Originally Posted By kramer222 Hello Everyone! We are going to DLR Oct. 9 - 13 and I have a bit of a transportation problem. We want to go to Univ. Studios on Monday the 10th (Columbus Day) because we think DL will be packed. The shuttle leaves at 8:30am - and I don't know what time it will return. No one will tell me. The problem is that we have Balcony Seating for Fantasmic, which we have to show up for around 8:20. I have a feeling the shuttle will leave 30 min. after the park is closed (6:30) and return around 8:00pm - which may not be enough time to make our Fantasmic check-in. What do I do? We don't want to go any other day than Monday. We are taking a shuttle from the airport (around $120 total). If I get a car, renting a car for the week will set me back around $150 - $175. I'm stressing.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Where are you staying Kramer222, check with your hotel/motel about 1 day car rentals. I also know that there are many car rental stations right in the DL area. I've done it from Avis before. They will sometimes even come pick you up and drop you off if not within walking distance. I do believe the shuttles from the motels to Universal run on the hour, it's not a drop you off in the morning and not come back till closing type of thing.
Originally Posted By kramer222 I'm staying at the Grand California. They say to get on the shuttle at 8:30 outside the hotel. I think it's a chartered thing through Disney Travel Co. -- Boy, If I could get on the 8:30 chartered bus and take different one home at any time, that would be great!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Distance from DL - I'd call one of these locations: Avis 1570 South Harbor Boulevard 0.5 Miles East Dollar Rent A Car 1700 Harbor Blvd 0.5 Miles Southeast Alamo Rent A Car 711 West Katella 0.6 Miles Southeast Hertz 700 West Convention Way 0.8 Miles Southeast Hertz 221 West Katella Avenue 1 Miles Southeast Avis 200 West Katella Ave 1 Miles Southeast Budget 2132 South Harbor Blvd 1.1 Miles Southeast
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Oh, you're at the Grand. Just go to Conceirge. They can arrange the shuttle or a car rental with no problem!!
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost According to Map quest it is 31 miles, give or take from Disneyland to Universal.
Originally Posted By belle42 If Disney is providing free shuttle service to Universal, they should have a schedule available for return trips. Ask guest relations for the return trip schedule.
Originally Posted By kramer222 #8 - They aren't providing free shuttle service. This is a package chartered bus deal thing... but still no times, and I wasn't aware of other shuttles servicing the Anaheim area.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Kramer - you can also use Disney's Vacation Planning department. vacationplanning@disneyonline.com 714-300-PLAN option 2 At this stage in the game, I'd call them and keep calling. They can arrange special gifts to your room, restaurant reservations, etc. Along with shuttle and car rentals. Lots of us on LP have used their services. Being you are driving on a Monday to Universal, holiday or not, beware of the traffic you will encounter and leave to and from accordingly. Especially to get back for Fantasmic. Remember if you have Balcony seating, you are seated based upon how you line up, so I suggest getting there early if you want the first row.
Originally Posted By dsny1mom Personally I'd either rent a car for the day or forget about going to Universal. All of Columbus Day weekend will be busy, so I doubt you'll see much of an increase in crowds on Monday. I wouldn't risk missing F! from the balcony and possibly loosing the $$$$ paid for the seats. Even if they give you an estimated time the bus would return, I still wouldn't do it. Traffic, other guests being late to return to the bus, etc. all could end up making you forfiet the most sought after ticket at DL. Not to mention being late getting back from Universal probably wouldn't be considered a reason Disney would bend their no refund policy. As always,YMMV. dsny1mom
Originally Posted By kramer222 I'm going to call Disney tonight after work -- but I think I'm going to rent a car from Alamo for the day.
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter If a weekly car rental is not all that much more than you're paying for the airport shuttle, perhaps you could just rent a car for the week at the airport and drive yourself to the hotel. You're paying that resort fee which includes parking anyway.
Originally Posted By Ursula Also, keep in mind that Universal is not a full day. It's fun and I enjoy it, but you can hit the highlites in about six hours.
Originally Posted By kramer222 Bad news. The company taking us and dropping us off stated that the vouchers that were mailed to us would not be honored at the park admission gates, therefore if I do not take the shuttle, I must repurchase U.S. admission tickets. We said screw it and are just going to go on a different day. (Oh, and a cab ride home will run me $90.)
Originally Posted By pirategirlscully >>>We are taking a shuttle from the airport (around $120 total). If I get a car, renting a car for the week will set me back around $150 - $175.<<< But if you rent a car for the week, you would only be paying an additional $30 to have the use of a car for a whole week. Also, aren't you paying for the bus ride to Universal? When we went once without a car and did the charter bus thing, we did have to pay for that too. I only ask because if you did pay for the charter and could get it refunded, that would make the cost about even getting a rental car vs. paying for shuttles. Everytime I have gone to Universal, we left before it closed, its pretty easy to see everything there in a short day. Do you have AAA or a Costco membership? You can get good discounts through them and also find discount codes online for booking. Just an idea. Can you call and find out the name of the charter bus company and then call them and ask them directly?
Originally Posted By 5formickey We said screw it and are just going to go on a different day. (Oh, and a cab ride home will run me $90.) I think that is a good choice.....take my advice, don't be late for fantasmic. On the other hand, what a wonderful choice, both are grand adventures - enjoy!
Originally Posted By kramer222 Thanks 5! We think we are making the best decision possible. If we feel like we haven't had enough time in Disneyland, then we will simply cancel the Univ. Studios trip and enjoy our time at DLR.
