Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood sit 35 miles apart, on opposite sides of some of the busiest freeways in Southern California — and for a group, that gap means two separate parking fees, multiple rideshares trying to arrive together, or a rental car nobody wants to drive through downtown LA traffic. All Star Shuttles runs group charter buses between the two parks with professional drivers who know the Anaheim-to-Hollywood route, so your group leaves as one unit and arrives as one unit, both ways. This route is one part of our broader amusement park & attraction shuttle service across Southern California.
A dedicated reservation specialist builds the pickup and return schedule around your actual plans — early rope-drop departures, a late return after the park closes, or a multi-hotel pickup if your group is spread across a few properties near Disneyland Resort.
Planning a Disneyland–Universal Studios group trip? Call +1 (858) 400-0476 or request a free quote below — most requests get an itemized response within hours.
Request a Free Quote for Your Disneyland–Universal Trip
Send your dates, pickup hotel or address, passenger count, and rough timing and a reservation specialist will follow up with a vehicle recommendation and an itemized quote. Prefer to talk it through first? Call +1 (858) 400-0476 — the same team that builds the quote answers the phone.
Why Groups Book One Bus Between Disneyland and Universal Studios
The drive between Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Universal Studios Hollywood covers about 35 miles on I-5 and US-101 — typically 60 to 90 minutes, longer during weekday rush hour. For a solo traveler that’s a rideshare. For a group of 15, 30, or 50, it’s a coordination problem: multiple cars trying to leave at the same time, multiple drivers navigating unfamiliar freeway interchanges, and no guarantee everyone arrives together.
- One departure time, one arrival time — no waiting on stragglers or splitting the group across several vehicles
- Parking handled once per stop — both parks charge separate daily parking fees; your driver manages drop-off and pickup so the group isn’t paying or hunting for parking twice
- No surge pricing — a group quote is fixed once booked, unlike rideshare pricing that climbs with demand
Who Books This Route
- School and youth groups combining both parks into one Southern California trip — see our school field trip bus rental guide for chaperone and safety details that apply here too
- Family reunions and birthday groups who want everyone arriving together instead of a caravan of cars
- Corporate incentive trips and team outings — pairs well with our corporate shuttle service for companies running a multi-day LA itinerary
- Tour operators and travel agencies bundling both parks into a packaged itinerary — see our tour operator charter program for group-rate and multi-stop options
How the Trip Works: Pickup, Drop-off, and Timing
Most groups pick up at a Disneyland-area hotel along Harbor Blvd or Katella Ave in the morning, ride directly to Universal Studios Hollywood’s main entrance near CityWalk, and reverse the route for the evening return. Because it’s a private charter, the schedule is yours to set — not a fixed shuttle timetable. If you’re planning around a busy travel season, our guide on when to book a charter bus covers how far ahead to reserve.
- Early departure for rope-drop arrivals, avoiding the worst of morning freeway traffic
- Late-evening return after the park closes, when traffic back to Anaheim is typically lightest
- Multi-hotel pickup if your group is split across a few properties
Both Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood publish their own parking and arrival guidance, which your reservation specialist coordinates against when planning drop-off timing: see Disneyland Resort’s parking information and Universal Studios Hollywood’s directions and parking page.
Vehicle Options for Your Group
| Vehicle | Typical Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Minibus | 18–24 passengers | Small families, split groups |
| Full-size coach | 50–56 passengers | School groups, large family reunions, tour groups |
| ADA-accessible vehicle | Varies | Guests requiring mobility support |
Not sure which fits your group? Our minibus rental guide and charter bus vs. sprinter van comparison break down capacity and comfort trade-offs in more detail.
Pricing and What’s Included in Your Quote
Pricing depends on bus size, total hours, and mileage — the same factors behind any charter bus quote in California, covered in more detail in our California charter bus cost guide. As a starting reference:
| Bus Type | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Minibus | $125–$190/hour |
| Full-size coach | $160–$250/hour |
Most bookings carry a 5-hour minimum. Your quote itemizes driver time separately from any tolls, so there are no surprises added after booking — see our hidden fees guide for the line items other companies sometimes leave off the initial quote. For groups splitting the cost per person, one coach for 40+ people is typically far cheaper per rider than the equivalent number of rideshare trips each way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct shuttle between Disneyland and Universal Studios?
Neither park operates a free shuttle between them — each only runs transport within its own property. That’s exactly why groups book a private charter: it’s the one option that goes hotel-to-park and park-to-hotel on your schedule, not a fixed public timetable.
How long does the drive actually take?
Around 60 to 90 minutes under normal conditions, up to two hours during weekday morning rush hour. Early departures and late-evening returns typically see the lightest traffic.
Can you pick up from multiple hotels?
Yes — multi-stop pickups are common for groups spread across a few properties near Disneyland Resort. Flag this when you request your quote so the route is planned in advance.
What size bus do we need?
A reservation specialist will recommend minibus vs. full-size coach based on your passenger count — see our charter bus vs. minibus guide for a closer comparison.
Can we add a Hollywood sightseeing stop on the way?
Yes — since it’s a private charter, your reservation specialist can build in a stop (a Hollywood Sign viewpoint, for example) without locking you into a fixed tour itinerary. If you want a full sightseeing day built around it, see our sightseeing & multi-day tour bus guide.
What’s included in the price?
Driver time, vehicle, fuel, and commercial insurance are included; tolls and any parking fees are itemized separately so the quote stays transparent.
Contact Us to Book Your Disneyland–Universal Group Trip
Ready to book? Get a free quote at allstarshuttles.com or call +1 (858) 400-0476. Have your dates, pickup location, and passenger count ready — it’s the fastest way to get an accurate number back.