How to travel from Disney to Universal for a day?

[kaylamag]

We are going to Disney World in December and would like to take a day to visit Universal Studios. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to get there? We are flying to Orlando and won't have a car. Would it be cheaper to go rent a car, take a taxi, or take a car service? (There are five people in our party.)
Thanks for the help.

[MW1218]

If you factor in how valuable your time is, cabs are the best value, in my opinion. If you rent a car, it might be more expensive than a cab to begin with, and that's before you even take into account the amount of time getting to the rental office, filling out paperwork, and going back to the rental office, returning the car, and then getting back to your resort will take. Save yourself the hassle and just take a cab, mention that you have five people and they will send a larger one.

[mook3y]

If you factor in how valuable your time is, cabs are the best value, in my opinion. If you rent a car, it might be more expensive than a cab to begin with, and that's before you even take into account the amount of time getting to the rental office, filling out paperwork, and going back to the rental office, returning the car, and then getting back to your resort will take. Save yourself the hassle and just take a cab, mention that you have five people and they will send a larger one.

forgot to add in paying for parking too.

[kaylamag]

Thanks

[DebK]

I've used Quicksilver (town car service) and it was very easy. By the way, I have been through your neck of the woods quite often as I have family from Mt. Union......

[kaylamag]

Thanks, i just looked up the Quicksilver website, very helpful.

[disneyfamily05]

We used the Mears bus when we went from Disney to Universal this past October. We called/made reservations before we went down, chose an early pick up time (8:00am maybe?), they were there waiting at our resort, picked up a few other guests, then stopped at Sea World, Aquatica, and dropped us off at Universal.

We had to call approx. 2 hours before we wanted pick up to see when the next bus would be there.

I think it was either $18 or $22 (can't remember at the moment) round trip. It was nice for us b/c we didn't want to have to deal with driving, parking, etc. But with 5 of you it may be cheaper to go with a private car/van pick up service.

[Crow]

Im still debating how Im goin to get to Universal from WDW for a day or 2. i think taxi is too expensive, car mayb a hassle to get then park. but Mears you are limited to wat times....decisions decisions.

[kaylamag]

I emailed Florida Town Cars and they quoted me $70 round trip for 5 people, so far the cheapest. With Quicksilver our party of 5 would have to get a van and that is listed on their website as $90 round trip.

[CaptSmee]

We always rent a car for a day or 2 and hit a non-Disney park and the outlet malls that are excellent and nearby. It's a short, easy drive.

[NH Disneyfan]

We have 4 and are planning a town car in August. One night Disney, One night Universal, 8 nights Disney. The $100 it will cost is well worth it for door to door service.

[musicteacher]

We just faced this dilimna last week. We had plans to go to Universal last Wednesday, so we went to Downtown Disney on Tuesday and rented a car from National Car Rental. Their place is in the one hotel right across the street from DD. I paid about $80 to rent a car for 2 days. We had it from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 3 p.m. Thursday. Used it to drive to Kouzzina's on the Boardwalk Tuesday night, Universal Wednesday, and to the Poly thursday morning to try the Tonga Toast. Did some outlet shopping and had it back Thusday afternoon.

Would highly recommend this. It was very convenient. Just took the bus from DD back to our hotel when we were done with it.

Betsy

[yjgirl32]

We used public transportation to go to Seaworld- by far your cheapest way of traveling. We went to DTD and crossed the street to get the bus waited about 20 minutes and they left us off on the outside of their parking lot- which was a bit of a walk but my mom (66) and aunt(76) walked it with no problem. Then when we were done crossed the parking lot crossed the street and caught a bus within five minutes- I believe we paid a 1.00 each way.

[giroux28]

I just made our reservations with Mears for the day we are heading to IoA. They pick up from your resort (I'm not sure if its the same time for everywhere) :10 after every hour, so we made our pickup for 8:10a and are getting picked up at IoA at 7:15p.

Round trip total: $19 per person! I thought this was excellent compared to the car rental/taxi prices I've been seeing everywhere. We just pay the driver the $38 cash in the morning and we're covered for the ride home as well.

Their website was not helpful at all to me and I found it much easier to just call them to set it up. If anyone is interested, their number is:

407-423-5566.

Hope this helps!

[mom2morgan]

I honestly don't think a cab is anymore expensive than paying for a car service. We had a very bad experience with a car service last time - needed to leave early because I was sick and had to wait for our scheduled time - then they forgot about us! The thing about cabs is they are EVERYWHERE - they're lined up just waiting outside of Universal at all times, and also at the Disney resorts (Just as the concierge to call one up and they're there within minutes). I think the cost are pretty similar because they have to stay competitive or they wouldn't get any customers! And yes - public transport is the cheapest, but way to inconvenient for me. And I HATE driving in a strange city so the rental car is out (plus as someone above pointed out - takes a big chunk of time out of your day!)

[DisneyFr33k]

We've used Happy Limo and have been pleased with service and price. Haven't tried Quicksilver but hear they are equally good. We'll try them next trip!

[Crow]

seems t $19 price is better than renting a car for 2 day trips to Universal (Plus gas & parking) otherwise we are using Disney transportation to get around the world

[faline]

This discussion might provide some additional information.

[kaylamag]

We just faced this dilimna last week. We had plans to go to Universal last Wednesday, so we went to Downtown Disney on Tuesday and rented a car from National Car Rental. Their place is in the one hotel right across the street from DD. I paid about $80 to rent a car for 2 days. We had it from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 3 p.m. Thursday. Used it to drive to Kouzzina's on the Boardwalk Tuesday night, Universal Wednesday, and to the Poly thursday morning to try the Tonga Toast. Did some outlet shopping and had it back Thusday afternoon.

Would highly recommend this. It was very convenient. Just took the bus from DD back to our hotel when we were done with it.

Betsy

Do you know the name of the hotel that the car rental place is in? We always go to DD our first night. I may have to check into this.
Thanks

[Hammer]

Do you know the name of the hotel that the car rental place is in? We always go to DD our first night. I may have to check into this.
Thanks

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel has a National car rental desk, however, so does the Dolphin hotel. As I see in your signature that you are staying at the Beach Club, the Dolphin may be easier.