Transportation help! AK breakfast on our Univeral Day

[hskaggs11]

I finally scored a Tusker House breakfast reservation (2 adults)that I've been trying to get for 2 months! But, it is the morning of our Universal Studios day. Our reservation is for 8:30am. I figured that I can take the bus from POP (our resort) to AK to get there. And I thought that I could take a bus to AKL, and buy tickets for the MEARS shuttle to go from AKL to Universal. They even said they could book us a return trip back to POP, so we didn't have to mess with getting back via the buses. BUT.......the last morning-time Universal Shuttle leaving AKL is at 9:50am!! There is no way we can have a character breakfast and take the shuttle to AKL in only 1hr 20 mins! I asked them what a private transport from AKL to Universal was, and they quoted me $53 ONE WAY! Anybody have any suggestions to make this work without costing a fortune?? We are flying in and using Disney transportation the whole trip, so really don't feel like renting a car and trying to deal with navigation and parking for just a day. I'm starting to wonder if I have to give up my character breakfast I've worked so hard to find......

 

[bumbershoot]

That cost is in line with what a cab would likely cost. It's also about what I would expect a simple one-day car rental would cost. I personally would do the rental car.

But I also would keep on trying for TH on a more appropriate day. Although I found their breakfast to be absolutely nothing special. It's their lunch/dinner where the food gets interesting, but the breakfast is pretty much just like all other character breakfasts. I wouldn't give up earlier arrival at Universal for TH breakfast.

 

[Alesia]

Renting a car will be the cheapest and easiest way. If you don't want to mess with driving yourself, then you'll have to shell out the money for a cab.

I suppose you could take the Lynx bus for $2 per person, but it would take you 3+ hours to get to Universal.

I'm going to have to agree with Bumbershoot, though - the breakfast at Tusker House is not worth all of this trouble and expense.

 

[DVC California]

Can you swap your Universal day with another WDW day, preferably AK? You might have to forego a lesser dining reservation planned that day if you swap but you will save so much time in consolidating your touring.

 

[CarolMN]

My advice is not to do Universal & an in-park breakfast on the same day. You'll feel rushed for the breakfast and lose several hours of prime touring time at Universal.

 

[MommyMK]

My advice is not to do Universal & an in-park breakfast on the same day. You'll feel rushed for the breakfast and lose several hours of prime touring time at Universal.

This. A character breakfast isn't worth wasting all that touring time at Universal. There is so much to see and do there.

 

[hskaggs11]

Thanks for all the advice. I can't really swap my Universal day with my AK day, because on our Universal day, we are doing the Luau, and they don't do Luaus on Mondays, which is our AK day. I think I'll have to drop the Tusker House ressie. :-( It's been impossible to get ANY character breakfasts, so I was excited to find the Tusker House one, even if it didn't really fit in. I think I'll keep it for a little bit, and research If they offer Lyft or Uber in the Orlando area. If so, it might be a cheaper option than a regular cab

 

[joelkfla]

I think I'll keep it for a little bit, and research If they offer Lyft or Uber in the Orlando area. If so, it might be a cheaper option than a regular cab

Uber has been operating in the area for about a month; Lyft just recently entered the market. But the City of Orlando and OIA have been fighting them, threatening to fine the drivers and tow their vehicles. Universal is inside Orlando city limits.

So there's no telling how this will play out -- whether the ride-share services will stick it out or throw in the towel. Orlando city commission is scheduled to reconsider the issue next week.

There's a thread about the Uber situation on this board.

 

[Lewisc]

Uber is operating in the Orlando area. The cost would be less then a traditional taxi. Cost isn't the main issue. You're not going to have enough time at Universal. I agree with the PP, skip the breakfast.

 

[hskaggs11]

my DH and I are late risers, and got to the Universal parks last year around 10 and were done way before closing time both times. If I use Uber, and get picked up at AK at 10:15 (giving me 1.45hrs for a buffet breakfast), we should get to Universal at 11, just in time to ride some rides during the slower lunch hour. Uber fare estimate was $26-34 one way, which is much better than the $53 mears quoted! Using Uber, it will only be $10-30 more round trip than the shuttle, and its a direct ride We are only visiting to see the new HP world and to ride Hogwarts Express, and maybe a few of our favorites outside of the HP areas, so I think I'll have plenty of time. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[keishashadow]

my DH and I are late risers, and got to the Universal parks last year around 10 and were done way before closing time both times. If I use Uber, and get picked up at AK at 10:15 (giving me 1.45hrs for a buffet breakfast), we should get to Universal at 11, just in time to ride some rides during the slower lunch hour. Uber fare estimate was $26-34 one way, which is much better than the $53 mears quoted! Using Uber, it will only be $10-30 more round trip than the shuttle, and its a direct ride We are only visiting to see the new HP world and to ride Hogwarts Express, and maybe a few of our favorites outside of the HP areas, so I think I'll have plenty of time. Thanks for all the advice!

Universal no more has a 'slower lunch hour' as to line rides than WDW does

Suggest you read thru the threads on the universal boards as to the wait times for Gringotts.

There are many dining opportunities at Universal, character & otherwise. Mythos is one of the better restaurants in Orlando.