Directions to FW from the west

[Tromba]

We're coming in on Monday from the Ocala area down I75. Last time we came they had just opened up a new gate on the West side of the world and it was very convenient from the north. But I don't remember the directions.

Can someone give me the directions to this entrance, and then on to the Fort?

Thanks, Tromba

 

[ibm2010]

Take I75 south to the turnpike at Wildwood. Take the turnpike to 495. 495 will bring you out (Exit is marked "disney") next to Coronado Springs. At the light take a left and follow the signs.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

I thought it was Hwy 429? We went that way last year, and it is so much better than going through O-town. You even get a glimpse of Spaceship Earth from a hilltop if the weather is clear.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I thought it was Hwy 429? We went that way last year, and it is so much better than going through O-town. You even get a glimpse of Spaceship Earth from a hilltop if the weather is clear.

It is 429. The exit off the turnpike is marked as a Disney exit, can't remember the exit number, but there are others on here who will have the exit numbers for you. Once you exit 429(exit 8 for Disney) pay close attention to speed limits. Disney is well marked turn left at the trafic light by CS and follow the signs to MK area resorts.

 

[bama_ed]

It is Hwy 429 headed South. One toll booth along the way, exit for Disney has signs but it says something like "Western Way" or "Daniel Webster Western Way". Watch out for Orange County sheriffs (speed trap) once you get off all the way to Coronado.

Much better than taking the turnpike to I4 then down I4 to Disney. Comes into the property near Coronado Springs. Most folks will turn left at the "T" (unless going to All Star) to head toward the Fort and all other on-property hotels.

I would highly recommend this route for anyone headed to Disney, towing a camper or not.

Bama ED

 

[Shan-man]

If you are in an RV and want to avoid playing chicken with buses and toll plazas I recommend a slightly different route. It is a bit further, but it is easier IMO:

I-75 S

Get off at exit 328 (approximately 140 miles from Georgia/Florida State Line, approximately 107 miles from I-10)

Travel on Florida Turnpike to Exit 267A (429S) (approximately 42 miles)

Travel on 429S to Exit 8 (Disney World/Hartzog Rd) (approximately 14 miles)

This road will take you to West Buena Vista Dr near Coronado Springs.

Turn left from West Buena Vista to World Drive, travel 2.6 mi. Ignore the signs! LOL

Just past Downtown Disney you will cross over an overpass. Take the next left, Bonnet Creek Pkwy.

In 1.5 mi. Bonnet Creek will dead end into Vista Blvd. Take a left.

Fort Wilderness will be on the right in a 9/10 mile.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Who would guess there are so many ways to get to Disney. The easiest, IMHO, is I-75 to Florida Turnpike in Wildwood. Turnpike to US 429, Exit 267, you exit to your right, no fancy looping. There are 2 toll booths before you exit. HINT - Go to Publix and buy the mini Sun Pass. I think it was $4.99. Get a Sun Pass account for $20, I think you even get your $4.99 back via a credit to your account. Then breeze right past the 2 toll booths. SO EASY, especially when towing something. Take 429 to Exit 8 Disney World/Hartzog Road. When you exit you will circle around to you right onto Western Way. Stay on Western Way until your 2nd traffic light. The 2nd light is West Buena Vista Drive (Coronado Springs will be at your left). There are 2 left hand turn lanes at this light. If you follow Shan-man's directions you will want the "right" left lane, if you follow my humble directions you will get in the "left" left hand lane. You will go thru 1 light, the entrance to Coronado Springs, curve to the right and cross a small bridge, which goes over World Drive. For Shan-the man directions go straight at the next light just over this bridge, for my directions make a left onto World Drive. Once on World Drive you will want to get in the center lane quickly, as the 2 lanes to the right veer you off towards Epcot. Once past the Epcot exit, you will want to get into the far right hand lane and follow it to the Magic Kingdom entrance. Head for the furthest right hand booth with the green light. Just say Fort Wilderness at the ticket booth and they wave you right thru. Immediately veer to the right hand lane and follow than road under the monorail, merge onto it and you are on the road that takes you to paradise, aka, the Fort.

I've never taken Shan-man's route. Could be easier . Maybe you could take one route in and the other on the way out. I use to know the Disney property inside and out. Even use to come to the Fort via 535 and took a small road past Kinder Kare building on the right and just a short trip to the Fort. But now, good grief, it's like city driving.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

l
I've never taken Shan-man's route. Could be easier . Maybe you could take one route in and the other on the way out. I use to know the Disney property inside and out. Even use to come to the Fort via 535 and took a small road past Kinder Kare building on the right and just a short trip to the Fort. But now, good grief, it's like city driving.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

Both routes take about the same amount of time, depending on the traffic, main gate before park opens would be a good time to take Shan's route. Shan-man's route(and the one I take when not towing) does involve a right turn into the Fort. This turn was very tight, but they have widend the paved area so it is not as bad as it used to be. If you are a novice to towing, the route through main gate is probably easier, otherwise whichever way the traffic takes you is as good as the other.

 

[datgrt@fw]

We have been traveling to Disney from North Carolina for the past thirty plus years and have always taken I-95 South to I-4 through Orlando to get to FW. Would it be better to continue on I-95 until we pick-up Hwy 528 (Beachline Express) and take it straight into Disney? Also, does anyone know the difference in the drive time taking this route verus I-4?

Thanks, as always I appreciate everyone's help!

Doug / datgrt@fw

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

If you are in an RV and want to avoid playing chicken with buses and toll plazas I recommend a slightly different route. It is a bit further, but it is easier IMO:

I-75 S

Get off at exit 328 (approximately 140 miles from Georgia/Florida State Line, approximately 107 miles from I-10)

Travel on Florida Turnpike to Exit 267A (429S) (approximately 42 miles)

Travel on 429S to Exit 8 (Disney World/Hartzog Rd) (approximately 14 miles)

This road will take you to West Buena Vista Dr near Coronado Springs.

Turn left from West Buena Vista to World Drive, travel 2.6 mi. Ignore the signs! LOL

Just past Downtown Disney you will cross over an overpass. Take the next left, Bonnet Creek Pkwy.

In 1.5 mi. Bonnet Creek will dead end into Vista Blvd. Take a left.

Fort Wilderness will be on the right in a 9/10 mile.

+1 for those directions. I always go back to the Fort this way....really easy.

 

[Shan-man]

Yeah, it's this one direction that makes me prefer my route:

Immediately veer to the right hand lane and follow than road under the monorail, merge onto it and you are on the road that takes you to paradise, aka, the Fort.

...and she didn't mention the worst part, you can't be in the right-most lane to begin with, as that is reserved for buses. So when you veer right, it's as you're dodging buses, not to mention just after slaloming the rather narrow toll plaza gates. Ugh. But the other poster brings up a good point, the right into FW might be tough for a long rig, though I've never had a problem in my (rather short) motorhome. I just find it a much more relaxing way to arrive, IMO.



Edit: the radius of the right is about 35', roughly the same as Little Bear Path in 1400, so it really shouldn't be too challenging, me thinks.

 

[meggymouse]

Hey! I'm new to the boards, but we go to the fort alot. We are coming from Lady Lake(just south of Ocala) so we take the turnpike to exit 267a. But we get off on the first exit(stonybrook pkwy) then turn left onto the 535. If you stay on the 535 you come in through a back entrance where the Lake buena Vista Const company is and the fort is right there. Anyone else do this?

 

[Dizney_Luver]

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Hey! I'm new to the boards, but we go to the fort alot. We are coming from Lady Lake(just south of Ocala) so we take the turnpike to exit 267a. But we get off on the first exit(stonybrook pkwy) then turn left onto the 535. If you stay on the 535 you come in through a back entrance where the Lake buena Vista Const company is and the fort is right there. Anyone else do this?

That sounds like the route we use to take. 535 use to be a little country road and it was a piece of cake going a back way that few knew about. The last time I took it I think there was a large country club there, Grand Cypress maybe . Right after you turned there was a Kinder Care on the left.....is that the turn you are talking about????
It was very easy, but I love the Disney exit off of 429.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Yeah, it's this one direction that makes me prefer my route:



...and she didn't mention the worst part, you can't be in the right-most lane to begin with, as that is reserved for buses. So when you veer right, it's as you're dodging buses, not to mention just after slaloming the rather narrow toll plaza gates. Ugh. But the other poster brings up a good point, the right into FW might be tough for a long rig, though I've never had a problem in my (rather short) motorhome. I just find it a much more relaxing way to arrive, IMO.

I have learned to time it perfectly so no one is in that lane. Actually, I tend to arrive when it's a little slower so there aren't as many buses. They are very good about yielding to folks in RV's and towing popups too or at least I've had either really polite drivers or scared to death of being anywhere around me.

 

[ibm2010]

oops 495 429.......I had the 4 correct. Sorry for the mistake

 

[meggymouse]

That sounds like the route we use to take. 535 use to be a little country road and it was a piece of cake going a back way that few knew about. The last time I took it I think there was a large country club there, Grand Cypress maybe . Right after you turned there was a Kinder Care on the left.....is that the turn you are talking about????
It was very easy, but I love the Disney exit off of 429.

Yeah thats it, We'll have to try the exit and compare!

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Yeah thats it, We'll have to try the exit and compare!

I'm guessing the full 429 way is quicker. Let me know although I usually have a popup attached to the back of my vehicle and I think that twisting and traffic on 535 might not be too much fun.