20 responses

  1. Florencia
    September 19, 2016

    Hi Dave! We’re from Argentina and we’ll be staying at Art of Animation resort. We’re planning to visit Universal the last two days, we’re two adults and three kids aged 4,6 and 8. Can we take a cab all together? Is there a way to find a cab that can accommodate all of us? Thank you very much!

    Reply

    • Dave
      September 20, 2016

      Florencia, some cabs will fit you. Check at the cab stand, and if there is not one big enough, ask them to call one for you.

      Reply

      • Florencia
        September 21, 2016

        Thank you very much!!!

        Reply

  2. Shawn
    February 13, 2016

    Hi Dave!
    We are firming up plans for a trip to WDW & Universal in November. We are currently planning on arriving at the Polynesian 11/25, doing parks 11/27 (Epcot & MVMCP hopefully), 11/28 (HS), and 11/29 (MK). We were thinking we’d stay at the Poly 11/25 – 11/29. We were planning on just one day at Universal, but after looking at the parks closer, I think we’ll need 2 days, so we are planning on Universal 11/30 and 12/1. I currently have a reservation at the Poly for the entire trip, but am now thinking we should switch hotels to a Universal hotel for the nights of 11/30 and 12/1, since we will be there for 2 days. Based on your site and others, I think I will be looking at Cabana Bay or the Royal Pacific for the early park entry (although crowds look low at this time, so is it beneficial?). How do you recommend we get over to Universal, with all of our luggage, and would the best time to do that be early the morning of 11/30, and then get to the park (hopefully still early enough to take advantage of the early park entry)? Or would it be better to move hotels late the evening of 11/29? We were still hoping to watch the Wishes fireworks from the beach at the Poly that evening, and not sure how late we can get a shuttle, etc. to Universal. Thanks for your help Dave!!

    Reply

    • Dave
      February 14, 2016

      Shawn, the early park entry is hugely valuable, as even lower crowd days can build up at the most popular stuff like Harry Potter. The simplest solution–if you can afford it–is to double book. That simplifies all the timing and gear questions. Otherwise getting up very early is the next best bet.

      Reply

  3. orlando car service
    September 25, 2014

    Thanks a lot for posting this.

    Reply

  4. Summer
    September 18, 2014

    Thank you Dave for the prompt response. I will check out the Mears transportation. What do you think of the itinerary? Arriving on a Thursday check-in at Universal resort hotel, Friday (Universal for Wizarding World of Harry Pottery), Saturday check-in Walt Disney Resort, Disney World Saturday-Monday (flight leaves Monday evening). I have not seen any sales for 2015 on a Walt Disney Resort hotel (including AAA discount). Should I wait to book hotel or just book the Disney Resort hotel now? Do you have any itinerary suggestions for adults visiting, including hotels?

    Reply

    • Dave
      September 19, 2014

      Hi Summer, I don’t have any itineraries for such a short visit. You will find them in the 2015 version of our book, whenever it comes out!. Booking now neither hurts nor helps your chances of re-booking into a deal later. 2015 deals likely will being to appear next month…

      Reply

  5. Summer
    September 17, 2014

    Hello,
    Thank for all the tips and information. You suggest double-booking a night to be able to take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express and Early Entry Privilege at Universal. What about splitting hotels? 2 days at a Royal Pacific and 2 days at a Disney World Resort. I would need to find “budget” transportation from the airport to Universal, then from Universal to Disney World. Would Disney provide transportation to the airport? We only have 5 day/4 night trip. We would really want to see Wizarding World Harry Potter and Disney World, 4 adults traveling. My thought is first day site seeing around hotel/Universal City Walk (or flight arrives in the evening) 1 day at Universal and the remaining days at Disney World. This is a first trip for everyone.

    Reply

  6. Summer
    September 17, 2014

    Hello Dave,
    Thank for all the tips and information. You suggest double-booking a night to be able to take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express and Early Entry Privilege at Universal. What about splitting hotels? 2 days at a Royal Pacific and 2 days at a Disney World Resort. I would need to find “budget” transportation from the airport to Universal, then from Universal to Disney World. Would Disney provide transportation to the airport? We only have 5 day/4 night trip. We would really want to see Wizarding World Harry Potter and Disney World, 4 adults traveling. My thought is first day site seeing around hotel/Universal City Walk (or flight arrives in the evening) 1 day at Universal and the remaining days at Disney World. This is a first trip for everyone.

    Reply

    • Dave
      September 18, 2014

      Summer, sure you can do that! Disney will get you back to the airport, but you have to sign up for DIsney’s Magical Express. Mears tends to be the least expensive way to get your other transport done–tho it isn’t budget. See http://www.mearstransportation.com/

      Reply

  7. Dave
    December 26, 2013

    Derek, I reached out to an expert from Destinations in Florida Travel. Here’s what they said:

    “”Mears offers a shared shuttle service for $19 pp from most Disney resorts to Universal Orlando. That price may increase by a few dollars depending on the Disney resort. $19 pp is the price for ages 4 – adult. Children 3 and under are no charge. Car seats are not required by law in the shuttle and the shuttle seats cannot accommodate them.”

    “I do not see an option to book the shuttle via the web site, but you can call Mears at 855-4-MEARS-NOW or 855-463-2776 and select the option for “Orlando Shuttle Assistance.” Guests can call this number to inquire about the seat type and specifics on the vehicle if desired. In my experience, operators are very friendly and helpful.”

    Reply

  8. Derek
    December 23, 2013

    Dave, I’ve checked out the Mears option and there are a couple things that I’m not sure about. First of all, when I try to book a ride from the hotel (inside Disney) to Universal they only give me an option of booking what looks like a taxi for $56 the one way trip for 2 people. From what I read (I know it’s an old post but still) the fares for the shuttle go for less than that, but they don’t give me the option to book a shuttle from their website. My second question is that the the FAQ in the Mears website says that the shuttles don’t have any carseats, but after that I understood that there aren’t any special sized seats, which one is correct?. Though I can’t book my ride yet, since I dont have the exact date in which we are going to Universal, so most likely I would book the shuttle the day before.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      December 24, 2013

      Derek, I don’t know, but will see if I can find out!

      Reply

  9. kathy pope
    July 29, 2012

    We are planning a vacation trip to Disney World in October. Do you have any “cheap” ideas on how to eat while there? We have our travel plans made and our accommodations already.

    Reply

  10. Melissa
    July 28, 2012

    The kids are 10 and 15 . And we don’t really have a budget. Maybe just which resort is cheaper or which one has better privileges for resort customers

    Reply

  11. Melissa
    July 27, 2012

    My family and I are planning a trip to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, but its kind of short notice we are wanting to go in a week…So, which resort do you think would be better to stay at? Or would it be best to stay at a regular hotel? How much would the tickets be all together for a family of four? How many days should we spend at each park? Any other tips would be helpful. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Dave
      July 27, 2012

      Hi Melissa…I can’t advise on hotels without knowing your nightly hotel rate budget, or on park days without knowing the ages of your kids…so reply with those and I’ll try to help!

      Reply

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