How far is I Drive from Poly resort?

[disneymania]

Hi, we are staying onsite at Poly but would like to do some dining offsite. I have no idea how far things like Sweet Tomatoes, Character Premier Outlet, etc are from Poly gates. Do you go back roads or do you have to get on the highway? Just a general idea of distance / time would be appreciated!!!
Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

back roads around 10 miles (might be less) - out of Poly Parking lot - turn LEFT - then at the light turn right - at the stop sign go straight - (you are passing FW campgrounds) - at the light turn right - (now you are passing PO) - at the 4 left turn - right one with a traffic light turn left (now you are passing OKW and a golf course) at the end of this road turn right - go through the fire engineer light - next light turn left - at the end of this road (ends across the street from CrossRoads Shopping center) - turn right - get in the left lane - under the I4 - kept on this road (passing Sheraton Vistana) - then you get to sign that says SeaWorld (536) - turn left -stay in the left lane - shortly you will have a choice - go straight and end up on 417 - or turn left to International Drive. the problem is that most of the stuff you want is at the end of this very, very long road.

 

[cinamin27]

might be easier to go I4 & take the exit for Universal, go the opposite way of Universal (take a right) when you get to the light, next intersection is International drive (you will see Wet n Wild), take a left to get to the outlets. International drive between Wet n Wild & the Convention Center is very crowded & only has 2 lanes going each way with very little turning lanes thus backing up traffic. One of the only unique restaurants I've found on International Dr that is not found all over the rest of Orlando would be Cafe TuTu Tango. The rest of the restaurants to me arent worth the trouble fighting the traffic.
If you want to do some offsite dining, it may be better to stick to the Crossroads area, anywhere on 535, or Hwy 192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy). TONS of restaurants to choose from. If you want to hit an outlet that is close, take 535 to the Little Lake Bryan area, take a left at the light & you will circle around to an outlet mall (sorry, dont know the name of the street, is it vineland? or the name of the outlet mall but it has tons of name brand outlet stores) Sandlake Rd is also a good spot to hit for some higher class style dining (when you get to Sandlake from I4, take a left from the off ramp, if you go right, you will hit into International Dr area)

 

[DVC California]

Hi, we are staying onsite at Poly but would like to do some dining offsite. I have no idea how far things like Sweet Tomatoes, Character Premier Outlet, etc are from Poly gates. Do you go back roads or do you have to get on the highway? Just a general idea of distance / time would be appreciated!!!
Thanks

I would guess that it is about 20 miles or a 30-minute ride depending on traffic. Unless you are familiar with the backroads, the highway will be much simpler (albeit slower during rush hour) to navigate.

The backroad that I like to take is head out Epcot Center Blvd, which turns into World Center Drive (SR536). This is the way to get on the Greenway - South Route to MCO (goes past Marriott World Center and Holiday Inn Famly Suites.

Just before the Greenway, take a left turn onto the beginning of International Drive. You can actually take this all the way north, as it parallels I-4, but I always try to avoid the section between Sand Lake Road and UNiversal Blvd, which can be VERY congested at any hour of the day.

You'll get to drive by Sea World, the Mercado Shopping Center, The Convention Center, and lost of neat touristy oddities (upside-down museum?).

If it starts to backup, cut right onto CEntral Florida Pkwy and try to get on either John Young Pkwy or Orange Blossom Trail. Go left (North) on either of those and make a left onto Sand Lake. Make right on Kirkman and another right onto International Drive.

The Outlets are spread out on both sides of the road with the Character Warehouse on the left, far end.

HTH, Steve