leaving for WDW this Sunday and confused about directions

[ncbeachbum]

I am getting different directions to Fort Wilderness campground on different sites. If anyone who has travelled this way could help me I would SOOOO appreciate it!!

We are headed down I95 to I4 then one set of directions has us taking exit 64 then one says to take exit 67 and yet another has us take exit 68 to Vista Blvd. I am so confused! Which exit off of I4 is the best to take to the campground?

 

[2goofycampers]

Follow the signs that say to the MK.

 

[luckycharm19335]

Follow the signs to the Magic Kingdom.
At the ticket booth stay in the right lane.
Then just tell them that you are checking in at Fort Wilderness.
They will direct you. You will stay to your right and then make a right.
There are plenty of signs. Just watch out for the buses.

 

[bama_ed]

Mel,

You can get to the Fort from all those exits but to your point, which is the best/shortest/easiest?

My advice would be to take the exit 68. Peel off to the right (you will be on Hwy 535) and go past the big intersection with multiple turn lanes to the left that go up through the Downtown Disney Area (Hotel Blvd).

Go up about 200 yards to the next big intersection and Hwy 535 turns left (it is also named Wintergarden - Vineland Road). There is a Circle K on the left corner with an IHOP near it and an Olive Garden on the right corner.

Turn left following 535. It will wind around (4-lane) and you will drive under a golf cart bridge for the Grand Cypress Golf Club.

Go up to the second light past the overhead cart bridge and turn left onto Vista Boulevard. There is a softball field on the left as you make that turn. Follow Vista to the Fort Entrance. You will go over speed bumps, through a 4-way stop, past the big satellite dishes, the WDW KinderCare, a light or two, then the Fort overflow entrance will be on the right first. Go down to the next turn right which has the Fort main sign and a big looping turn to the right.

Welcome Home!

Bama ED

PS - look it up on Google Maps and follow my directions. You'll see what I mean.

 

[ncbeachbum]

Oh I can not thank you enough!!! Those directions look very easy and also looks like we stay away from alot of traffic! NICE!! Thanks Ed!!

 

[John VN]

Personally, I'm a "the fewer turns there are, the easier the drive" kind of driver.

MK signs off of I-4= one turn.

Stay right to go thru the plaza and turn right after= 2nd turn

About 1.5 miles and an easy left into the FW entrance. Coming from the other direction has a lousy right turn into the entrance.

 

[parrothead365]

You might also concider taking the toll road 417. You get on it at Sanford. It will take you to the east of Orlando proper and avoid a bunch of traffic. You take the WDW exit (3 I think) and it will put you at the front gate so stay right as mentioned. Should cost you 7-12 bucks in tolls but it is worth it to me to avoid downtown Orlando pulling 37 foot of trailer. Have fun!!

 

[jbrostek]

For a bigger rigs following the signs to Magic Kingdom as others have said, that left its a lot easier then the hairpin right you would have to make comming the other way.

 

[Cousin Ed C]

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE MAIN GATE THE FIRST TIME!!!! Later go the other ways.

 

[rapriebe]

Mel,

You can get to the Fort from all those exits but to your point, which is the best/shortest/easiest?

My advice would be to take the exit 68. Peel off to the right (you will be on Hwy 535) and go past the big intersection with multiple turn lanes to the left that go up through the Downtown Disney Area (Hotel Blvd).

Go up about 200 yards to the next big intersection and Hwy 535 turns left (it is also named Wintergarden - Vineland Road). There is a Circle K on the left corner with an IHOP near it and an Olive Garden on the right corner.

Turn left following 535. It will wind around (4-lane) and you will drive under a golf cart bridge for the Grand Cypress Golf Club.

Go up to the second light past the overhead cart bridge and turn left onto Vista Boulevard. There is a softball field on the left as you make that turn. Follow Vista to the Fort Entrance. You will go over speed bumps, through a 4-way stop, past the big satellite dishes, the WDW KinderCare, a light or two, then the Fort overflow entrance will be on the right first. Go down to the next turn right which has the Fort main sign and a big looping turn to the right.

Welcome Home!

Bama ED

PS - look it up on Google Maps and follow my directions. You'll see what I mean.

Yep, that's the way we go also. Can't wait to get off the highway as soon as possible so we take that backway.

We have never had a problem making the right turn into the Fort, the roadway is plenty wide so you can swing easily.

 

[tink'smom2B]

My kids get so excited when we drive through the main gate! There are plenty of things to see along the way. I would definitely take the signs to the Magic Kingdom. Tell them at the gate you are going to the Fort and they will direct you. It's easy and very exciting. The back road is boring!

 

[ncbeachbum]

Okey dokey! I printed off all of your suggestions and am passing them off to the hubby who will be the one driving it so he can choose whichever he wants! Thank you all for the words of wisdom!!! You guys are awesome!

 

[Bearikens]

the only thing that I would add is to have someone in the front seat armed with the camera (especially if this is your first visit to WDW). Our first trip we didn't get photos of the WDW entrance, FW entrance, the empty campsite, or the campsite number sign..and oh, how I wish I had taken those photos. It's fun to look at the photos when you need a FW fix, but can't (for whatever reason) make the trip back as quickly as you would like. Document as much as you can and take notes...these could become a trip report (and we Disers love trip reports).

Have a great vacation and a safe trip

adding: almost forgot, be sure you have your FW reservation documents when you arrive at the FW guard shack, the guard will need to see them and a photo id before he can let you in!

 

[rapriebe]

the only thing that I would add is to have someone in the front seat armed with the camera (especially if this is your first visit to WDW). Our first trip we didn't get photos of the WDW entrance, FW entrance, the empty campsite, or the campsite number sign..and oh, how I wish I had taken those photos. It's fun to look at the photos when you need a FW fix, but can't (for whatever reason) make the trip back as quickly as you would like. Document as much as you can and take notes...these could become a trip report (and we Disers love trip reports).

Have a great vacation and a safe trip

adding: almost forgot, be sure you have your FW reservation documents when you arrive at the FW guard shack, the guard will need to see them and a photo id before he can let you in!

That's a great tip about taking the pics. When you are driving in it might seem like "no big deal" but when you want to reflect on your trip, it's nice to have those pics.

I've never had to show my reservation documents, only a picture ID. Is this something new? Usually they have a list of the current reservations that they can compare your ID with. Last time I just showed my ID and he waived me in without even looking at it. You never know what they are going to do at the guard shack.

 

[Bearikens]

Only having to show your ID? That curious...I've been asked to show my ID and reservation document each time we've shown up for our reservation and they haven't had any trouble locating our reservation. Guess security likes to keep us on our toes. Still might be a good idea to have the reservation document and photo ID ready...just in case.

 

[Bearikens]

Here's another helpful map for those driving that I haven't found (yet) on Dis

http://allears.net/tp/wdwpropertymap.pdf