Directions from Universal to MK and AK Resorts

[EagertobeinWDW]

I don't know if it's merely an urban legend or fact that driving from Universal area to MK and AK resorts is very confusing or not. But I know I'll feel more confident if I have clear directions on how to travel from the Universal area where we are staying to MK and then to the All Star Music Resort. I tried the search function, but got nowhere.

Can anyone please help me with those directions?

Thank you!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Urban legend. My very rudimentary map app came up with simple directions - Universal to Hollywood Way to I4 west to Epcot Center Drive to World Drive which ends at the MK parking booths - but really, the signage is excellent.

 

[skelooch]

From Universal take I-4 west toward Tampa, continue on I-4 to exit 62 it's marked Disney World/Celebration. This will put you onto World Drive which will take you directly to the Magic Kingdom.

When leaving the Magic Kingdom parking lot you will again be on World Drive, Take your second right off of World Drive toward Blizzard Beach/Wide World of Sports/Animal Kingdom/Osceola Parkway, keep to the right on the exit and onto Osceola Parkway and exit at sign for All Star Resorts. Turn left at light onto Buena Vista Drive, and proceed straight into All Star Resorts.

 

[EagertobeinWDW]

A very kind thank you for taking the time to help me ensure I had clear directions. Driving with two little ones makes me anxious, period. Clear directions help much more than you probably realize.

 

[bumbershoot]

The only real confusion is how 4 is west/east when, through that exact area of Orlando, it's sooooo north/south in appearance and direction.

So just get it straight in your head that west = what feels like south, and east = what feels like north, and even if all else fails, just follow the signs.

The signage, as kaytie said, is excellent. You might not end up going the most direct route by strictly following the signs, but you will get there.


And the signs are so obvious that I bet the kids will see them before you do, even if they aren't quite reading yet.

 

[EagertobeinWDW]

The only real confusion is how 4 is west/east when, through that exact area of Orlando, it's sooooo north/south in appearance and direction.

So just get it straight in your head that west = what feels like south, and east = what feels like north, and even if all else fails, just follow the signs.

The signage, as kaytie said, is excellent. You might not end up going the most direct route by strictly following the signs, but you will get there.


And the signs are so obvious that I bet the kids will see them before you do, even if they aren't quite reading yet.

Now, I'm envisioning Huey, Duey, and Luey jumping up and down in the car with excitement, inadvertently clobbering Donald the Driver with every third turn, screaming, "Are we there yet!!!!!?????"

Big thank you!

 

[NotUrsula]

No, it isn't really an urban legend, not if you are leaving from Universal's on-site resorts, anyway.

The gotcha is that if you leave Universal property via the wrong street, it will take FOREVER to reach the westbound I-4 on-ramp. This is because if you do it wrong, you will end up on a very slow service road that parallels westbound I-4 but does not link to it until you are all the way down past Sand Lake Road. (The legend exists because if you are trying to go from Universal to the airport via the Beachline and make this mistake, you will enter I-4 south of Beachline exit, which means having to turn around to get back to it.)

We got stuck in this little trap several times, until we learned the secret of properly positioning ourselves to get to the most direct-access I-4West on-ramp. The key is putting yourself on Major Blvd eastbound when leaving Universal property. Major Blvd is the road leading out of the northeast side of Universal property, which makes taking it counterintuitive if you are headed to WDW, which is, of course, south of Universal. Trust me, in this case, going north is the fastest way to go south.

Here is the important part:

1. While on Universal property, initially follow the signage directing you to Portofino Bay Resort. You will approach it via Universal Blvd.
2. Major Blvd is the road leading off Universal Blvd, passing between PBR and the northernmost parking structure. Turn from Universal Blvd. onto Major Blvd. (direction isn't an issue; as Major dead-ends into Universal Blvd.).
3. Once on Major Blvd, get in the far right lane, and turn right at the first light onto Kirkman Road, again, staying in the far-right lane.
4. Once on Kirkman Rd, you will see small overhead signage directing you to the I-4 on-ramps. Get into the proper lane under the I-4 West sign and stay in that lane to directly access the westbound ramp.

PS: If you try to trace this on Google maps, be careful of getting confused: there is an incorrect label on the application. If you zoom in on Universal, the structure near the parking garages that you will see labeled as "Universal's Royal Pacific Resort" is, in fact, Portofino Bay Resort.