Universal without a rental car...

[Hedy]

I'm looking at going in early August (staying at RPR-thanks, superbowl!) Rental cars are high, so I'm thinking I may skip the rental car, possibly rent it for a day, and take the occasional taxi. Does this make sense (I'm thinking of going to the outlets and posibly an offsite restaurant or two), or would I be happier renting a car my whole trip. Is the I-ride trolley worth it?

 

[gschmerl]

If you rent a car not only will you have to pay for the rental, but you will have to pay a parking fee at the RPR.
You don't need the car to do anything on site since everything is so walkable. There are so many restaurants right there at the parks, hotels, and City Walk that going off site isn't necessary either. It's up to you, but it's an added expense that isn't a necessity.

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Sorry I can't help you with the I-Trolley, I've never ridden it, but I do know it goes by the outlets and other restaurants, http://www.iridetrolley.com/

If you do decide on a rental car, check out Dollar or Thrifty. They are the definitely the cheapest and run specials from the airports. I checked and even with my AAA, Dollar is the best. I am renting a Dodge Charger for $31 per day on a weekend day, out of Tampa's airport, but Orlando runs similar deals, and week days may even be cheaper. Check out their "in city" specials for MCO airport, you may find a good deal.

 

[gschmerl]

Again....dom't forget about on site parking fees. RPR website says self parking is $15 per day and valet is #22 per day if you self park you have to hunt for a parking space each time you come back to the resort.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Does the trolley stop at Universal hotels?

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Does the trolley stop at Universal hotels?

No, unfortunately it doesn't.

We have never rented a car & never regretted not having one. I agree with gschmerl in that there are so many restaurant options at the Universal resorts & City Walk that we never felt the need to venture off site for meals. We did take a taxi to SW, but if you sign up early enough you can catch the resort shuttle to SW, Wet n Wild, &/or Aquatica for free.

 

[patster734]

We haven't used a rental car for the past few trips to Universal. Instead, we've used roundtrip towncar services between the airport and the hotel. The cost is around $100 and includes a free grocery stop if requested. We've used Happy Limo and Murray Hill. Our upcoming trip, we'll be using FL Tours.

 

[Darcy03231]

I was there in April and rented a car, just because we planned some day trips outside of US/IOA, in addition to getting to and from the airport. If it hadn't been for that, we really wouldn't have needed the car. There are lots of dining options at CityWalk.

 

[mvansear]

We are staying at WDW CR for 5 nights, then moving over to HRH for 7 nights. Thinking of using ME for airport to disney then unsure from there. Disney ticket upgrade is so cheap and Universal HR hotel great deal so we were hoping to hop back to disney to do maybe a waterpark and perhaps downtown disney one night since universal closes so early in late Jan early Feb. Also anyone know if HR has any type of shuttle to airport? Any advice or thoughts would be great.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Also anyone know if HR has any type of shuttle to airport?

Unfortunatly no, they don't currently offer any type of shuttle to/from the airport.

When we transfered from Disney to Universal we used a town car service, then used that same town car service to transfer to the airport.

We didn't go back & forth between Universal & Disney, so I'm not sure of the best way to do that. I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that question though.

 

[macraven]

Hedly, if you are not 25, i don't know if you will be able to rent a car in orlando.

when i have rented, i have seen the box stating 25 and over for the rental agreement.

i noticed this for the major car rental places.


from what i have read on line, i have noticed some under 25 were successful in renting but not with the major companies.

you might find some car rental places but you need to call and see how much the rate is increased for the under 25 will be.

 

[macraven]

We are staying at WDW CR for 5 nights, then moving over to HRH for 7 nights. Thinking of using ME for airport to disney then unsure from there. Disney ticket upgrade is so cheap and Universal HR hotel great deal so we were hoping to hop back to disney to do maybe a waterpark and perhaps downtown disney one night since universal closes so early in late Jan early Feb. Also anyone know if HR has any type of shuttle to airport? Any advice or thoughts would be great.

how many in your group?

there are some transportation companies that do allow 5 in the vehicle for car service while others have a $10 add on charge for any number over 4 in the car.

if you do not rent a car, take the ME from the airport to disney.
from there, book a car service for one round trip.

from disney to hrh, then after the trip is over, from hrh to mco.
there are some discounts you can get due to memberships on other boards.

if you want to rent a car, while at hrh, would you consider just a day or two for it?

there are a few companies very close to hrh.
you do have car rental at the hotel but i am not up on their prices.

one tip you might check out, when i travel to different cities and need a car rental, i google, Rent a Wreck and see if they have any sites in the town i will be in.

you get a dependable car mechanically but the body won't be a beauty.
i found this company to be great on rates.


if money is an issue and you don't have a lot in your group, you can take the mears shuttle from disney to universal. it is $18 pp rt, less for kids.

if you have 4 in your group, car service would be cheaper, or a cab.

http://www.mearstransportation.com/...rsal Studios Plaza&toc=Orlando&toz=32819-7601

when you stay at the UO hotels, you can get a free shuttle from the hotel to Sea World, Aquatica, Wet and Wild.

you could use that shuttle and then take the lynx bus from SW to dtd.
or take a cab from there to disney.

once you are in dtd, you can take a bus to a resort and from there go to a park.
ie: bus to Mk hotels and go to mk from there, etc.

 

[mvansear]

Wow Mac, such great ideas and info. There are 5 of us 2 adults and 3 kiddos. I have heard of a 3 leg trip for the Disney to HR to MCO, we are considering a limo cuz the kids will think it is way cool. But I always love to save money so I may check out the shuttle to sea world thing you mentioned, you are a wealth of knowledge!!!! One more question we are also considering renting a car for just 2 days I saw on a board something about a holiday in behind PB having a rental car company, do you know anything about that?
Thanks again,
Marci