Transportation Options from Disney to Universal/IOA

[disneyxo]

Hello we just got back from a WDW vacation. On Tuesday June 14 we
went to Universal using the Dreams Unlimited offer (RT shuttle transportation from POFQ and tickets to Universal Studios). A few people in this thread have inquired as to whether a ticket purchased in this manner gets you early entrance into the park. The answer is YES! We got to the gates at around 8:00 a.m. I got our tix from the kiosk around 8:05 a.m. I was thinking that we would wait around to get in when the park opened at 9:00 a.m. There were lots of people going in early (resort guests). Well before I could say anything to my DH, he and DS just got in line and went through with their tix! So I did the same thing and we got in early. So it seems that when purchased in this manner, the tix allow early entry into the park.

We went to the Olivander wand experience first (stood in line about 30 minutes), put our stuff into lockers at the Dragon Challenge, and then got into the 'no locker' fast line at the Hogwart's castle ride. We stood in line for about 40 minutes. The castle ride is AWESOME! After this, we got our stuff out of the locker (spent $6.00 for the time in the locker). Someone at Disney gave me the tip of storing stuff in lockers ahead of time, i.e. not in the Hogwart's castle lockers to save time and it definitely worked. The 'locker' line at the Hogwart's castle was at least twice as long to get through. We saw a couple of people turned away near the ride loading area because they had big backpacks that they hadn't stored in lockers.

Thanks for the update! I am pretty sure now I am going with the Dreams Unlimited option. Seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[Small Town Princess]

Okay I have to reply to my own post (for better or worse). I just talked to someone from Mears regarding the taxi (should have done that when I checked on the shuttle) and the price is regardless of passengers (so a van of 7 is $35 total one way) and then of course the return cost. This seems a no brainer to me for cost and convenience. I have taken one taxi maybe 20 years ago so not that familiar with it. Something I am missing??

Can you give me the ph number you called for the 7 passenger taxi van? The number I am calling 407-423-5566 keeps trying to put us on the shuttle. We have 2 parties (6 pp and 4 pp) and wanted to get 2 taxi vans from POP to IOA. If the taxi van is $35 each way- that would be $140 total, but if we all have to take the shuttle it would be $190 ($19 pp each way).

Also, what if we wanted to stay at a Universal Resort Hotel for 1 night? Would the taxi van allow us to bring luggage & drop off at the universal hotel? Then we could call them the next day for the return trip?

 

[Padstack]

Hello we just got back from a WDW vacation. On Tuesday June 14 we
went to Universal using the Dreams Unlimited offer (RT shuttle transportation from POFQ and tickets to Universal Studios). A few people in this thread have inquired as to whether a ticket purchased in this manner gets you early entrance into the park. The answer is YES! We got to the gates at around 8:00 a.m. I got our tix from the kiosk around 8:05 a.m. I was thinking that we would wait around to get in when the park opened at 9:00 a.m. There were lots of people going in early (resort guests). Well before I could say anything to my DH, he and DS just got in line and went through with their tix! So I did the same thing and we got in early. So it seems that when purchased in this manner, the tix allow early entry into the park.

We went to the Olivander wand experience first (stood in line about 30 minutes), put our stuff into lockers at the Dragon Challenge, and then got into the 'no locker' fast line at the Hogwart's castle ride. We stood in line for about 40 minutes. The castle ride is AWESOME! After this, we got our stuff out of the locker (spent $6.00 for the time in the locker). Someone at Disney gave me the tip of storing stuff in lockers ahead of time, i.e. not in the Hogwart's castle lockers to save time and it definitely worked. The 'locker' line at the Hogwart's castle was at least twice as long to get through. We saw a couple of people turned away near the ride loading area because they had big backpacks that they hadn't stored in lockers.

Yep. We were let in early with our tickets as well!! It was nice getting a head start on the rest of the crowds. Then the rain cleared them out later in the day, so getting on the rides was a piece of cake.

 

[Padstack]

They used a bus and not the vans?. About 6 years a go,we book through mears and where very dissapointed. Getting to universal great, getting back a nightmare(welll not that bad but when your tired it seems like a nightmare). We call I think, what a hour and half before pick up window. Was out there,no bus no van nothing. Called Mears half hour later, said they where behind. A hour later said the same thing. Half hour later they finaly showed up. To top it off we had the same luck leaving epcot one night to. I swore I would never use mears again.
Now saying all that I would like to use them for HHN this Sept. This package with dreams unlimted sounds really tempting(for the non HHN ticket end of It) has anyone use this package for HHN in the Past(if they had offered it in the past?) and what about the later pick up's for HHN?.

On the trip to Universal, we had a shuttle and on the way back we had a bus. Our bus was about 15 min late. They had Harry Potter playing for us on the way back, which kept our minds off of the traffic on the freeway. I would recommend the Dreams Unlimited deal to anyone looking to have a day at Universal.

Also found out that using the shuttle, we did not require a child seat. At least that is what Mears, Disney and the taxi driver we used one night told us. Hopefully we did not unknowingly break any laws.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Does anyone know if you are picked up at specific Disney hotel can you be dropped off at another hotel? I.e BLT, then AKL (we are considering a split stay)? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to spend $250 to stay onsite to get FOTL priviledges, plus we only want to spend 1 park day there. It certainly would be cheaper to just take the Dreams shuttle back n forth and utilize their park to park ticket. Any recommendations??

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

so re the MEars for $18 per person (and I assume less for children?)
-can you pick what time you want to leave US at? is it where you call and they show up, or do you need to pre pick your time?
-also if you pre pick your time can you call and change it to earlier or later?

Thanks!

 

[SHISHI]

Hello we just got back from a WDW vacation. On Tuesday June 14 we
went to Universal using the Dreams Unlimited offer (RT shuttle transportation from POFQ and tickets to Universal Studios). A few people in this thread have inquired as to whether a ticket purchased in this manner gets you early entrance into the park. The answer is YES! We got to the gates at around 8:00 a.m. I got our tix from the kiosk around 8:05 a.m. I was thinking that we would wait around to get in when the park opened at 9:00 a.m. There were lots of people going in early (resort guests). Well before I could say anything to my DH, he and DS just got in line and went through with their tix! So I did the same thing and we got in early. So it seems that when purchased in this manner, the tix allow early entry into the park.

We went to the Olivander wand experience first (stood in line about 30 minutes), put our stuff into lockers at the Dragon Challenge, and then got into the 'no locker' fast line at the Hogwart's castle ride. We stood in line for about 40 minutes. The castle ride is AWESOME! After this, we got our stuff out of the locker (spent $6.00 for the time in the locker). Someone at Disney gave me the tip of storing stuff in lockers ahead of time, i.e. not in the Hogwart's castle lockers to save time and it definitely worked. The 'locker' line at the Hogwart's castle was at least twice as long to get through. We saw a couple of people turned away near the ride loading area because they had big backpacks that they hadn't stored in lockers.

Can you use the will call option or the electronic pickup option or doesn't it matter? I never bought tix through DU before. Thanks@

 

[dazednconfused]

All this info has been very useful. Thanks, guys!

I'm pretty sure we'll be checking into an onsite resort at Universal (probably RP) after we check out of a Disney resort. So, this is what I'm planning:

1. Disney Magical Express from MCO to WDW and then back to MCO when we check out.

2. Catch a Mears Shuttle from MCO to Universal's RP. And when we'll take the Mears shuttle again back to MCO when we leave Florida. I checked the Mears website and it should cost us $30/adult, roundtrip.

What you do guys think? I know it's gonna put us back a few hours compared to simply taking a cab from WDW straight to Universal, but it will definitely cost more. So I thought we should just save that money and spend a little more time taking in the last of the Disney magic on our way back to MCO on the Disney Magical Express. Am I making sense?

 

[purple hippo]

We are staying at the Fairfield Orlando Near Universal Studios and will be spending three days at Universal. However we also, will be taking the kiddies on evening to MNSSHP at WDW. What is the best way to get to and from the hotel to the party? We will have a car so we can drive and park, however I thought I would check to see if there are any other options other than driving. Any suggestions?

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

I know Mears has a taxi that fits 7 which is exactly what I would need - has anyone had a problem getting this (maybe not enough availability)? I see on the Mears site that the quote from Disney to IoA is $35 - I know this is just an estimate - so I'm wondering how much someone actually paid (if any of you have used their taxi service)?

 

[damo]

I know Mears has a taxi that fits 7 which is exactly what I would need - has anyone had a problem getting this (maybe not enough availability)? I see on the Mears site that the quote from Disney to IoA is $35 - I know this is just an estimate - so I'm wondering how much someone actually paid (if any of you have used their taxi service)?

All taxis are pretty much the same fare as long as they take the same route. Whether or not you take a van cab or a normal cab, the price is the same.

The price will change depending on where in Disney you are going. IOA to Downtown Disney will be a lot cheaper than to Magic Kingdom. Make sure you tell the cab driver to make sure he drops you off so you don't have to pay the drop off fee (which is $14). We had to pay it when we were dropped off at AK.

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

All taxis are pretty much the same fare as long as they take the same route. Whether or not you take a van cab or a normal cab, the price is the same.

The price will change depending on where in Disney you are going. IOA to Downtown Disney will be a lot cheaper than to Magic Kingdom. Make sure you tell the cab driver to make sure he drops you off so you don't have to pay the drop off fee (which is $14). We had to pay it when we were dropped off at AK.

So where would he drop you off if you don't want to pay the "drop off fee"?

 

[damo]

So where would he drop you off if you don't want to pay the "drop off fee"?

When we took a cab from the RPR to Contemporary in June we talked to the cab driver about this. He said that every cab driver knows where to drop you off so he doesn't have to drive you through the parking gates. He also said that every driver knows there is a drop off fee if they go through the parking gates. Just tell your driver when you get in the cab that you don't want to be charged drop off fees so he is to drop you off in the right spot. It looks like it is near the shuttle bus drop offs--not the Disney bus drop offs (from what he was showing us as we went by the Magic Kingdom parking). There is no drop off fees at the hotels.

 

[wdhinn89]

Thank you!

 

[seadd67]

I am thinking of renting a car (from alamo)for four days,useing one the other days takeing a day trip to the kennedy space station. So i am thinking of useing alamo because i am useing a debt card. A has any one used a debt card to rent a car at WDW, and B, use a debt card at alamo's at WDW.

 

[macraven]

I am thinking of renting a car (from alamo)for four days,useing one the other days takeing a day trip to the kennedy space station. So i am thinking of useing alamo because i am useing a debt card. A has any one used a debt card to rent a car at WDW, and B, use a debt card at alamo's at WDW.

if you don't get answers here on your question, post it on the transportation forum.

you might get lucky there.

but, they are not known for on some of those threads.
meaning, they don't have pixie dust over there..

 

[VisitorFromCal]

We are arriving at Disney this week and going over to Universal on Sunday for WwoHP. We're getting a taxi van for seven. I've seen various times for how long it takes.

If I already have the Universal tickets and the park opens at 8 AM what time should we try to arrive?

Is it clear where to go if you have tickets vs. lines for getting them?

Any ideas how long a taxi takes from Port Orleans Riverside to Universal on a Sunday? I've seen quite a range of 25 minutes to close to an hour so not really sure when to target the pickup.

Thanks in advance.

 

[damo]

We are arriving at Disney this week and going over to Universal on Sunday for WwoHP. We're getting a taxi van for seven. I've seen various times for how long it takes.

If I already have the Universal tickets and the park opens at 8 AM what time should we try to arrive?

Is it clear where to go if you have tickets vs. lines for getting them?

Any ideas how long a taxi takes from Port Orleans Riverside to Universal on a Sunday? I've seen quite a range of 25 minutes to close to an hour so not really sure when to target the pickup.

Thanks in advance.

I would try to be in line by 7:30 at the very latest since they start letting people in about 15 minutes early. I'd probably leave disney by 6:30-6:45.

You'll have no problem seeing where to line up.

 

[kochmd1]

if you don't get answers here on your question, post it on the transportation forum.

you might get lucky there.

but, they are not known for on some of those threads.
meaning, they don't have pixie dust over there..

mac is right, there are a number of threads in the Transportation section.

I was going to rent a car at Alamo using a debit card too, but cancelled. Their initial confirmation letter said that debit cards can be used on most locations, but they may require doing credit checks. I also seen a number of posters that rental cars will hold off a certain amount from $200 to $500, and return them to you after dropping off you car. I will just use DW's CC to avoid any hassles.

 

[jeankeri]

For those who did the DU ticket/shuttle deal- do the park tickets expire? If I were to buy this for next July would they still be good? Thanks for any help