Universal tix

[spritna]

Anyone ever buy the tix that have free transfers from a disney resort to universal? Any info would be great!

 

[deakam]

I have not purchased this but I have done some research and for us it was cheaper to get just the tickets and then take a cab. With the ticket package you are paying transportation for each ticket purchased. With a cab you are paying for the whole party just once.

In fact, when we priced everything out it was actually less expensive to stay 2 nights at a Universal hotel than it was to do the ticket/transportation route. Especially when you figure in the free Universal Express Pass. The package I booked also include a breakfast at Three Broomsticks, early entry into Harry Potter and airport transfers. Then I booked a Town Car to transfer us to Disney.

The tickets with transportation from Disney sounded like a really good deal until I figured it all out. If we were only going to Universal for one day I may have booked it but we are spending 2 full days there.

 

[skedinger]

We used this service last summer. I was attending a convention at Swan/Dolphin, and my kids (18 and 12) wanted to go to universal. I bought them the two day passes with transportation. Mears picked them up right on time at the front entrance to our hotel and took them to the parks directly. My daughter then called Mears each day to arrange the return transportation, which worked fine. I didn't price out using a taxi, so I can't say if it was more costly or not. Based on this experience, I would definitely use it again.

 

[spritna]

Thanks for the info

 

[jimandami]

We have used it twice. It used to be a better deal with the transfer basically being free (based on the cost of a ticket directly through Universal) but it is now basically the same price as booking tickets and a Mears shuttle separately. If you only have two people, it's cheaper to do the shuttle. If a bigger party, a taxi is probably a better bet. One thing to consider though: the first two times we used this service, we were allowed early entry into WWOHP with those tickets, because when they print out at the kiosk, it says Universal Travel Company on them. I have heard conflicting reports as to whether this is still the case, but I plan to try it again on our October trip.

 

[spritna]

this is what i was thinking about but when i inquired about details of these tickets i was told they dont just sell these single day tickets, i had to book a package. anyone know of a different place to buy these? at this price for 2 people would save ballpark of 25 bucks vs. calln cab. tia

 

[Kristin5]

We are looking into the same thing at the moment (for next year though). Currently, it's a better deal to buy the combined ticket/transfers via Dreams Unlimited (spritna, is this the same one you're talking about?) if we were going for only 1 day; but if we go for 2, it's a tougher decision.

I am struggling to find individual prices for shuttles/taxis (I go to the Mears site, but it only comes up with a town car/luxury sedan option, even when I have searched for a shared shuttle, and says it would be $47 each way). Can anyone give me a direct link to the cheaper shuttle service (rather than just the home page)? And how much is a taxi (from Pop Century)? From what I just searched, it is coming up at around $37 each way - does this sound right?

 

[Kristin5]

I have found this:

http://www.mearstransportation.com/pdf/Rates.pdf

So by my understanding of the areas/zones, it would be $20pp (return) to go on the shuttle to Universal and $36pp (return) to go to Kennedy Space Center (another must-see on our itinerary).

So I think it works out the same to go with the Dreams Unlimited tour for 1 day or 2 days, or to buy just tickets and shuttles separately - there is no advantage of one over the other (probably because Dreams Unlimited uses Mears shuttles!). And this is cheaper than catching a cab (unless you have 4+ people). Maybe a taxi is more convenient though?

 

[shyjade]

I was considering using a taxi for our 1 day trip to Universal from Pop in November (there are 2 of us). However, taxi prices aren't set; getting stuck in traffic or behind an accident will keep the meter running and therefore drive up the price, right? I just read a post the other day where someone said it ended up costing them $48 (before tip) to take a taxi to Universal. If that's the case, I'd almost rather pay the $48 town car fee because at least there are no surprises.

I would love to hear more about shuttle service. My biggest concern with that is flexibility, as I have NO idea when we will want to leave Universal that day.

I will be closely watching this thread and hope to figure out the best plan of action for us.

 

[Grumpy92]

You might think about Uber as an option. I have found them a little cheaper and service better then Mears.

 

[skedinger]

I would love to hear more about shuttle service. My biggest concern with that is flexibility, as I have NO idea when we will want to leave Universal that day.
.

We called Mears 24 hours in advance to arrange a pickup time. My kids wanted to be there early, and I think they were picked up before 8 am both days. My daughter then called Mears from Universal about 3 hours before they wanted to be picked up each day. The van was waiting for them at that time at the same spot where they were dropped off. She thought it was very easy to manage.

 

[goofy4tink]

Choosing a cab vs Mears shuttle is going to depend on your party size. A cab will be about $35-40, each way....so $70+ r/t. But if you have more than 3 people, that may be your best bet. The Mears shuttle is $20 pp r/t.
I've used the DU deal a few times. There was one year that my friend and I actually took the shuttle bus to US/IoA on a Wed, and took it back to BWV on Thursday. We fot a great AP rate at RPR. Packed up our backpacks and took the bus both ways. We got to US/IoA about 7:45, got checked in at the resort, and were back at the park entrance by 8:20. So got to get into the park a little early. When we were ready to go back to BWVs the next day, we just called Mears, told them when we wanted to leave. They told us what time to be at the bus stop for an available bus. Actually were able to get a bus 90 mins after calling! We needed a bit of extra time to get back to RPR to get our backpacks, otherwise we could have gone to the buses when we called...there was a bus for us 30 mins after calling.

 

[shyjade]

We called Mears 24 hours in advance to arrange a pickup time. My kids wanted to be there early, and I think they were picked up before 8 am both days. My daughter then called Mears from Universal about 3 hours before they wanted to be picked up each day. The van was waiting for them at that time at the same spot where they were dropped off. She thought it was very easy to manage.

Thank you, this sounds perfect for us! If you don't mind me asking, did you book it in advance and then just schedule the pick up time 24 hours in advance, or wait to book the whole thing the day before?

 

[spritna]

Choosing a cab vs Mears shuttle is going to depend on your party size. A cab will be about $35-40, each way....so $70+ r/t. But if you have more than 3 people, that may be your best bet. The Mears shuttle is $20 pp r/t.
I've used the DU deal a few times. There was one year that my friend and I actually took the shuttle bus to US/IoA on a Wed, and took it back to BWV on Thursday. We fot a great AP rate at RPR. Packed up our backpacks and took the bus both ways. We got to US/IoA about 7:45, got checked in at the resort, and were back at the park entrance by 8:20. So got to get into the park a little early. When we were ready to go back to BWVs the next day, we just called Mears, told them when we wanted to leave. They told us what time to be at the bus stop for an available bus. Actually were able to get a bus 90 mins after calling! We needed a bit of extra time to get back to RPR to get our backpacks, otherwise we could have gone to the buses when we called...there was a bus for us 30 mins after calling.

did you buy a package from DU? they are the ones telling me i have to book a package to get the tix with the transfers included. i just need 2 park one day tickets with transfer. any other place to buy these tix? thanks

 

[spritna]

Bumper

 

[tehvalerie]

We did one day at Universal this past January and got our park tickets through Dreams Unlimited w/transportation. I believe they have 1-day and 2-day ticket options. Also just fyi with the Dreams Unlimited tickets we got entry to the parks an hour early, which was huge for getting to do the Potter stuff before lines got long.

 

[bumbershoot]

did you buy a package from DU? they are the ones telling me i have to book a package to get the tix with the transfers included. i just need 2 park one day tickets with transfer. any other place to buy these tix? thanks

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/terms-1day2park-roundtrip.htm

 

[spritna]

thank you so much for the info