WDW to Universal Studios

[Nolie]

We are going to Disney for a week and staying on property. My 10 year old is obsessed with Harry Potter so I am setting aside 1 day for him and I to go to Universal to check out HP. What would be the best way to get there and back to our resort?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Dreams Unlimited Travel offers Tickets and Travel here:

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

 

[niffer5150]

we just get a cab. while not the cheapest way, i think it is the easiest and most convenient.

 

[purple figment]

This is the sticky at the top of the US/IOA forum for transportation options between DW and Universal:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2494908

 

[Grumpy92]

Uber tends to be cheaper then a taxi.

 

[jfeasel]

I rented a car on Disney property from National for the day. National has a location by the AAA car center that is on Disney property. National sent a bus to our hotel (All Star Sports) that brought us to National. The car was ready to go in their lot when we got there. Dropping it off, I again took their shuttle back to the hotel. I rented the cheapest car we could get and it was pretty easy. Like you, we wanted to see the Harry Potter stuff at Universal and glad we did!

 

[rwdavis2]

Just an FYI in case: Which park at Universal? They have HP at both parks connected by a train and require the Universal equivalent of a park hopper to do both.

Personally I would do a 1 day car rental. You have control of the situation and you can make a stop for snacks/water if necessary.

 

[nacho113]

You don't say when you plan to go, but for your sake I hope its several months down the road.
I know this is off topic but thought I should share our experience.
We were just there this week (and I know the new expansion to HP just opened) but all I can say is OMG!!! We arrived for rope drop at 8:15 on Tues July 15 along with about a million other folks (well maybe not quite a million but...). We were so far back in the line (even 45 minutes before rope drop) that after rope drop and the walk to the Diagon Alley area we were unable to enter the attraction as it was already at max capacity and no one was being allowed in. We were told that as people came out, more would be allowed in but not to expect this to happen until later in the day. There was a long line of people already waiting for this to happen at 9:15am. We decided to go over to IOA and visit the original HP area, but it was also full to capacity and we got similar answers about when we would be able to enter (try back later). Both areas were absolutely packed with people, very similar to when the original HP area opened a few years ago, so not sure how enjoyable your experience would be if you were in amongst the sardines in the area.
We ended up spending the day hopping between IOA and USF but both parks were very busy (spin off from people wanting to visit HP and not being able to get in would be my guess). We stayed all day hoping for one of the HP areas to open up so we could visit but neither did and the line of folks waiting to enter was there until park close (glad I didn't wait in line all day, it was 93 degrees with 90% humidity. Then it clouded over and rained for awhile but the crowds never wavered - now that's dedication for you.
We're going to try again Monday July 21, its our last day in Florida, leaving early Tuesday morning. Fingers and toes crossed, wish us luck .

 

[rwdavis2]

I've seen reports that people getting in line for early entry by 6am still have several hour waits to get into Diagon Alley if they were not at the front.

 

[nacho113]

We thought we would try at 7am on Monday (which is typically one of the slowest days at the parks) but from what I have been reading we may try 6am.
Really would like to get a glimpse of the new attraction and we're not going to be back in the area for almost a year after Monday.
I think part of the problem is that Universal Resort guests are given early park entrance (8am) so there is already a lot of people inside the park before the general public can enter.
We had originally looked at staying at a Universal resort just for this perk, but the cost of 3 days at Cabana Bay bought us 2 weeks off site at the Holiday Inn. More money for souvenirs and living expenses was our thought but now we are afraid we may not even get to see the new expansion.

 

[Lewisc]

I think part of the problem is that Universal Resort guests are given early park entrance (8am) so there is already a lot of people inside the park before the general public can enter.
We had originally looked at staying at a Universal resort just for this perk, but the cost of 3 days at Cabana Bay bought us 2 weeks off site at the Holiday Inn. More money for souvenirs and living expenses was our thought but now we are afraid we may not even get to see the new expansion.

Guests at all 4 onsite hotels as well as guests who booked Universal HP vacation packages (staying at partner hotels) get early admission. HP could be at capacity for much of the morning. You might ask an employee if you have a shot of getting in nearer to closing.

Cabana Bay is offering reasonable rates.

This Monday? I'd prepare the kids for missing HP

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Dreams Unlimited Travel offers Tickets and Travel here:

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

That is a good deal, Mears does only transportation for $40 round trip.