Parking at Universal

[SplashDuck]

Does anyone know of a way to get cheap or free parking at Universal?

Also, interested in possible shuttle services from Downtown Disney hotel area to Universal. The hotel we are staying at offers a shuttle, but it is $25 per person per day to use it!!!!

 

[JillC LI]

I don't think you can get around the standard parking fee if you are bringing a car.
You could look into Mears for a taxi to US.

 

[tahqa]

Yeah, pretty much no way to avoid parking fees at Universal.

 

[PhilharMagician]

There is really no inexpensive way to park or visit Universal from the WDW area. You will have no choice put to pay for the parking.

 

[marni1971]

Mmmmm the fee is there so you pay it.....

 

[wiigirl]

Yeah, pretty much no way to avoid parking fees at Universal.

lol...

 

[Bairstow]

At least it's painless.
I rather like their garage complex.
As long as you have a cursory understanding of how large, multi-story parking complexes work it's the best garage system in Orlando, Disney included.
It's even better if you're parking in the disabled sections.
But to answer your question, no, it's never free.

 

[Slipknot]

But to answer your question, no, it's never free.

Unless you are a preferred/premier pass holder or an employee. Premier even gets free preferred parking and free valet, excluding tip.

 

[tahqa]

Unless you are a preferred/premier pass holder or an employee. Premier even gets free preferred parking and free valet, excluding tip.

When available and valet is no longer free for special event nights (like any HHN night).

 

[Bairstow]

Unless you are a preferred/premier pass holder or an employee. Premier even gets free preferred parking and free valet, excluding tip.

I wouldn't call that free. More like pre-paid.

 

[maxairmike]

Well yeah, but depending on how often you go, it gets down to practically free. I've probably gone...at least 20-30 times this year, so my per-visit cost including park admission and parking compared to the cost of my pass is in the $10 range. Scale the parking and park admission out to their respective levels, and my parking cost is almost down to $1 per visit. Include the HHN trips I'll be making, and by Dec. 31st I should be well under $1 average for parking.

But really, the way most look at an AP is more like "How many tickets/days would I purchase, how much would I pay for parking? Is the AP less? Ok, I'll get the AP." The big deal is the cost compared to park admission, parking is usually a bonus more than a driving reason, so most see parking as "free."

 

[JT3000]

The point of an AP is to get you into the parks, so other perks, like free parking, are free.

 

[Bairstow]

The point of an AP is to get you into the parks, so other perks, like free parking, are free.

But the "free" parking is the primary reason to pay the extra $60 for the preferred pass over the power pass.