Driving to parks and other resorts

[Danauk]

For our Christmas trip we are hiring a car for the first time. We plan on driving to some of the parks and the resorts for our evening meals on some nights. Is there anywhere where I can find maps or directions on how to get between places on WDW property. We will be at the BCV and probably drving to MK, AK and the deluxe resorts around the MK for evening meals. We will also need to drive from the BCV to Saratoga Springs spa.
Thanks

 

[dzneelvr]

My advice would be to park the vehicle and use Disney transportation to get you where you need to go. We drove down one trip and never used our van once--it's just a hassle to deal with directions, driving patterns, parking, etc. From BCV you will have access to everywhere you want to go and someone else does all the driving--that's my idea of a vacation

 

[Danauk]

We thought we would try the car this time as last time we waited ages for busses etc when leaving the parks, plus it was a hastle getting a bus to a park or DTD and then another bus or dfferent form of transport to one of the hotels for our evening meal. Some journeys were taking up to an hour! Plus on Christmas day we have spa treatments booked at SS and don't want to fight WDW transport on that day.

 

[safetymom]

There are quite a few signs around WDW to get you where you need to go. I love having my own car to go to the parks. MK would be the only one where I would take the bus.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

We just got back from our trip with car 10-2 through 10-14 and we did not use the DIsney busses. It was easier (for us) to get the kids in and out of our vehicle, we didn't have to worry about them being in a car seat or not, falling asleep in the car, packing in a stroller, etc. and it worked out great. The signs around WDW are excellent so you will not really need to map it out prior. It was also easier to time things so if you have a ADR for early in the morning you could leave a little later than if taking WDW transport. The kids generally napped in the stroller so we didn't go back to the hotel midday. We stayed at All Star Sports and took the car to the TCC center for MK, Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, and the 2 water parks and DTD w/o any issues. Got there in the AM and returned in the PM for the most part. We also went to WL for dinner and Trails End buffet and it was never hard to get around WDW with the signs they have. Have a GREAT trip!

 

[Jacksmom99]

I believe I received a property map when we checked in. Which resort are you staying at? As long as you know the theme park area of your destination, you can follow the signs all over the property. I have found that I need to have faith in the signs, and they will get me to my desination. Once we started questioning where we were going....we got lost.

Edited to add I just noticed that your staying at the BCV. It's very easy to get around from there. Take either a right or a left out of the entrance and you will end up on the same road, just at different intersections. Take a right for MK, AK, and those hotels. Take a left for DTD, SSR, etc. Good luck!

 

[aquaticmom]

For our Christmas trip we are hiring a car for the first time. We plan on driving to some of the parks and the resorts for our evening meals on some nights. Is there anywhere where I can find maps or directions on how to get between places on WDW property. We will be at the BCV and probably drving to MK, AK and the deluxe resorts around the MK for evening meals. We will also need to drive from the BCV to Saratoga Springs spa.
Thanks

Just go to Guest Relations and ask for a Transportation Guide/Map it is a very detailed map of the roads on property.

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll ask for a transport map from guest relations when we get there. I tend to panic a bit about driving around places I don't know, especially coming from England as I will be driving on the 'wrong' side of the road (for me anyway!!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

There are quite a few signs around WDW to get you where you need to go. I love having my own car to go to the parks. MK would be the only one where I would take the bus.

Just don't ALWAYS believe the signs!
One trip, I approached the same intersection from the same direction three nights in a row. The very large sign there stated "Downtown Disney next left" (I was staying at the Courtyard, so this was a few years ago).
First night, I took the next left. Ended up driving about fifteen miles in a big loop around somewhere before approaching Hotel Plaza Boulevard.
Second night, thinking I'd missed something somewhere, I took the same next left. Realizing I was about to repeat the previous night's tour, I took a second, unexpected left and ended up at OKW where the guard gave me correct directions.
Third night, thinking the sign meant a different next left, I bypassed the first left and took the second one - which turned out to be the ramp onto some highway or World Drive, I forget; continued down to 192 East, then I4 East, then 536 to Hotel Plaza Boulevard.
During a later conversation with a Cast Member, I discovered the original 'next left' I'd been taking was a Cast Member road and NOT COUNTED AS A ROAD by Disney, at least as far as signage goes.

 

[duckyfordonald]

We are also considering using our car for our next trip (seems easier with the kids/stroller...). Do you have to pay the parking fees if you are staying at a Disney hotel? Thanks!

 

[paladin]

No parking fees at the parks for resort guests.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

We are also considering using our car for our next trip (seems easier with the kids/stroller...). Do you have to pay the parking fees if you are staying at a Disney hotel? Thanks!

Leave your parking sign that you get at check in in your front windshield of the car and flash your resort room key and they will just wave you past at the gate - by the way parking at the parks is $8-9.00 for the day for cars so it does save money to stay onsite! We never were questioned for parking and always were just waved in with a smile!!!

 

[daisax]

There's a very nice glossy map inside one of the brochures you get at check-in. That's what we ended up using -- just left it in the car and consulted it before leaving the hotel parking lot. Once you're out on the roads, if you have a general idea that "it's on our left, not too many lights up" or "on our right but way, way down, then you can trust in the signage.

Another tip -- learn which park your resort is linked to. Many of the signs say "Epcot resorts" "MK resorts" "AK resorts" so if you know which one yours is, you can relax and stay in that lane until you get more specific info later.

I have never understood the lure of Disney transportation -- we get everywhere swiftly, comfortably, and privately with a rental car. I can see doing it for budget reasons, but not convenience reasons.