For many visitors to Orlando, seeing both the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando theme parks is part of their dream vacation plans. The most common question we get from people planning their Walt Disney World vacation is: how far is universal studios from Disney World?
Today, we’re going to share our complete guide to the best way to get to Universal Studios from Walt Disney World to help you plan your next vacation.
How Far is Universal Studios from Disney World?
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, you may be wondering if it’s possible to travel between the two resorts and how long it will take you.
The distance between the Universal and Disney theme parks is just nine miles, so it’s not far to go at all during your stay in Orlando. If you rent a car, the drive should take about 15 to 25 minutes depending on Orlando traffic.
Universal Studios is located towards the south-west of the city, closer to the Orlando city center itself. This close proximity to Disney is why many people opt to stay in a Disney resort and enjoy all of the perks of these hotels and just travel to Universal Studios Florida for a day.
How to Get to Universal Studios From Disney World Without a Car
You have a few options when it comes to getting to Universal Orlando resort without a car. We know that many people have no interest in driving on their vacation, especially when traveling from overseas and navigating driving on the other side of the road.
- Rideshare Options – Most visitors opt to use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. Unless prices are increased during peak times, you can expect to pay between $22 and $25 for this journey each way.
- Public Transportation – this is very limited between Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
- Mears Shuttle – Mears offer a shuttle between Universal and Disney, which is an option you may want to consider. It has less flexibility than using a rideshare service.
- Rental Car – If you are planning to see a lot of other attractions outside of Walt Disney World, you’ll certainly want to think about hiring a car, as this is often the most cost-effective solution over a week or so.
How Much is an Uber from Walt Disney World to Universal?
Uber will set you back about $22-25 each way when traveling between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Keep in mind that this is the price for a basic car at the quieter times of the day, so the price will increase if you travel during peak times or need a larger vehicle for your travel party.
The good news is that Uber and Lyft offer options to fit everyone’s needs now, so even if you are in a large group, you’ll likely find something to meet your needs.
Just make sure you allow adequate time in the mornings when using this service, so you don’t miss out on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and other popular attractions on the Universal property.
Is There a Shuttle Between Disney World and Universal Studios?
Are you looking to visit the Universal Parks like Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando, or Universal Citywalk? You won’t find an official shuttle between Walt Disney World and these theme parks.
Instead, you can opt to book the one from the Mears Transportation Group, which is a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area.For those under three years old, the Mears shuttle is free, but everyone else will need to pay.
You’ll soon find the cost adds up if you are traveling in a large group though, so make sure you budget ahead of time if this is something you are planning to do.
Hotel Transportation to Universal and Disney World
Many of the local hotels and resorts also offer complimentary transportation to both sets of theme parks. This is why we see many international visitors opt to stay on International Drive and other touristic spots where the hotels offer free shuttle service to a variety of local attractions.
If you don’t have your own car, this can often be the best way to maximize your time in Orlando without having to choose one area in particular to stay in. This is a great option for families who want to split their vacation time between the different theme parks.
Should I Hire a Rental Car in Orlando?
When arriving at the Orlando International Airport, a common option that many travelers go for is to pick up a rental car straight away. Any travel agent will be able to help you with this booking, or you can find good prices online.
For many people, this is the easiest way to get around Orlando, especially if you are looking to enjoy Walt Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
One thing to keep in mind with car rental is that parking costs and toll roads can soon add up. If you will be traveling to the theme parks each day, you’ll also need to pay for parking.
This is why many people choose to stay at Disney hotels or Universal hotels to avoid these fees. We recommend calculating the complete cost of renting a car before your vacation to see if it’s the right choice for you and your family.
Do City Buses Run in Orlando?
If you are used to traveling to other major cities around the world, you might be wondering what the public buses are like in Orlando. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t have the best bus setup, which means the travel time on buses to anywhere you need to go can be extremely long.
For that reason, most people will opt to take a rideshare instead, as it’s just a much more effective use of your time. The good news is that if you have time to spare, buses are available to take you around and see more of Orlando than just the area your hotel is located in.
LYNX Bus Service
LYNX is the local bus service in Orlando, which offers journeys from just $2 each way. They have a variety of passes on offer, so it’s cheap and easy for locals and visitors to get around.
Line 50 is the one you’ll need to take from Universal Orlando to Walt Disney World and then Line 302 will bring you back. Keep in mind they don’t offer a direct bus service though, so you have to switch buses to get to your favorite theme park and roller coasters.
For most people, this just isn’t worth the time and hassle, and you are much better off with a car rental. It may be the cheapest option but if you want to get to the park for opening, it’s very unlikely to happen this way.
Is It Worth Going to Universal Studios from Walt Disney World?
This is a very subjective question based on your personal preferences, but for first-time visitors to Orlando, we highly recommend seeing both theme park areas during your vacation.
Universal Orlando is perfect for teenagers and adults, especially during Halloween Horror Nights. This is one of the highlights of the holidays in Orlando and will be a great night out that you’ll remember long after your vacation is over.
Walt Disney World is the world’s most popular theme park resort for many reasons, and kids and adults alike can’t visit Orlando without spending a day here. Review our site for a complete guide to what to see and do here and how to make the most of your time in Orlando.
How Many Days Do You Need to See Both Sets of Theme Parks?
Most visitors to Orlando spend at least a week here, but this is generally just about enough time to only see Walt Disney World. With four theme parks and two water parks, you can easily spend a whole week here even without a rest day.
Universal Orlando Resort has two theme parks, a soon to be third, and a water park, so allow a minimum of three days here to experience everything. During the holidays, you’ll need to add extra time to make sure you can see everything, and factor in travel time for both ways if you are staying off-site and coming to and from the theme parks each day.
You’ll notice that many visitors from the UK and overseas opt to stay in Orlando for two weeks. When traveling from overseas, it makes sense to stay as long as possible, as you’ll be able to make the most of the beautiful weather and great attractions the city is so well known for.
As you can see, it’s easy to get to and from Universal Studios and the Magic Kingdom when staying at the other resort. Make sure you book your shuttle or Uber ahead of time where possible or leave extra time first thing in the morning to avoid issues.
For your next Disney World Vacation don’t limit yourself to just staying on Disney property. Get outside of the bubble, and explore. If you’re feeling up for a split stay, consider staying at a Universal hotel, so you can truly compare the two experiences.
Or if you want to enjoy both areas but not do a split stay, consider staying at an off-property around Disney Springs so that you can be a bit more central, and save a considerable amount, especially if you drive your own vehicle down to Central Florida.
Do you make time in your Disney World itinerary to go to Universal?
Read Also: A Guide to Universal Orlando Resorts
