Driving at WDW

[potc]

We will be staying onsite at CBR, but we plan to drive our own car everywhere. Are there signs that tell you where to go to get to the parks? We weren't sure if we should just plug in addresses to our GPS or print off maps before hand?

What does everyone else do?

 

[Cherinva]

The signage is very good at WDW....you shouldn't have any problems getting around property.

 

[MHSweb79]

Ask at CBR for a map- the resorts have very simple ones and there are signs to follow as well.

The last time I tried using the GPS to get to Animal Kingdom, it put us onto a cast members only road and we had to turn around. (I think this is pretty common.) Then I looked at the map we got from the resort and it was ridiculously easy.

We stayed at POFQ and it was something like 6 minutes to drive to Animal Kingdom, the furthest park away. The bus was close to 30 minutes, not only because I think they take bus roads, but also because they stop at one of the water parks. So it's much, much quicker to have your own car. The only exception is Magic Kingdom, where it's better to take the bus.

 

[hearts8701]

driving around disney is easy everything is easily marked with purple & red signs the only place i take disney transportation is the magic kingdom because the bus stop is closer to the entrance than taking the monorail or boat from ticket & transportation here is a youtube video showing the signs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqgivbcDoIU

 

[autismgoesdisney]

Good question! I leave in 8 days and was wondering the same thing!

 

[W.E.D.]

Everything is really well marked. You shouldn't need GPS or maps.

 

[goofyernmost]

The signage is very good, but the secret I used to do before I became familiar with WDW was if I got there early and had a little time to kill, I would drive around and see where everything was in relation to where I was staying. It made things much easier when I was ready to go to a specific place and took away all the anxiety of getting there.

Once you have done it with your own vehicle you will never go back to the bus system. It's so much easier and way less stressful driving yourself to the parks. It offers flexibility and, in a lot of cases, speed to the process contrary to what you may have heard or read. I found that many times the amount of time waiting for transportation would have had you at your resort and probably even in the pool by the time the bus even gets there.

In other words, don't worry. Even if you don't use my "pre-trip" procedure, it is very simple, just pay attention to the signs to be sure you are in the proper lanes. Even if you aren't, there isn't much to getting back on track again.

 

[BrownHP800]

If I can offer 1 tip, when you see a sign that has your destination and says "Next Right" it means exit now. To me it would mean not this coming exit but the next one after that. Its probably just me. HAHA

 

[CAStevens218]

We rented a car for the first time on our most recent trip and LOVED it!

You will have no problems getting around, everything is very well marked. We would use our GPS to get us going in the right direction, but the signs took care of us from there!

 

[T1gger]

We drove last time as stayed offsite and had no problems at all getting anywhere in the World - signposting was fabulous

We had GPS as well (thankfully or would probably still be driving round MCO ) but didnt need to use it round Disney

 

[2binak]

Disney is seriously one of the easiest places to drive around. The signage is great and very easy to follow. We don't use a GPS at all when we're on property.

 

[SamMac]

Go to Mousesavers and they have a link to download custom POI and it will have anywhere you might need to go!

 

[mrjef]

Do not worry about the difficulty of driving inside of WDW. It is very easy! We stayed at CBR in 2009 and drove everywhere with ease. We used the bus once and will likely never use it again, because driving is so easy and much much quicker.

Before the trip, I used bing maps (google maps will work too) to get familiar with the area, so that helped a little. However, it is very well marked and easy to follow. In addition, If you miss an exit, there is usually another exit the will get you right back on track. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Crystal824]

Yes, the signs are great. We always take our GPS and program locations in just in case.

 

[Glendamax]

Disney World is SUPER easy to drive! I dont own a GPS, and often drive around alone. All you have to do is look at the signs. Take note of which park your resort is closest to, so if you get turned around, all you have to do is aim for that park, and you'll run into your resort.

 

[hakepb]

The signage is very good, but the secret I used to do before I became familiar with WDW was if I got there early and had a little time to kill, I would drive around and see where everything was in relation to where I was staying. It made things much easier when I was ready to go to a specific place and took away all the anxiety of getting there.

Once you have done it with your own vehicle you will never go back to the bus system. It's so much easier and way less stressful driving yourself to the parks. It offers flexibility and, in a lot of cases, speed to the process contrary to what you may have heard or read. I found that many times the amount of time waiting for transportation would have had you at your resort and probably even in the pool by the time the bus even gets there.

In other words, don't worry. Even if you don't use my "pre-trip" procedure, it is very simple, just pay attention to the signs to be sure you are in the proper lanes. Even if you aren't, there isn't much to getting back on track again.

Not worrying about a car is a one of those things I also enjoy about a cruise. Plus I hate lugging a stroller on trams.
I suppose the driving is not that bad. If I lived in a major urban area i would think WDW was a comparative drive in the park. WDW is a bit stressful driving if you are used to rural traffic, though.

 

[gpeters93]

Well I must be the exception becasue I don't think it's all that easy to drive around the World.

Yes, there are very large and colorful signs with lots of information on them, but sometimes that is not enough (for me). It's not as if there are no distractions. And if you miss your "exit" ... there are no signs to help you get back. If you follow the signs strictly you'll be fine. But once you get lost is can be really hard to figure out where you've got to go to fix your mistake. There's no street grid convention and it's hard to figure out which direction you're headed at any given time. An on board compass doesn't really help becasue you're always switching direction. Turns come up quickly becasue every road is curved. The roads can be crowded and prevent you from changing lanes when you need to. And the locals drive pretty fast.

The path from the main gate to Poly and GF is particularly tricky. You need to know in advance that you should be in the far right lane when you go through the parking booths becasue you need to take an immediate exit (single file lane) on the right to reach the access road. If you didn't know that in advance, you may have to cut accross about eight lanes of incoming guests.

Yes. after I made these mistakes a few times it got easier. But the first time can be a challenge. Good luck!

 

[AJKMOM]

I think I read here at the DIS that a regular GPS doesn't work that well at WDW, you need to download something to help. I think it's because WDW is "private property" and the GPS recognizes it that way?

 

[FigmentChick]

There are signs that show you the way. In every single past trip, I have printed maps to and from the airport and to and from Walmart (for our supplies), even if I already knew the way. I just like to be prepared like that.

I also go over Google maps of the Walt Disney World layout, so I know what to expect. I have OCD, though, so you can blame that.

 

[Polydweller]

GPS works great at WDW, we've used it a lot. The signage is great and will easily get you around. But the GPS can also find interesting ways around, on the public roads, that are a little diiferent than the signage and a bit more convenient. It's found better ways to go to DTD from the Poly and AK, and a faster way to AK from the Poly. There are several others as well.

So, be confident in the signage, you won't get lost, but sometimes let the GPS take you a different way, as long as you stay on public access roads. It might surprise you with better less busy routes.