Help-we keep getting lost and waisting time

[disneywith6kids]

We're staying at the HIFS and somehow we can't get our bearings. We keep getting lost. Can someone give me an idea of how to commute without getting lost. The maps are not very good since they don't list al the roads. We can get to Downtown Disney but after that we blow it-this really stinks since we are both really good with directions and have a good sense of direction thanks

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Okay, I'm going to do my best from 800+ miles away and going on the assumption that you're getting to DTD by coming in through the gate off (I think) 535 and driving past the DTD hotels -- Grosvenor, Wyndham, Courtyard, etc.

When you reach DTD, you're at the Marketplace side and at an intersection where they've been doing a lot of road work last I remember. Bear to the left. You will pass DTD on your right. Watch the signs very carefully and you should be able to find the parks. The first major right should take you to Epcot and MK. Going straight ahead will take you to MGM and the Boardwalk, and even further will be AK. Also, the first right after the turn for the Swan and Dolphin (Fantasia Gardens in on the corner) will be an on-ramp for the main road to MK (and also another way to Epcot). Just watch the signs carefully.

Failing that, find Tyler and beg for help.

 

[PammyK]

HIFS is on 536/World Drive, across the street from the Marriot Orlando World Center.

From the HIFS parking lot, turn left onto 536 and continue under the entrance gates to WDW from there:

To go to Downtown Disney, take the first exit on the right.

To go to MGM Studios, take the 2nd exit on the right.

To go to Animal Kingdom, head toward MGM, and continue on that road, (Buena Vista, I think) past the studios, past Coronado Springs Resort and Past Blizzard Beach. Follow the signs for an exit to the right to get to AK.

To go to Epcot, stay on the 536/World Drive in the right or center lane. The road will end at Epcot.

To go to the MK, get in the left lane and follow the purple signs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To return to your hotel:
From MGM turn right out of the parking lot and follow the signs for 536/417.

From Epcot turn right out of the parking lot and continue on that road.

From Magic Kingdom follow the signs to exit the parking lot. Take the exit for Epcot but instead of bearing right off the exit ramp to the toll plaza, stay in the left lane and continue on that road.

Hope these help!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

If I knew what HIFS stood for, and where it was, I could probably better assist you with directions...

The construction on the Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Blvd intersection is 99% complete. They're just putting the final touches on it. I must say, it's quite an improvement, trafficwise.

On the assumption that you're coming down Hotel Plaza Blvd, the road will seamlessly flow right into Buena Vista Drive. 75% of Walt Disney World is based off of BVD.

As you go down, you'll pass the Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and the West Side, all on the right hand side. Typhoon Lagoon (currently closed) will be on your left.

After Downtown Disney, you're going to come upon an intersection. This road is called Bonnet Creek. If you take that right, you'll come across Old Key West and Port Orleans.

Going straight, you'll go underneath a bridge, and through another intersection. You'll notice on the left, the new access road to the Non-Disney Bonnet Creek resort area. Caribbean Beach will be just past that, coming up on your left.

At the next intersection, you'll see the Reedy Creek firestation on your right. If you were to take a left, you'd be headed towards the Wide World of Sports.

If you keep going, you'll come across the Disney-MGM Studios on your right, and the Disney Boardwalk on your left.

Next intersection will be the intersection for Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club. Also for Fantasia Gardens mini golf.

The next 2 lights will be for the World Drive interchange. If you take that first right, you'll end up headed northbound towards Epcot (first exit), Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness.

The second right will take you onto World Drive headed towards Celebration. The first exit on World Drive southbound will be for Animal Kingdom theme park, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Coming up at the next light will be Coronado Springs.

After that, will be Blizzard Beach, and Winter/Summerland Mini Golf. (There's a seperate smaller entrance for golf just past the light)

The next traffic light... you can take that right, and head over to Animal Kingdom theme park, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

After you go underneath the bridge, you'll see McDonalds on your left. Straight ahead is the All-Star Resorts.


And that's the end of Buena Vista Drive.


If you go to Guest Relations, they can give you a WDW Property map that DOES have all the roads listed.


Also... there are purple signs everywhere that will tell you where to go. Keep in mind, there are multiple ways to get to places. If you happen to miss a turn... PLEASE... use some common sense... find a safe (and legal) place to turn around. Always do the speed limit... Orange County does patrol our roads, and they DO set up speed traps. Disney isn't the only one who likes tourist $$.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by PammyK
HIFS is on 536/World Drive, across the street from the Marriot Orlando World Center.

I know where that is... the Holiday Inn... got it now.

536 is actually Epcot Center Drive... which then turns into World Center Drive as it exits property. (Not to be confused with World Drive... two totally seperate roads)

Your directions were almost right on... Downtown Disney and Disney-MGM Studios share the same first exit. Also, I'd suggest following the Disney signs for DAK... while you can get there via BVD... it'd take forever. Best bet is to continue along Epcot Center Drive, staying in the left lane. That road will eventually merge into World Drive. From there, you'll take the 3rd exit... which is for Osceola Parkway. DAK is at the dead end of the Osceola Pkwy.



One added caution...

The other day, a flatbed truck hauling a crane failed to realize that his cargo would not make the overpass clearance... and he struck the bridge. They have closed down all but one lane on 536 inbound, around the area of this bridge. Be aware that during peak times, there will be congestion... and as always... please... use caution when driving on property.

 

[disneywith6kids]

thanks for all the help I think I got it now-btw I saw that accident!!!!!!!!!!!! Also they need to help people find alternate roads when they close some because we drove in circles trying to find another way We also ghad a close call on the roads last night when we came up on a car inh the right lane completely stopped with a left blinker on-- we were VERY fortunate that we were driving carefully or our 12 passenger van would have creamed that little car or rolled when we swerved to miss it I just hope and pray nobody else hit them .We finally got a WDW map with all the roads thanks for the tips!!

 

[lsyorke]

Don't feel bad Disneywith6 kids, I ended up on route 4 everytime out of OKW for the first 2 days!! It got to be a standing joke when we got in the car. I found the Disney signs great, but really got it together when I used other landmarks ie, The DVC billboard,the Epcot billboard. By the end of the trip I had it all together. I even discovered two ways to DTD from OKW ( Okay so everyone else knew these already!!) At least I'm oriented for the June trip!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by disneywith6kids
Also they need to help people find alternate roads when they close some because we drove in circles trying to find another way

Well... it's not as if this was a planned thing... so, when they closed down the road, there really wasn't much they could do. However, once they realized it'd be closed for a lil bit, they did make temporary detour signs to help guest traffic flow.

 

[disneywith6kids]

I guess we got there before they had the signs up The funny thing was there were a lot of personnel directing people away from the road but no one knew how to get us around -they just kept sending us in a circle. Oh well, today we had a better day-I'm getting used to the roads now. One thing I noticed is they don't give you much warning as to where to turn. Going to BW tonight from DQ we were glad we were in the right lane because the signs went from epcot resorts straight ahead to BW turn right. We are having a great time though so I better not ruin it with complaining

 

[lovingthemouse]

Been following you from the resorts board too and i must say that you all sound you're having the best time ever. Thanks so much for letting us back home share in your adventures. Caroline