How to Get from Universal Orlando to Disney World

How to Get from Universal Orlando to Disney World

How to Get from Universal Orlando to Disney World

This article is your guide on how to get from Universal Orlando to Disney World (AND BACK AGAIN)! From our experience, we find that the easiest options will be taking an Uber or Lyft, renting a car, or always traveling from Universal Orlando to Disney World as they have official shuttle services which guests can add to an official Universal Orlando vacation package. As you will see below, guests can also take a taxi or public transportation; however, these will never be the most convenient.

If you’d like to learn more about how to get from Universal Orlando to Disney World, keep reading.

Unlock the magic of Disney World with The Park Prodigy! We offer FREE pre-concierge service which includes personalized park plans, expert dining advice, price monitoring to snag the best deals, AND access to all of our vacation planning tools. Click here to get our help planning your next trip today and receive up to $1,000 back in a Disney gift card when you book!

 Universal Crowd Calendar

How Far Is Universal Orlando from Disney World?

Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World are only about 9–14 miles apart, depending on where you’re starting and ending your trip. Even though they aren’t far from each other, travel time can vary based on traffic on I-4, which is the main highway that connects the two resorts. On an average day, the drive takes 15 to 20 minutes, but during busy park hours (especially mornings around 8–10 AM and evenings around 7–9 PM), it can take closer to 25–30 minutes.

• Universal to Magic Kingdom – 14 miles

• Universal to EPCOT – 12 miles

• Universal to Hollywood Studios – 11 miles

• Universal to Animal Kingdom – 18 miles

Split stays between Disney and Universal are common for families looking to maximize their Orlando vacations. We do it all the time and know the struggle of getting to and from the parks. There are easier ways than others, like Uber or Lyft over the city bus – but depending on what kind of car you need or the time of day it could be expensive. It’s also important to note that families who prefer official theme park transportation which they can trust are always better going from Universal Orlando to Disney World as opposed to traveling from Disney World to Universal Orlando. The reason is Universal has official shuttle services that can be added to any vacation package. This is different from Disney World which does not offer any services to take guests to and from the Universal theme parks at this time.

For this reason, we typically recommend that guests staying on Disney World property rent a car or take an Uber or Lyft to Universal Orlando. And guests travelling from Universal Orlando take an Uber or Lyft, or the official Universal Orlando shuttle services.

Travel Tip: If you want to avoid the heaviest I-4 traffic, plan your transfer midday between 11 AM and 2 PM or after 9 PM, when the roads are usually calmer.

Related Post: Disney World vs. Universal Orlando

Best Ways to Travel Between Universal and Disney

Rideshare (like Uber or Lyft)

The quickest and most flexible way to travel between the two resorts is by rideshare. Uber and Lyft pickups are available at almost every Disney and Universal hotel, and drop-off points are typically right at the main entrances, which saves a lot of walking. Expect a 15–20 minute ride, with typical costs ranging from $20 to $35 depending on traffic and time of day.

Travel Tip: At Disney, avoid trying to get a rideshare right at Magic Kingdom’s main entrance. It’s easier to request pickup from a nearby Disney Resort hotel like Contemporary or Polynesian, which usually speeds up the process.

Official Universal Orlando Shuttle with Universal Orlando vacation package 

If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, you can add a shuttle to your vacation package that will take you directly to Disney World. The round-trip shuttle costs about $40 per person, while a more extended “Take Two Transfer” that goes from your Disney hotel to Universal and then to the airport costs around $61 per person.

This option is reliable because it’s run by Universal, but it’s less flexible than Uber or Lyft—you’ll need to book in advance and stick to their schedule.

Driving (rental car)

Renting a car gives you full control over timing, which is ideal if you plan multiple trips in a day or want to explore other Orlando attractions. Driving between Universal and Disney takes 15–20 minutes, but rental cars can cost you over $100 per day plus insurance, plus parking fees at the parks. The cost of a rental car can add up on your Orlando trip!

Travel Tip: Disney parking can add $35 per day at most theme parks, and Universal charges about $32 per day for standard parking. Keep this in mind when comparing costs to rideshare or shuttle options.

Taxi Service

Taxis are available throughout Orlando, but they’re generally more expensive than rideshare, with fares often starting at $45–$60 per trip. Most guests prefer Uber or Lyft because they’re cheaper, faster, safer and more convenient.

Public Transportation (Lynx Bus – Not Recommended for Most Visitors)

Orlando’s Lynx bus system technically connects Universal and Disney, but the trip can take 1.5–2 hours, often requiring transfers. It’s extremely inconvenient for families or anyone on a tight schedule. While it’s the cheapest option at around $2 per trip, it’s only practical for budget travelers who aren’t concerned about time.

Related Post: Best Hotels between Disney and Universal

What is the cheapest way to get from Universal Orlando to Disney World?

Outside of taking public transportation, which we do not recommend for families on vacation, there are always Rideshare cars available for guests looking to travel to the Universal Orlando or Disney World theme parks. We use Lyft every time we are in town and spend between $20 – and $30 depending on where we are going between the resorts. That tends to save us more than the hefty price of a rental car for our entire week’s stay, or by upgrading your Universal Orlando vacation package to include official hotel shuttle services. Especially since both resorts have internal free transportation for guests to use.

Uber and Lyft have designated drop-off spots too, which means getting you into your hotel or theme park quicker.

If you’re renting a car, the easiest way to get back and forth to your Disney and Universal hotel would be driving. You have control over when you get to leave, but it is expensive to rent a car, and there are risks to driving yourself. There are things to consider with driving yourself, like parking fees which could apply depending on where you stay. Orlando traffic can be very stressful (coming from a former Orlando local) to drive in yourself too, and you will also have to pay for parking at Universal Orlando or Disney World. So, keep that in mind.

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling with a larger group, consider splitting the cost with multiple passengers in one UberXL or Lyft XL. You may end up paying less per person than renting a car for the day, especially once you factor in parking fees at Disney and Universal.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Universal Superstar Shuttle

How to Get from Universal Orlando to Disney FAQ

Q: Is there a shuttle between Disney and Universal?

A: Unfortunately, there is no “official” shuttle between the two parks. Of course, there are services like Mears which are reputable and known shuttles that operate between the parks, but you have to set those services up yourself. There is a public city bus that runs routes between the parks that guests can take.

Tip: Universal is about 10 miles from Disney World, depending on where you’re going. Universal Orlando is the more northern park, with Epic Universe slated to open in 2025 roughly in the middle of th two parks! Animal Kingdom is the farthest Disney Park from Universal, with Magic Kingdom being the closest. It’s best to plan ahead so you’re not confused in the moment!

Q: How much is Uber from Universal to Disney?

A: An Uber will cost somewhere between $20 and – 30 depending on the time of day or what car you order. There are typically plenty of cars of all types in the area due to the amount of travelers.

Q: Does Universal have a shuttle to Disney?

A: Universal does not have an official shuttle to Disney and vice versa. All transportation between theme parks must be managed by the guest or travel agent since there is no official shuttle between the parks.

Q: Is Universal connected to Disney?

A: Universal Orlando is not connected to Disney World. The parks are farther apart than people think, with at least a 15-minute drive between them! The two parks around around 12 miles apart and can seem further with all the Orlando traffic.

When is The Best Time to Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!