Driving to and around Disney ... How?

[JYL13]

Monday we attended the Food & Wine Festival, very low crowds and beautiful temperatures in the mid 70's. What a day!
But, that's not what I want to talk about.
I tried to set the address into my GPS before leaving home. We were headed for the Best Friends kennel across from POR. My GPS wouldn't accept the address as it was shown on the computer. Bonnet Creek Parkway, Orlando. No such address. So I tried Bonnet Creek Parkway, Lake Buena Vista; no such address. So I tried Bonnet Creek Parkway, Kissimmee; no such address. So I tried Walt Disney World; never heard of it!!!! So we just drove to Disney. We weren't quite sure which exit to use, but called the kennel and found it quite easily. It was 8am, and light out.
Picking up Cocoa, in the dark, was a nightmare! We never saw a sign for DTD resorts. We found that at night you (or at least we) couldn't read the signs, they aren't illuminated. We drove around for over ½ hour and somehow ended up at the Value Resorts. The guard gave us directions, and we got to the kennel. We asked for a map of Disney, they don't have one. I called Disney yesterday to request one, they don't have one anymore. They use to have them, I know that, I use to have one.
So sorry for the long winded rendition. Here's my point: if you're able to enter the address into your GPS, please tell me how. Or, if you still have a map of Disney, showing streets, is it something you would be able to scan and email me? Lastly, without either, how do you find your way around?
Thank you, thank you very much …
Judy

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could ask the front desk if they have a map. They use to issue upon check in a booklet and in the back had a wonderful map! This is the map we use.
Now that they don't issue it I have photo copied it and put it in a page protector and bring it along with us.

http://keanespics.com/ThemeParks/WDW/WDW_Map.htm

 

[JYL13]

Thanks Shelly F,
that's exactly what I wanted. It printed too small to read, but I'll take it to Staples and enlarge it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

No need to go to staples. there is a copier at AoA. It where the public computer is located.

Or any of the conference center resorts CSR for example has a business center that can help

 

[figment_jii]

They have a map of the entire resort (major roads) and it includes directions to some local retails (e.g., Target, Walmart, etc.). I was able to get it last month (October) at the valet stations at the Boardwalk and Port Orleans Riverside. Next time, try asking at valet for a map and hopefully you'll be able to get one.

In general, I've found that using at GPS at WDW is not the best idea. It often has trouble finding routes and/or wants to use roads that do not have public access. While you mentioned having trouble seeing the signs, I would generally advise folks to use the Disney signs (the ones I've seen were illuminated) and forgo the GPS. For me, the key is to know generally where I want to go (e.g., if I'm heading to Boardwalk, keep and eye on signs for Epcot and Epcot Resorts or Fantasia Mini-Golf and head that direction.

Here is another link to the driving map:
http://customizedmaps.disney.go.com/pdf/WDWPropertyMap.pdf

 

[JYL13]

figment_jiii:
I never thought to ask at a valet area, but of course, it makes sense. I'll do that when we're there in Dec. Thanks for the tip.
Shelly F:
Thanks for the info on the copier areas at the resort. I don't normally need those services, so didn't know.

I'm amazed that I seem to be the only one having trouble navigating Disney?!!
Anyone else have any comments, tricks, tips?


Thanks,
Judy

 

[figment_jii]

I'm amazed that I seem to be the only one having trouble navigating Disney?!! Anyone else have any comments, tricks, tips?

You're not the only one! Last trip...I ended up going all the way out of the resort when I was trying to get from AKL to Epcot. I missed the turn sign and didn't realize something was amiss until I saw the Welcome to Disney World arch! And I've driven that route several times before!

Comments and tricks...I would say, kind of know the route in advance. I have used Google Streetview in the past to get a rough sense of how things should look on a route I'm taking.

 

[mikehn]

Sounds like the map on your gps might need an update.

 

[DOOM1001]

I've seen more than enough posts on these boards over the years to know that a GPS inside Disney property isn't the most effective way to find locations.Those property maps should be more easily available,like maybe put it on the website for people to download??I've driven inside Disney property hundreds of times and there's still some times I'll take a wrong turn,I don't get lost anymore as I know the roads enough not to but I will do things like turning right when I should have turned left.So if somebody that familiar with the roads still screws up I can imagine somebody unfamiliar with the roads to have bigger issues.The good thing is that there are plenty of signs so even if you do get lost if you just keep driving you'll hit another sign that will help you get to your destination.

 

[sam_gordon]

I thought some website had created a custom POI file(s?) for WDW.

It was mousesavers. http://www.mousesavers.com/using-auto-gps-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[Alesia]

Monday we attended the Food & Wine Festival, very low crowds and beautiful temperatures in the mid 70's. What a day!
But, that's not what I want to talk about.
I tried to set the address into my GPS before leaving home. We were headed for the Best Friends kennel across from POR. My GPS wouldn't accept the address as it was shown on the computer. Bonnet Creek Parkway, Orlando. No such address. So I tried Bonnet Creek Parkway, Lake Buena Vista; no such address. So I tried Bonnet Creek Parkway, Kissimmee; no such address. So I tried Walt Disney World; never heard of it!!!! So we just drove to Disney. We weren't quite sure which exit to use, but called the kennel and found it quite easily. It was 8am, and light out.
Picking up Cocoa, in the dark, was a nightmare! We never saw a sign for DTD resorts. We found that at night you (or at least we) couldn't read the signs, they aren't illuminated. We drove around for over ½ hour and somehow ended up at the Value Resorts. The guard gave us directions, and we got to the kennel. We asked for a map of Disney, they don't have one. I called Disney yesterday to request one, they don't have one anymore. They use to have them, I know that, I use to have one.
So sorry for the long winded rendition. Here's my point: if you're able to enter the address into your GPS, please tell me how. Or, if you still have a map of Disney, showing streets, is it something you would be able to scan and email me? Lastly, without either, how do you find your way around?
Thank you, thank you very much …
Judy

Are you using a stand alone GPS? If so, have you updated your maps recently.

We used Google Navigation on our phones and had zero problems.

 

[JYL13]

Alesia, I'm using the GPS in my 2011 car. I thought it was getting the info from a satellite, so I never thought they needed updating. I'll call a dealership and see if that's possible.
Sam, I went to Mousesavers and it's an Undercover Tourist App they're talking about. I could only find one about wait times, I tried to download it and it said my phone didn't have enough space. Seems like another phone call is necessary. I wish I knew how to deal with this stuff, but I don't ... lol

You guys are great, I appreciate all the help. We just bought year passes, so plan on going often.

Thanks,
Judy

 

[jimmytammy]

After driving around WDW awhile, I began to feel comfortable enough to know the roads like the back of my hand and prefer to drive rather than use onsite transportation. My best advise, stay away from DTD area unless going there. Traffic is just a lot heavier than most of the rest of property. GPS is sketchy on property at best IMO.

 

[rwdavis2]

Alesia, I'm using the GPS in my 2011 car. I thought it was getting the info from a satellite, so I never thought they needed updating. I'll call a dealership and see if that's possible.
Sam, I went to Mousesavers and it's an Undercover Tourist App they're talking about. I could only find one about wait times, I tried to download it and it said my phone didn't have enough space. Seems like another phone call is necessary. I wish I knew how to deal with this stuff, but I don't ... lol

You guys are great, I appreciate all the help. We just bought year passes, so plan on going often.

Thanks,
Judy

Yes, see the dealer and hopefully they can help. FYI, the satellites broadcast information that allow the gps unit to determine where it is on Earth. No road or street info. The unit correlates the Earth coordinates (based on satellite info) wit the maps stored inside the gps to give you a display.

 

[joelkfla]

I thought some website had created a custom POI file(s?) for WDW.

It was mousesavers. http://www.mousesavers.com/using-auto-gps-at-walt-disney-world/

Alesia, I'm using the GPS in my 2011 car. I thought it was getting the info from a satellite, so I never thought they needed updating. I'll call a dealership and see if that's possible.
Sam, I went to Mousesavers and it's an Undercover Tourist App they're talking about.

No, if you follow the specific link, it takes you to a page on MouseSavers about downloading a custom POI file. A POI file is set of names of places and their corresponding longitude-latitude coordinates to add to your GPS.

But your built-in GPS may or may not accept custom POI files. If it can, you would probably have to download it to a computer and then burn it to a DVD or copy to a USB thumb drive to put in your car's player. The web page only has download instructions for the 3 major brands of stand-alone GPS units. You might search Google for "[your car maker] GPS custom POI" to see if anyone has posted instructions.

 

[minnie mum]

Does your GPS have a function that allows you to look for restaurants, hotels, and local points of interest? If so, you can use it to find the resort or park you want to go to, instead of typing in the address. This is what we usually do. It has still sent us to a closed service entrance more than once, though; but at least we were close enough to find the right entrance without too much trouble.

You do have to upkeep your maps updated, though. We do it annually for long distance trips. Otherwise you can find yourself on a new section of highway and the GPS thinks you're in the middle of a swamp. And listening to her repeat "Recalculating" until she eventually gives up.

The other thing we do is print out a trip tik.These are customized route maps that are free if you are a CAA member. I believe the same thing is available for AAA members. Between the map, the GPS and the front passenger acting as navigator and keeping an eagle eye on the direction signs, driving the roads at Disney doesn't have to be a nightmare. That being said, DH is usually more than happy to use Disney trsnspo for most of our stays.