Easy enough to leave resort and pick up 'incoming' at the airport?

[bjakmom]

OK, I just realized that I never received confirmation e-mails for the towncar requests I put in a few weeks ago. Before I call them tomorrow to double check, I got to thinking that it may be easy just to leave the resort (BWV) and drive to the airport to pick up DH. I could give the kids a morning to sleep in - DH would also need to do this 2 days later to pick up an incoming friend on check-out day (she's arriving 9:30 - PS for breakfast isn't until 11:15). Has anyone done this? My memory is that the airport is only about a 20 minute drive - and at 9:30 in the morning probably not a lot of rush hour traffic left. How difficult is it to pick up passengers at Orlando airport? Am I crazy, or should I just try to get a towncar service ? If everyone would stop changing their plans, my life would be so much easier!- but, hey, I'll be on vacation in . . . . (see # of days below!!)

 

[BCV23]

I seem to make the MCO run on a regular basis these days! I always do the 417 route and because I HATE being late, I allow 30 minutes but I do usually circle a couple times so your 20 minutes is probably correct.

Certainly was easier when our kids were all small and we all traveled together. Well, I suppose in other ways it's easier these days!

 

[FBZ]

Can you provide 417 route directions?? I was planning on using 436 route but would like to see what else is out there. I have an around 0900 am pick-up in June scheduled. What route would you use Thank you for your help.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

For the 417 route.
Take a right out of the BW parking lot, left at the next light, go by DD, take a right at the lights, at crossroads square take a right, continue on this route (535) until you get to the 7-11 on left, take a left at that intersection (Caribe Royal resort is there) continue on that route until you see signs for the airport, continue to follow the signs.
I know there is a shorter route, but, this is the one I feel secure in sending you on. Two tolls each way, 1.00 each.

 

[cigar95]

Gail, I think the other route you're looking for is -

After the first left turn in your directions (which puts you on Buena Vista Drive), make a right turn onto Epcot Center Drive, shortly after you pass the Caribbean Beach Resort. (Signs onto EC Drive will be directing you toward I-4 at this point.)

Continue on this road, passing *over* the interstate without getting on it, and now becomes route 536. Keep going straight and you'll merge right onto the 417. It's well marked.

The Caribe Royale sits at the intersection of 535 and 536, I think.

This is a slightly more direct route, and probably saves you working your way through a half dozen traffic signals.

A general suggestion - if you're an Auto Club member (which I highly recommend for many reasons), their map of the Orlando area has a really good map of the WDW vicinity, including many of the internal roads.

 

[BCV23]

cigar95, does this route involve any lights once you're on EPCOT Drive? If not, it sounds great. Learn something new on these boards all the time.

The route I use goes further south than necessary and involves an extra $.50 toll on the way from MCO (but not to MCO if I recall correctly). But from the Polynesian or GF there is not a single traffic light until you turn off 417 to head up to the airport. You just head south on World Drive and follow the signs for 417 (with a nice clear airport icon). This drive is nostalgic for me as years ago World Drive was the road with which all trips to WDW began and ended. Now I like it because it still has no lights! From BWV, you would make a right out of the parking lot, a right on Buena Vista Drive and head west through the next light. After that light you'll cross over World Drive and then enter the cloverleaf to go south. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with two traffic lights on BVD as well as the one leaving BWV.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cigar95
Gail, I think the other route you're looking for is -

After the first left turn in your directions (which puts you on Buena Vista Drive), make a right turn onto Epcot Center Drive, shortly after you pass the Caribbean Beach Resort. (Signs onto EC Drive will be directing you toward I-4 at this point.)

Continue on this road, passing *over* the interstate without getting on it, and now becomes route 536. Keep going straight and you'll merge right onto the 417. It's well marked.

The Caribe Royale sits at the intersection of 535 and 536, I think.

This is a slightly more direct route, and probably saves you working your way through a half dozen traffic signals.

A general suggestion - if you're an Auto Club member (which I highly recommend for many reasons), their map of the Orlando area has a really good map of the WDW vicinity, including many of the internal roads.

thanks Cigar, that is exactly the route, but, I always forget which turn to make. We leave from OKW, so, trying to figure it out is not easy for me. ( I get lost in New Haven every time I go there).

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by BCV23
cigar95, does this route involve any lights once you're on EPCOT Drive? If not, it sounds great. Learn something new on these boards all the time.

Geez, BCV, you really want me to think here. My guess is that there's probably a light at Vineland (535), and maybe another one when you get to I-drive. On the plus side, it's almost a straight shot to 417 as the crow flies.

I'm looking at a map trying to see where your route goes. If you take World Drive down to I-4, it looks like a pleasant drive, not having to stop, and passing some nice greenery along the Celebration golf course, but adds about another six miles to the trip. (Not what I'd want if I were in a hurry.) On the other hand, there's something to be said for enjoying the nostalgia. (I always stop at the same off-site souvenir shop near WDW, even though I seldom buy stuff there any more.)

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
thanks Cigar, that is exactly the route, but, I always forget which turn to make. We leave from OKW, so, trying to figure it out is not easy for me. ( I get lost in New Haven every time I go there).

Well, Gail, if you're leaving OKW, EC Drive is right next door to you, almost (unless you're sneaking out the back way on Community Drive). Having said that, I guess it *is* a little tougher to get onto EC Drive there in the direction going out of WDW than it is going toward Epcot.

I'm one of those who thinks WDW has good road signage for the most part, which seems to put me in something of a minority here on the DIS.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by cigar95
Geez, BCV, you really want me to think here. My guess is that there's probably a light at Vineland (535), and maybe another one when you get to I-drive. On the plus side, it's almost a straight shot to 417 as the crow flies.

I'm looking at a map trying to see where your route goes. If you take World Drive down to I-4, it looks like a pleasant drive, not having to stop, and passing some nice greenery along the Celebration golf course, but adds about another six miles to the trip. (Not what I'd want if I were in a hurry.) On the other hand, there's something to be said for enjoying the nostalgia. (I always stop at the same off-site souvenir shop near WDW, even though I seldom buy stuff there any more.)

Thanks for your reply. Yep, I bet you're right about six miles or so...and I do go by Celebration.

When you mention the lights by Vineland and I-Drive, I recognize your route. It's the one my husband prefers.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by BCV23
When you mention the lights by Vineland and I-Drive, I recognize your route. It's the one my husband prefers.

This explains everything - we men like to drive in straight lines and find the shortest way.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cigar95
Well, Gail, if you're leaving OKW, EC Drive is right next door to you, almost (unless you're sneaking out the back way on Community Drive). Having said that, I guess it *is* a little tougher to get onto EC Drive there in the direction going out of WDW than it is going toward Epcot.

I'm one of those who thinks WDW has good road signage for the most part, which seems to put me in something of a minority here on the DIS.

Oh, finding it is easy, directing someone from BW is the hard part for me. And, I agree the signage is very good at WDW.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cigar95
This explains everything - we men like to drive in straight lines and find the shortest way.

Yep, right, sure you do, and you always ask for directions too, right?

 

[BCV23]

But think of what you miss on the way!

Besides I would rather drive an extra six miles than sit at a light...even if it's just 60 seconds.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Yep, right, sure you do, and you always ask for directions too, right?

Oh silly, silly Gail - I read my map before I start the car!! (Avoids lots of headaches.)

But then, that's why we scientists are different from real people.

 

[seashoreCM]

When I pick up people at an airport, I err on the late side because it is not possible to wait outside the arrival curb areas.

I was going to go out on a limb and tell you to (from MK or even from Dolphin/Swan) go to Epcot and when you get to the toll plaza say you made a mistake and wish to make a U-Turn. The attendant will tell you to bear left and you will come to an Epcot parking lot exit from there you follow the signs for I-4. Gets you back onto Epcot Drive. No lights. This skips the traffic lights on Buena Vista and also skips the around-the-horn via World Drive all the way down to 192 and up I-4.

After leaving WDW, straight goes to 417, exit right then bear left goes to I-4 east (northeast) and exit right bear right gets to Tamps, 192 or Osceola Pkwy.

(If you have your resort parking pass or an annual park admission pass you can skip the embarassment of telling the toll attendant you got lost, he will wave you right on through.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[bjakmom]

Wow ! Thanks everyone! OK, my countdown timer says "6 hours"!! (and that's when the plane lifts off!!) - guess I'd better try to get some sleep!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cigar95
Oh silly, silly Gail - I read my map before I start the car!! (Avoids lots of headaches.)

But then, that's why we scientists are different from real people.

Well, reading a map is a good thing.....IF you can read a map, which I cannot. I am totally map reading impaired. I do try and have some pretty amazing trips too.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Well, reading a map is a good thing.....IF you can read a map, which I cannot. I am totally map reading impaired. I do try and have some pretty amazing trips too.

I suppose I am off topic now, but can you describe what it's like to be "map reading impaired"? Granted it's natural for me, but it seems like it's just looking at the lines on the map and seeing which lines cross other lines and eventually I can draw a line from where I am to where I want to go. And when possible, trying to use the fatter lines because those roads go faster.

(Not mocking - really. I just find this notion interesting because I can't relate to it from my own experience.)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cigar95
I suppose I am off topic now, but can you describe what it's like to be "map reading impaired"? Granted it's natural for me, but it seems like it's just looking at the lines on the map and seeing which lines cross other lines and eventually I can draw a line from where I am to where I want to go. And when possible, trying to use the fatter lines because those roads go faster.

(Not mocking - really. I just find this notion interesting because I can't relate to it from my own experience.)

Lol, it is easy for you cause you are a male, it is in the genes. Females ask directions.

Seriously, I cannot read a map, I take a left when it should be a right, go east when I should go west, etc. I do REALLY well with mapquest as I do the turn by turns, luckily, they are pretty accurate. I have a very high IQ, but, this particular skill totally escapes me. Because it escapes me, I tend to give directions that always go WAY around Robin Hood's barn.