Two of the largest theme parks in the world – Universal Studios and Disneyland – are located in Los Angeles.
If you are planning a trip to LA, consider visiting both parks for an unforgettable experience.
Families with young children and thrill-seekers who enjoy riding roller coasters frequent both locations.
This article brings you all you need to know about traveling from Universal Studios California to Disneyland.
Distance from Disneyland California to Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland Park in Anaheim are about 35 miles (56 km) apart.
As parks are near the freeway, a drive from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland California takes around 35 to 40 minutes.
However, if there’s a lot of traffic, it could take you anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours to go from Universal Studios to Disneyland.
Shuttles between Universal Studios and Disneyland
Most visitors wish to visit both Universal Studios and Disneyland California and wish for a shuttle between the parks.
But, there is no shuttle as the parks are the biggest competitors.
However, you can still get from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood by taking one of the paid buses.
A private shuttle service, run by Starline Tours, charges about $45 for adults and $35 for kids to ride between the two theme parks.
The good thing about taking the shuttle from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood is that you can relax and not worry about the busy traffic in Los Angeles.
But remember, if you choose the private shuttle, you must be on time because they have a set schedule.
You can also enjoy stops during the bus ride to enjoy other Los Angeles attractions.
Uber from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland
If budget isn’t your concern, Uber or Lyft is the way to go between Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland.
If you have a small group or don’t mind spending extra on a larger car like an SUV, ridesharing is a good choice.
The great thing about using a taxi service is that you don’t have to wait; they take you straight to where you want to go, whether it’s Universal Studios or Disneyland Park.
But remember that an Uber or Lyft ride costs about $90 to begin with, roughly double the price of a shuttle service.
Driving between Disneyland California and Universal Studios Hollywood
Renting a car is ideal if you want to explore other areas of Los Angeles before or after going to a theme park.
You can get accurate directions from Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood from Google Maps.
While traveling from Universal Studios to Disneyland Park, you will pass through Los Angeles and its heavy traffic, which can be a hassle.
On weekdays, the office traffic peaks between 7:30 am and 10 am and again between 3 pm and 6:30 pm.
The driving itself could leave you too exhausted to enjoy the theme park, plus renting a car, gas, and parking are additional expenses.
For parking, Disneyland Resort charges about $20 per day, whereas Universal Studios Hollywood charges $25 per day.
We suggest you take a private shuttle or public transportation or a cab!
Best day to travel from Disneyland to Universal Studios
The best day to go from Universal Studios California to Disneyland, or the other way around, depends on what suits your family or group best.
On weekdays, there are fewer people, but there’s a downside. Many folks are commuting to and from work, so traffic on the roads can be a bit crazy.
But if you avoid the rush hours from 7.30 am to 10 am and then from 3 pm to 6.30 pm, you should have a smooth ride.
On weekends, you won’t have to deal with the work commute traffic, which is a plus.
However, the theme parks themselves are busier on weekends. There are long lines for rides, shows, and other fun stuff.
But if you want to spend more time enjoying the theme parks because they stay open longer, weekends can be a good choice.
Universal Studios California to Disneyland via Public Transport
If you want to go to the theme parks, you can use a train or a bus, but we don’t recommend it because it takes a long time to get there.
For example, you can take the L.A. Metro bus from Anaheim to Universal Studios, and it’s cheap, but it will take about three hours to reach the theme park.
Trains are a bit easier to use, and one train goes from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland.
You can catch an Amtrak or Metrolink train at the Anaheim ARTIC rail station, which will take you to Union Station in Los Angeles.
From Union Station, you can get an Uber driver to pick you up, and they can take you from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland in just 10 minutes.
Tips for making the most of your visit fun
We have compiled a few tips to help you make the most of your day!
Book your Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland tickets beforehand to avoid lines at ticket counters.
Gate tickets are more expensive; buying tickets in advance might save time and money.
By booking online, you will benefit from the various other ways in which Universal Studios helps you save money besides purchasing tickets online.
Visiting Universal Studios’ Lower Lot is advisable first thing in the morning to avoid waiting in long lines.
Allocate time for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Universal Backlot Studio Tour, and the roller coasters at Universal Hollywood.
Try the Universal Express Ticket. With these tickets in hand, you can bypass all lines and with the VIP Ticket, you are in for a royal treatment if you are not on a tight budget.
FAQs
1. Is there a shuttle between Disneyland and Universal Studios?
Disneyland or Universal Studios provides no official shuttle service for direct transportation between the two theme parks.
But there are privately operated shuttles that provide easy transportation from Universal Studios California to Disneyland.
2. How far apart are Universal Studios and Disneyland?
The two parks are approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) apart.
The driving distance between the two theme parks takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
3. How much is an Uber between Disneyland and Universal Studios?
Starting costs of an Uber or a Lyft are about $90 and upwards.
Note that Uber prices can vary depending on the time of day or any surge pricing that may be in effect.
4. Can you do Disneyland and Universal Studios in one day?
You may only be able to experience both of the parks partially if you do them in one day.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland typically require at least a full day, especially during peak times or weekends.
5. How to do Disneyland and Universal in one trip?
We recommend you do both parks separately. It’s not fair to you or the theme park if you were to visit it only for a few hours.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland require at least a day to get the best experience.
6. Which is better: Disneyland or Universal Studios?
Disneyland is known for its focus on Disney characters and themes, with more attractions tailored to children.
In contrast, Universal Studios emphasizes TV and movie franchises and offers more thrilling rides.
Featured Image: Soyoung Han on Unsplash