A DVCer and the Daytona 500

[jimmytammy]

Wondered if any DVCers have stayed at a DVC resort and gone over to see the Daytona 500 while there. If so how did you get to the race? We would be flying and staying at WLV . Is there any kind of special transportation available to the race and back or do you just get a rental.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I have not done this, but I was working in Orlando during race week on year and I can tell you that A LOT of people drove to the race. (I had to drive with them part of the way and the road was crowded! And yes, I know they were going to the track, Dale signs etc..)

 

[Pa@okw95]

Route 4 is backed up for miles during that time period. I would suggest you stay near Daytonna and not try to go from Orlando area.

 

[ez]

We live 5 min from Daytona, and we always go to Disney the Sunday of the 500, and watch the race at the BW pool bar! 1-4 east is backed up for miles and I always feel sorry for the people that will never make it to the race. While staying in Daytona, there are many park and ride bus shuttles that conveniently get you to the track. I would either stay the night before in Daytona, or leave for Daytona extremely early Sun. morning. And, yes, you would have to rent a car, I don't believe there are any Disney-track shuttles. You could take a shuttle from Orlando airport to Daytona, though. They run every hour , my son has done that several times. Or, you could always pool hop to the boardwalk and watch the race with us at the pool bar

 

[ClarabelleCow]

the roads are crazy!!! stay near, or rent a car and leave sxtremely early!!!! we stayed in Vero for a July race, (before it was at night) and left Vero at About 3:00am, had no problem gettting there, but still hit traffic coming into the track, then left directly from the track to Orlando and it was a nightmare, had to catch a plane out!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I will just do the 500 on a seperate trip. I dont like traffic. Thats why we always fly to WDW.

 

[Saeblue]

Thanks for the advice - we also made plans to stay at VWL and drive to the race. My husband and his father are going to the race and the rest of us will enjoy the Magic Kingdom. It is good to know that they will need to leave early!

 

[Bcat]

We have attended the 500 for the last 5 years. We don't stay at WDW because we go to the Speedway Th, Fri, Sat and Sun. Staying in or around Daytona is VERY expensive. We stay on the east side of Orlando near the University of Central Florida. Lots of nice hotels for $70-$90 per night. Driving to the Speedway each day only takes an hour from UCF. Don't tell anyone else but the way to go is to pick up State Route 415 just east of Sanford. Take 415 into Daytona. Traffic's not bad, nice drive. On raceday (Sunday) we leave UCF at 7:00 AM. That gets us to the track and parked by 8:30 or 9:00. As others have said, don't even THINK about I-4.

 

[MrErk]

We have done this many times, both for the 500 and the 400. We usually leave very early (5:30-6:00) and take I-4 in. We are usually at our parking spot on Richard Petty Blvd by 7:30. After the race we usually take I-95 south to 407 (?) to the BeeLine and come back to WDW that way. It may be a lot longer that way but there is a lot less traffic than I-4.

We have stayed in Daytona in the past but got sick of paying $250 a night for hotels that go for $50 a night the rest of the year.