Directions to Disney?

[avic77]

I'm Map Questing a Google mapping directions to Disney but both seem to take me in a back way. i want to enter through the MAIN Entrance. We will be driving down from West Florida Panhandle area. (I 75 then florida Turnpike 91). All the dirctions i get seem so complicated.

[ElementCamper]

If Google and MapQuest is giving you the 'back' way I'm thinking it is where you exit off the turnpike long before Orlando, if you want to save time and get there quicker I would do this. This is the route I always use to go to WDW.
This is the 'back' way Disney put in several years ago, it keeps you from having to go all the way into Orlando and then double back to get to Disney. Avoids tons of traffic and gets you there much quicker.
You still get a big ole purple entrance arch as soon as you get on property.

Someone (Robo?) will be along soon with a map to explain.

[DOOM1001]

The traditional "Main" entrance would probably be the World Dr. entrance on 192,this was the entrance from back in the day when Disney had fewer parks and resorts.To get to this entrance get off the turnpike at I-4 going westbound and get off at 192 and go west just past the Wide World of Sports is World Drive.

I think a nicer entrance to come in from is the Hotel Plaza Blvd. entrance which leads you first to Downtown Disney and then the parks and resorts.To get to this entrance do the same thing get off the turnpike at I-4 and go westbound and get off at 535 (Apopka Vineland Dr.)when you get off turn right (northbound) and the first major streetlight will be Hotel Plaza Blvd where you will turn left and you're in Disney.

[doconeill]

I can think of three "arched" entries into WDW, none of which I would consider any more "main" than the other:

World Drive from 192

Osceola Parkway from I-4

Epcot Center Drive from I-4

There is the smaller entrance as mentioned on Hotel Plaza Blvd from 535, but you don't quite get as much of a run-up to that arch.

I believe an arch was also placed on the Western Way entrance from the new toll road who's number escapes me...

[rie'smom]

Can you type in the address of the Grand Floridian, the CR or the Poly? Those directions might take you through the main entrance.

[luvmyhubby]

I actually followed the directions without realizing this a few months ago...Sure enough we went through the back entrance....Quite amusing never saw any arches...Oh well, We had a great time anyway!

[doconeill]

Because I'm foolishly curious, I plugged in Tallahassee and Walt Disney World into Google Earth and asked for directions.

It seems to take you off the Western Expressway (which is the new road that goes past the western side of the property - I thought it had a number though) onto Winter Garden Vineland Road, and then various turns it will actually take you completely backstage north of the Magic Kingdom (incidentally, Google Earth believes the destination of "Walt Disney World" is at the Grand Floridian).

I don't know if you mind the tolls or how many more there are, but if you stay on the Western Expressway it might be a bit faster (faster road perhaps), and then you can get off at Western Way into WDW, and go through the arch there.

[ShelShelsmommy]

What is the actually address to put into your GPS. In March we put one in and actually ended up in the cast entrance They had a bus driver get us back to the right spot. I was so glad they were all so nice about it. I really don't want to go through all that this year though so I was wondering what address to put....

[doconeill]

Originally Posted by ShelShelsmommy

What is the actually address to put into your GPS. In March we put one in and actually ended up in the cast entrance They had a bus driver get us back to the right spot. I was so glad they were all so nice about it. I really don't want to go through all that this year though so I was wondering what address to put....

That's actually an interesting - and difficult - question, because even if you could give a more specific address, it quite easily could still take you through the same route, just further along.

If possible, you would either need to tell it to avoid certain roads, or if you can pick a landmark outside of WDW that you can use to force the route a certain way, use that as an intermediate point (a.k.a. a "waypoint").

[ShelShelsmommy]

That sounds like a plan.... what is a restaurant or something that ya'll would put in. We are driving 18 hours so I never remember anything once we are there so I have no idea what to put.

[doconeill]

If you are coming from the north, and want to use the Hotel Plaza entrance of 535, I'd probably enter the Goodings supermarket, which is across the street from the entrance. You can also keep heading south on 535 to World Drive for the more open entrance.

Unfortunately there aren't good waypoints in the immediate area of the entrances. If you can do some heads-up driving, you could pick waypoints beyond where you want to go and just be ready - for instance, if you wanted to take the Western entrance, and use a waypoint of the Publix or SuperTarget off 192, it should keep you on the Expressway and you just need to look for Western Way. But then again, depending on your GPS you could probably just ignore the directions to get off the Expressway, stay on it and force it to recompute a new route.

GPS units sometimes are only so useful. I like to study the area with Google Earth so I know what to expect...

[PrincessSuzanne]

We prefer the Western Beltway and the arch off exit 8 is the same as it is at the other entrances, except, I believe the one at 535. The traffic, or lack thereof is wonderful and the toll is $1.25. We love going in and seeing where they grow the plants for AK and you can see Expedition Everest. The traffic off I-4 is horrendous and we avoid it if at all possible.

Suzanne

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest getting off the Turnpike at Exit 267 and take the Western Way (SR429) South to Exit 8. This is the most direct with the least traffic. Shortly after getting off Exit 8 you will pass under a major arch entry. This road will end at Buena Vista Drive in a "T" intersection. Going to the right with take you to Animal Kingdom, AK Lodge, and the All-Stars Resorts. Going to the left will take you everywhere else.

Do not follow a GPS; it will bring you in the back way on industrial roads.

[ShelShelsmommy]

Okay my mom and I decided that we will just put in the Hotel that we stayed in off site a few years ago, and then go from there. It is just a few miles from Disney so I guess that will be our best bet. Why we didn't do that in the first place I have no idea....

[bradisgoofy]

Going in the Western Way ( 429 ) will take you right to Coronado Springs Resort, 1001 W Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830, (407) 939-1000. So use that location, and, I believe you can stop and take pictures at the arch, which you can't at the main entrance without getting a ticket or run over. Also, for anyone using that western entrance, WATCH YOUR SPEED, the limit goes down very quickly and the OCS patrols it as a speed trap.