figure we need an Uber XL? I understand I need to download the app. Does it make more sense to pre-arrange the ride or to “flag” one down the morning of? If we prearrange, what departure time should we plan for? Thank you in advance for any recommendations and advice you may have for me.

 

[bchbetha]

You’re going to want to be there early. I’d plan to be dropped off by 7:15. Because of that early start, I think booking a ride share ahead of time is a good idea. I prefer Lyft and they often have better first time rider discounts. You will need an XL size. If you’re lucky it’ll be less than $40 each way but I’ve been hearing some crazy stories of Orlando prices. Right now though in the app if I wanted to schedule that trip it’s listed at $31, just as an FYI.
It takes time to set up the app so do that some night while watching tv before your trip.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Both parks offer early admission that day. Although you will not be able to go on any rides, you can still enter the park during that early admission hour, so you can head into the park as early as 7am if you want. If it were me, I'd plan to be dropped off by 7-7:15am. Probably earlier on the busy holiday weekend - fair chance it'll hit capacity, but once you're in you're all set. That'll let you get through security & the gates and have a bit to get your bearings before official open.

Also, hopefully you've downloaded the UO App - it lets you see all the ride wait times & also lets you mobile order your meals.

Have heard recommendations to get dropped off at Hard Rock Hotel if using ride share, since the wait for security and the walk to Universal Studios are both shorter from there. I agree w/ @bchbetha to download Uber app (or Lyft) ahead of time. I couldn't figure out how to "prearrange" a ride, but found that in Orlando there are so many ride share drivers that the wait was consistently about 5min once I put my request in.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Also, hopefully you've downloaded the UO App - it lets you see all the ride wait times & also lets you mobile order your meals.

Yes, I've been playing with the app and have been looking at wait times (and at the drop times for VL spots) for the past week.

Follow-up question: When I check the time it takes to drive there that time of day in Google Maps, I get an estimate for the trip length being 18-20 mins. Is that a realistic estimate, based on your experience?

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Hi! You are going to want to be there early. While Uber and lyft are awesome, my family and I HIGHLY recommend Mears. Now I dont know what their policies might be since I last went in Oct. 2019 but the are awesome. We used them multiple times even on property!. They have great options for scooter and wheelchair users, and the drivers are some of the most wholesome, informative and funniest humans around.Seriously they all tell jokes and stories and are genuinely good people. Plus there is the Mears depot at Universal!

In terms of universal-download their app. I highly recommend Leaky Cauldron for breakfast or lunch and Simpsons fast food Boulevard is great too! I have also eaten at the bar at City Walk but I forget the name-also delicious (also granny smith apple ice cream at Florean Fortescues in Diagon Alley is delicious). I personally have started multiple ways and find starting at Islands of Adventure in Marvel superhero Island to be your best bet. Everyone races to Wizarding World or the big coasters, but we walked on to Spiderman and Jurassic Park when we started at IOA. While it did make us wait about 30 minutes for the Potter rides, It was worth it as so many people spread out to the other areas of the park after.

Also please be advised of the motion sickness warnings. My aunt gets severe motion sickness and cant do certain rides but some like Despicable Me have non moving seats in the front so she still got to enjoy it!

Also if the Knight Bus operator is out-he is so much fun to talk to! My dad loves talking to him and the shrunken head-its actually a must do for him!

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Thank you for all the great info!! I am working on my touring plan and will probably post that one separately, for knowledgeable Dis-ers' review and critique. We are hoping to eat both at the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks... what ends up lunch and what dinner may depend on ride wait times, Hagrid's timing, and our resulting hopping pattern... Our main focus is definitely the Wizarding World, with a couple other rides thrown in for good measure. I looked at the wait times several days in a row and noticed there's variations, though the usual "ride early and late; slow down, sight-see, and people-watch when things get busy and the heat ramps up"-strategy that has served us well in other theme parks seems to apply here, too. I do have a TouringPlan subscription for both WDW and Universal and have run some plans but am extremely suspicious of TouringPlan's wait time estimates. I know many theme parks' posted wait times are inflated, but the difference seems extreme. I figure I'll use their plans for general guidance but add some wait time, just in case. Nothing wrong with being pleasantly surprised if things end up going more smoothly than hoped for...

 

[bchbetha]

Touring Plans gives crazy advice. I wouldn't plan to use it.
Eat lunch no later than 11:30 to avoid the insanity. Closer to 11 would be even better. Mid-afternoon snack or meal.

 

[mamamelody2]

Every time I look at the lines app, it says Hagrid's is a 25 or 20 minute wait, but the official UO app says it's virtual line only.
The lines app seems to not work well at all for Universal.

 

[a-mad]

I'm glad you posted this thread... we are preparing for our trip in late April. We have a large group (3 families) and are staying on-property at WDW. We are doing 2 days at Universal in the middle of our trip. We were planning on using Lyft/Uber since it seemed so slick when we were there about 3 years ago. We were a party of 6 then...

Any recommendations from those that have done something similar? Do you recommend using the app but setting up a ride way in advance of each morning? (like the day before?)

 

[disneyseniors]

We don't have a smart phone, so Uber/lyft are out for us.
When we go to Universal during a disney trip, we just catch a cab. I think the cost was upper 30's or so to Universal. It was worth it to us. The cab drops you off right at the escalator to Universal, and they have lots of cabs lined up there for the return trip. Our options are limited without a smart phone, but really a taxi is fine.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Any recommendations from those that have done something similar? Do you recommend using the app but setting up a ride way in advance of each morning? (like the day before?)

I'll let you know once we come back how it went for us.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I was just reading your WDW planning post.
I am local so don’t know much about Uber or Mears or taking a taxi but I do think you should get their earlier because you will have a line for temperature checks and security. Plus a line for turnstiles. And a long walk from the Uber drop off. (I would prob take a taxi.)Good advice DisneySeniors.
I also noticed you feel “ iffy” about the Bourne Stunt Show....
I guarantee you will be astonished and you should all want to experience this!
Also might want to try eating at the Today Cafe for great selection of fresh healthy choices. It is located next to the new Bourne Show .
I know you think you want to eat at Harry Potter but that might not happen due to crowds . I think you can enter the Bar section to get a feel for the interior of HogsMeade and order your drink... and try to get a place to sit.
Good luck It is going to be crowded but you will have enough fun to return too someday ! And don’t forget Try not to take any backpacks or purses because they will not allow them on almost all attractions and you should avoid the lockers that they provide because of crowds! ...

 

[SwanVT2]

Hi! You are going to want to be there early. While Uber and lyft are awesome, my family and I HIGHLY recommend Mears. Now I dont know what their policies might be since I last went in Oct. 2019 but the are awesome. We used them multiple times even on property!. They have great options for scooter and wheelchair users, and the drivers are some of the most wholesome, informative and funniest humans around.Seriously they all tell jokes and stories and are genuinely good people. Plus there is the Mears depot at Universal!

In terms of universal-download their app. I highly recommend Leaky Cauldron for breakfast or lunch and Simpsons fast food Boulevard is great too! I have also eaten at the bar at City Walk but I forget the name-also delicious (also granny smith apple ice cream at Florean Fortescues in Diagon Alley is delicious). I personally have started multiple ways and find starting at Islands of Adventure in Marvel superhero Island to be your best bet. Everyone races to Wizarding World or the big coasters, but we walked on to Spiderman and Jurassic Park when we started at IOA. While it did make us wait about 30 minutes for the Potter rides, It was worth it as so many people spread out to the other areas of the park after.

Also please be advised of the motion sickness warnings. My aunt gets severe motion sickness and cant do certain rides but some like Despicable Me have non moving seats in the front so she still got to enjoy it!

Also if the Knight Bus operator is out-he is so much fun to talk to! My dad loves talking to him and the shrunken head-its actually a must do for him!

Did you use Mears taxi or Mears ride share? How much did it cost? Also, does it drop off closer to the park than the Uber drop off? We are staying at SSR and have a few days at Universal planned and originally were going to use Uber, but I have used Mears before for airport service and agree they are a good company!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Did you use Mears taxi or Mears ride share? How much did it cost? Also, does it drop off closer to the park than the Uber drop off? We are staying at SSR and have a few days at Universal planned and originally were going to use Uber, but I have used Mears before for airport service and agree they are a good company!

Hi! We used Mears Taxi! I got the phone number from POR concierge back a couple years ago( 1-407-422-2222 was the number last i checked). Love them! We have also used Uber and had no issue!

 

[bchbetha]

Did you use Mears taxi or Mears ride share? How much did it cost? Also, does it drop off closer to the park than the Uber drop off? We are staying at SSR and have a few days at Universal planned and originally were going to use Uber, but I have used Mears before for airport service and agree they are a good company!

they all drop off at the same place. Logistically they can't get any closer. Alternative is to be dropped off at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific though.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

they all drop off at the same place. Logistically they can't get any closer. Alternative is to be dropped off at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific though.

This is correct-but there is a Mears concierge there as well to take you back to WDW/hotel.