How Far is Universal / IOA from WDW?

[LeeHarman]

Hi everyone :wave:

We are visiting WDW from the UK later in the year where we are staying at the Port Orleans, & we are considering visiting Universal & Island of Adventures.

Does anyone know how far and how long it would take to get there? Also if we do not have a car how would we get there? We have been to WDW before however we have never gone outside of Disney (Too good to leave to go anywhere else!! )

Any help from all you knowledgeable people would be fantastic.
Cheers
Lee

 

[Philo]

We stayed in a hotel about 1mile from IOA and Universal Studios earlier this year. Generally we used the hotel provided bus to get from out hotel to disney but we did use a taxi once. To get from our hotel (about 1 mile south of Universal) to Downtown it cost about $20 I think. I think we got the taxi around mid-afternoon so there was no traffic to slow us down

I don't know any way other than taxi to get between the two.

EDIT: Forgot to say you really should visit IOA. I really enjoyed the park, it's not disney but there are some great high-tech rides. If you like coasters it is a must!

 

[garyhoov]

It's pretty close. I'd guess about a 4-5 mile drive approx. 10 minutes if traffic's not bad.

You could take a taxi, or you may want to consider renting a car for a day or two.

Unfortunately (and somewhat understandably) they don't make it easy via shuttle busses etc.

Maybe someone else will be able to check in with better info. than I was able to find when I was there.

Have fun!!

 

[hrcollectibles]

Its actually about 20 minutes away....I would recommend Back to the .. Oh wait its gone I know its not Disney but Enjoy

 

[CMSomeday]

Downtown Disney exit to Universal exit on I-4 is 7 miles, I believe. Maingate exit to Universal exit is about 10 miles on I-4. I would agree depending on traffic that your looking at 15-20 minutes at the most.

Might want to consider a rental car if going to different places. Otherwise, your looking at paying cabs, towncars, hitchhiking :sohappy: , etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[dzlandSr]

We stayed at Pop Century this past Jan/Feb. 07 and visited Universal and IOA (1 day at each place). Before we left, we set up transportation to Universal & IOA thru Quicksilver. They were very efficient, picking us up at the time I specified both going and coming back. The drive wasn't very long (probably about 20 minutes one way) and it was very relaxing not having to worry about renting a vehicle and so forth. Anyway, check out their website at www.quicksilver-tours.com :wave:

 

[WDWRLD]

Universal Studios/IOA.....Never heard of the place....

 

[crazydaveh]

IF traffic is moving on I 4 a cab can have you there in 15 minutes. It can take longer if I 4 isn't moving, which it hasn't been all week!

 

[mrerk]

For the locals:

Is Palm Parkway to Turkey Lake Rd a good alternative?

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

MapQuest states that from The Walt Disney Dolphin Resort to Universal Studios is 13.4 miles which will take 20 minutes (Assuming no traffic hold ups)

 

[Rob562]

You can arrange transportation through Mears. It's $17 per person, round-trip. You can even contact them for free from your Disney hotel room, just dial "0" and ask the operator to connect you.

-Rob

 

[Philo]

You can arrange transportation through Mears. It's $17 per person, round-trip. You can even contact them for free from your Disney hotel room, just dial "0" and ask the operator to connect you.

-Rob

$17 per person seems pretty expensive when you can get a taxi for a little over that between the group (albeit one way). Would probably be less hastle but I personally don't like having to get back on the bus by a set time.

 

[WDW Monorail]

For the locals:

Is Palm Parkway to Turkey Lake Rd a good alternative?

That's what I was just about to post. There is not much traffic and it is better than looking at tourist traps along the way.

 

[LeeHarman]

We stayed in a hotel about 1mile from IOA and Universal Studios earlier this year. Generally we used the hotel provided bus to get from out hotel to disney but we did use a taxi once. To get from our hotel (about 1 mile south of Universal) to Downtown it cost about $20 I think. I think we got the taxi around mid-afternoon so there was no traffic to slow us down

I don't know any way other than taxi to get between the two.

EDIT: Forgot to say you really should visit IOA. I really enjoyed the park, it's not disney but there are some great high-tech rides. If you like coasters it is a must!

How easy is it to get a Taxi at park closing time at Universal or IOA?
How do you go about getting one? Is there a Taxi rank there?
Sorry for the dumb questions but we have never been outside Disney before!
Many thanks Lee

 

[Philo]

Im 90% sure that there is a taxi rank in the coach drop-off / pickup area at the studios.

If you don't know the setup then basically you have the coach area / carparks on one side of the road (the East side I think). A footbridge from them to citywalk (the Universal version of Downtown) and then you have the studios to the right and IOA dead ahead. The entrace to each park is no more than a 5 - 10 minute walk to the carparks.

Getting a taxi should be very easy once you have made your way to the right area but you might need to wait a little while depending on how busy it is. I don't remember seeing loads of taxis around. If you do go to Universal then I suggest you make a day of it. Go to one of the parks for the day and then get some food at one of the city walk venues in the evening. By the time you've eaten you should be able to get a taxi easy.

If you are really worried then you could always get the number of a local taxi firm (and Disney will proably be able to recommend one) and ask them to pick you up when you are ready.

 

[drei]

For the locals:

Is Palm Parkway to Turkey Lake Rd a good alternative?

Turkeypalm is a great alternative for sea world, and if it is rush hour a better alternative for universal. However, with low traffic I-4 is quicker to get to Universal.