Driving in/around DW? HOW???? (directions)

To get anywhere in WDW, follow their signs -- if the gps disagrees, it's lying.

We only use gps when we're lost outside WDW and need to find our way back, to get to the airport, or to find a particular store or restaurant. You should be able to type in the name of your hotel, different theme parks etc.

We use the WDW bus system exclusively for trips to MK -- we don't love Epcot so we get there by monorail from MK for part of a day. For DHS and AK we will only drive if we're going to be there at park opening and can walk to the gate rather than parking tram. If we're park hopping we use bus. We always have a car on our trip, and we've tried all the parks different ways -- bus wins because you don't have to wait for the parking tram at the end of the night. But we stay at a Value and they have better bus service since there is no alternate transportation to them.
 
To get anywhere in WDW, follow their signs -- if the gps disagrees, it's lying.

Not to sound like a broken record, but really, the signs don't always take you on the shortest or most convenient route. And there are many smaller locations that don't appear on any sign until you get into the right area of WDW.

Using the points built into the GPS is a problem because for a variety of reasons the databases that the GPS companies use have some wildly inaccurate locations for some stuff in WDW. The parks are usually the worst, because they don't have addresses and the points for them is usually smack-dab in the middle of the park. That doesn't work so good for driving.

Luckily the parks are the easiest to get to via the signs, and the directions given by the signs are generally fine. However I've seen some really strange locations in GPS databases. WDW's street addresses are kind of strange because they're not usually USPS addresses; the post office delivers everything to a single location back behind the Magic Kingdom. The exceptions are the Bonnet Creek resort area and the Hotel Plaza resorts. Those have actual postal addresses, and their GPS coordinates are usually OK.

Anyway, if you can get accurate locations for things, the GPS is reliable to get you there. That's why I created a set of accurate locations, specifically designed for driving. If you've had problems with GPS at WDW I urge you to try again with the MouseSavers points; it's really a much better experience.
 

Agree with above poster......driving is always quicker. Nothing is more frustrating than waiting over 30 minutes for a bus (happens many times) and then not even making it on that bus, only to wait another 10 minutes or so after the first driver radios that another bus is needed and then, having to stand anyway!! When taking the buses, always plan on a bare minimum of an hour to get from point A to point B.....usually closer to 1.5 hours. When driving that same route......mostly likely under 15 minutes tops!
 
It seems like everything is off Buena Vista, and yes it is faster to drive, except to MK take the bus.
 



New Posts










Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top