Driving the Florida Turnpike to Disney -- Where do YOU exit?

[zackiedawg]

Does no one take the Osceola Parkway anymore? and why?

Well I do...but I'm coming up from the south so it makes more sense. It's only a few miles past the 192 exit for us, and it has roughly 460 less stoplights.

I think for those coming from the north, Osceola Parkway seems a bit out of the way...you're going past 429, past I4, all the way to Osceola, then backtracking...I think you'd be adding alot of miles to your trip.

And Osceola Parkway isn't quite the major advantage it used to be - starting from the Turnpike exit, the traffic can be immense, with new super-mega stores everywhere. Super Walmarts, Super Targets, Super BJ's, Super Whatevers seem to be popping up every other week. Once you get a few miles past the Turnpike area, and go past SR7/441, you think it's getting better...then you round a corner and it gets real bad again as you enter the John Young Parkway mega-blitz-intersection. Malls and megastores on all corners, and rush-hour style traffic almost 20 hours a day.

Once past that, it opens up and flows nicely - and once you get to the toll, it's home free and a great ride. But that first part is getting worse every year with all the new stores and malls dropping in.

It's still a thousand times faster and better than 192, and probably worthwhile even for you Northerners if you get to I-4 at rush hour...pass it and go to Osceola. But 429 will be infinitely better in every way for northerners - the exit is sooner, you shave a few miles off your trip, and at least for now, it's a quiet and low-traffic, low-stress ride into Disney.

 

[stm61]

I don't think they would have told you to take I-85. It does not come anywhere near to I-4.

Looking at a map from almost anywhere in SC I would say get on I-95 to Daytona Beach and the follow I-4. When you get to Sanford, you might be better off taking SR-417 which is a beltway. Yes, there are tolls on it, but in my commute I often see the time from I-4 South of WDW on signs that it is 20-25 minutes faster taking SR-417 to the St Johns River Bridge than following I-4.

oops sorry! You're right! I-85 is close to home, I take I-77 to 26 to 95. After that I'm not sure. I took I-75 by accident one year, when I forgot to get on 26, and it took way longer.

 

[Dismom55]

Question for SlightlyGoofy, do your directions apply if you are staying at Pop Century? If not, can you tell me what would be the way.

I will be traveling with my 77 yr mother, and I tend to get a bit nervous in unfamiliar territory.

You can laugh, but I got lost LEAVING WDW in 2000 when I last took my mother .

 

[Dolce27]

I have a turnpike question for you experts: my driving directions show me heading north on the turnpike for over 105 miles. Any idea how much money this is going to cost me?

 

[Experiment_626]

I have a turnpike question for you experts: my driving directions show me heading north on the turnpike for over 105 miles. Any idea how much money this is going to cost me?

Probably $2.50 or so, max. You may pay a small amount when you get on the turnpike, and more toward the other end.

SSB

 

[zackiedawg]

I have a turnpike question for you experts: my driving directions show me heading north on the turnpike for over 105 miles. Any idea how much money this is going to cost me?

My question would be...why are you headed north on the Turnpike? If you're coming from TX, you should be headed south, no?

Unless you are referring to driving back home...

If your directions for getting to Disney take you south of Disney, then onto the turnpike back north again...then it's taking you waaaay out of the way!

 

[Dolce27]

Probably $2.50 or so, max. You may pay a small amount when you get on the turnpike, and more toward the other end.

SSB

Thanks! I was expecting a lot more, so that's good.

My question would be...why are you headed north on the Turnpike? If you're coming from TX, you should be headed south, no?

Unless you are referring to driving back home...

If your directions for getting to Disney take you south of Disney, then onto the turnpike back north again...then it's taking you waaaay out of the way!

I won't be driving from Texas. I'll be flying in south with my work and then driving to Disney for a day.

 

[ajh88]

Far as I know, that's your quickest route, not accounting for a traffic jam. The only Turnpike exit before that which will get you down to Disney would be State Road 429 - which is a toll road. It's pretty wide-open, but winding and not really any closer. You could take that to Western Way, which pops into Disney property just east of Coronado Springs Resort. Or take it a little further to connect to 192 (irlo bronson), then head east to either Sherberth Road (drops you right into AK or AK Lodge) or continuing on to the Main Gate entrance.

It'll shed about 2-5 miles off the total mileage - depending on where within the World you are headed. But it should be a quieter road than I4, so maybe a good alternative if you happen to be arriving during one of the heavier traffic periods.

This is the way we went last summer when we stayed at the All-Stars for the first time and we loved the route! 429 was a little boring & there wasn't a lot to see, but there was NO traffic. We were also able to scout out some fast food places on the Irlo Bronson & it was the first time we drove straight to our resort without getting lost on Disney property. We are notorious for ending up at EPCOT no matter where we're trying to get to, so this was a major accomplishment for us!

I don't know if it really was faster, but it felt faster. The only thing I missed was driving through the "Welcome to Disney World" gates!

 

[zackiedawg]

I won't be driving from Texas. I'll be flying in south with my work and then driving to Disney for a day.

Gotcha! Well that makes more sense.

The bad news is your toll will be higher!

Coming from the south, assuming you enter the Turnpike at Port St. Lucie (you said roughly 105 miles, so I'm guessing that's about where you'll be), and exiting at Osceola Parkway...you'll be $8.90 in tolls for the Turnpike. And if you take Osceola Parkway, add another $1.50.

You'll be traveling my route...so I know it well! I definitely recommend taking Osceola Parkway instead of 192...though it has a congested area for the first few miles, once you get to the toll, it's smooth running right into Disney property.

Depending on where you're staying, you can exit Osceola at Victory Way (for Pop Century, CBR, OKW, SS, or any Epcot resort area), World Drive (Hollywood Studios, CSR, Epcot, MK, or any MK area resort), Buena Vista Drive (Blizzard Beach, AllStar Resort)...or if you take it straight to the end, AK or AK Lodge. Osceola Parkway ends at the AK Lodge.

 

[Dolce27]

Gotcha! Well that makes more sense.

The bad news is your toll will be higher!

Coming from the south, assuming you enter the Turnpike at Port St. Lucie (you said roughly 105 miles, so I'm guessing that's about where you'll be), and exiting at Osceola Parkway...you'll be $8.90 in tolls for the Turnpike. And if you take Osceola Parkway, add another $1.50.

You'll be traveling my route...so I know it well! I definitely recommend taking Osceola Parkway instead of 192...though it has a congested area for the first few miles, once you get to the toll, it's smooth running right into Disney property.

Depending on where you're staying, you can exit Osceola at Victory Way (for Pop Century, CBR, OKW, SS, or any Epcot resort area), World Drive (Hollywood Studios, CSR, Epcot, MK, or any MK area resort), Buena Vista Drive (Blizzard Beach, AllStar Resort)...or if you take it straight to the end, AK or AK Lodge. Osceola Parkway ends at the AK Lodge.

Thanks so much for the info. Yes, I'll be coming from Port St. Lucie. I already have it GPS'd on my iphone even though it's still a couple of months until I go. The directions on the GPS tell me to take Osceola Parkway.

I'll just be at the MK for the day and there's a MNSSHP that night so I'll be driving back to Port St. Lucie that night after the party.

That's not too bad for tolls... it sounds much cheaper than what the tolls in Dallas are.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

YES, YES, YES!

It is SOOO much faster than Hwy 27 to 192. It is only like $1 toll and the road is brand new, smooth, and practically empty. You can even see Space Mtn, Contemporary, Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, in the distance as you approach Disney property.

And since we often stay at CSR, it's very close and convenient. Trust me, use 429 - you'll be glad you did!

And 429 is like an interstate, so the speed limit is at least 65 and you can actually go that speed because you're the only car on the road!

You can also see the Castle . We go this way every time!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

This is the way I go. Someone on the boards posted this awhile back. Thank you, thank you!

BTW, be careful when you get on Western Way as it is so clear of traffic and new that you might be tempted to go faster than the speed limit. There have been many reports of folks getting caught. I have seen it myself.

The signage has improved somewhat since this posting.

This is one of the best improvements to DW I have ever seen and I am betting the locals like it too or will when more folks learn about it and stay off THEIR roads.

SG



I-75 south and get on the Turnpike. Skip the Rte. 27 exit and get off the Turnpike onto Toll 429 South (marked Tampa).

About 15 miles take the Disney exit (at Hartzog Road) following the Disney signs and within half a mile you will see the welcoming arches.

About 2 miles later you get to Buena Vista Drive near Blizzard Beach and you are now in familiar territory.

Caution: Once you see the arches continue to obey the speed limit signs, approximately 35 MPH at that point. Otherwise you'll leave precious tire rubber on the pavement as you hit the brakes for a Disney truck you first saw crossing the road way up ahead but which didn't clear in time for your approach.


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You will have to pay a $2.50 toll right after your "normal" exit of Route 27. If you go during a popular time (like a three day weekend), you could have a backup but just pick a lane and stay in it. It moves fairly well (especially if you have the $2.50 ready to go).

You will think you are driving forever after that but it's well worth it. The exit you want will be after the exit for Route 50. I like to have a landmark so I can expect the next exit. The Route 50 exit will be that for you. You'll want the next one. Once you get to the 429 exit, go to the right off the exit. It's kind of semi-confusing because there's no permanent indication that's the way to Disney World. Last weekend, there were two temporary lighted signs on the turnpike saying what exit will take you to Disney World.

Before you get to Hartzog Road, you will have to pay another $1 in tolls. This tollbooth is strange. The people with the Sunpass will continue straight. You will have to make a slight jog over to the right for your toll booths. The next exit will be for Disney World and that is permanently marked. Make a left after the exit and you'll be on Disney property very soon.

If you miss the Hartzog Road exit (we did the first time), don't worry. The next exit (after another $1 in tolls) is for Highway 192.

The way is more in tolls but you will be thanking the engineer for this. No lights, no tourist traffic (yet), and three Wal Marts less than Route 27/HIghway 192.

We started using this road when it first opened, and there was NO traffic. Each time we go there is more and more traffic. It was fun while it lasted . We still get the chill bumps and do our cheering when we pass through the gate/bridge/arch that welcomes us. Mickey and Minnie are there to greet us just as they were when we entered the resort area from the old way.

 

[Karnak]

Take the turnpike to Exit 267, which is also SR-429 or the Western Beltway.

Take this road South to Exit 8. follow the signs for about 1/2 mile to the WDW Western Gateway Gate. This road will intersect Buena Vista Drive between the Coronado Springs Resort and Blizzard Beach.

Turn right for AK, AKL, All Stars and BB. Turn left for everything else on WDW.

Excellent advice. There's no way I would drive I-4 unless it was an emergency of some sort.

 

[stm61]

Question for SlightlyGoofy, do your directions apply if you are staying at Pop Century? If not, can you tell me what would be the way.

I will be traveling with my 77 yr mother, and I tend to get a bit nervous in unfamiliar territory.

You can laugh, but I got lost LEAVING WDW in 2000 when I last took my mother .

I'm laughing because I did the same thing lol! I don't know what I did, but we ended up in the area where they were growing trees and plants. From what I read here, it sounds like I should have kept going that way lol.

 

[si-am]

I agree that the Western Way is a little quicker, but I still prefer taking 27 to 192. Going through the orange groves, then seeing all the touristy stuff on 192 gets me excited, like we're almost there. Plus, it's nostalgic for me since that's the way we've always driven since I was a child. It's a habit!

 

[stm61]

ok, I'm confused and I can't find the AAA envelope. I know I'm taking 95 down from SC. Once I'm in FL what road do I want to get on? Do I take 95 to I=4 and get off on 429, or is there another road that you're calling the turnpike? Please help!

 

[tiggerx3]

OK...what about us?



We come from the east (get on I-4 @ Daytona Beach from I-95). Is there somewhere I can pickup 429 from I-4?

Also, looking at Mapquest, it doesn't appear that I can access 436 from I-4 in order to get on 429 near Apopka. Or am I wrong?

I would love to be able to get off I-4 well before hitting downtown Orlando.

Any Suggestions??

 

[srwarden1928]

According to Street Atlas 2009, which in my opinion is the best routing software available and blows mapquest out of the water, the fastest way to Disney from "our" direction is I75 to Florida Turnpike to exit 267 highway 429 going south then exit that at US 192. That puts you on the west side of Disney nearer to AK.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dismom55, you will not get laughed at by me. I am directionally challenged and DW is the only place that I know how to drive to. In fact the reason we started going there is because we could ride the buses our whole visit and leave the driving to them! I now know how to get around some places on property though.

When you get off Western Way(near Coronado Springs) instead of turning right to go to the All Stars you turn left and stay in the right hand lane. There is plenty of signage but basically the road is opposite the fire station on the left . You meander a bit back off the main road but POP is on the left. I drive back and forth a couple of times when I first get to DW just to remind myself.

Have a wonderful trip with your mom and maybe we shall meet?

SG

 

[disnut8]

ok, I'm confused and I can't find the AAA envelope. I know I'm taking 95 down from SC. Once I'm in FL what road do I want to get on? Do I take 95 to I=4 and get off on 429, or is there another road that you're calling the turnpike? Please help!

If you are coming from the east, ignore all the conversation about 429. It's a road for people coming from the north on I75 and taking the Turnpike east. If you are coming from the east, you will want to take I4. You will be going far, far out of your way for 429.