Is it worth taking the North airport exit to save on tolls to WDW?

[Iluvthemouse]

We are arriving at 4pm so that will put us in rush hour time as well. I saw directions taking the north exit so there are no tolls to stop and pay for but less highway driving.
Any thoughts?

 

[safetymom]

Taking 417 and the approx. $2 in tolls is the way to go. No need to worry about traffic and you will arrive relaxed instead of tense having driven on I-4 and the Beachline.

 

[dadtoagirl]

Taking 417 and the approx. $2 in tolls is the way to go. No need to worry about traffic and you will arrive relaxed instead of tense having driven on I-4 and the Beachline.

I absolutely agree, 417 is usually not as congested like I-4 and B-Line.

 

[inkkognito]

DO NOT TAKE THE NORTH EXIT! There is one toll there (at 528), and the traffic is absolutely not worth the savings. 417 is much more painless; the only delays are sometimes when the toll booths get backed up, but other than that it's smooth sailing.
Barb

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Thanks guys!! I figured that was my answer but wanted to ask the experts.

 

[dudspizza]

I will never take the North exit again. OUr first two trips we sat in bumper to bumper traffic on I-4.

Once I found out about the 417, I couldn't beleive I had sat in traffic all that time.

Take the south, save a ton of stress and pay the $2, IMO.

Have a great time.

Duds

 

[bavaria]

I recently drove several times WDW to north of Orlando, sometimes during rush hour. Even though the 417 looked much further on the map, it was still faster than I-4 and 528, due to the reasons stated. I experimented a few times and ended up on the 417; even though it was more miles to my destination, it was still faster in terms of time spent.

When coming from MCO, I always take the 417. It is the road much less travelled!

 

[seashoreCM]

If it is not late afternoon or early evening on a weekday, the north exit is OK.

Go to the first light and take a left, curve a bit more to the left, then about a mile to next light where you take two quick lefts to get on the Beeline (Beach Line) with just one 75 cent toll.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

For your sanity and the time you save the extra $1.25 is worth it.

 

[ducklite]

Even if it's NOT rush hour, spend the couple bucks and use the 417. I-4 was put on this earth to torture people, and the Beeline isn't much better.

The stretch between the Airport and WDW using the Beeline and I-4 is one of the more accident prone areas around here.

During rush hour you'll probably save a good 20 minutes and a lot of grey hair using the south exit.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

BTW, it is now called the Beachline, its not the Beeline anymore. They are changing the signs on the road and don't want anyone to be confused.

 

[ducklite]

BTW, it is now called the Beachline, its not the Beeline anymore. They are changing the signs on the road and don't want anyone to be confused.

Most locals just call it the 528. Remember when it used to have the cute little Bumble Bees on the signs?

Anne

 

[safetymom]

I thought that was cute the first time I came to FL.

 

[owtrbnks]

I'm just curious. What do you do with the $1.25 in savings? Put it toward your next trip to WDW?

 

[NancyIL]

If you exit 417 at Osceola Blvd., there is an un-manned tollbooth there. I got to that tollbooth one Thanksgiving evening with absolutely no change at all! I had this fear of getting a $100 ticket because I didn't have 25 cents...but nothing happened. Funny thing is, the same thing happened in Chicago that same day as my DH was driving me to O'Hare!

 

[seashoreCM]

there is an un-manned tollbooth there. I got to that tollbooth one Thanksgiving evening with absolutely no change at all!!

No exact change hassles on the Beach Line to I-4!

 

[wee-haggis]

I've used the South Exit to Boggy Creek Rd every year for the last 4 years.
Works for me !

 

[ncbyrne]

I've used the South Exit to Boggy Creek Rd every year for the last 4 years.
Works for me !

We have also used the Boggy Creek Rd route many times. We take it for a few reasons. First and foremost we go that way because we stop at the grocery store right on the way. The further out from WDW you shop, the better the prices seem to be. There are no tolls, but that's really not the reason we go that way. We like it because we get to see the area and enjoy the non-interstate route. HOWEVER, if you do choose to take this route, you would be wise to get a current local street map as the area around the Boggy Creek Rd that intersects 192 is growing rapidly.