Any tiips for driving on property?

[disneynanacat]

I've only driven on property twice and it wasn't a good experience. Somehow I end up at a park when trying to get to a hotel. I follow the signs. Lol. Will be using Disney transportation mostly but getting to Blt arrival day and then to akl from blt the day we switch. I'm already dreading it. Any advice or special tips?

 

[scdak]

I find it easy to drive on property due to excellent signage but I have a pretty good sense of direction too so that helps. But driving on property as well as off property I find that I do better if I review a map of the property for a general idea of where I am heading then follow the signs. I usually have a friend with me too that helps with spotting signs and giving me a heads up of upcoming turns, lane changes etc so I can concentrate even more fully on watching the road and other drivers. One thing I can say is that Onstar naviagation is good (or GPS) if you have it, but even that can make a mistake, as we found out when Onstar sent us to the back entrance to Animal Kingdom that was not a public entrance, the guard there said it happens alot, laughed about it and sent us on our way again without any further problems.

 

[joelkfla]

Don't be afraid to ask for directions. If you're feeling unsure which way to go, don't back up or stop in the middle of the road; just head into the nearest resort or theme park. The security guard or parking cm will be happy to point you in the right direction.

To get to BLT, you'll really be going to the CR. Follow the signs to the MK, until you see the MK toll booths. Then head thru one of the right-most lanes, and straight up the 1-lane road. Follow it under the water bridge, and you'll come to CR on the right.

To get to AKL, follow the signs to AK, until just before the AK toll booth, where the road to AKL will branch off to the left. If you accidentally get to the AK toll booth, don't back out or try anything crazy, just explain the situation to the parking cm. They'll probably send you thru the parking lot around to the exit, where there is a cut-off to AKL.

 

[disneynanacat]

Thanks. I need to learn the names of the roads. I know the property pretty good. The general park maps show the roads but not their names.

 

[bumbershoot]

Know the area you are in (Epcot, DTD, etc). Know the area you are going to (DTD, Epcot, etc). That's the most basic direction you need while following the signs. Once you get to the intended area, start narrowing it down with the signs.

I once got a really good, big, map from OKW lobby concierge; he had already given me a basic map, but he realized it was our first time and we were driving, and he got this great map. Don't be afraid to use the lobby concierges and try to get the really good map.

But...even without the map, knowing the basic areas that you're in and that you're going to will help immensely.

 

[disneynanacat]

Thanks bumbershoot! I'll definitely ask for the good map. We've been to wdw a bunch and do know the layout of the property. I'm a little directionally challenged. Lol. I like specific directions like take exit 7 and go right. Lmao

 

[Josh Hendy]

On every trip it happens that we miss an exit/turn or take a wrong exit or turn. It's never a big problem, we just continue down the road and either use the next exit to turn around and go back, or else we "go around the block" so to speak. The "blocks" are huge but it's never taken us more than a few minutes to get back on track.

That said, it pays to be well prepared with maps or GPS and to do a little bit of research with online mapping sites before your trip (or the night before you have to go somewhere). Sometimes for example, our GPS would think that a left turn in or out of a mall or hotel entrance was impossible and would specify a long detour around the block. Checking the satellite or street view on a map site will confirm if left turns are possible (for example you can see tire marks on the road where people turn left).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you are in the far left lane and you see the exit to your park it is not ok to cut across three or four lanes assuming everyone will be able to slam on their breaks to avoid you.

Disney wants your money, they will show you how to get back to spend it.

 

[dmunsil]

If you have a GPS, I collected a set of accurate GPS points you can load into any Garmin or TomTom, and some Magellan GPS units. I can tell you from personal experience it makes driving in WDW much more pleasant.

It's available free from MouseSavers, here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/using-auto-gps-at-walt-disney-world/

If you don't already have a GPS, I recommend getting the least expensive Garmin nuvi, which I think right now is the model 40. It's not expensive, it's easy to carry, and it makes driving on vacation much more pleasant. We take our Garmin on every trip. And the points from MouseSavers work the best on Garmins.

I recommend getting the "LM" version of the Nuvi, which comes with lifetime maps for about $20-30 more. It's a good value.

 

[Donna M]

Knowing the property will be very helpful if you end up on the wrong road or highway (like I did) I knew enough to head towards Orlando, on route 4 from where I was and get back into Disney by DTD. I couldn't believe I went under the Disney arch (by Magic Kingdom) and then back out again without hitting my hotel first. I'm blaming it on darkness, construction vehicles with all the yellow lights, police car lights, too many signs, with the busses blocking my view, tiredness and no help from a sleeping hubby!

I was trying to get there by their signs too instead of taking the roads I know. I learned my lesson!

 

[disneynanacat]

If you are in the far left lane and you see the exit to your park it is not ok to cut across three or four lanes assuming everyone will be able to slam on their breaks to avoid you.

Disney wants your money, they will show you how to get back to spend it.

Really? Duh.

 

[disneynanacat]

If you have a GPS, I collected a set of accurate GPS points you can load into any Garmin or TomTom, and some Magellan GPS units. I can tell you from personal experience it makes driving in WDW much more pleasant.

It's available free from MouseSavers, here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/using-auto-gps-at-walt-disney-world/

If you don't already have a GPS, I recommend getting the least expensive Garmin nuvi, which I think right now is the model 40. It's not expensive, it's easy to carry, and it makes driving on vacation much more pleasant. We take our Garmin on every trip. And the points from MouseSavers work the best on Garmins.

I recommend getting the "LM" version of the Nuvi, which comes with lifetime maps for about $20-30 more. It's a good value.

Thanks! I've got GPS on my iPhone I think and my dgd has a Tom Tom. I'll definitely check this out. Tyvm

 

[disneynanacat]

Knowing the property will be very helpful if you end up on the wrong road or highway (like I did) I knew enough to head towards Orlando, on route 4 from where I was and get back into Disney by DTD. I couldn't believe I went under the Disney arch (by Magic Kingdom) and then back out again without hitting my hotel first. I'm blaming it on darkness, construction vehicles with all the yellow lights, police car lights, too many signs, with the busses blocking my view, tiredness and no help from a sleeping hubby!

I was trying to get there by their signs too instead of taking the roads I know. I learned my lesson!

Lol. This is so me and what I worry about. Those buses do block the signs!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I disagree that they have excellent signage on property.

We use our GPS and drive ourselves everywhere. No problem.

 

[disneynanacat]

I disagree that they have excellent signage on property.

We use our GPS and drive ourselves everywhere. No problem.

Good for you Minnie.

 

[goofy4tink]

I try to take my time and not drive if I'm in a rush when at WDW. That's when I always make a wrong move.....too far over to the left and then see my exit! Too late, gotta take the next one and circle back!!! So, I try to stay in the right lane if I'm not sure!

I used my gps when leaving MK and heading north to Sanford Intl. Well, I thought I was a good listener/direction follower!! I 'thought' I was doing what 'Maybell" told me to do...but rather than heading out of WDW, I somehow ended up heading into Epcot!!! Just flashed my AP at the gate and pulled a u-turn when it was safe!!!

I'm a visual person. So I like to look at maps before I hit the road. Then I have a pretty good idea what I'm doing. And I use the gps in my phone as well.

Just try to be considerate of others on the road. There are a ton of guests down there, driving on the roads in and around WDW, that have no good idea how to get to the destination they desire. Lots of last minute lane changes go on...at fairly high speeds!!! So be careful.

 

[goofy4tink]

Really? Duh.

Good for you Minnie.

I'm going to assume that these responses are meant to be light-hearted and not sarcastic. People have different experiences. I doubt anyone is trying to make the OP feel belittled or stupid.

 

[Donna M]

I disagree that they have excellent signage on property.

We use our GPS and drive ourselves everywhere. No problem.

I think a problem with the signage is that they need so much that it can be hard to read it all as you drive by. If a bus gets next to you, you might miss what you needed. It's also important to know ahead of time what resort area you are staying in.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

There is a seller on Ebay that sells Disney property maps that I believe are made for Disney Vacation Club Members. GREAT little map. has major roads, stop lights, resorts and parks. This is the best map I've found.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Obey the posted speed limits. A lot of tickets are given out on property.