Universal First-timer needs help please

[pixietwin]

Hello, we won some tix from that superbowl giveaway and want to work in two days at Universal this fall during our trip to Disney. We will be staying at Coronado Springs Resort and I understand that no Disney buses take you directly to Universal. I will have a scooter that we are renting off property for the length of our stay but we don't have the ability to mount it to the car so I guess we won't be able to use it at Universal and will have to rent a second one just for those days (which is a shame since I have paid for one already). My questions are:

What is the Universal parking like? I have a handicap plate so is there parking closer to entrance?

What is the most direct driving route from CSR to both Universal parks?

If I can park in disabled parking area, how far is the walk from there to entrance and scooter rental area

And last - where exactly is the scooter/wheelchair rentals

Thank you

 

[pixietwin]

Well I don't know what words you were thinking..but mine thoughts are I had no idea how very far I'd have to be walking just to get thru the parking lot and into the park :-(

 

[spima3]

Well I don't know what words you were thinking..but mine thoughts are I had no idea how very far I'd have to be walking just to get thru the parking lot and into the park :-(

Yes, I was surprised as well. We plan on going next year, after Wizarding World of HP opens up, and I have a son w/ mobility problems, so it is an issue for us as well.

 

[goofy!]

Hello, we won some tix from that superbowl giveaway and want to work in two days at Universal this fall during our trip to Disney. We will be staying at Coronado Springs Resort and I understand that no Disney buses take you directly to Universal. I will have a scooter that we are renting off property for the length of our stay but we don't have the ability to mount it to the car so I guess we won't be able to use it at Universal and will have to rent a second one just for those days (which is a shame since I have paid for one already). My questions are:

What is the Universal parking like? I have a handicap plate so is there parking closer to entrance?

What is the most direct driving route from CSR to both Universal parks?

If I can park in disabled parking area, how far is the walk from there to entrance and scooter rental area

And last - where exactly is the scooter/wheelchair rentals

Thank you

It would seem a shame to have to shell out money for another scooter for a couple of days when you already have one.

Mears and a few other shuttle companies do provide transportation between the parks. The transportation board here can help you with that.

I would give them a call to see if they have a handicap accessible shuttle that would allow you to bring your scooter with you.

The shuttle fare might possibly be cheaper than having to re-rent a scooter for a couple of days.

 

[spima3]

Wow, did some posts just disappear or am I imagining things?

 

[phamton]

The scooter rental is inside the parks on the left after you enter the turnstiles at both Universal and Islands of Adventure. It is quite a ways from the parking, even handicapped parking. They do have wheelchair rentals fairly close to parking but no ECVs until you get inside the park. Disabled parking just puts you on the 3 rd floor of parking so you don't have to ride an escalator or elevator. But it can still be a ways to walk.

The best idea would be to use valet parking. The wheelchairs are very close to valet parking. Once you get the wheelchair you can use it until you get to the park and exchange for an ECV and pay the extra money.

As far as driving, I would just take I-4 East and watch for the exits signs for Universal Studios. It should only take about 15-25 minutes.

Wow, did some posts just disappear or am I imagining things?

Yes, I had to delete a few posts.

 

[pixietwin]

Yes, several posts disappeared but I think it was because the first reply made it sound like a 'scary - far' walk just to get to the entrance. I did some more research and I guess I can get a scooter that will break down to fit into the back of my Dodge Durango. As long as I can get a sturdy scooter that does that, then I won't need to re-rent at the park. I didn't realize that they could be taken apart easily. I feel much better knowing I can bring a scooter in my car and get from the parking garage to the entrance.

Once at AK Disney, the bus driver let us out wayyy out at the parking lot entrance - I didn't have a scooter and it was like a 15 min walk just to get to the entrance. It was really bad.

 

[DumGuestTricks]

"Yes, several posts disappeared but I think it was because the first reply made it sound like a 'scary - far' walk just to get to the entrance."

I wasn't trying to make it seem like a scary-far walk. I was putting it realistically because many people underestimate how far the walk is. It's over a quarter of a mile (.37 miles to be exact) to the turnstiles (for both parks) from the hub that connects both parking garages. So it will be even further depending on what garage you're in and how far back you've parked.

I think the mod also thought I was being sarcastic, but what I was saying was true. Take it or leave it. It's not all rainbows and gumdrops for some. Including if you're pushing strollers, or having someone with disabilities or in a wheelchair with you. Because those will not be allowed on the moving walkways from the parking garage, and their walk time will be longer and seem further than those that can walk on the moving walkways.

 

[pixietwin]

Well at first I thought you were kidding with me but I've talked to a few people at the scooter rental stores and they agree that it can be a half mile walk to get from the parking garage to the entrance to the parks. I really had no idea. I am glad you posted though because it made me do more research and I think I'm going to try to bring a scooter in my car.

 

[DumGuestTricks]

Hope you have fun on your trip either way! The park is very accessible for those in scooter and wheelchairs!

 

[ALyankee]

I have never been to US or IOA (going this year) but I have rented these scooters several times in the past and taken then to other area parks. They come apart very easily and will fit into the back of your Durango with no problem. The base portion with the batteries can be a little heavy but if you have two people you should be o.k..