Getting to Polynesian from off-property

[elmoandzoey]

Hello, we are having breakfast reservations at Ohana on our last day in 3 days. We are staying offsite so we'll be driving to the Poly to park there during breakfast only before we'll head to MCO. Now my DH mapped the route to the Poly and it's taking us there on World Drive. But there's the MK gate on World Drive where we used to pay for parking for MK. Since we want to take advantage of the 3hr free parking at the Poly, how would that work out if we took World Drive? I doubt they'd just let us get through there without paying? Is there another route we could take? Our navigation isn't giving us an alternative. We're staying in the Lake Buena Vista area (Marriott on Palm Parkway).

 

[dmunsil]

Hello, we are having breakfast reservations at Ohana on our last day in 3 days. We are staying offsite so we'll be driving to the Poly to park there during breakfast only before we'll head to MCO. Now my DH mapped the route to the Poly and it's taking us there on World Drive. But there's the MK gate on World Drive where we used to pay for parking for MK. Since we want to take advantage of the 3hr free parking at the Poly, how would that work out if we took World Drive? I doubt they'd just let us get through there without paying? Is there another route we could take? Our navigation isn't giving us an alternative. We're staying in the Lake Buena Vista area (Marriott on Palm Parkway).

It turns out, they just let you through without paying.

Stay right as you approach the toll plaza. Go through the far right-hand gate, and tell them you're going to the Polynesian. They'll tell you to keep right and take the one-lane road that is the continuation of World Dr. Go up to the light, turn left, and the Poly entrance is on your right about a half-mile past the light.

It is, in fact, possible to avoid the toll gate by taking Bonnet Creek Parkway to Vista Blvd. past Fort Wilderness, which ultimately merges onto World Dr. But coming from offsite, World Dr. is generally faster.

Presumably if you said you were going to the Polynesian but actually headed for the parking lot, they'd radio ahead for someone to help you out and send you the right way. Or make you pay the parking fee.

 

[elmoandzoey]

Thank you for the info! My DH was already lamenting how he wasn't going to spring the money for parking just to have breaky at Ohana! Will remember to just keep right then.

 

[kathie859]

Thank you for the info! My DH was already lamenting how he wasn't going to spring the money for parking just to have breaky at Ohana! Will remember to just keep right then.

One thing Disney does well is signage!! You'll see LARGE signs directing you. Sometimes I wish Disney was in charge of all road signs in all states

 

[seashoreCM]

Use World Drive.

At the toll plaza choose the second or third booth from the right (or further to the left if the aforementioned show red lights above).

Tell the attendant you are going to the Polynesian (or ask if you are unsure).

Thank him and then drive on. Bear right at the big fork right ahead. Take a left at the first light that has an allowable left turn. Takes you right to the Poly'.

 

[Traveliz]

I wouldn't bother with the traffic of Crossroads, I-4 pr going through DTD to get to World Drive from Palm Parkway.

I would take Palm Parkway straight through the light staying on 535 and then turn left on Vista Blvd coming out just past the toll booths. You would then turn right and the next left should be the road to the Polynesian. I went ahead and google mapped that way just to check timing and it should be a few minutes faster as well.

Liz

 

[dmunsil]

I would take Palm Parkway straight through the light staying on 535 and then turn left on Vista Blvd coming out just past the toll booths.

I agree, that is a better route. Another way of stating the same directions:

From the hotel, turn right on Palm Parkway, go immediately through the light, and the road will become Winter Garden-Vineland road. A mile or so down the road turn left on Vista Blvd (it'll be just past the major intersection at Buena Vista Drive). Follow it around and past Fort Wilderness and it will merge onto World Drive. At the next light past that point, turn left and go a half-mile to the Polynesian. You should be able to follow these directions along on any map site. There's a bunch of curving around, but it's ultimately a more direct route.

These are the back roads of Disney World, but they're all public roads. There's no problem with driving on them.

 

[gmeh1]

One thing Disney does well is signage!! You'll see LARGE signs directing you. Sometimes I wish Disney was in charge of all road signs in all states

I totally agree with that!!!