Driving to DTD from MCO

[BetsyRNBSN]

Hi there... I am making a last minute solo trip to FL in about 2 weeks and am flying into MCO the day before my cruise and thought it might be fun to go to DTD for the afternoon/evening. My big hesitation is driving there, parking there and then getting back to the airport in the dark.
I am staying at the Hyatt MCO the night before the cruise to take advantage of the DCL transport the next morning with the luggage transfer that they have there...
Any suggestions or tips on driving routes and parking suggestions are greatly appreciated. THanks in advance!

 

[Combos]

If you're unfamiliar with the roads, I would suggest interstate 4

MCO to DTD
Exit the airport, to 528 (toll road), that dead-ends after about 10miles into interstate 4 South (I4).
DTD is exit 68. second set of lights (roughly 2/10mi) take a left.

DTD to MCO
I would suggest Interstate 4 North (highly visible signs from anywhere on WDW property), take exit 72 (528), after 10mi take exit (11 - International Airport).

It will cost you roughly 3.75 or $4.50 in tolls, but its as straight as possible. 17miles, roughly 20min with minimal traffic.


Parking at DTD is free, there are 5 big lots (I believe 3 are under construction right now unfortunately, but they should be back in working order when you arrive in 9mo).
I like to walk, so I usually park in front of La Nouba (lot 5) on the "west side".
Lot 1/2 are usually the busiest, both in foot and vehicle traffic / congestion

 

[Itinkso]

Totally agree with Combos. Those are the easiest and best directions from and to the airport. DD lives in Orlando and takes and picks up friends from MCO and she always uses that same route. Just be sure to stay in the right-hand lanes when you approach the Toll Plazas.

 

[BetsyRNBSN]

Thanks everyone, that is exactly the info I was looking for!!!

I knew folks here would have the answers!!

 

[Detailor]

Just a couple of things on those directions:
Though it goes in a sort of Northeast to Southwest (or vice versa) direction, I-4 is an East/West interstate highway so you won't find North and South signage. The northerly direction is I-4 East and the southerly direction (toward Tampa) is I-4 West.

Here's an alternative route -
Take the South Exit from the airport to SR-417, it's about 4 miles from the airport to SR-417 (a toll road);
Continue on SR-417 for 10 or 11 miles to Exit 6 (International Drive/Disney);
At the end of the exit ramp, go straight onto World Center Drive/SR-536 (this road become Epcot Center Drive once you get to Disney property);
Continue on SR-536/World Center Drive/Epcot Center Drive for 3 miles (you'll pass the I-4 exit that the other poster mentioned as Exit 68 just before you get to Disney property);
Take the exit on the right to Downtown Disney (I think that Typhoon Lagoon is noted on the exit sign as well);
This exit ramp will take you to Buena Vista Drive;
Take the right exit onto Buena Vista Drive (I think that the sign says Typhoon Lagoon/Westside/Pleasure Island/Marketplace - the latter three being the current three parts of Downtown Disney);
Continue about 3/4 of a mile to the DTD parking lot on the left.

Typically the most parking is available near Cirque du Soleil, Disney Quest, AMC Theater on the Westside but that is where they're building one of the new parking garages right now. If that construction is done when you go then that's probably going to work out for you - you'd take either the first or second left turn into the parking area at the Westside.

Dick Taylor

 

[bumbershoot]

Just a couple of things on those directions:
Though it goes in a sort of Northeast to Southwest (or vice versa) direction, I-4 is an East/West interstate highway so you won't find North and South signage. The northerly direction is I-4 East and the southerly direction (toward Tampa) is I-4 West.

I am so glad you mentioned that. It's pretty important! It's a weird little thing going through orlando, as the road goes n/s while otherwise being an e/w highway.

 

[BetsyRNBSN]

Thanks, now to get out my map and lay it all out...

You folks are great!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I am so glad you mentioned that. It's pretty important! It's a weird little thing going through orlando, as the road goes n/s while otherwise being an e/w highway.

Yes, and the Turnpike is a north-south highway but through most of Orlando it runs east-west!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Why not stay at WDW.

 

[ain0004]

I agree stay at WDW value for the night free transportation from airport and you can get the same transportation to dcl from your hotel