Visiting WDW in June, the kids want to go to Universal one day

[goodferry]

We were not planning on renting a car. I was just going to stay at the Poly the whole time (the 4th-11th) what is the cheapest and easiest way to get to Universal Studios for one day? Should I plan on moving to another hotel closer to the Studios, has anyone else done this that could give me some advice. I made my airline ressies, now I have to decide where we are going to stay and for how long.

 

[Carrieberry]

The cheapest and easiest way is to take the Mears bus. It is $12 pp round trip (or at least it was in Dec 2002). We called at the last minute when we decided to go for the day, and they picked us up about an hour later in a big bus (not the little airport type shuttle. They took us to Universal and told us to call an hour before we were ready to head back. It was all very easy- and much nicer than switching hotels. We plan on doing it again this Dec for a day at IOA! By the way, the website says that the transfers can be purchased online along with airport transfers, but we just called when we got there (we always use a towncar service) so you CAN buy them seperately!


http://www.mearstransportation.com/

 

[TLinden16]

I took Mears to Universal in December, and it cost $13 round trip from the CBR. Just a warning, though, two our of the three times I used them, they were over 30 minutes late picking me up for the trip back to the resort, so you may want to build in extra time for the return trip if you have plans for that evening.

Karen

 

[JayCT]

Also check on the cost of a Tiffany Town Car. I believe they gave us a price to go to Universal that was cheaper than what the four of us would have paid to Mears. We did not end up going, but we plan to use them when we go in May.

 

[Mercy]

You might want to consider switching to one of the universal hotels at the end of your trip for a night or two. You would then be eligible for front of the line access, which would be nice in June considering the crowds will be heavier.

That is what we are doing, spending about a week at WDW then moving to the Hard Rock Hotel and doing Universal/IOA.

 

[kcarp]

Mercy I respect your post, but I was at US/IOA the first week of June, I have to say the crowds were very small. I didn't need the express pass for hardly any rides. goodferry, We stayed off International Drive at Hawthorn Suites (Universal Studios Area) 69.00 a night plus free hot breakfast & free happy hour drinks for everyone. They had a bus system that worked great too. I'm not saying it was as good as the HRH, but I had a great time, and saved some money for the rest of our trip at Disney.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

I have to agree with Mercy. ....I went last June, after school let out, with 3 teens. We arrived in Orlando and stayed for 2nights at the HRH on an Entertainment rate for about $99.00 per night...they loved the Hard Rock, (they pool hopped and liked the Portifino's pool better, and want to stay there next time-go figure!) They loved Universal/IOA and we did use the Front of the Line system! It was crowded in late June while we were there. We got some great admissions tickets through AAA(buy 2days get 3rd free). That way they could enjoy both parks...with unlimited admission.
After 2nts/3days at HRH, we moved over to the Poly for one night, then onto the Boardwalk Villas for the remainer of our stay. Although we rented a car for our stay...got a great deal from Budget, a Ford Escape(a small SUV) for around $150.00 for the week...suited the 4 of us and all the luggage well...worth it in my opinion! If you deciede to move around to another hotel, without a rental car...I would opt for Tiffany's towncar service...Before we left home, I priced them; from the airport to HRH..to the Poly (we were going to have our luggage transfered to the BWV)and then back to the airport and including tip, it came out to around the same as my car rental, that's why we opted for the car, plus we stoped at the store for sodas, snacks & Krispy Kremes for our stay.
Best of luck to you...I'm sure you have fun, which ever way you go....I'd do it again in a heartbeat!