Best route MCO to Hard Rock Hotel?

[sarahb74]

Hi. We are flying from the UK to Orlando (MCO) on Thursday (yay!) - I am a little nervous of driving in the US (automatic, wrong side of road etc.) and am the sole adult travelling with 2 kids who aren't great at navigating. I have a Satnav but like to have an idea where I am going! I just used google maps and it gave me 3 possible routes (all starting on the 528) - the fastest being the Florida Turnpike, second being 528 to I4, third being something between the 2 others up the 482. I'm not sure which way the savnav will try to take me, is one of these the easiest/best? Thanks for your help, if all things run to plan in 48 hours we will just have landed
Sarah

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The way I would go is..

528 west (Beachline) to I-4 east, then Kirkman road north. Less than a mile in left off Kirkman. You're on 528 about 10 miles and I-4 about 3 miles.

That's the easiest anyway.
FWIW, I work at MCO and live less than than 3 miles from HRH.

MG

 

[schumigirl]

Quickest and most convenient route and the one we use all the time now is the 528 and turn off at Universal Boulevard.........and keep going......

Avoids the I4 as arriving from the UK we can run into traffic by time our planes land at times.

Doesn't save tons of time, but for us it's the way we like to go after many years of trial and error.

 

[schumigirl]

Should add, it's a fairly easy route.........I love driving in the States......so easy, but I drive an automatic at home anyway, but I understand your nerves.

Hope it goes well!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Quickest and most convenient route and the one we use all the time now is the 528 and turn off at Universal Boulevard.........and keep going......

Avoids the I4 as arriving from the UK we can run into traffic by time our planes land at times.

Doesn't save tons of time, but for us it's the way we like to go after many years of trial and error.

I will try this route on my next drive home and compare.
That said, I-4 eastbound between 528 & Kirkman I have never found to be an issue regardless of time of day.
I have however found I-4 in west to Beachline to be a complete mess.

MG

 

[schumigirl]

I will try this route on my next drive home and compare.
That said, I-4 eastbound between 528 & Kirkman I have never found to be an issue regardless of time of day.
I have however found I-4 in west to Beachline to be a complete mess.

MG

Ymmv.

 

[sarahb74]

Thanks both

 

[bumbershoot]

I do 528 to 4 and then follow the signs.

You're nervous about driving an automatic? Now that's a new one.

(remembering driving a stick shift in Ireland...eep! other side of the car, other side of the road, changing gears with my other hand...only thing that kept me sane was that the feet were the same!)

 

[keishashadow]

OP go to mapquest
Select avoid toll roads
Several surface road options will pop up
Play with it a bit.

After a few trial & errors, we take an easy non-toll/highway route from U resorts that follows universal Blvd down to central Florida parkway, W Taft/Vineland, trade-port (where there is a gas station next to airport @ intersection with boggy creek), then follow boggy creek via signs to airport.

Typically, it's no more than another 15 minutes vs highways & a very easy drive, unless you hit rush hour or school bus traffic.

When going to WDW first we do typically use 417/greenway toll rd as I tend to be more in a hurry to 'get there' lol

I hate 528, too many clueless tourists

 

[Disney Ron]

Do all tolls on 528 and I4 have attendants who collect the money or do we need exact change?

 

[schumigirl]

Do all tolls on 528 and I4 have attendants who collect the money or do we need exact change?

We go through 2 tolls.....1st is $1.25 and second is $1

Both have manned tolls.........just don't go through the Sunpass lines........but they are well signposted......

 

[Disney Ron]

We go through 2 tolls.....1st is $1.25 and second is $1

Both have manned tolls.........just don't go through the Sunpass lines........but they are well signposted......

schumi, are those tolls both on 528? I ask because I read earlier in this thread that you avoid I4. And if both those tolls you quoted are on 528 would you know if the toll booths are manned on I4?

BTW thanks for your last response.

 

[schumigirl]

schumi, are those tolls both on 528? I ask because I read earlier in this thread that you avoid I4. And if both those tolls you quoted are on 528 would you know if the toll booths are manned on I4?

BTW thanks for your last response.

Tolls are both on 528...........

Reason we avoid the I4 at that time of day is, when we land, flying from the UK we tend to be leaving MCO during rush hour. Route we use avoids it.

Haven't ever used a toll on I4.

 

[Disney Ron]

Tolls are both on 528...........

Reason we avoid the I4 at that time of day is, when we land, flying from the UK we tend to be leaving MCO during rush hour. Route we use avoids it.

Haven't ever used a toll on I4.

Thank you young lady. We land at 9:30 AM so I4 should be fine. I just read that I4 has no tolls.

 

[schumigirl]

Thank you young lady. We land at 9:30 AM so I4 should be fine. I just read that I4 has no tolls.

I adore you.......haven't been called young lady for a long time.........lol.......

Oh you'll be fine landing at that time..........

 

[Disney Ron]

I adore you.......haven't been called young lady for a long time.........lol.......

Oh you'll be fine landing at that time..........

schumi, we are young at heart therefore you're a young lady.