Help! Traffic from MCO to WDW?

[hapandpam]

Hi! I usually use DME and leave the driving up to Disney, but on this trip I need to rent a car. I drive all the time at home, but hate driving on unfamiliar roads. I have rented onsite and I am comfortable driving around Disney. However, this time we arrive on a Wednesday at 10 am, and need to take my daughter to get her WDW ID near MK. It would be easier just renting at the airport, but I have never driven that route and I am nervous. Could anyone advise me about:

1. Would the traffic be heavy?

2. What is the best route? (An extra 15 minutes to avoid heavy traffic is fine.)

Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

Avoiding unfamiliar roads:

Bring plenty of quarters (about three dollars worth) for tolls one way.

Take the rental car out the south airport exit; look for and get on Route 417 (Greene's Way) west. Watch for the pay toll signs, you may need to go down what looks like an exit ramp to pay the toll, about $1.25, in cash. (Two toll plazas). Then take the Route 536/535 exit (same exit for both routes). Follow 536 west; it's a freeway for much of its length, and you will soon see the Disney welcoming arches.

After passing the first group of purple signed ramps, get into the left lane. There will be a bear left a little further on; take this, and after that, follow the signs for Magic Kingdom.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[bamor]

Go to the all ears website and type in directions in the search function.
Pickup the airport you are flying into and the resort you are checking into, then print up the detailed directions. Even includes options for a grocery stop.

 

[chamonix]

Definitely take the 417 Greenway! There is virtually no traffic on it. Do not take I-4, it's a nightmare. Seriously, there is no comparison. The 417 Greenway is worth the tolls, heck, I'd pay a whole lot more if I had too, it's that much better.

 

[skelooch]

Here's a map of the route via 417, it's very simple, when leaving the airport follow the signs for the south exit.

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[NotUrsula]

I'm going to disagree JUST a bit with Skelooch. If you want to avoid traffic and confusing intersections, don't get off the Greenway at Exit 6. That will take you by the southern terminus of I-Drive and past the Marriott World Center area, which has a lot of large intersections that can be confusing. Osceola Pkwy, which is Exit 3, is a more straightforward route and usually has less traffic.

Just keep going that little bit further on 417 and pony up that extra few quarters for a less stressful experience.

If you need to go into the cast areas near the MK, I'm pretty sure you can just turn off Osceola, approach the MK on World Dr., go through the parking plaza bearing to the right (as if you were going to head for the MK resort area), and then continue on back behind the MK.

 

[Polydweller]

We always take 417 and getting off at exit 6 is easy. Just keep going straight. Traffic in that short stretch has never been a problem.

 

[hapandpam]

Wow. Thanks for all the great advice. The Disboards are such a great resource. I know that someone will always help out, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to answer.

Have a magical day!

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't get hung up on bringing quarters. If you get off at exit 6 you will only go through two tolls and they are both manned so no need for exact change. They are $1.25 each if you want to be ready.

We always get off at exit 6 and don't find it confusing at all - you just continue straight at each intersection.