For those of you who utilize(d) the free Orlando->BGT shuttle, here’s what got sent out:
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News Orlando Shuttle Service Extended Through 2/1/2026
- Thread starter Coasternerd
- Start date
I’ve seen a few people mention that every time they’ve used the shuttle it was completely full. United Parks is the gift that keeps on giving
The email states the the shuttle from SeaWorld is ceasing, I know they have other services from other locations in the Orlando area (Unless that changed in the past years) are they ceasing as well?
This is such a short-sighted decision. When I've used the shuttle previously it was packed. There's no way in hell I'd pay for an Uber all the way from Orlando to Tampa instead—I just wouldn't visit BGT. I'm confident the same is true for the vast majority of people who use that shuttle.
Also, why didn't they try to charge for it before just cancelling it all together? I'm sure most people would have spent $10 to $15 a seat for the ride.
Also, why didn't they try to charge for it before just cancelling it all together? I'm sure most people would have spent $10 to $15 a seat for the ride.
From my experience last November it was quite popular. Granted I personally used it as a free ride back to Tampa (I flew in and out), as a passholder friend of mine was willing to let me commit identity theft even though I wasn't entering the park that day. From what I saw it wasn't suffering from a lack of users or awareness, but leave it to United to cut down on convenience.
This. I’d gladly pay $10-$20 for the shuttle over the probably $70 one way uber.
Could’ve just charged a small fee to customers. I frequent Orlando and would happily pay $20+ for the shuttle if they kept it. Idiots
Atleast try to raise the prices beflre canning it
Damn I always liked taking the shuttle. I didn't like how they'd leave early on days where the park was open late but that's a small price to pay for a free ride to Tampa from Orlando.
It looks like they already cut down the number of places the bus picks up from; it used to also pickup outside CityWalk and in a few stops over along 192 and Kissimmee. This is all they have now:
I used to take this when I worked at Universal, as they wouldn't check for admission media for the park (TMs got in for free at the gate). At the very least, it should be subsidized as a part of a multi-day ticket package deal, OR be a nominal fee?
Uber does have an advantage of being more "on-demand" and makes more sense for stuff like HOS that runs into the evening - the busses were really targeted at day guests who didn't have a rental car. By the way, this is Uber one-way right now, as I type this:
I used to take this when I worked at Universal, as they wouldn't check for admission media for the park (TMs got in for free at the gate). At the very least, it should be subsidized as a part of a multi-day ticket package deal, OR be a nominal fee?
Uber does have an advantage of being more "on-demand" and makes more sense for stuff like HOS that runs into the evening - the busses were really targeted at day guests who didn't have a rental car. By the way, this is Uber one-way right now, as I type this:
Yep, it was two way service. Always very poorly advertised.
Yeah, but then you have to deal with transit on the Tampa side and aligning everything with train schedules.
If anything, the fact that rail is about $13 to $17 means that they should have been able to charge $15 or so each way no problem.
Maybe if BGT ran a shuttle to the Tampa train station in sync with the train schedule it would be an acceptable substitute?
In what world is this an option? This is one-way service from Downtown Orlando to Downtown Tampa tomorrow (not from the tourist corridor to BGT directly).
It's "only" $18 but you'd have to take a Lynx bus or Uber to the Orlando train station downtown, catch the train on time, and still only get to Tampa at 12:30 PM.
Tomorrow, BGT is open 10AM-5PM, so you're looking at getting to the park at 1PM at the earliest. Ands that's with another bus or Uber between the downtown station and BGT (which costs extra).
And then how do you get back to I-Drive exactly? This is the only train the entire day that shows up on the schedule. (All for public transportation, but in Florida it's rarely the solution to the problem).
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Regarding my train comment - that wasn't for saying BGT/SWO shouldn't do the shuttle. More that paying $70 for an Uber is beyond stupid.
EDIT: Also Brightline is coming out with an Orlando -> Tampa line soon. That will likely also end up being a more reasonable rate (Currently going to Miami is $65) than an Uber.
EDIT: Also Brightline is coming out with an Orlando -> Tampa line soon. That will likely also end up being a more reasonable rate (Currently going to Miami is $65) than an Uber.
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I agree, at that point you may as well rent a car for a day and pay parking/gas.
There's just so many options that Uber being an excuse to do away with it is just that....an excuse. Greyhound is $15-20. Even with the train and Greyhound having to Uber locally you still come out much more ahead than just Ubering the whole way.
Greyhound has routes between The Florida Mall and University of South Florida, which at least puts you much closer to the touristy areas in Orlando and North of BGT. That's not a bad price although you'd still have to get to the Florida Mall and walk 2.7 miles from the drop off point.
Not to mention, if you want a full day at BGT tomorrow from 10AM-5PM, the next bus BACK to Orlando is at 9:25 PM (unless you leave early), arriving at The Florida Mall at midnight.
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