I need help...WDW Signs or GPS? What would you do?

[MODisFan]

We are going to WDW next week and this is the first time we are renting a car. Should we follow all the signs on property to get from point A to point B or should we bring our GPS? Which would be faster? It's my understanding that there are quicker ways to move around the World withouth following all the signs. Bawb had mentioned on a previous podcast (I think) that he put all of the coordinates on the DIS. If so, does anyone know where I could find this information? Thank you!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Disney signage is pretty precise.

They're really good at getting you where you need to go.

 

[Michele]

I second, follow the signs. They are SUPER easy!!

 

[SamSam]

Just follow the signs. Disney has some of the best signage anywhere.

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

we follow the signs have not had a problem getting to wdw yet!!(now ive just cursed myself!)

 

[wilde_oscar]

Signs are fine.

 

[christygobar]

I gave FH a GPS for Christmas last year, so he was dying to use it when we went to WDW. We had a rental car and stayed on property. So we had it with us and turned it on to drive us everywhere. It was soooo not necessary because their signs in Orlando are fantastic. I think we did use it for real to have it tell us where the nearest Walgreens was to get some meds. But that was it.

So if you want to play with the gadget, sure....it's pretty good But it's not needed around property.

(Edited to say that yes, occasionally it did point us to some "shortcuts" - but I don't know how short they really were )

 

[sanibelover]

Use the signs, then there is no chance that you will lose the GPS. Cars do get broken into, so you would have to take the thing with you all the time. I know they are small, but one less thing in the back pack is one less thing to lug around. Plus if you happen to take a scenic route, that much better for you!!!!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I use the signs to get around WDW, but the last time I went, I brought my GPS as I was going off property. My son and I wanted to see how accurate the GPS would be on WDW property and it got totally confused. It kept sending us around in circles and didn't have alot of the roads on it's map. I have a Garmin Nuvi and it has updated maps. I would use the signs rather than the GPS in WDW.

 

[kab407]

Signage on property is great. I admit, I am directionally challenged. I had no problem getting from SSR to Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge just using signs and the map I got when I checked in.

 

[girli565]

I use my GPS. sometimes the signs are a bit vague, they will get you to where you need to go but I love my GPS and he is 90% accurate in Disney. The only problem I encountered was with the All Star resorts, I guess they are in an "unreachable area" lol

 

[SamIAm21]

I used my GPS and although signage was good, my Garmin Nuvi 350, got me to and from the parks. I know the signage on WDW property is some of the best anywhere, but there were times when the signs were a bit confusing for me. Arrows didn't always line up with ramps, etc. Having my Garmin tell me take ramp, on right, in 0.3 miles was really helpful, especially when navigating the area directly around Magic Kingdom.

In an unfamiliar area, my Garmin is always on. And you got to just love her exasperated tone when I mess up her directions... Recalculating!

 

[MODisFan]

Thank you to all for the responses. I think we will use the signs and leave the Garmin at home.

 

[checkwriter]

I will make one suggestion: The signs that direct you to "Epcot" WON'T get you to the "Epcot Resorts." They will, oddly enough, get you to Epcot, and only Epcot. Which means you will have to turn around and retrace your steps if what you are really looking for is an Epcot resort.

Hopefully you, unlike me, are not brain dead and can figure this out before it happens to you -- three times in one trip.

 

[checkwriter]

Also, note that some WDW locations don't readily appear on most GPS databases. Some enterprising soul has created a downloadable database that remedies this problem, but it's only available for certain GPS units. For more info, see here: http://www.mousesavers.com/gps.html

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm a firm believe that you can't truly get lost on Disney property.

The most important sign to follow to keep you within Disney limits is usually going to have an arrow with the words "All Other Guest Areas" or something similar.

It helps to take a look at various maps posted online. You can Google the Disney maps and see how things are grouped.

Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Epcot Resort Area
Downtown Disney Resort Area
Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Those are the major signs you'll see. You'll see more specific signs the closer you get to where you need to go.

 

[Ariel70]

USE THE SIGNS...DO NOT TRUST GPS!

Last Christmas I had booked a photo session at the GF for my family's Grand Gathering of 14 people. Because we were a caravan of 3 cars, we decided to follow my sister who had a GPS. It kept directing us to the service/loading entrance in the back of the GF. When we finally decided to use the signs, we arrived at the photopass desk 17 minutes late. They would not honor our reservation past 15 minutes. I was DEVASTATED!

We used the signs the rest of our 2 week trip and had no problem.