WDW to Universal Transportation Options

[Jezzup]

Need some info on the best way to get from WDW to Universal. There are 6 of us. We will be staying at AS Music and plan to spend two days at the Universal parks. I have already reserved a minivan through Alamo at the Car Care Center but the price is $211 for 48 hours.

Would we be better off taking two cabs or a car service? Can anyone provide a reputable car service that offers minivans so I can check prices? Does a car service pick you up right after park closing or can I tell them what time to come get us? We’d like to spend time at Citywalk afterwards.

I’ve listed the pros and cons of both below.
Rent minivan
Pro:
• Can come and go as we please
Con:
• May be more expensive
• Need to pay for parking. Does a car service have to pay to take you to front gate?
• May not be able to stay late to explore Citywalk
• Need to get up early to retrieve and return car
• Liability risk
• Gas expense

Car Service
Pro:
• May be cheaper than renting car
• No liability risk
• No early rise to retrieve or return car
Con:
• Reliability
• Can we stay beyond park closing

Cab
Pro:
• Flexibility

Con:
• Price – would need two cabs to fit 6

Thanks for your help!

[Camaro305]

We've been using 407-361-7631 for the past 4 years to get from POP to UOR and back. I think his prices are the best. The owners name is Mike, and we plan on using him again for our December 2012 trip. If you call him, can you let me know the current rates? I found this number by change when sitting in the hotel room flipping through the phone book and never used anyone else. Thanks!

[Jezzup]

Come on intercoters. Don't let me down. Over 200 views and only one response (thank you Camaro)?!

Someone must know a reliable car service. Please help!

[VWL Mom]

We used Quicksilver in August. You tell them what time to pick you up. The driver will pick you up right near the entrance. You can click on the link under sponsor and drop them an email with questions you may have. I'm on day 8 of no power or I would have more info for you. I have used their service for years and have always been pleased.

[Jezzup]

VWL Mom,

Sorry to hear about your power problems. Hope that it gets fixed soon.

Thanks for the info on Quicksilver. I had called them and got a price of $90 roundtrip per day so it sounds like it will cost as much as renting the van for 2 days. They did tell me they'll pick us up whenever we want so we would be able to spend time afterwards at Citywalk.

Did you find that using the car service was better or worse than renting?

[VWL Mom]

Personal prefernce but I prefer the ease of a car service. They pick you up, drop you off at the entrance, and pick you up at a predetermined place and time. I don't have to worry about getting/returning the rental, parking, and driving if your having dinner and maybe some adult cocktails.

[r4kids]

We are using quicksilver for two days to universal/ioa and have the $90 round trip also. I'm not messing with car rental process, paying to park. Seems easier for us.

[White Rose]

When I went with a friend back in Jan 2011, we used Mears bus service where they pick you up from your Disney resort and then drop you off at Universal. It costs about $19 per person so I'm not sure it would be very cost effective for you. All you do is call them the night before, arrange the pick up and then pay in cash. They pick you up at the designated time and drop you off and you call them roughly two hours before you want to be picked up. Pretty easy and we enjoyed it but again, it would be a lot more expensive than the van you were looking to rent.

[disneylovinmom]

I used Quicksilver in October and it was easy and reliable. The driver was very nice.

[Crow]

When I went with a friend back in Jan 2011, we used Mears bus service where they pick you up from your Disney resort and then drop you off at Universal. It costs about $19 per person so I'm not sure it would be very cost effective for you. All you do is call them the night before, arrange the pick up and then pay in cash. They pick you up at the designated time and drop you off and you call them roughly two hours before you want to be picked up. Pretty easy and we enjoyed it but again, it would be a lot more expensive than the van you were looking to rent.

thats what i did once also, but it was only the 2 of us. other time had a car..

[Camaro305]

Hi! Recently returned from another trip to WDW, and also visited Universal, and here's another vote for Quicksilver! On time and very courteous!

[Jezzup]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. We ended up going with Quicksilver and were very pleased. They were on time both days and very professional.

[mgmnut]

Glad to hear all the votes for Quicksilver. We plan to use them in Aug to get from Disney to UOR and then back to the airport a few days later. Seemed like a better choice over renting.

What would you tip a driver for a trip like that, each leg?

It will be 4 of us, in a town car, we usually pack pretty light 2 large bags and 1 small.