directions for a rookie

[poonchkie]

We will be staying at the Residence Inn in Lake Buena Vista. I don't know anything about the area, how to get to WDW, where not to drive, or anything else about the whole Orlando area in general. I don't even know how to get to the hotel from the airport. I need some secrets and shortcuts from airport to hotel and from hotel to parks.

 

[safetymom]

You should be able to get directions to the hotel from the airport on the Marriott website. Just go to the page for your hotel and you should be able to get driving directions. Once you get to the hotel they should be able to give you directions to the parks.

I suggest contacting AAA if you are a member for maps and info.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

From the airport (I assume its MCO) take the Beeline Expy (toll road) about 10 miles west to Interstate 4. Take I-4 West (Tampa) (you will actually be going south at this point but I-4 is considered an east-west route) about 3 miles to Vineland Apopka Road, Rte 535, exit 68 (formerly exit 27). Turn right onto Vineland Apopka and go North 1/2 mile to Palm Parkway (you will pass WDW Eastgate entrance and the Crossroads shopping area.) At Palm Parkway (Sheraton Safari Hotel is on the corner) turn right and follow Palm Parkway to the Residence Inn. I haven't stayed there but it looks like a really nice place.

Here's your shortcut. Unless you are going to DTD do not use the WDW Eastgate entrance to get to the parks. Eastgate entrance takes you down Hotel Plaza Boulevard and past DTD, with many stoplights and much traffic. Instead, take Vineland Apopka south past the Eastgte and get on I-4 West Tampa. On I-4 do not merge in with traffic but stay in the far right lane of the entrance ramp. This far right lane is an exit only lane, which you will take (exit 67, formerly exit 26a), that puts you right onto Epcot Center Drive, thus bypassing all the stoplights and traffic. From here, just follow the signs to wherever you want to go.

Here is a link to a good WDW map. Palm Parkway does not end as shown on the map but continues east, then north. FWIW if you follow Palm Parkway north it becomes Turkey Lake Road and takes you right to Universal Studios without using I-4.

WDW Map