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“So there’s no bus between Universal and Disney at all?” Priya Kapoor had booked three nights at a Universal hotel for the teens and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then four nights at a Disney resort for the younger kids, before she spotted the gap in the middle. Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World are about fifteen miles apart and share no transportation, so a trip that does both is really three trips stitched together: the airport, the move between resorts, and the airport again. Here is how to structure a Universal and Disney trip so transport never becomes the problem.
How should you structure a trip doing both Universal and Disney?
Structure a trip doing both Universal and Disney as a split-stay, a few nights at Universal Orlando and a few at Walt Disney World, with private transfers connecting the legs. The alternative is to base at one resort and day-trip to the other. Either way, the two resorts share no transportation, so you arrange every move yourself.
Think of a both-resorts trip as three transfer legs: the airport to your first resort, the mid-trip move between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, and the last resort back to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Day-hops are an optional fourth. The Kapoors did a split-stay, three nights at Universal Orlando first and four at Walt Disney World after, which let each set of kids get on-site early entry during their resort’s days. The table below lays out the legs and the private-car cost of each.
| Leg of the trip | Route | Approx. Sedan cost |
|---|---|---|
| Airport arrival | MCO to your first resort | about $119 |
| Mid-trip resort move | Universal to Disney, with luggage | about $102 |
| Daily park hop (optional) | Between the two resorts | about $102 |
| Departure | Last resort to MCO | about $119 |
How do you handle the mid-trip move between Universal and Disney?
Handle the mid-trip move with a single private transfer that carries your whole group and luggage from one resort to the other in about 15 to 25 minutes. Neither Universal Orlando nor Walt Disney World provides transport between them, and rideshare can struggle with luggage and group size. One booked car does it cleanly.
The move is the one leg people underestimate, because it lands mid-vacation with everyone’s bags. For the Kapoors, checkout at their Universal Orlando hotel and check-in at Walt Disney World were hours apart, so a private theme park transfer collected all six of them and the luggage in one trip, dropped the bags, and had them at their new resort without a rideshare juggle. A Sedan runs about $102 for this move, an SUV about $115, and a Van the same for a larger group. You can confirm resort check-in windows on disneyworld.disney.go.com so the timing lines up.
What is the best transport between Universal and Disney resorts?
The best transport between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World is a private car, at about $102 for a Sedan and $115 for an SUV or Van one-way. It is direct, handles luggage, and holds the whole group, while rideshare surges in the evenings and no free shuttle connects the resorts. For a group, the flat per-vehicle rate usually beats multiple rideshares.
Rideshare is the common fallback, and it works for two people traveling light on an off-peak afternoon. Once you add a family, luggage, or a peak-evening surge, a private car is both simpler and often cheaper per head. Our Disney limo service and theme park transfers both cover the resort-to-resort run, and you can check park hours and gates on universalorlando.com when planning the hop.
How do you handle daily park hops during a both-resorts trip?
During a both-resorts trip, spend each block of days at one resort, use that resort’s on-site early entry, and take a private car only for cross-resort hops. Staying on-site at Universal Orlando during your Universal days and at Walt Disney World during your Disney days earns early admission at both. A car covers any day you cross between them.
This is the quiet advantage of a split-stay over basing at one resort. On-site guests get early park admission at their own resort, so splitting your nights means you collect that perk at both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World instead of just one. Within each resort’s days you rarely need a car, since each has its own internal transport, so the car earns its place on the move days and any cross-resort visit. Our guide on whether the Universal hotel shuttle is worth it helps decide where to stay on the Universal side.
In what order should you do Universal and Disney?
There is no wrong order, but many families do Universal Orlando first and Walt Disney World second, because Universal usually takes fewer days and Disney more. If Epic Universe is on your list, add a day on the Universal side. Match the order to your ticket days and which resort your group is most excited to end on.
The Kapoors ran Universal Orlando first, giving the teens their Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Epic Universe days up front, then closed the trip at Walt Disney World with the younger two, which kept the whole group’s energy pointed the right way. Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest park, can stretch the Universal portion, so factor it into your day count; our Epic Universe transportation guide covers getting there. Whatever order you pick, book the airport legs and the mid-trip move once your resort dates are set. Live arrival details for the bookend transfers are on Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Is there transport between Universal and Disney?
There is no free or shared transport between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World; the two resorts are separate and do not connect. To move between them you take a private car, a rideshare, or drive. A private car handles luggage and groups best for the mid-trip move.
How far apart are Universal and Disney?
Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World are about 10 to 15 miles apart, roughly a 15 to 25 minute drive on I-4. A private car covers it directly. There is no walking or shared-shuttle option between the two resorts.
Should I split my stay between Universal and Disney?
A split-stay, a few nights at Universal Orlando and a few at Walt Disney World, is the cleanest way to do both in one trip. It also earns on-site early park admission at each resort during its days. A private transfer handles the mid-trip move with your luggage.
How much is a car between Universal and Disney?
A private car between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World costs about $102 for a Sedan and $115 for an SUV or 10-passenger Van one-way in 2026. Each rate is flat and per vehicle, with tolls, car seats, and water included. It is usually cheaper per person than multiple rideshares for a group.
Which should I do first, Universal or Disney?
Many families do Universal Orlando first and Walt Disney World second, since Universal often takes fewer days and Disney more. If Epic Universe is on your list, add a day on the Universal side. There is no wrong order, so match it to your ticket days.
Can I stay at Disney and just visit Universal for a day?
You can base at Walt Disney World and take a private car to Universal Orlando for a day, which suits trips heavier on Disney. A split-stay is better if you want on-site perks at both. Either way, the day-trip or move uses the same short private transfer between the resorts.
Which Orlux vehicles should you book for a Universal and Disney trip?
Book the airport bookends and the mid-trip move together, sized to your group, so a both-resorts trip runs on rails. A couple fits the Sedan, a family the SUV, and a group the Van. Here is how I would choose across the legs:
- Sedan: Best for couples and solo visitors on the direct airport and resort-to-resort runs.
- Cadillac Escalade (Luxury SUV): Best for families of three or four with trip luggage.
- 10-Passenger Van: Best for groups of six to nine moving between resorts together.
- 14-Passenger Van: Best for large or blended families doing both resorts as one group.
See the full fleet and book on orluxrides.com, or send your trip details through our contact page. Call 689-407-2496 or text “TRANSFER” to 689-407-2496 for a same-day quote.