Driving in and around WDW

[disneydreamerinny]

First time renting a car. Is it easy to find where you are going?
Is there a map?
We are bringing a GPS, will that recognise disney landmarks such as hotels, theme parks, water parks?

 

[gmeh1]

First time renting a car. Is it easy to find where you are going?
Is there a map?
We are bringing a GPS, will that recognise disney landmarks such as hotels, theme parks, water parks?

Yes, it is easy to find where you are going. We have road signs and other signs down here.
Yes, there is a map, each agency has one to give to customers.
The GPS will recognize whatever you put into it.
Test it at home.

 

[BigPumba]

They have signs all over the place. And most give you enough time to get in the correct lane. Also if you miss a turn its not to hard to turn around even if you have to go through the parking attainments booths. The biggest thing WATCH YOUR SPEED sheriffs all over the Disney property.

 

[OKW Lover]

There are signs everywhere so don't bother with a GPS. Just read the signs. Just remember that most of the other cars are being driven by tourists that are also looking for their turn and may forget to look first.

 

[Polydweller]

You really don't need the GPS to get around. The signage is very good. However, the GPS has found us some faster alternate routes. Just make sure you stay on guest access roads, there are some that are not open to guests. The GPS should recognize all major Disney landmarks.

 

[I Love Pluto]

If my daughter & I can follow Disney's signs & not get lost - anyone can!

The signs are numerous & large. You will not have issues. Honest!

 

[chartle]

The problem with a GPS is it may not get you to a park's parking lot but right on main street so if you don't have a specific point that is the parking lot booths you may get lost on non guest roads so just follow the signs.

Now where it helps is if you are staying off site its a nice to get you back "home".

 

[Polydweller]

The problem with a GPS is it may not get you to a park's parking lot but right on main street so if you don't have a specific point that is the parking lot booths you may get lost on non guest roads so just follow the signs.

Now where it helps is if you are staying off site its a nice to get you back "home".

No not really. The road system, if you always stay in guest areas (and non-guest roads are clearly marked), means the GPS, by auto re-routing will always take you past the parking lots and the toll booths. Just turn into the lots and not Main Street

 

[shells4]

We updated our GPS right before leaving on our trip and most of the time it still didn't recognize land marks on Disney property. Most of the signs are very good but occassionally it was difficult to find some things. Of coarse it seemed to be when we had a reservation somewhere and we were rushing! We thought the GPS was worthless on property and much less frustrated watching the signs carefully and leaving plenty of time. The parks themselves were very clearly marked.

 

[disneydreamerinny]

Thankyou! I feel much more confident now!

 

[chartle]

No not really. The road system, if you always stay in guest areas (and non-guest roads are clearly marked), means the GPS, by auto re-routing will always take you past the parking lots and the toll booths. Just turn into the lots and not Main Street

Yes mostly you will get there by following your GPS because the parking booths are usually between you and the park but for the MK you could very easily get pointed towards back stage areas that are not going to get you to the parking lot or on the wrong side of the lot.

Here is a good example, Directions from FW to the MK. It takes you on a road past the tool booths and to the Contemporary.

http://goo.gl/maps/7yr4R

When you really want this.

http://goo.gl/maps/hefR4

 

[Granfan]

Onstar had us turn into the back of the Coronado into a service area not accessible to guests..We had to back out, turn around and turn up at the light instead..Ever since, I've used map quest and the disney info provided online with your reservation, signs and common sense. I knew that turn looked wrong, but thought Onstar knew more than me. Ha!

 

[cruisingkat]

We found the GPS to be easier than the following the road signs. If a large SUV is next to you, you may not see the sign. That happened to us everytime before we got our GPS. We missed the signs for the turns because they were blocked by some SUV's in the right lane.
We had no problem setting our GPS (it is a Garmin Nuvi) and it found all the right locations. Plus it gives us a heads up as to which way we will turn next so we can be in the correct lane.

 

[Donna M]

I find it is also helpful to know something about Disney, like which area your hotel is in; are your staying in a DTD resort, EPCOT etc.

 

[goodferry]

On mousesavers Mary has downloadable points of interest for GPS units if yours has the capability to accept them. We did that and found it extremely easy to get to not only parks and resorts, but also to grocery stores and restaurants in the area. If you are able to use her files it's very helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We found the GPS to be easier than the following the road signs. If a large SUV is next to you, you may not see the sign. That happened to us everytime before we got our GPS. We missed the signs for the turns because they were blocked by some SUV's in the right lane.
We had no problem setting our GPS (it is a Garmin Nuvi) and it found all the right locations. Plus it gives us a heads up as to which way we will turn next so we can be in the correct lane.

Okay, understood. But the signage is really great, with advance notice - not just one "Oops, hey, turn HERE!" . Especially if there's a chance a driver may meet to turn or exit, regularly pacing large vehicles that are in the lane the turning driver should be in may not be the best idea; and if a driver misses a turn, there's always more than one way to get somewhere.

 

[kwdw]

Not sure what website it's on anymore - but there is a driving map of WDW available online. It was very helpful in understanding the lay of land before we got there. Then - following the signs "made sense" because we knew what things we close together, in the opposite direction, etc. Google Earth is also useful this way.

 

[Muhlenberg]

I find it is also helpful to know something about Disney, like which area your hotel is in; are your staying in a DTD resort, EPCOT etc.

Yes! This is very true. If you don't know what area your resort is in (generally speaking, like MK resorts, or Epcot resorts), and you're far enough "out", the signs don't specifically say the name of the resort. You have to be close enough for the resort names to be on the signs.

For example, if you're staying at the Contemporary, you initially need to follow the MK area signs.

As was mentioned, study a map, to get an idea of where everything is located. It helps!