How far is it from Universal to Disney? I might try to get them both in.?

Question

I did not rent a car because I was originally only planning on going to Universal & Island of Adventure and we are staying on site. I am starting to second guess my dession and thinking about going to Disney for 3 days while we are there. We are going for 6 nights and 7 days from what I hear it will only take 2 days at the most for universal/Island of Adventure so I was thinking about trying to get it ALL in. I do not have a lot of money and this is mine and my 9yr olds 1st real vacation together and 1st trip to FL. I just want to make the most of our trip. We both love to go and go and go so I am not really worried about it being action packed.

Answer 1

They are not too far depending on which way you take, and traffic.
1) (About 20minutes, with no traffic) Take I-4 both Universal and Disney exits are clearly marked so you should have no problem missing them.
2) (About 15minutes, with no traffic) You need to take a LEFT out of Disney from the "main entrance" which leads out to SR-535 (across the street is Cross Roads)
Continue until you reach Palm Parkway (the first light, you'll see Olive Garden on you're right), take a RIGHT here
Follow this road all the way until you reach Universal Studios (on your right), You'll pass over Central Florida Parkway and Sand Lake RD (two major streets, and only lights) first and it'll be across the street from Dr. Phillips High School (which should be the third light)

The second way is alot quicker and hardly ever has traffic to deal with.

If you're not driving, you could take the Lynx bus, or a taxi. The Lynx bus would be alot cheaper, but ALOT more time consuming, if you're going to take a taxi it might just be cheaper to go ahead and rent a car. Either way, I hope you enjoy your trip!

Helpful Links:
Lynx: http://www.golynx.com/
Hertz: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/gaq/index.jsp?targetPage=reservationOnHomepage.jsp
Mears: http://www.mearstransportation.com/index.htm

Answer 2

Well congrats on your first Orlando trip!! You're going to have a great time! You have a number of choices for lodging, I recommend staying on site at Universal while you're visiting Universal and then staying on site at Disney while you're visiting Disney. Both places have great perks for guests staying on site that it's worth it and I'm sure there is some kind or shuttle to help get you from Universal to Disney or vise versa. If you decide you don't want to do that you can always stay in Kissimmee which is between Disney and Orlando but I would recommend renting a car if you're going to do that.

I agree with spending 2 days at Universal, I don't think you'd need more time than that because you can spend a day at each park. Now as far as Disney it depends on when you're going and you and your family’s interests. This is what I would recommend, spending 1 whole day at Animal Kingdom and combine two parks (either Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or MGM) into one and use the third day for the leftover park and also check out Downtown Disney (a great shopping area that includes DisneyQuest an indoor, interactive amusement park). Also keep in mind if you are interested in water parks there are also two great ones at Disney, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. If you're wanting to go to a water park you could spend a day at one of those parks (also keep in mind that if you're staying at Disney most resorts have pools and some even have slides).

Answer 3

Good for you! Have a great vacation!! I think there are shuttles available for a fee. Or you can take a cab. The distance isn't TOO far. In 2004, I spent 10 days in Florida and we had 3 day tickets to Universal and only used 2. We could have done the 3rd, but decided not to. Last year and this we are only doing Disney. (I could live in Disney World- LOL)

I don't know your financial situation, but here is a tip. When my son & I went we often split a combo meal for lunch. We would get a footlong chili dog or burger. Combo meals come with fries and a drink. After the first couple of days we noticed that neither of us finished our food, so to save some cash we started splitting, and just purchased an extra drink!

Have a great time!

Answer 4

Universal isn't far from Disney. It really just depends on how you get there as far as how long it will take. The way I understand you is that you are going to stay onsite at Disney, in which case they don't offer transportation to Universal because it is their competition.

Taxi will add up quickly. You will get there fast, but it will be pretty costly.

You could use public transportation, but I'm really not sure where you would have to be picked up, costs, etc. However, this would take longer to get to Universal.

Private transfer would also be expensive, around $100 or so, plus tip. But, this would be a very quick way to get there.

You could also do the Universal shuttle. If you call them and tell them you are wanting to get from your hotel to Universal and then back, they will tell you what you need. They can also tell you aboue your ticket options and things. Universal always has promotions, so it is worth buying them in advance. I believe the shuttle is only about $13 or something.

Universal and Islands of Adventure can easily be done in two days and if crowds aren't bad, you could probably do them in one. Since you both like to do a lot of things, I don't think it would be hard for you to do them both in a day. That is if you don't have long waits. But, Universal has had pretty low attendance lately, so you may get lucky.

My recommendation would be to go to each of the four Disney parks, they are all great and I think that your child would enjoy them. I also think they would really like DisneyQuest. It is great, located in Downtown Disney and perfect for that age.

I hope this helps!

Answer 5

A week long stay is just enough to fit both Resorts (Universal and Disney) into your schedule! The parks are about a 20 minute drive from each other. I recommend going to Disney first. If you can afford to stay at any of the Disney All Star hotels (which are Disney's cheapest hotels), you'll have free transportation anywhere on Disney property and won't have to worry about a rental car, which will save you a lot of money. From Orlando International Airport, I recommend purchasing transportation tickets from Mears, located downstairs by baggage claim. (http://www.mearstransportation.com/)
Their tickets are much cheaper than taking a taxi and they can take you directly to your resort. You can even purchase a round trip ticket to drop you off and pick you back up when its time to return for your flight home.

After you've enjoyed Disney and want to move on to Universal, I would recommend either using Mears again, or getting a rental car for the last few days. There are a few rental car offices to choose from at Downtown Disney, inside the hotels across the street, so you won't have to go back to the airport to pick it up.

If you'd like help in planning your vacation, please visit my Disney Vacation Services Blog!

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

Have a great trip!

Answer 6

Its not far at all like 30 minutes give or take. But universal isnt divided up like Disney so disney wont take as much time because you can take the tram from park to park. You 9 yr old will probably like disney better. If you can only get into a couple parks at disney because of time do Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and or the main park. Those are the best and the best for kids.

Answer 7

Not far at all!
I'm excited for ya'll! You will definitely love disney world and now you get to have the best of both worlds!
I say take some sort of taxi or try to rent a car?
I mean i think it would get old/expensive riding in a taxi twice a day for 3 days.
I think at most its 20-25 minutes away from Disney!
I sincerely hope you get to do both things because you'll have a wonderful time!

Answer 8

I agree with another poster...take a Mears bus from one to another. You'll be fine trying to fit it all in. You might want to do one of Disney's water park too if the weather is good. My favorite park is MGM because of the Rocking Roller Coaster and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. The Mummy Ride at Universal is awesome, but might be a tad scary for a 9 year old. I've been to Disney/Universal many many times and my parents are addicted! We live in IL, but if you have any more questions feel free to ask because we've done it all! Happy Travels!

Answer 9

They are roughly 10 miles apart, straight down I-4 toward Tampa from Universal. There are 3 Disney exits from the Interstate. It's very well marked how to get there.

I just got back from Orlando, the heat and crowds were brutal. We weren't able to go all day long like normal. My suggestion would be to go early, leave take a break and then go back late, and don't try to cram too much into each and every day. The pace along with the heat and crowds will just take it out of you, trust me.

Answer 10

The great part about that area is there are usually buses that run from the hotels to each of the parks, they are all very close together. Your best bet is to call your hotel and see what they offer.