Transportation MCO - Universal - MCO for ME to WDW! LOL!

[Imagineer5]

I posted this on the disney transportation page, but am wondering about experiences with getting from MCO to Universal. I see Mears has a round trip shuttle for $32 (it will just be me and my 2 year old DD, so she is free). I am trying to minimize wasted time though on our transfer day from Universal to Disney and am wondering about times to expect - shuttles are available on the hour (at :40) so I am thinking possibly the 9:40 shuttle to MCO - how long should I expect that to take (from RPR)? Then I'll have to hop on the ME to Disney. Seems like this will be worth the $260 savings (rental car, parking fees, gas, tolls) but I do appreciate convenience especially when travelling as a solo parent.

Would love any insight you can give, thanks!

 

[piccolopat]

You might consider taking a taxi instead directly from Universal to MCO. It will save you a lot of time by avoiding going to MCO and may not be much more than the cost of the Mears shuttle. Your hotel desk at Universal should be able to help you with that.

 

[Pattil1960]

We, my husband and I, used Mears towncar to go from MCO to Universal and Universal to Disney World. It was $55 about for each trip. They were quick and on time. At the airport, the delay was waiting about a half an hour for our luggage. The driver was waiting for us at the luggage carousal. It took about 20 minutes to get to Universal and about the same from Universal to Disney.

 

[KorbensMomma]

To make sure I understand. You are thinking of taking the Mears shuttle from Universal to MCO then ME to Disney resort? And you are concerned about time most.

If so wouldn't you save more time and energy by taking a taxi from Universal directly to your Disney resort?

 

[KorbensMomma]

Geez I just reread my reply. That wasn't supposed to sound snarky or mean. I have never taken the Mears or taxi from universal, however I have taken the ME. It just seemed to me like you would save time by cutting out the whole MCO step.

I didn't mean to sound rude.

 

[Imagineer5]

You might consider taking a taxi instead directly from Universal to MCO. It will save you a lot of time by avoiding going to MCO and may not be much more than the cost of the Mears shuttle. Your hotel desk at Universal should be able to help you with that.

Thank you!

We, my husband and I, used Mears towncar to go from MCO to Universal and Universal to Disney World. It was $55 about for each trip. They were quick and on time. At the airport, the delay was waiting about a half an hour for our luggage. The driver was waiting for us at the luggage carousal. It took about 20 minutes to get to Universal and about the same from Universal to Disney.

Thanks for the info!

To make sure I understand. You are thinking of taking the Mears shuttle from Universal to MCO then ME to Disney resort? And you are concerned about time most. If so wouldn't you save more time and energy by taking a taxi from Universal directly to your Disney resort?

Geez I just reread my reply. That wasn't supposed to sound snarky or mean. I have never taken the Mears or taxi from universal, however I have taken the ME. It just seemed to me like you would save time by cutting out the whole MCO step. I didn't mean to sound rude.

No it's fine! Thanks for the reply! No worries! I am actually leaning towards just having a car for my whole trip despite the added cost. It's just me and my 2 yo and I just am thinking that the convenience will be worth it.

 

[johde]

It doesn't sound that crazy, but it doesn't sound quick either. I'm looking at something almost as strange for my trip in January; although I won't have any kids in tow. I'm hoping to fly into Tampa to do a couple of days at Busch Gardens before heading on to Universal. My original plan is to drop off the rental car at a rental car agency near Universal to save the fee and the parking while I'm there. But that is currently expensive. A cheaper option is dropping the car off at the Airport than taking a round trip shuttle my Universal hotel and back.

Currently the Cheapest option is driving back to Tampa and flying out of there.

Something you may want to try is calling Mears and getting a quote for the custom "round trip"

 

[Tiggr88]

Two other considerations:

1. I expect you will need a car seat for your 2yo. If so, some car services will have them available. I'm not sure if you can request one from a Mears taxi. By the way, it is easy to call Mears and request a taxi as well as using the hotel desk.

2. Do you want to deal with any unforeseen circumstances with a rental car? The last time I used rental. I had a flat when I went out to the parking lot. I would have had to wait for AAA or other car service to come change it. You need to be there when they get there. Or you could change it yourself. Since I was travelling with family, we just left it, proceeded for the day and then i changed it and exchanged the car later. Same trip my father got hit driving hi rental. Fortunately for him, he was not in the mood to fight the insurance when they gave it to him, so it was only an inconvenience. Obviously not your typical experience, but something to consider.

If you'll use the car for other reasons, it may be worthwhile to have, especially if it will save $$. But if you will only use it to drive back and forth from MCO and Universal to Disney, it may be better to let others drive.