Hoppin’ news! Universal Epic Universe is now open — and you can save on your Universal Orlando tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist, up to $88 per ticket!
Booking your Universal Orlando hotel stay through Undercover Tourist unlocks the same benefits as booking directly through Universal. Undercover Tourist now offers a flexible deposit option, so you can secure your Universal Orlando hotel stay for only a refundable $200 deposit, and then pay the remaining balance 30 days prior to check-in.
There's nothing quite like spending the day at Universal Orlando Resort! But before you help Harry Potter escape from Gringotts or figure out when Brendan Fraser is finally going to get his coffee (#iykyk), you need to know how to get there! Universal Orlando Resort offers several convenient transportation options, and in this guide, we're going to explore them all!
Transportation Options at Universal Orlando Resort
If planning a stay at Universal Orlando Resort, the first thing you should know is that transportation to and from the parks from the Universal hotels is complimentary. That's right — totally free! So whether you're staying at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Universal Endless Summer Resort — Dockside or Surfside Inn and Suites or others on property (including the new hotels near Universal Epic Universe — Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Helios Grand Hotel), all you have to do is hop aboard as you're whisked away to your next adventure!
Bus Transportation
Depending on where you're staying, you'll likely be taking a complimentary bus between the theme parks and your resort. The bus schedule can vary, but they generally pick up and drop off guests every 15-30 minutes. These buses are air-conditioned and ADA-accessible, offering a comfortable commute to every guest on board.
Buses generally run about an hour before Early Park Admission for hotel guests until CityWalk closes.
Water Transportation
For those days when the water is calling you, take advantage of Universal Orlando Resort's water taxis! These taxis are available one hour before Early Park Admission, which generally takes place an hour before the official opening to off-site guests. These times can vary, so be sure to check the Universal app or website for up-to-date info.
Water taxis usually run every 30 minutes. While they are generally available to all guests, restrictions may apply during busy seasons such as over the summer and during the holidays. If so, water taxi service will only be available to guests staying at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Walking
Walking to the theme park is also an option! Most of the hotels in the CityWalk area offer a walking path to Universal CityWalk, and by proxy, the two theme parks. Most of these paths will take you between 10 and 30 minutes to walk, depending on your resort. For example, it's only a 10-15 minute walk to Islands of Adventure from Loews Royal Pacific Resort, but it's 30 minutes from Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Keep in mind that walking from the Endless Summer Resorts requires you to cross I-4 on a busy overpass. Though there are public sidewalks to use, this would not be a good option for froggy families with young tadpoles.
Universal Cabana Bay Beach has a dedicated hotel guest entrance into Universal Volcano Bay. There's also a shortcut from Universal Aventura Hotel near its pool, which takes you to the bus station in front of Volcano Bay.
For Universal Epic Universe, Universal Helios Grand Hotel has a dedicated hotel guest entrance into the new theme park. Universal Stella Nova Resort also has a walking path that takes about 10 minutes.
Driving & Parking
If you drove yourself to your resort and are an overnight guest, then you have the option to take the water taxi or bus to the parks. However, you also have the option to drive! Just like the other methods mentioned, driving should get you over to the parks pretty quickly.
Regular parking is $32. At CityWalk only, self-parking is free after 6 p.m. (except during Halloween Horror Nights). For prime parking, rates could climb as high as $60 during peak periods.
Valet parking is also available, and rates depend on the length of stay — if parking before 6 p.m., $32 for two hours or $65-75 for more than two hours (plus account for tipping). If parking after 6 p.m. at CityWalk, the rate is $32 for two hours or $40-75 for over two hours ($75 during Halloween Horror Nights), plus tip. Follow signage for valet parking.
Accessible parking is available for closest access to the CityWalk security hub and Epic Universe park entrance. Just keep in mind that your disability placard must be visible once you leave your vehicle.
Parking at CityWalk
Follow directions to: 6000 Universal Boulevard; Orlando, FL 32819.
If you're driving to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay or CityWalk, there are two huge multi-level parking garages. For Volcano Bay, stay to your right, as there is specific parking on the lower level of the South Parking Garage, where you can hop on a quick shuttle ride to the park entrance.
Parking at Epic Universe
Follow directions to: 1001 Epic Boulevard; Orlando, FL 32819.
The new theme park has a surface parking lot, with separate sections for accessible, valet, prime and standard parking (in order of distance to the entrance). ECV charging is available in prime parking with limited spots, and additional fees apply.
Transportation for CityWalk Area Theme Parks
Guests staying at Universal Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Suites, Universal Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel have the convenience of taking a shuttle bus to and from CityWalk, including Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Once you're picked up from your resort's designated bus stop, you'll be dropped off outside the entrance to Universal CityWalk where you'll proceed through security. Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, Cabana Bay and Aventura Hotel guests can also walk to Islands of Adventure via the Garden Walkway. This beautifully landscaped pathway takes about 20 minutes to walk and will drop you off right near Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.
Water taxis to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, as mentioned above, are available to guests of the Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort and Sapphire Falls. Guests are dropped off near the NBC Sports Grill & Brew in CityWalk. After docking, guests can walk right to Universal Studios Florida or left to Islands of Adventure.
Transportation for Volcano Bay
As briefly mentioned above, Volcano Bay is probably the easiest to walk to while staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel. Pathways are available for guests staying at Sapphire Falls Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel. If you drove yourself, you would park in the lower level of the CityWalk parking garage, and need to take a short shuttle ride to the water park's entrance.
Just keep in mind that if you're using the entrance from Cabana Bay, you'll have to show one of the team members your room key.
Transportation for Epic Universe
Epic Universe is one of the biggest things Universal Orlando has done since opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas. With new rides and storylines, Epic Universe is going to be nothing short of, well, epic! Learn everything there is to know about it (and then some) in our helpful guide. Did you know tickets for Epic Universe are on sale? Save some green when you grab your tickets from Undercover Tourist!
But back to transportation! What's unique about Epic Universe is that it's located about 10-15 minutes away from the other theme parks and CityWalk, and has its own parking lot. So far, the bus shuttle will be Universal's only mode of transportation for traveling to and from Epic Universe. The exception is if you're staying at the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel (which is located inside Epic Universe and will have its own dedicated park entrance) and Universal Stella Nova Resort (which offers a walking path)!
Navigating Strollers, Wheelchairs, ECVs and Other Mobility Devices on Universal Orlando Transportation
Traveling with tadpoles in strollers or relatives using mobility devices? You'll be able to use all of the available transportation methods with ease.
As mentioned above, the buses are ADA-accessible. Those in wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices can ride safely and comfortably. Those in electric convenience vehicles (ECVs), however, will need to transfer into shuttle seating. Keep in mind that oversized scooters may not be able to be accommodated, but as long as it's standard size, you should be good. Parents are allowed to bring strollers on the bus, but they will have to be folded before boarding. However, strollers generally do not have to be folded on water taxis.
Universal Orlando Resort Transportation Tips
Here are some helpful tips for navigating Universal Orlando Resort's transportation system:
- Prepare for longer wait times in the morning and at the end of the night during peak travel times.
- Look at the policies listed on Universal's website regarding wheelchairs and ECVs to ensure your device meets the size requirements. Water taxis have roll-on ramps.
- If driving and parking at the CityWalk garage, prepare for a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance of CityWalk and another 5-10 minutes to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.
- EV charging stations are available in the valet section of the parking garage.
- If driving to the parks, parking opens an hour before Early Park Admission.
- If you want to walk, adjust for the weather and be flexible — and wear comfortable shoes!
Well, there you have it: everything you need to know about your available transportation options at Universal Orlando Resort. We hope this transportation guide helps you plan ahead so you can make the most of your upcoming vacation.
What mode of transportation do you normally take to and from your Universal Orlando Resort hotel? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Related: Where to Stay at Universal Orlando Resort — Including New Epic Universe Hotels
Related: Why Stay at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel
Keep hopping!
