Approaching WDW from the back side

[ougrad86]

I pulled up directions on Expedia, and it had me exiting I4 at 92 and taking 436 east and then south to 429 (Daniel Webster Western Beltway), then exiting at Hertzog Road to Western Way, basically looping around north of the park and then west. Most of these appear on maps. However, it then has me on a local road, Bear Island Road which seems to run through either golf courses or swamp. This will take us directly north toward Shades of Green. Does anyone know anything about this road and whether it is actually open to the general public? It looks almost like an access road. This route appears to steer us clear of any traffic we might hit on I4 going toward Disney, but wanted to make sure it was workable.
Last time we hit Disney we flew in and spent the entire time on the Disney & SOG transportation, so didn't have to worry about navigating through it! I'm afraid I paid no attention, not even coming from the airport...too excited !

 

[MICKEEP]

That is one way of getting to WDW but I do not think it is a really good way. First 436 is not a highway and there are a lot of lights. You might be better off taking 408 to 429.

Basically I4 is really only bad during the morning and evening rush so if you plan on avoiding that time, I4 should be fine.

As far as Bear Island goes. Yes it is a private road and it is actually gated at Western Way. So you will not even be able to get onto it.

 

[WillCAD]

There are numerous ways to enter WDW property and numerous routes through the middle, but if you're coming from Virginia down I-95 and I-4, and are not terribly familiar with the roads, it's best to take the simplest route, even though it's a bit longer on distance.

Exit from I-4 at US 192 westbound.

Exit US 192 onto World Drive northbound.

Follow World Drive all the way past the Magic Kingdom toll plaza. When going through the toll plaza keep all the way right and tell the CM manning the plaza that you're going to Shades of Green.

Past the toll plaza, bear right onto World Drive North. You will pass the MK parking lot on your left and come to a traffic signal.

At the traffic signal, turn left onto Seven Seas Drive. This will take you past the TTC, and the Polynesian. Seven Seas Drive will end at Floridian Way.

Turn right on Floridian Way.

Turn left on Magnolia-Palm Drive and enter SOG.

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NOTE: When looking at the map, you might be tempted to exit I-4 at SR 535 and travel through the middle of WDW property on Buena Vista Drive to get to World Drive. But don't - Buena Vista may be shorter by milage, but it's also full of traffic signals and heavy traffic. Going all the way to US 192 before exiting I-4 is faster, and easier for those unfamiliar with the roadways in the area.

 

[Endeavour105]

I pulled up directions on Expedia, and it had me exiting I4 at 92 and taking 436 east and then south to 429 (Daniel Webster Western Beltway), then exiting at Hertzog Road to Western Way, basically looping around north of the park and then west. Most of these appear on maps. However, it then has me on a local road, Bear Island Road which seems to run through either golf courses or swamp. This will take us directly north toward Shades of Green. Does anyone know anything about this road and whether it is actually open to the general public? It looks almost like an access road. This route appears to steer us clear of any traffic we might hit on I4 going toward Disney, but wanted to make sure it was workable.
Last time we hit Disney we flew in and spent the entire time on the Disney & SOG transportation, so didn't have to worry about navigating through it! I'm afraid I paid no attention, not even coming from the airport...too excited !

You'd better scrap those Expedia directions as, in reality, 436 doesn't even intersect 429.

You didn't indicate specifically where you're coming from or exactly where you're going to so I can be of no further help with directions.

 

[MICKEEP]

NOTE: When looking at the map, you might be tempted to exit I-4 at SR 535 and travel through the middle of WDW property on Buena Vista Drive to get to World Drive. But don't - Buena Vista may be shorter by milage, but it's also full of traffic signals and heavy traffic. Going all the way to US 192 before exiting I-4 is faster, and easier for those unfamiliar with the roadways in the area.

I agree with the above but if you get off at the next exit, which is 536(Epcot Center Drive), and follow the signs for the Magic Kingdom, you will avoid going all the way down to 192, which is south of WDW.

192 is a road I try to avoid more than I4, at any time of the day.

 

[ougrad86]

Thanks you all for your help. We will be arriving probably around 1-2 pm, after overnighting in Savannah. So since I4 won't be too bad at that time, we will approach it that way.

I was a little worried about that Bear Island Road. It looked very small on the map, and didn't seem to be a regular public road. Thanks for the confirmation on that. Odd that those directions were given that way, the others had us going down I4, but I had heard horror stories.