[LuvSnowWhite]

Hi, first time posting. Just new here. I have a question for all you pros and frequent Disney visitors. I am planning a combo trip with Universal and Disney. Probably 2-3 days at the two Universal parks and the rest ~7 days for WDW. I want to stay on site and take advantage of Magical Express but because I am splitting hotels I will only have that for one way. Do the Universal hotels offer ride to or from the airport?
Which one should I do first?
If anyone has done this any tips would be welcome. Also, everyone I know is a Disney-hater so I might be going solo.
Thanks in advance for all your help.

[Cincy]

Luvsno, welcome to MouseBuzz.

I don't think Universal offers transportation to the airport. If not, I would recommend Quicksilver.

Someone will be here soon with a better answer.

[Jennatrz]

Originally Posted by LuvSnowWhite

Hi, first time posting. Just new here. I have a question for all you pros and frequent Disney visitors. I am planning a combo trip with Universal and Disney. Probably 2-3 days at the two Universal parks and the rest ~7 days for WDW. I want to stay on site and take advantage of Magical Express but because I am splitting hotels I will only have that for one way. Do the Universal hotels offer ride to or from the airport?
Which one should I do first?
If anyone has done this any tips would be welcome. Also, everyone I know is a Disney-hater so I might be going solo.
Thanks in advance for all your help.

Welcome to MB! You will probably only need 2 days at Universal. Some of the major hotels at Universal may have transportation. If I were you I would call and ask. You could always just rent a car for those couple of days. It might be cheaper and it will give you some transportation to pick up some of the things that you might need during the trip like groceries. Good luck. Everyone here will help you with anything that you might need.

[mousemom]

I don't have any advice but I did want to wish you a warm welcome to MouseBuzz!!!!!

[yankeevttch]

Welcome to mousebuzz. I hope you find your answer.

[Lisnoe]

Welcome to Mousebuzz! You'll find this site a great resource for all the answers to all of your questions.

Tips for you (off the top of my head):

1. Plan as much as you can. Look at which parks have the Extra Magic Hours (special times the parks are opened for resort guests) and take advantage of the extra time.
2. Try to coordinate your dining reservations with the park you will be at that time of day.
3. Finally, don't hesitate to head back to your resort for some rest and relaxation. It's easy to get caught up in trying to do too much all at once.

Again, welcome!

[dznygrl]

Hi LuvSnowWhite, welcome to MouseBuzz! I hope you love it here!!

I don't think the Universal hotels offer transportation from the airport (they need to get on that bandwagon ASAP if they want to compete with Disney!) but I would second Cincy's suggestion to use Quicksilver! Very affordable, convenient towncar transportation is such a blessing when you just want to get to your hotel and relax after traveling.

I am jealous of your combo trip - I have always wanted to do that! And I definitely think you're doing it right...Universal first, saving the best (Disney of course ) for last!

[E&B's Mom]

Universal does not offer transportation, but that being said, if you plan on staying on-site at Universal I would do that at the end of your trip. Universal only offers the fast-pass type thing to those who pay for it (one fast-pass per ride) or those who stay on site (unlimited fast-pass to all rides except one - Pteradon Flyers - with your hotel key). The hotels are pricey, but very nice relaxing resorts and worth it for the fast-pass alone. You will get VERY spoiled not waiting in line. We always do Universal last. We learned our lesson the hard way, relaxing at Universal and then going die hard at WDW and having to wait in line.

[LuvSnowWhite]

I have decided to either go alone or with my mum (if she wants)(no one in my circle of family or friends are Disney fans )and I think I might stay on WDW property the whole time and either rent a car for two days or get a car service. I think Mears does it for 15$/day that's about the same as close parking isn't it? I still want to do Universal first and then really cherish the Disney part. Also if I stay on WDW on site I'll get magic express both ways!
Thanks for all your tips and welcomes!
Gina.

[tea]

Don't feel sad about going alone!!! It will still be super fun - just think of the big lines you will skip by doing the single rider line

You will go at your own pace and do, eat and play when and where you want!

Have fun, take lots of photos and show your friends how much fun Disney can be

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by LuvSnowWhite

I have decided to either go alone or with my mum (if she wants)(no one in my circle of family or friends are Disney fans )and I think I might stay on WDW property the whole time and either rent a car for two days or get a car service. I think Mears does it for 15$/day that's about the same as close parking isn't it? I still want to do Universal first and then really cherish the Disney part. Also if I stay on WDW on site I'll get magic express both ways!
Thanks for all your tips and welcomes!
Gina.

I think that's a great plan. I don't necessarily think you need to rent a car just for those purposes, take the shuttle from a Disney resort.

Welcome to Mousebuzz!

[johnkimv]

Originally Posted by LuvSnowWhite

I have decided to either go alone or with my mum (if she wants)(no one in my circle of family or friends are Disney fans )and I think I might stay on WDW property the whole time and either rent a car for two days or get a car service. I think Mears does it for 15$/day that's about the same as close parking isn't it? I still want to do Universal first and then really cherish the Disney part. Also if I stay on WDW on site I'll get magic express both ways!
Thanks for all your tips and welcomes!
Gina.

I second that you should do Universal first and Disney second. If you did Disney first, you would be so unimpressed with Universal. Everything Disney does is just much better that what Universal does.

[wdwjeff]

First, let me echo the welcome to MB! We just got back on Monday and did that exact type of trip. First, we stayed for 3 nights at the Hard Rock at Universal. While I agree that two days is enough(one in each park), the Hard Rock has a great pool and we spent the third day relaxing and enjoying it. Also, the room key gave us Universal Express, which, IMHO, completely blows FastPass away. So, while Disney has Magical Express, it does not have anything that compares to Universal Express - it's awesome to never have to wait in line. Then, we spent 8 nights at Beach Club and spent one of our days in that pool, too, which, again IMHO, is the best pool the Mouse has to offer. We could have used ME for the return trip to the airport, but Quicksilver is comfortable, personal and affordable. And, they offer a stop at a supermarket which you cannot get with ME. All that for only $155 for all three rides combined (airport-HardRock-Beach Club-airport) in a luxury Town Car. That's they way to go, for sure

[LittleMissMagic]

Welcome to MB!

I have done Universal and Disney, but never in one trip.

Good choice to stay onsite at Universal and Disney, though. Both have very good perks, and this will give you the best experience at both parks.

While it makes sense to use ME to get to WDW, I think Universal might be a bit of a disappointment after doing WDW.

[ddoll]

Welcome to MB!

We've done Universal and WDW in the same trip many times. We've done it both ways: Uni first or WDW first. I prefer to do Uni last myself. I agree with E&B'smom: It is a whole different pace when you stay in their hotel and have Front of the Line privileges. You buzz through all the rides and then have time to relax and enjoy the hotel. You can get spoiled that way and may think of waiting in line at WDW as a pain.

Universal is Disney' s#1 competitor for good reason: they have some top of the line stuff there. Do not let anyone else's opinion spoil your appreciation of the parks there.

However, if you're not staying in Uni, then it really doesn't matter when in your trip you go. I have to agree with the town car recommendation. If you can afford it, that is the way to go.