Driving directions to Fort

[AG CASWELL]

It has been several years since we made the trip and want to know how best to get there. We will be headed south on 75 and I know to take the turnpike but what is the best route from the turnpike?

 

[tiggerdad]

When we come in on I75 we get onto the Ronald Reagan Turnpike (Hwy 91) at Wildwood. We go down to Hwy 429 and go south. We get off and come into Disney on the Western Way. This brings you into Disney at Coronado Springs. Take a left on West Buena Vista Drive and then left onto World Drive. You want to be in the 2nd lane from the right when you pass through the entryway at Magic Kingdom. As soon as you go through the entryway, immediately move over to the right lane (the bus lane) and your turn to the right onto Vista Blvd. The Fort is just a little way down on your left. This way is toll roads but worth it to avoid the heavier traffic pulling a camper.

Hope this helps.

 

[Teamubr]

Ditto what Tiggerdad said. The tolls are WELL worth it. Anything you can do to avoid I-4, you should.

j

 

[Disneypeach]

+2 for Tdad's advice...

 

[StormyCA]

How are the tolls paid? We have a 'fast trak' (California) for Bay Area bridges. Can an 'out of stater' get similar for Florida's toll roads? If not, are there manned booths or is it 'photo-pay'?

 

[2goofycampers]

You can get a SunPass or pay as you go at the manned toll booths.

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Tiggerdad has is down to a art, think he's planning his next trip.

That's is the best way from I75, it's hardly any traiffic on Toll Road 429.

 

[bama_ed]

How are the tolls paid? We have a 'fast trak' (California) for Bay Area bridges. Can an 'out of stater' get similar for Florida's toll roads? If not, are there manned booths or is it 'photo-pay'?

You can buy a SunPass mini transponder to stick on your windshield at the first Turnpike Service Plaza after you turn onto the Turnpike from I75. (which I think was undergoing an entire refurb when I went by in January). Or you can buy it on-line and they will mail it to you: https://www.sunpass.com/index (see the link that says "Click Here to Purchase" and choose the mini).

I keep a minimum amount of money on it and automatically adds when balance gets low. I go to that part of Florida maybe once-twice a year and it's nice to roll through the toll booths like a local. The Florida Turnpike from Ocala/Wildwood down to about West Palm Beach (which includes the Orlando area) are still using manned booths or the SunPass. Hwy 429 that tiggerdad mentions, like some other toll roads around Florida that aren't officially part of the Turnpike system, use the SunPass or cash as well. Below West Palm, somewhere around Lauderdale there are no more manned toll booths on the Turnpike and it's Sunpass only.

Thing about the SunPass is to list BOTH the tow vehicle VIN/plate as well as the trailer VIN/plate. Even though my trailer is small, I like not having to come to a complete stop at a manned booth and then accelerate back up to speed. So if you're going no further than Orlando and won't be coming often, just pay the cash tolls at the manned booths. Or get the Mini and roll on through.

Bama Ed

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

when I went by in January).

It was still being refurbished when we past by in Feb.

I bought my SunPass at the first welcome center at the AL/FL line. It was in a vending machine along with the chips, cookies and candy bars.

Bama Ed, I didn't know that about entering both the truck and trailer numbers, I'm going to check into that, I've been all the way to West Palm Beach with the camper, and never had a problem. It shows on my app the number of axles.

 

[bama_ed]

Well, Randy, that's what I was told back in the day. I can understand if I DIDN'T have a SunPass and I used the SP lane, the camera facing the rear would snap a pix of my tag as I pulled away. And they (the big THEM) would hunt me down and fine me.

Funny thing about the site, though, is the axle counter isn't always right. Sometimes for me it's been low (2) but mostly it's been right (3). Remember, I'm towing a popup with a Suburban so it should always be 3. Do they think my popup "flew" over the top of the toll booth on the 2 times?

The vending machine sales is a neat idea.

Bama Ed

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Yeah, they charged me for 5 axles on our way back, oh well you win some you lose some.

 

[Teamubr]

Do they think my popup "flew" over the top of the toll booth on the 2 times?

I think they probably thought, why bother for something that small. Or maybe it did fly over the sensor.

I had a SunPass about 10 years ago when I was making a couple of trips in a row to Orlando. I remember listing the camper plates on it too. Vaguely remember reading that somewhere. I don't know if I ever paid attention to how many axles I was charged for. I know the automatic (camera) tolls in Colorado can't count. Last summer I was towing the toy hauler out to Colorado Springs for vacation before we raced outside of Limon. Passed by the same cameras coming and going. The toy hauler has triple axles and it only counted 2 each time.

Yeah, they charged me for 5 axles on our way back, oh well you win some you lose some.

Now yours is a much different story. I'm sure they figured any thing that big had to be a semi, so he's getting hit with 5 axles as a matter of principle.

I got pulled over once towing the race trailer (48 ft long). The cop parked behind me and walked up the side. The first thing he said was, "My God that trailer is long."

j

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Not to get here but, it might because I didn't slow down to 25 mph for the toll plaza, I admit I have a heavy foot. Our first trip to Disney I received a high speed driving award in Ocala towing our 5ver.

 

[Teamubr]

I received a high speed driving award in Ocala towing our 5ver.

So that's what you call it. I have to remember that for the next one I get... Because you know it's coming... eventually.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Do they think my popup "flew" over the top of the toll booth on the 2 times?

Well, you were probably driving so fast that the trailer left the ground...I mean, it is small and lite...
Randy on the other hand...I can't believe he got by with only 5 axles, I would have charged for more...

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Randy on the other hand...I can't believe he got by with only 5 axles, I would have charged for more...

Hey now, I'm doing good not having to stop at the Scale Houses or having pilot cars like you said,

 

[StormyCA]

Thanks guys. We ordered the mini-transponder. We debated it then decided that since we really don't know what toll roads (other than the Turnpike in the Orlando area) and/or toll bridges we might encounter a transponder would be easier than scrabbling all over the truck cab for cash. Plus he really hates to have to do that slow and go through toll plazas.

"High Speed Driving Award". Hee Hee. Next time my husband chides me for my lead foot, I'm going to tell him that's what I'm going for! I just tell him now that the only difference between us is that HE just hasn't been caught yet!

 

[Flametamr]

I didn't see it mentioned but on the 429 if you have a Sunpass you just stay at highway speed in the traffic lanes. You don't have to pull off and go through a toll booth like on the Turnpike. The first time I went through there I was worried I had missed something and would get a ticket.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Ditto what Tiggerdad said. The tolls are WELL worth it. Anything you can do to avoid I-4, you should.

j

1) That's the truth !!!

2) And, with the I-4 road widening project, it will be a mess for five years!

 

[tiggerdad]

1) That's the truth !!!

2) And, with the I-4 road widening project, it will be a mess for five years!

Didn't know about that, hope this doesn't worsen the traffic on the Western Way.