MCO to Disney

[Frozen2014]

Which route is better...the 528 or the 417? We should be on the road by 2ish on a Sunday.

Also are they both tolls? And if so, do we need exact change? We will be coming from the airport (duh) travelling from Canada so will only have bills on us.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't do it often, but I think the 417 would be less crowded.

Yes, they are both toll routes, but I believe both have cash lanes. However, I don't think all the cash lanes are manned (so you would need quarters).

Assuming you're renting a car, the major rental companies will have EZ Pass transponders. You'll generally pay ~$5 each day you use tolls plus the cost of the tolls. Check with your rental company to find out their charges (I think some charge every day of the rental regardless of whether you use the transponder or not).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Regardless of whether you use the northern route (SR-528 to I-4) or the southern route (SR-417 to exit 6), there are two cash tolls in each direction.

Both routes have attended "Change-Receipt" toll booths available. U.S. paper money is fine. You do not need quarters. You may want to ask for receipts.

Paying cash will avoid any rental car toll service charge. If your rental car company requires "opt in" or "opt out," you can safely opt out. Different car rental companies have different plans: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

Just pay attention. Both routes have open road electronic tolling if you don't exit to the right toward the traditional toll booths. Open road tolling is like driving under a sign at freeway speed. Even if you don't have a SunPass transponder, it reads your license plate. On this forum, we regularly have threads from people who were charged an unexpected toll and service charge. In at least some cases, they probably overlooked the need to exit to the right for cash toll lanes.

There are no tolls on I-4 around Orlando. So once you're in tourist corridor, you don't have to worry about tolls.

I prefer SR-417 if I'm driving from MCO to WDW because it avoids busy I-4 entirely.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I don't do it often, but I think the 417 would be less crowded.

Yes, they are both toll routes, but I believe both have cash lanes. However, I don't think all the cash lanes are manned (so you would need quarters).

Assuming you're renting a car, the major rental companies will have EZ Pass transponders. You'll generally pay ~$5 each day you use tolls plus the cost of the tolls. Check with your rental company to find out their charges (I think some charge every day of the rental regardless of whether you use the transponder or not).

Ouch. So basically, you'd have to pay at least an additional $10 to go to and from the airport if you rent the transponders?

We took 417 to and from the airport last year (picking up my DD). IIRC, the toll booths on the exit ramps are not manned. However, you have to pay toll periodically while on the trip. Those ramps are manned.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, the total toll amount is $3.50. First, you have to go through two manned toll booth, each for $1.50. Pay him $2, and get 50 cents back in change each time. Then, throw the 50 cents into the basket when you get off at your exit.

Is there a way to get a roll of American quarters before you leave? If not, there should be some sort of limited banking service at the airport where you can buy a roll of quarters. Even on a Sunday.

 

[NancyIL]

Ouch. So basically, you'd have to pay at least an additional $10 to go to and from the airport if you rent the transponders?

We took 417 to and from the airport last year (picking up my DD). IIRC, the toll booths on the exit ramps are not manned However, you have to pay toll periodically while on the trip. Those ramps are manned.

It depends on where you exit. If you get off at Exit 6 (I think) to go to the Epcot resorts or Downtown Disney, *the toll booth on 417 just before that exit is manned. The one at Exit 3 (Osceola Parkway) is not manned, and twice I got off there and had NO change!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Ouch. So basically, you'd have to pay at least an additional $10 to go to and from the airport if you rent the transponders?

There is no need to rent a SunPass transponder. In fact, most rental car companies do not offer transponders at MCO. In most cases, if you go through an electronic toll with a rental car, you are charged the toll plus a daily service charge. Different car rental companies have different plans. I posted a link earlier in this thread.

If you take SR-528 to I-4 or SR-417 to exit 6, there is no entrance toll or exit toll. On both routes, there are two locations where everyone must pay a toll, either electronically or at a traditional "cash only" or "change-receipts" toll booth.

Because there are attended "change-receipts" toll booths, you do not need any quarters.

As NancyIL noted, if you stay on SR-417 beyond exit 6, there are exact-change exit tolls. Exit 6 takes you toward the heart of the WDW property, with efficient access to all WDW resorts. So the easy solution is to exit at exit 6 (no exit toll).

 

[NancyIL]

There is no need to rent a SunPass transponder. In fact, most rental car companies do not offer transponders at MCO. In most cases, if you go through an electronic toll with a rental car, you are charged the toll plus a daily service charge. Different car rental companies have different plans. I posted a link earlier in this thread.

If you take SR-528 to I-4 or SR-417 to exit 6, there is no entrance toll or exit toll. On both routes, there are two locations where everyone must pay a toll, either electronically or at a traditional "cash only" or "change-receipts" toll booth.

Because there are attended "change-receipts" toll booths, you do not need any quarters.

As NancyIL noted, if you stay on SR-417 beyond exit 6, there are exact-change exit tolls. Exit 6 takes you toward the heart of the WDW property, with efficient access to all WDW resorts. So the easy solution is to exit at exit 6 (no exit toll).

You are absolutely roght - I forgot that the toll booth is on 417 - just before you get off at exit 6!

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you. So basically we should go on the 417 to exit 6, or the 528 work, but to ensure that we go in the cash line. Hopefully we can get quarters at the airport or car rental. I don't belive we would want a transponder since you pay by the day and we would only need it once to get to Disney and once when we're heading home.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thank you. So basically we should go on the 417 to exit 6, or the 528 work, but to ensure that we go in the cash line. Hopefully we can get quarters at the airport or car rental. I don't belive we would want a transponder since you pay by the day and we would only need it once to get to Disney and once when we're heading home.

Instead of using cash toll lanes, use "change-receipts" toll lanes. Then you do not need quarters.

Also, you can then get a receipt each time. If you get a bill for an unpaid toll, you can prove you paid all your tolls if you have receipts.

 

[Frozen2014]

Instead of using cash toll lanes, use "change-receipts" toll lanes. Then you do not need quarters.

Also, you can then get a receipt each time. If you get a bill for an unpaid toll, you can prove you paid all your tolls if you have receipts.

Thanks so much. So basically 417 vs 528 makes no difference?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks so much. So basically 417 vs 528 makes no difference?

The tolls work the same way on both routes.

The driving time is about the same on both routes -- if there are no traffic delays.

You'll pay slightly more on SR-417 ($1.50 + $1.50 = $3.00) than on SR-528 ($1.25 + $1.00 = $2.25), but SR-417 allows you to avoid I-4 entirely. If you've ever been in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-4, it's well worth the extra 75 cents.

 

[madaboutMickey]

Thank you. So basically we should go on the 417 to exit 6, or the 528 work, but to ensure that we go in the cash line. Hopefully we can get quarters at the airport or car rental.

If you really want some change, just stop and get a drink or snack at one of the many eateries or stores at the airport.
And I totally agree with Horace Horsecollar, stay off I-4. Traffic can be horrible.

 

[Capt_BJ]

on a Sunday the 417 vs 528 question is not really important

528 puts you on I-4 and that's where traffic can be BAD .. but that is normally weekday work traffic so on a Sunday SHOULD not be an issue

However, I ALWAYS do 417 ... a bit more expensive in tolls but IME always less traffic . . . during normal daytime hours anyway . . I drive from Cape Canaveral to Tampa via I-4 somewhat routinely and 417 is the way I go from the airport to south of WDW



as stated ... go 417 and use exit 6 and your tolls a 2 x $1.50

use 528 and they are $1.00 + $1.25

a difference of 75 cents

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you so much. I have told DH about taking the 417 exit 6. But of course he said thanks politely, but to him, it's like a pig giving a fish advice on swimming.