If you drive on Disney property, READ THIS!

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Alright folks... I just wanted to pass along this important information.

The cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista (aka Disney Property) have signed an agreement with Orange County Sherrif's Dept to provide an increased law enforcement presence, including traffic enforcement 24/7. This will be an ongoing thing, not just a trial period.

This means that Florida Highway Patrol and Orange County Sherrif's Dept will be setting up speed traps, and continuously monitoring Disney's roadways to ensure safe driving patterns.

The old rumor that Guests won't get a ticket because Disney doesn't want to ruin thier vacation experience is false. While it's true, Disney doesn't want to ruin your vacation, Disney would rather you pay a ticket, than endanger yourself or others by speeding. The risk of an accident on WDW property is much greater than anywhere else in the area, due to concentration of vehicles, and unfamiliar areas to some. FHP & OCSD has no qualms with pulling guests over and ticketing them, if neccessary.

As it stands now, FHP has given out over 1,000 tickets in the past few months, some exceeding $500.

Be sure to monitor all speed limits. The highest speed limit on property is 50mph. (Osceola Pkwy, World Drive, and Epcot Center Drive/536) Buena Vista Drive is 40-45mph. Internal resort roads are 15-25mph.

The moral of all this: Obey the speed limit, use your seat belts, and DRIVE SAFELY!

 

[magicmouse2]

Thanks Tyler. Thats a good thing I have seen many crazy drivers on the Disney roads

 

[Big V]

Last year we saw 2 very bad accidents on WDW property. People were driving like maniacs! I'm glad they are going to enforce the speed limits better! Thanks Tyler for the heads up!

 

[ducklite]

Thanks Tyler!

I agree, too many people driving like crazy on property--and I hate to say it, but the worst offenders are the CM's.

We've also seen lots of bad accidents over the years, it seems that many are due to speed and aggressive driving.

Anne

 

[magicmouse2]

I Also have seen many accidents. Many people driving the WRONG WAY! I had noticed many Disney security vehicles though, and I previously thought they were there to enforce speed limits..

 

[CarolA]

To me speeding doesn't seem to be as big a problem as illegal lane changes. You know the ones.... they are in the left lane and they see thier exit so they just cut off three lanes of traffic! (I guess turning around would break thier hearts!)

I have also found that at about the speed limit I seem to do well on the lights!

 

[K & D Mickey]

Hey Big V - See ya there - We are ready with all the snow/cold/ice.
I am ready for grass/sun/any warmth of any kind would be great instead of
bundling my 3 year old up like an eskimo.

 

[disnutt]

I'm glad they will be enforcing the speed limits. I just wish they could improve the signage. One thing that makes people more likely to do the 3 lane crossovers is that there isn't much warning for some of the direction changes.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The signage is there... it's just a matter of reading it. I've found that just because there's a sign (like the sign on my bus that tells people where I'm going) doesn't mean people read it.

 

[ducklite]

I have to agree with Tyler. I think WDW is remarkably well signed. I haven't used a map there in years. As long as you know which "region" you are going to (DTD, Epcot, AK, MK, MGM) you can follow the signs with no problem.

Anne

 

[CarolMN]

I also agree - there are plenty of signs. I never have trouble. OTOH, my DH never seems to see them - no matter how hard he says he looks. (But I've found that he doesn't look for signs no matter where he is - is that a guy thing???) We are both happier if I do the driving while on WDW property.

I'm very happy to hear there will be increased enforcement.

Best wishes -

 

[LIFERBABE]

What is up with all the bus accidents? We were there over the holidays, and we saw at least 3 car/bus accidents. The bus won every time!

Do people not see the big busses? We drive all the time, but we still get turned around and even with the signs. Sometimes I think there are too many signs and people are so busy reading them that they are not paying attention to the road.
True Story........They used to have Digital signs at DFW airport that told you the terminals and gates as you drove in. These men were so busy trying to read them they rear ended another vehicle. They sued the airport for their injuries and WON!!! DFW took all the signs down. So we all suffer because some idiots cant focus on more than one thing at a time!
That and speeding, dont make a good combo. If we miss our exit we just catch the next one and double back.
I like the enforcement of the speeding laws, but also feel that Disney is opening up their guests to local law enforcement which can be a bit predatory when it comes to tourist if not checked. (not just in Orlando but everywhere). 1 they know they wont be back to fight the ticket and will most likely just pay the fine. Normally the mail in fine is greater. This is why I dont like driving thru Louisiana and Alabama. Not that we speed, but I dont like to feel preyed upon, so we make it a point to spend very little money in those states when we are on the road especially in Alabama where they charge exorbitant amounts for gas.

 

[Disney Daniel]

Thanks, for the info Tyler. Unfortunately we have all seen many accidents along the Disney roads.

 

[Mark P.]

Good move by Disney and law enforcement! Thanks for the info., Tyler

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

What is up with all the bus accidents? We were there over the holidays, and we saw at least 3 car/bus accidents. The bus won every time!Do people not see the big busses?

It's not that they don't see the bus... it's that they have the "bus is slow, I'm faster!" mentality. Who wants to be stuck behind a bus doing the speed limit (read: slow)?

On average though, accidents involving a bus are rare... POV (privately owned vehicle) accidents are more common, and happen almost every day on property.

I like the enforcement of the speeding laws, but also feel that Disney is opening up their guests to local law enforcement which can be a bit predatory when it comes to tourist if not checked.

A good majority of the tickets go out to Cast Members... in fact, they're the reason for most of the speed traps that you will see. So, I'm sure the preditory problem really won't be an issue for tourists.

 

[localdriver]

Signage on Disney property is excellent. There are 3 or more ways to go from anywhere to anywhere else. The problem is, folks don't seem to understand "next right" etc really means just that, not next next right.

Of course, as said in several posts, if people would just slow down, all would be better off.

 

[Coastercameron]

I was not aware that the the police had the jurisdiction to write speeding tickets on disney property. These roads are the property of disney, and not of the city/state/federal government, correct?

 

[mochabean]

If this agreement is with Orange County sheriffs, does that mean we can still speed on the roads that are in Osceola County? OK, just kidding. I agree that people drive way too fast on these roads. World Drive may be the worst. A nice, long, straight, 3-lane road makes too many people think of a superhighway.

I do think that the signage could be improved. If you want to get to a park, that is no problem. But if you are looking for signs, for example, to Old Key West, they are scarce. If you know what area your resort is in, then you are usually OK, but often people don't associate a resort with a park (except for the MK resorts).

 

[DebbieB]

I was not aware that the the police had the jurisdiction to write speeding tickets on disney property. These roads are the property of disney, and not of the city/state/federal government, correct?

It is still part of Orange County. When I lost/had stolen my cellphone at OKW a few years ago, they directed me to call the Orange County Sheriff to file a report.

 

[disnutt]

Signage on Disney property is excellent. There are 3 or more ways to go from anywhere to anywhere else. The problem is, folks don't seem to understand "next right" etc really means just that, not next next right.

Of course, as said in several posts, if people would just slow down, all would be better off.

Some states/locations place the directional sign in front of the actual exit giving you some advanced warning. Some states place it behind the exit pointing down the exit as if saying, "quick take this one". Once you're used to one system it is hard to judge if you're doing it right when you go someplace else.

You definitely need the three ways to get to one place in WDW because by the time you figure out which way you were supposed to go you've missed the exit. They need to come up with icons vs the words on the signs. It is very difficult to drive safely and read a novel on a road sign. Especially with a carful of happy, excited kids cheering in the back seats.

Slowing down does help. However, those people who are familiar with the signage are honking so loudly behind you that you get aggravated.

Kiena