Is 417 is faster & better then taking 528 - Interstate 4 when driving to WDW?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Whenever my family & I would rent our car after landing at Orlando International Airport, we would always go to WDW by taking the Bee Line Expressway (528) - Interstate 4 Westbound. Part of the reason is when we use to rent from Alamo they were off site, so the only way to go was 528 - I4 & since we always took that route, we kept doing it when after we started renting from Avis in Orlando International Airport. Anyway we are arrving in Orlando next Saturday the 16th & I was thinking of telling my Dad to take 417 as a change, when driving to WDW. So I was wondering is that the best way to go from Orlando International Airport & if so, is it an easy route to follow since everyone mentions this route 1st when going to WDW & driving back to Orlando International Airport.

 

[Edd]

The most traveled route to WDW is the Beach Line and I-4. It is actually the shorter of the two. Also tolls are .50 cheaper. although I don't take it because of the tolls. Most of the time it is okay and no traffic jams. There are some times when it may be a bear to travel, but it is hard to figure right times. You just have to have a feel for them.

417 is usually clear all the way. It is a little longer 1 or 2 miles and the tolls .50 more. The way is clearly marked.

I couldn't recommend either way because I use both of them a lot.

 

[safetymom]

417 is the best way to go if you don't want to arrive stressed at your resort. There is a lot less traffic on 417. I take it all the time to the airport with no problems.

 

[Michael623]

I prefer 417. I'm always surprised how few cars are on that road since it leads directly to WDW. If you take it just head out the South Exit of the airport and follow the signs.

 

[NancyIL]

I always take 417 to the State Road 536 exit for WDW.

 

[Snoozan]

Another fan of 417 here. It's a very nice, non-stressful ride. Just be sure you watch for the sign/road on your right for the on-ramp after leaving MCO. We missed this once on a late trip in - thank goodness we figured it out pretty quickly. The tolls come to $2.50 - be sure to have the $.50 in exact change as depending on which exit you get off, it may be an unmanned toll booth - which only takes token or exact change. Gee, wonder how I know that?!?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To everyone who has replied so far, thank you for the information & if anyone else would like to give their opinions on 417 or 528-I4, please feel free to.

 

[BCV23]

We much prefer 417 too becasue it is always clear sailing.

 

[iluvflorida8]

417 is the ONLY way to travel to WDW from the airport. We live in Florida and avoid I-4 like the plague..

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

It kinda depends which side of the airport you're on. From one of them (can't remember if it's A or B), it's amazingly quick to get on 417. From the other one, you have to pretty much circle the entire airport to get on 417. Once you're on 417, be prepared for open roads.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I avoid I-4 anytime that I can (I will even go out of my way to avoid it if I have to). I love the 417!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It kinda depends which side of the airport you're on. From one of them (can't remember if it's A or B), it's amazingly quick to get on 417. From the other one, you have to pretty much circle the entire airport to get on 417. Once you're on 417, be prepared for open roads.

I thought it does not matter what side of the airport your at because in the end if your renting a car from OIA, everyone weather they come from the A or B side will go to the same area.

 

[cdrn1]

I always take 417 when I rent a car. Which I have not since ME went live.

 

[DVC-Don]

Have tried them both and now only use 417. Much easier.

 

[safetymom]

If you are on the B side it is easier to get to the exit for 417. It isn't that much longer if you are coming from the A side but it is a trip around the airport.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you are on the B side it is easier to get to the exit for 417. It isn't that much longer if you are coming from the A side but it is a trip around the airport.

Thanks for the info.

 

[makinorlando]

417 is the ONLY way to go! I avoid I-4 whenever possible in any of my travels. I had to get on it today to go to the mall to get a hard to find XMAS gift for DD, and I just hate it. Even at noon time there was an accident that was backing up traffic, fortunatley it had not backed up to my exit to get back on 408 - my other favorite toll road!!!

 

[shafke]

On our last trip we took 417. I ended up on 417 because I was just following the signs out of the airport to Disney. I was not sure what exit to get off so we stayed on til the end at I4. When I saw the traffic that was backed up on I4 my only though was OMG this is going to take forever. Luckily where 417 ends at I4 is also the entrance to Disney so we never had to get on I4. This was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon with what looked like a lot of construction going on about a year and a half ago.

 

[makinorlando]

417 has two exits for Disney. Going southbound you will come to Exit 6 first and it is marked for EPCOT/Downtown Disney this takes you in on 536. Exit 3 is for MK, etc. I tend to use Exit 6 no matter where I am going - you get there all the same.

 

[goofyforlife]

417 to 536

Never a problem for us.....

Now going the other way (Beachline/I4) my god who taught those people to drive. Traffic could be stopped dead in all lanes yet there's always some idiot in a sports car that literally flys into the berm and rides up the berm....