Getting to Harry Potter from Walt Disney World
By Dave Shute
(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)
GETTING FROM YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTEL TO THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
I recently had a comment from Dave on this page:
“How long from Disney resorts to Universal, and what’s the cheapest way to get back and forth?”
I told him that it takes 20-50 minutes, depending on which resort and on I-4 traffic, and said that I’d find out about the cheapest way and post on it.
Here’s the post!
GETTING FROM WALT DISNEY WORLD TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not part of Walt Disney World—it is part of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks.
To get there from Walt Disney World you have three paid options, plus another that’s discounted!
The first option is to use your rental car, or get one to use for the day from the Alamo site right in Walt Disney World (Alamo will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to their rental site, and also bring you back to your hotel when you are done with the car). For Alamo, see this.
This option tends to be the most expensive, especially during busy parts of the year when rental car rates skyrocket. You may be able to offset some of the cost by using the car to go food or drinks shopping, letting you spend less on these than you otherwise would.
The second option is to take a cab—this is more flexible and usually cheaper than renting a car. For cabs in Orlando, see yellowtaxiorlandocab.com or call 407 812-7000.
The third option is to arrange a shuttle pick up with Mears. Mears shuttles will stop at your hotel and take you back and forth. These are typically the least expensive options, but also the least flexible. For Mears’s website, see mearstransportation.com.
GETTING FROM DISNEY WORLD TO HARRY POTTER FOR A LOWER PRICE!
My friends at Destinations in Florida recently let me know about a lower-priced option.
If you buy a one-day two park Universal Orlando ticket from them, not only will it be about $10 per person cheaper than getting tickets at the gate, but also they’ll throw their shuttle in for about $7 bucks per person less than list!!
Note that this is a two-park ticket—it lets you enter both of Universal’s parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
Depending on how many people are in your family, it may be cheaper for you to get the one park tickets and take a cab or pay for Mears yourself.
To check out these tickets with lower-priced shuttle service from your Disney World resort to Universal Orlando and Harry Potter, click here.
LINKS FOR THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
- When to Go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- How Long to Stay at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- How Old/Tall Your Kids Should be for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Where to Stay During Your Visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- How Much to Budget for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- When Your Plans for Visiting the Wizarding World Should Be Firm
- How to Spend Your Time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- What to Do When to Get Ready for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
20 comments
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.
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!
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
Hi Melissa, the privileges are the same. What varies is kid appeal, convenience, theming, and amenities. Suggest you start here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/
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.
Hi Kathy, check this out: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/30/the-tightwads-guide-to-how-to-eat-at-walt-disney-world/
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!
Derek, I don’t know, but will see if I can find out!
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.”
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.
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/
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.
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?
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…
Thanks a lot for posting this.
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!!
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.
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!
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.
Thank you very much!!!
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