driving around WDW - too clever for my own good

[cigar95]

Over the years, I've learned my way around the roads pretty well. But on our last trip, I tried something I thought was really clever at the time. Only problem was, it Did Not Work!

We're coming out of Animal Kingdom, on our way back to Old Key West. Lot's of traffic lights between here and there. Suddenly I get a clever idea. "Hey, we're heading out on Osceola Parkway. I know they added an on-ramp to I-4 a couple years ago, and I know there's an exit onto Epcot Center Drive. If we leave the property for just a couple minutes, we can take the highway home and miss almost all the traffic lights."

OK, so we get onto I-4 from the Osceola. And there to my right is another lane that I can't get to. With signs that say "Exit 67". That's the one I want! Well, it turns out that the exit I want has split off from I-4 *before* the entrance I'm using has merged onto the highway. So my clever plan had only the one tiny flaw - it wouldn't work.

So instead we exited at Exit 68, down by Goodings and TGI Fridays, and got right back onto I-4 in the other direction, on our way into OKW. The thing is, with all the traffic lights along the usual route, we might still have gotten home quicker this way. But just not as smoothly.

Anyone else ever try out "clever shortcuts" at WDW and find yourself in a totally different place than you expected? Years ago, I tried driving from Wilderness Lodge to the TTC parking lot. That was a real adventure. (Eventually I learned the simple way in.)

 

[seashoreCM]

When leaving Epcot for 192 points west (such as Orange Lake or Shoneys) first follow a Magic Kingdom sign and go all the way around a cloverleaf. Then find 192 signs that will take you to World Drive south and then 192.

Otherwise you go around three sides of the square, east to I-4, then down I-4, then west on 192 where you pass by World Drive which was the fourth side.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

That was a clever idea that should have worked, except of course for that darn ramp beginning too soon. I assume you were trying to avoid the 8-9 traffic lights you would have encountered using Buena Vista Drive. The solution of course for next time is to STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE! OKW is in that busy corner where you get traffic lights from all directions.

The only other way I can think of would have been to hop on World Drive, go through the Magic Kingdom toll plaza, make an immediate right on to Vista Blvd and then another right on Bonnet Creek Parkway to OKW. Assuming no backup at the toll plaza, you might save a whole minute that way.

BobK/Orlando

 

[cigar95]

I like the way you think, Bob! The fastest route might not always be the straightest one.

Pretty much any time you try to use Buena Vista to go between the east and west sides of the property, you're stuck with a boatload of traffic lights. Going from AK to OKW, I think it might be even more than the 8 or 9 you suggested.

Now if I had been going to one of the Hotel Plaza properties, or even to Downtown Disney, I think my trick would definitely have been the right one.