I received directions to our villa via I4 but I remember there being another route that was less heavily travelled. I remember it had a few tolls--is it route 417 or the bee line expressway?
Take 417 to the Celebration exit make a right after the toll booth and then make a left on 192. Between mile marker 4 and 5 get in the left lane and make a left on Formosa Gardens BLVD. (Red Lobster, Taco Bell, Wallgreens are some land marks)
At the 4 way stop make a right. Emerald Island is the 2nd community on the left.
We've been there a few times so our memories will be jogged as soon as we see all the mile markers. However this will be our friend's first time and I know how confusing it can be the first time.
Do you happen to know the specific exit number for Celebration?
Also, there are signs for 417 when you exit the car rental booths, right? Is it 417 east/west/north/south?
I pretty sure it is 417 South. It is very clearly marked leaving the airport from the airport rental car area, so you should not have a problem. It says Disney World on the 417 sign. I am not sure of the exit number, but there should be a hospital sign, since Celebration hospital is right at that exit.
Do you happen to know the specific exit number for Celebration?
Also, there are signs for 417 when you exit the car rental booths, right? Is it 417 east/west/north/south?
Even better from a traffic avoidance point of view is to leave the 417 a little earlier and use the Osceola Parkway Toll Road (although i doubt you'll actually pay a toll on this stretch).
Use Osceola Parkway to travel West right through Disney following signs for Animal Kingdom Lodge.
When you reach the last set of traffic lights you can see AKL ahead of you and you should turn left onto Sherberth Road.
Follow Sherberth Road to US192 and turn right and then left at the first set of traffic lights on US192 onto Formosa Gardens.
I like to take the Osceola Parkway exit, and then turn left at Gaylord Palms to get to my favorite Publix at Xentury City. We shop and then head on into the Formosa Garden area, either by 192 or Osceola Parkway, depending on our mood.