Transportation to and from Sea World??

[Cara]

If I understand correctly, there is a shuttle service from USF hotels to and from Sea World? Has anyone used this service? Is it convenient? We do not plan to get a rental car this trip, so it is either the shuttle or a taxi. Has anyone used a taxi to and from, and if so, what is the average rate.

Thanks!!!

 

[Girlsontour]

This is really from memory, it was last May when we stayed at the HRH (!) i think the shuttle ran twice in the morning at 9 and 11 am and came back twice in the afternoon - one being 5pm. We didn't use it because 9am would have only got us there after opening. We caught a cab and i think it cost us about $20 each way......hope this is of some help to you.

 

[Cara]

$20 each way sounds pretty reasonable. Thank you!!!

 

[damo]

We used the shuttle both ways and it worked out fine. It just depends on how early you want to get there.

 

[Kimberle]

When we were there last Aug, there were 2 shuttles (busses) to Sea World. 10:00 and 10:30. Only one return, 8pm. We took the 10:30 bus and a taxi back. The taxi was around $15, no traffic.

 

[robvia]

This is what the paper looked like last year.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/IOA072905003.jpg

True, if you take the shuttle, it will arrive SWF after the park opens and your early morning advantage will be gone. That means you'll wait about 40 minutes for Journey to Atlantis and 30 minutes for Kracken. Other than that, you'll get to see a lot.

If you take a limo or cab over, you can get a few rides on JTA and Kracken with no wait.

It's really a convience factor. If you use the shuttle, you'll have to wait at the shuttle stop, and it's usually packed, and has to stop at other hotels. I've even heard horror stories where these people were sitting down on a bench, the bus pulled up, and everyone else ran to the door and the people sitting down didn't get on. So if you want to use the shuttle be standing up at the front of the line before the bus arrives.

It also depends on when you go. One person took the shuttle over and was able to go on the coasters many times as there was no wait. For example if you go in February or March it would probably work out fine. But if you go in the summer months, the crowds will be huge and you want that early morning advantage.

 

[Cara]

Thanks for your help! Just wanted to let everyone know that I found a great discount on a rental car. I used the KISS2 rate here on the DIS at Dollar and got an intermediate size car for $147.98 ($114.95 plus taxes and fees) for Oct. 1-5. I figured once paid for a car service ($60 plus generous tip), and taxi fares ($30-$40 each for two round trips to Sea World), it wouldn't be THAT much more to rent a car and be able to come and go freely.

 

[Kimberle]

Thanks for your help! Just wanted to let everyone know that I found a great discount on a rental car. I used the KISS2 rate here on the DIS at Dollar and got an intermediate size car for $147.98 ($114.95 plus taxes and fees) for Oct. 1-5. I figured once paid for a car service ($60 plus generous tip), and taxi fares ($30-$40 each for two round trips to Sea World), it wouldn't be THAT much more to rent a car and be able to come and go freely.

Just remember to budget in the daily parking fee for your hotel. Universal hotels charge, unlike WDW.

 

[robvia]

Good decision. Even with the rental charge, gax, and parking fees, the rental car will make up for it in convience.
Here ya go, directions to the Publix north of the parks.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm
Tour of I-Drive. SWF is at the end of this.
http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm
When you go, take I-4 south to the SWF exit because I-Drive has many stop lights.

 

[Cara]

Good decision. Even with the rental charge, gax, and parking fees, the rental car will make up for it in convience.
Here ya go, directions to the Publix north of the parks.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm
Tour of I-Drive. SWF is at the end of this.
http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm
When you go, take I-4 south to the SWF exit because I-Drive has many stop lights.

Wow! Thank you so much for the directions! Is it just me, or are the people on the UO/IOA boards super nice?

I did figure in parking, and it looks like it is $10 a day for hotel guests.

Does anyone know how much it costs to park at SW?