Getting from MCO to our hotel (off property)

[timnan]

We are staying at the Blue Tree resort next week and have rented a car from the airport. We have NO experience with toll roads and have never driven while in Orlando before. Any suggestions for the best route to take to our hotel? We are arriving at 6:00pm...but should be out of the airport by 6:30 I'm guessing.....barring any luggage disasters.

 

[Donna M]

Sorry, I can't help you get to your hotel, but if you take 417, which is a toll road, stay to the right to pay the toll. It seems like an exit but you have to have the SunPass or whatever they call it to stay in the main flow of traffic. It would be a good idea to have a few quarters in case your exit is unmanned.

 

[mikek]

if money isn't an issue and you want some convenience you can ask the car rental place if they have a toll program. Some of them have a deal worked out with the toll authorities so you can go through the express toll lanes and then the car rental company will bill you (with a HEFTY convenience fee of course)

 

[The Hendies]

We have been bringing our GPS with us on vacation for a while now. A car we rented in California had one on board, but we didn't use it because we are more familiar with our own. DH will put addresses in before we leave the house.
Also, some advise... watch carefully for the toll booths. They have sensors that span the highway to read those who have a SunPass. If you accidentally fail to go thru the booth and sail under the sensor, you WILL get a fine in the mail about 6 weeks later!

 

[mikek]

...
Also, some advise... watch carefully for the toll booths. They have sensors that span the highway to read those who have a SunPass. If you accidentally fail to go thru the booth and sail under the sensor, you WILL get a fine in the mail about 6 weeks later!

actually it can be worse- the car rental company will get the fine since the car is registered to them. Then they will send you a bill with additional admin/convenience/handling fees.

On the flip side, some companies actually though have a deal with the toll company so the toll company only charges the actual toll and not a fine. So when the toll company bills you, even with the fees, it MIGHT be cheaper then getting the fine from the toll people.

It's complicated. So usually best to ask the car rental company in advance.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

We have stayed at Blue Tree resort, Lake Buena vista, there are a few. I just put the address in and it o us there no issue. I did need to check which office was the correct one for the part of BTR we were staying at.

The traffic at night I hit when I drove to Orlando, but it was not bad, I took the pay the cash toll option asking for a receipt. The acess to the park was very easy for the BT resort we were at. Enter and exit on the same hwy, I think they were exit 67 for Disney nd 65 for the resort.

Gosh, I had a much easier time getting in and out then I did staying on site trying to navigate the internal road system.

I loved how everything was stocked, dishes, pans, cleaner for dishwasher, sponges, just everything. They clean once during a week stay. In between there is a mop and broom. All ceremic tile, lots of towels, tv's etc.
but, I felt the floor should have been cleaner, instead of asking I mopped it myself. We could have been traking in from the rain, so gave it a damp mopping.

The laundry is great; you can use a debit/charge card, even insert your phone number for lert when finished. Nice pools, the breakfast set up is really nice near the pool.
Safe, night security patrols too. I was worried of teens partying, but no late parties or noise.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Highway 417 is the road you'll want to take. Once you get your rental car, head towards the South Exit to Toll 417. Turn right onto 417 (or just follow the signs to Disney World/Tampa). This road should just lead you straight to WDW. There will be 2 toll roads along the way. Stay in the right lane to access the toll booths. One toll I think was $1.75 and the other one I think was $2.00. We used the Exact Coins booth which is usually to the left at the toll booths. Big Blue sign, can't miss them. We took a roll of quarters with us to use this lane.

After you pay the 2nd toll,
You will see a sign that says "Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, 4 Miles." Immediately after there is another sign for "Exit 6, International Drive. To: 536, 535, I-4 East. 3/4 mile."

A little further down the road you will see another sign that says "Exit 6. World Center Dr. EPCOT, Downtown Disney, Next Right."

Take Exit 6 for International Drive/World Center Drive. Keep going on World Center Drive until you come to 535 North/Kissimmee Vineland Rd. It will be the 2nd light after you exit (1st. light will be International Drive). You'll see the Caribe Royale resort and the Buena Vista Suites Hotel on your way.

Turn right onto 535 North (Buena Vista Suites is your landmark here. You will turn right onto 535 at this hotel.) Keep going on 535/Vineland until you get to Vinings Way Blvd. Turn right onto Vinings Way and Blue Resort will be on your right hand side.

If you get to the Interstate Exit or see this


You've gone too far.

Alternative routes in case you miss the turn onto 535 North.

If you miss 535/Vineland, you can always take Interstate 4 East to Exit 68 (Lake Buena Vista). It will be the very first exit that comes up on the right once you get onto the interstate. Just stay in the right lane. Take Exit 68 then turn left on 535 North.

If you get to the Disney Sign I posted (which I would be tempted to purposely do ), you can always take the first exit on the right after the sign to get back.

Take the first exit on the right (for Typhoon Lagoon, Downtown Disney) after you pass under the sign. Stay in the right lane and merge right onto Buena Vista (Sign for: Typhoon Lagoon, West Side, Pleasure Island, Marketplace). Keep going straight until you get to Hotel Plaza Blvd. Buena Vista will eventually become Hotel Plaza if you keep going straight. You will pass Downtown Disney on your left.

Note: Do not turn left onto Buena Vista at the end of Downtown Disney. Make sure to go straight to merge onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. Best to stay in the right lane. Hotel Plaza will get you back to 535 North. Once you get back to 535, you'll want to turn left onto 535. You'll also be able to use this exit/entrance to get to/from WDW.

If you have a GPS or use GPS on your phone, I would use that to help; AFTER you exit onto World Center Drive. Don't use it from the airport, it will try taking you a different way. At least the one on my phone does. I ignore it until I start getting close to where I need to go and then follow the directions.

 

[timnan]

Thank you all so much!!!

 

[ChristmasElf]

Take Exit 6 off of 417. Look for the Caribe Royale Hotel and get into the right lane. Turn right onto Apopka Vineland Rd. Merge into traffic and stay in the middle lane.
You will cross under the I 4 and pass Downtown Disney which will be on your left side and the Crossroads Shopping Plaza will be on the right side.

The next street will be Palm Parkway. Cross over Palm Parkway and the next street will be Vinings. If you hit Lake, you have gone to far.

If you need to get any groceries after you check into your resort.

Exit resort and coming from Vinings, turn left onto 535 aka Apopka Vineland Rd
(this road gets crazy busy around 4 pm most afternoons) The first signal is Palm Parkway-turn left onto Palm. Follow this road about a mile and a half or so where it will change names to Turkey Lake Rd. There will be a Super WalMart on the left side.

If you want restaurants cause y'all are starving by now, there is Chilis, Joes Crab Shack, that you will see on 535 before Palm Parkway.

There will be a 7-11 at the corner of 535 and Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. Turn right at the 7-11. Orlando Ale House will be on your immediate right.
They have GREAT food here!!! Huge portions and the prices are fantastic. They have the best Chicken wings in town, They also have a variety of oods from pizza to burgers to excellent chicken sandwiches, salads, seafood, etc

In the Crossroads plaza located directly across from Downtown Disney, there is a Taco Bell, Perkins, Pizzeria UNO, TGIFridays, Sweet Tomatoes, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Miniature Golf, Goodings Grocery store (way high prices on most things) McDonalds, Chevys and afew others.

Your resort lobby should also have a display of other local things we do around here!

 

[gmeh1]

actually it can be worse- the car rental company will get the fine since the car is registered to them. Then they will send you a bill with additional admin/convenience/handling fees.

On the flip side, some companies actually though have a deal with the toll company so the toll company only charges the actual toll and not a fine. So when the toll company bills you, even with the fees, it MIGHT be cheaper then getting the fine from the toll people.

It's complicated. So usually best to ask the car rental company in advance.

I believe all the rental companies have this "arrangement".
https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar
I believe the one for Alamo/National/Enterprise is by far the most fair (but, I would )

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could also pack a roll of quarters for the toll roads.

 

[bumbershoot]

You could also pack a roll of quarters for the toll roads.

Before our trips I go to the bank and get ones and fives and some quarters. Take out about 5 ones and the quarters and make them easily accessible. If the toll is one that gives change, I use the dollars and get more quarters back. Those are for the times I might hit an unmanned one. (the fives are for tips, as are many of the ones)