Is there a shuttle from Disney resorts to Universal Studios?

Many people ask me, “Is there a shuttle from Disney to Universal?” And yes, there certainly is! The most popular shuttle service is run by the Mears Transportation Group. They have been running shuttles serving the Orlando theme parks for at least 40 years!



Contrary to what many guests expect, Walt Disney World does not provide a complimentary shuttle to Universal Studios Orlando. Because the two resorts are direct competitors, Disney focuses its free transportation (buses, monorails, Skyliner, and boats) exclusively on moving guests within the Disney "bubble." To get to Universal from a Disney hotel in 2026, the most popular and convenient method is using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, which typically cost between $20 and $40 one-way and take about 20-30 minutes. Some third-party "Good Neighbor" hotels located near Disney may offer their own shuttle services that stop at both resorts, but these are often infrequent and require advance reservation. Another option is the Mears Connect shuttle, which can be booked for a per-person fee, though this is often slower than a private rideshare. For those looking for the most flexibility, renting a car is an option, but keep in mind that you will have to pay for parking at Universal (currently around $30+). Essentially, while the two landmarks are close, you must arrange and pay for your own transit between them.

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Given Disneyland and Universal Studios is so popular among tourists to Los Angeles, you'd think there would be a shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios – but there isn't. However, you can book a private Disneyland to Universal Hollywood shuttle with a private vehicle and driver.

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Visiting Universal from Disney World You can go to Universal in the middle of your vacation to break up your Disney days; you get to enjoy the “Disney Bubble” every night of your vacation; and, depending on where you stay, it may be cheaper to stay at a Disney World hotel than to stay at Universal.

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Average Uber/Lyft cost within Walt Disney World is $10-15 per trip. This works out to be around one-third to half the cost of a Mears taxi for the same distance. Average Uber cost from Walt Disney World to Universal Orlando's drop-off point is $20-25 per trip.

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Another very popular question we receive is, is Disney or Universal Cheaper? And as a general rule of thumb, Universal is cheaper than Disney in almost every category, from tickets to theme park food, and the most noticeable being hotel rooms.

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Q: How many days to visit Disney World and Universal Studios? We would recommend you plan for at least six full days if you are trying to see Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando. This would allow you one full day at each four of the Disney theme parks and two full days at Universal Orlando.

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For thrilling theme park staples, go with Universal. Disney offers a tamer, more family-friendly experience. After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure.

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Shuttle Details: Depending on the time of day, the Magic Kingdom shuttle runs every 30 minutes, while the other theme parks run every 60 minutes. Trips are less frequent during the off-peak hours. The shuttle to Disney Springs only runs in the afternoon, evening, and nighttime.

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If you want to just take your time and enjoy the parks at a slow pace, 2 days is absolutely perfect for that. off-season: 1 day for a back to back experience and early wakeup. 2 for a more relaxed pace without rope drop times. On-Season: 2-4 days, if you went at rope drop.

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The main reason is we typically recomend to spend at least one day at each of the Universal Orlando parks including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. So as you can see four days is the perfect amount of time to visit Universal Orlando without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.

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Best Time of Year to Visit There's really no off season for Universal, but the week after Labor Day until mid-December (excluding Thanksgiving week) and January to mid-May (excluding spring break) are known for smaller crowds, cooler weather, and less humid air.

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The Universal Orlando Resort is a sprawling, three-park complex located in central Florida. Although it can be a little overwhelming to visit, you can do Universal in one day.

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Two days. At least a full day at Universal Studios and another full day at Islands of Adventure will give you more chances to ride the rides you want and see the shows you like.

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For that reason, we recommend devoting a minimum of a full day to each Universal Orlando theme park, especially if this is your first visit. Three days is ideal, particularly with a park-to-park pass, as it will allow you to fully explore each park and revisit your favorite attractions.

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Additionally, as a general rule, Universal is less expensive than Disney in practically every area, including theme park meals, tickets, and hotel accommodations.

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Just like there are more expensive times, there are also times of the year when it is cheaper to go to Disney World. As a rule, January, February, August, and September are the cheapest seasons, as long as you avoid any holidays in those months.

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At Universal, the wait times can be long for the bigger roller coasters, but the parks themselves are generally much less crowded. There's usually more room to space out and breathe without other guests crowding around you.

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