Transportation to Universal Studios

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have tried to do a search but couldn't find a direct answer. What is the cheapest way to get to Universal from Pop Century without a car? Also, can you be dropped off at a different resort (All-Star Sports) when returning?

 

[goofy4tink]

Did you miss the stickyed thread that deals only with transportation to, and from, US/IoA? It should answer all your questions.

 

[nacho113]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/transportation-to-us-ioa.2517318/

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks, guys. I did notice the sticky but no, it didn't help. The information is outdated, and none of the questions applied to me. I need a very quick answer as this is an unexpected trip and I'm overwhelmed getting everything ready to go. I leave in 13 days.

 

[zaccaglin]

Uber would be the cheapest option. It'll take you about 30-60mins depending on traffic. It's about 15miles away.

 

[rhiansmom]

We just did this last week... we were at All Star Sports and needed to get to Royal Pacific resort. I downloaded Uber and found out they were in surge pricing so we went with a cab. It was $43 in moderate traffic. On the way back to All Star Sports we did Uber and it was less than $15 as I had a $15 credit and it didn't go over.

We then used Uber to goto the Premium outlet mall and it was $16 and $17 going and returning

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks, guys. I did notice the sticky but no, it didn't help. The information is outdated, and none of the questions applied to me. I need a very quick answer as this is an unexpected trip and I'm overwhelmed getting everything ready to go. I leave in 13 days.

How is it outdated? All of the information applies today. If you're trying to get info on Uber, there is an entire thread devoted to Uber questions. The cheapest way? Booking Mears...just as the thread mentions. It's about $18. And yes, you can probably be dropped at a different resort.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

How is it outdated? All of the information applies today. If you're trying to get info on Uber, there is an entire thread devoted to Uber questions. The cheapest way? Booking Mears...just as the thread mentions. It's about $18. And yes, you can probably be dropped at a different resort.

The first post is from 2010, and many of the other posts are from 2014 and earlier. Who I am going with checked with Mears and the cost was way higher than $18. So you are saying it's still $18? Every time I try to look, I keep getting an error message.

If she does use Uber, does Universal have wi-fi so she could book her ride back?

ETA: My friend just called Mears and they told her $39-45 one way.

 

[goofy4tink]

The first post is from 2010, and many of the other posts are from 2014 and earlier. Who I am going with checked with Mears and the cost was way higher than $18. So you are saying it's still $18? Every time I try to look, I keep getting an error message.

If she does use Uber, does Universal have wi-fi so she could book her ride back?

ETA: My friend just called Mears and they told her $39-45 one way.

I'll bet she's getting a quote for a Towncar, not the shuttle. Let me check around and see what I find. The last time I took the Mears shuttle it was $18!
As far as wifi goes, I'm sure there are plenty of areas in US/IoA that have wifi. It might be better, though, to head to one of the hotels and get picked up there!

 

[nacho113]

If she does use Uber, does Universal have wi-fi so she could book her ride back?

Yes, Universal has WIFI in both parks and in the City Walk area.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The first post is from 2010, and many of the other posts are from 2014 and earlier. Who I am going with checked with Mears and the cost was way higher than $18. So you are saying it's still $18? Every time I try to look, I keep getting an error message.

If she does use Uber, does Universal have wi-fi so she could book her ride back?

ETA: My friend just called Mears and they told her $39-45 one way.

Yup, that's the Town Car pricing.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think that you can call to book the shuttle..or book it online. The only way to do that is to book the DU US/IoA pkg where you get entry into the parks and a ride there from WDW and back again. When you do that, you can book a time. Otherwise, you have to call Mears the night before you want to go, and set up a pick up location and time then.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I don't think that you can call to book the shuttle..or book it online. The only way to do that is to book the DU US/IoA pkg where you get entry into the parks and a ride there from WDW and back again. When you do that, you can book a time. Otherwise, you have to call Mears the night before you want to go, and set up a pick up location and time then.

What is DU?
So you are saying since we didn't book this package, she can call Mears the night before to book and get the $18 rate or is that just if she books a package?

 

[goofy4tink]

DU is Dreams Unlimited, a travel agency basically. They sponsor these boards. The below is the pkg I speak of. You can buy tickets/transportation this way, or you can buy passes any way you choose. Then call Mears the night before you want to head to US/IoA. I think that you need to pay the driver cash..no credit cards are taken. Not sure if you can pay, with a cc, when you call.
If you go to the Transportation to Universal sticky thread, you will find a link to the pkg...in the Mears section (#2 I believe, in the first post, first page).




1 or 2-DAY/2-PARK WITH ROUNDTRIP TRANSFERSYou receive a 1 or 2-Day/2-Park experience with transportation to Universal Orlando® Resort
from your Disney Area Hotel.

Adult
Child (3-9)

1-DAY/2-PARK
Ticket with Transfer
$179.10
$173.50

2-DAY/2-PARK
Ticket with Transfer
$267.30
$257.35

 

[siskaren]

The first post is from 2010, and many of the other posts are from 2014 and earlier.

At the bottom right of the first post it says "Last edited Feb 26, 2015."

 

[goofy4tink]

We do try to update with any new info.

 

[macraven]

Thanks, guys. I did notice the sticky but no, it didn't help. The information is outdated, and none of the questions applied to me. I need a very quick answer as this is an unexpected trip and I'm overwhelmed getting everything ready to go. I leave in 13 days.

i have been calling and rechecking the prices that are listed on the transportation sticky from UO to WDW on the UO forums.
As far as I have been informed, the info is current on that site.
I try to update when others post with costs they had.
with that, i call the companies to verify that info.

but, info can change anytime.


listing what is current on the website on the darkside forums:

for mears shuttle :
2. Book a ride with Mears shuttle
Mears runs shuttles from the Disney hotels to Universal and back. You will need to make arrangements 24 hours prior though. Prices are $34 each person RT. You can check out the website for more information: www.mearstransportation.com


Can I book my attraction transportation online?
No, you will need to call them 24 hours in advance at (407) 423-5566, that is unless you are already using them for transportation to and from the airport then you can book the attraction portion online at the same time.



currently the prices i have received for taxis range from $35 to $40 one way.
time in the cab will add to the costs

many that visit the UO parks for the day will walk to a deluxe hotel and have them call a cab for them to return to disney.
free service provided by hotels, you do not have to be an onsite guest to do this.
many times there are cabs waiting at the hotels for a fare to take.


uber, i think you have already read on the uber transportation site how those fares can go.


some at UO will rent a car from the deluxe hotels for the day and drive to disney.
they return the car once they return back to UO at the car center desk in the hotels.


private car service runs $50 one way or $100 rt.
there are some companies that have a rt at $85.

if you want cheap, go with Mears shuttle.
it will take you longer as it will pick up others at disney resorts at times, but it is cheaper than all others than uber.

hope you find the information you are seeking.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

i have been calling and rechecking the prices that are listed on the transportation sticky from UO to WDW on the UO forums.
As far as I have been informed, the info is current on that site.
I try to update when others post with costs they had.
with that, i call the companies to verify that info.

but, info can change anytime.


listing what is current on the website on the darkside forums:

for mears shuttle :
2. Book a ride with Mears shuttle
Mears runs shuttles from the Disney hotels to Universal and back. You will need to make arrangements 24 hours prior though. Prices are $34 each person RT. You can check out the website for more information: www.mearstransportation.com


Can I book my attraction transportation online?
No, you will need to call them 24 hours in advance at (407) 423-5566, that is unless you are already using them for transportation to and from the airport then you can book the attraction portion online at the same time.



currently the prices i have received for taxis range from $35 to $40 one way.
time in the cab will add to the costs

many that visit the UO parks for the day will walk to a deluxe hotel and have them call a cab for them to return to disney.
free service provided by hotels, you do not have to be an onsite guest to do this.
many times there are cabs waiting at the hotels for a fare to take.


uber, i think you have already read on the uber transportation site how those fares can go.


some at UO will rent a car from the deluxe hotels for the day and drive to disney.
they return the car once they return back to UO at the car center desk in the hotels.


private car service runs $50 one way or $100 rt.
there are some companies that have a rt at $85.

if you want cheap, go with Mears shuttle.
it will take you longer as it will pick up others at disney resorts at times, but it is cheaper than all others than uber.

hope you find the information you are seeking.

Great information! Thanks!!! She actually was able to book the Mears shuttle today. It's $21 roundtrip. She will be picked up at Pop Century at 7:15 a.m. I think Universal closes at 6 p.m. that night so she is getting picked up at 6:15 p.m. and will be dropped off at All-Star Sports. I think we may have decided to go to Disney Springs for dinner. Mears will not drop her off there, but I recommended she change it to be dropped off at Saratoga Springs and then walk or take the boat over.

 

[macraven]

Great information! Thanks!!! She actually was able to book the Mears shuttle today. It's $21 roundtrip. She will be picked up at Pop Century at 7:15 a.m. I think Universal closes at 6 p.m. that night so she is getting picked up at 6:15 p.m. and will be dropped off at All-Star Sports. I think we may have decided to go to Disney Springs for dinner. Mears will not drop her off there, but I recommended she change it to be dropped off at Saratoga Springs and then walk or take the boat over.

i am guessing your friend has plans to go on a friday to the darkside.
my second guess is her plans are for friday April 8th.
based on when you posted mentioning she was leaving in 13 days, is why i say the 8th.

UO is having their grad bash on fridays in April so the parks close at 6:00 pm.
the only night not sold out as of today is April 8th.

if your friend wants to stay in the parks until they close, it could be 6:20 by the time she gets out of there.
she will need to walk through City Walk and to the shuttle section for her ride.
that would be at least a 10 minute walk as it will be crowded in that walk area.

It will be crowded with teenagers coming in for that 7:00 pm opening event for them in the opposite direction.
Friend may want to do a later pick up or leave the park before 6:00 in order to catch that 6:15 shuttle back to Sports.

In order for her not to lose her seat on the shuttle, tell her to leave the park at 5:30-45.


If i have her date wrong, the rest of the fridays for the grad bash in april are totally sold out.
larger crowds on those fridays at park closing time and longer time to walk thru them to reach the shuttle pick up point.



came back to add i am not a moderator on this transportation forum.

i moderate the 4 universal orlando forums.
come visit us anytime you need help with transportation there.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

i am guessing your friend has plans to go on a friday to the darkside.
my second guess is her plans are for friday April 8th.
based on when you posted mentioning she was leaving in 13 days, is why i say the 8th.

UO is having their grad bash on fridays in April so the parks close at 6:00 pm.
the only night not sold out as of today is April 8th.

if your friend wants to stay in the parks until they close, it could be 6:20 by the time she gets out of there.
she will need to walk through City Walk and to the shuttle section for her ride.
that would be at least a 10 minute walk as it will be crowded in that walk area.

It will be crowded with teenagers coming in for that 7:00 pm opening event for them in the opposite direction.
Friend may want to do a later pick up or leave the park before 6:00 in order to catch that 6:15 shuttle back to Sports.

In order for her not to lose her seat on the shuttle, tell her to leave the park at 5:30-45.


If i have her date wrong, the rest of the fridays for the grad bash in april are totally sold out.
larger crowds on those fridays at park closing time and longer time to walk thru them to reach the shuttle pick up point.



came back to add i am not a moderator on this transportation forum.

i moderate the 4 universal orlando forums.
come visit us anytime you need help with transportation there.

Actually she will going on April 15. I will tell her to leave a little early. Thanks so much for the advice!

ETA: The crowds won't bother her. She's from China!