Booked holiday but have ?????

[usher23]

Hi guys, i have booked to go sept 15th staying at disney all star sports. Now i plan to go over to universal and IOA, sea world and busch gardens. Also i plan to visit i-drive regular and florida mall/orlando outlets. Now its me (19) my cousin (21) who are going we have decided not to get a car cause first time being long distance away and driving in foreign country etc (from UK). What is the best methods of transports to get to these location without inflicting massive costs as i found taxi's would soon add up. My major concern is busch gardens as it's over an hour away as its a must. Also is Ace Jacks (resturant) still loacted on i-drive and also is there any footlocker's easy to find within the area.

Thanks steven

[spondishy]

Hi Steven.

I think you'd struggle on cost as far as the car insurance goes for a rental car anyhow. 25 and over seems to be the norm.

Once you get on I-Drive, going up and down to the malls etc is no probs with the I I-Ride trolley. Have a look at I Ride Trolley Maps. Mears Transport may do a shuttle from the TTC (Transport and Ticket Center) at Disney to Universal, I'll try and find out.

Are you buying a flex ticket for universal/busch? If so, there is a shuttle service included in the cost from Seaworld and some other points. If you don't have a ticket it's $10 bookable via Mears Transport.

There's a Footlocker at Pointe Orlando on I-Drive. Can't say I've heard of Ace Jacks and can't find anything on the web.

[spondishy]

Lynx buses travel from various spots at Disney to areas like I-Drive.

For example the Link50 service goes from the TTC (Transport and Ticket Center) up by Seaworld.

[usher23]

hi,
i have bought the flex ticket 14day which allows you to go to all the non-disney parks, will the I ride go down the Bush gardens as thats my main concern
thanks steven

[spondishy]

It's not the I-Ride that goes to Busch, it's a shuttle service called the Busch Garden Shuttle Express.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Park Information

You can book this by calling 1-800-221-1339.

[Scotty Mack]

Hi Steven,

I just joined this forum a couple of minutes ago, so I should say hello to everyone else as well! I have lived in the Orlando area for fifteen years, serving as an Activities Director, Concierge and manager of a car rental company. I will try to answer all of your questions in one shot here.

The restaurant that I believe you are referring to is called Wild Jacks, about 1/4 North of Sand Lake Rd. on International Drive. It is still open and I highly recommend the Jalapeno mashed potatoes as one of your side dishes!

"Spondishy" is right! The most cost-effective way of getting to Busch Gardens is going to be on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express. Because you have purchased the 14-Day Flex ticket, there will be no cost to ride the shuttle. Otherwise, it would have been $5.00 per person. There is no pick-up on Disney property for the shuttle, however. The closest pick-up point to the Disney All Star Resort is going to be at the Amerihost Maingate Resort. You will, unfortunately have to take a taxi to that hotel, which should run $10-$15USD (about 5 pounds). You can find more information about the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express at their website: Busch Gardens Transportation Guide

"Spondishy" is right again on the way to get to the other attractions. You'll have to take a Disney Shuttle from the All Star Resort to the Transportation and Ticket Center near the Magic Kingdom. From there, you can take the Lynx #50 bus to Sea World. From Sea World there are I-Ride Trolleys running about every fifteen minutes that can get you to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure as well as the Prime Outlets Mall (formerly the BELZ Factory Outlet). Getting to the Florida Mall is a bit trickier because you will have to take the #42 Lynx bus to get there. There is a pick-up spot near Sea World at Central FLorida Parkway and Westwood Blvd. and you may also get the #42 Lynx bus at the Prime Outlets Mall or Wet 'N Wild and take it to the Florida Mall from there. The website for the Lynx buses is at: LYNX - Route Listing

A couple of other things to consider:

* Taking multiple buses from the All Star Resort to the Transportation and Ticket Center to I-Drive to the I-Ride Trolley or another Lynx bus can add a substantial amount of travel time to your holiday and may become too much of a hassle.

* The last pick up from the International Drive area back to Disney on the #50 Lynx bus is around 10:30 PM, so this may put damper on your nighttime exploits.

* Mears Transportation offers buses to all of the places you have mentioned (except Busch Gardens) for a cost of $14-$16 per person round trip (I think you call it "return"). Their website is Orlando Airport Limousine, Towncar, Motorcoach, Passenger Van - Charter Rates

* You might want to try renting (hiring) a car for a day, just to see what it is like driving on the other side of the road and may determine it is not as intimidating as you thought (once you get used to it). I believe that U-Save will rent a car to your friend (you did say he was 21, right?) and; although you will have to purchase the additional collision damage insurance and pay an underage fee, they are normally substantially less money than some of the larger car rental chains (no, I don't work for them ... only trying to help). You may appreciate the freedom! Their website is Discount car Rental from Usave.


- Scott