MCO to WDW - Avoid the tolls?

[MapleGirl]

Is there an easy way to avoid the toll roads from MCO to Walt Disney World?

 

[WillCAD]

The two main routes, SR 417 (Central Florida Greenway) and SR528 (Beachline Expressway) both have about $3 in tolls. The booths don't back up, and I've never had more than one vehicle in front of me when I get to the toll booths; usually, I drive right in. They're not like the toll booths at major tunnels and bridges, they move continuously.

It is possible to take surface streets to avoid the tolls. However, the increased time and distance incurred by the surface routes will literally use more then $3 worth of extra gas.

A good compromise would be to take the south airport exit (Boggy Creek Road), go past SR 417, turn right onto Dart Blvd, and continue on Dart until it becomes Osceola Parkway. Osceola Parkway leads directly to WDW, with only 1 toll. Dart Blvd does have several traffic signals, however, which the two main routes do not.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not sure most rentals would use an extra $3 in gas, but how much is your time worth? The one time I tried it, the extra traffic and stoplights added nearly an hour to the trip, and I realized that was SOOOOO not worth the bother.

Take the Greeneway (417 -- it has less traffic than the Beachline route, and avoids I-4 completely), pay up your $3, and get there relaxed and in good time. It's worth the $3 for the convenience.

 

[princessmom29]

It is NOT worth the headache and extra time needed. I would MUCH rather pay the $3.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We used to avoid the tolls going down Boggy Creek Road....not sure where we cut across, etc.....but the time and headache are not worth the little savings we had. In fact after skipping the tolls a few years and finally breaking down and taking the tolls we felt pretty stupid what we went through to save so little in the big scheme of things.

 

[purpletiger]

We drove from Texas and my Garmin took us around all the toll roads. We drove all around WDW and never paid anything. Didn't take much longer either.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We drove from Texas and my Garmin took us around all the toll roads. We drove all around WDW and never paid anything. Didn't take much longer either.

Oh...once we are there we avoid the tolls....but when you have just gotten off a flight and all you want to do is get to your hotel and check in the time difference vs the cost difference from the airport just does not make sense.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We drove from Texas and my Garmin took us around all the toll roads. We drove all around WDW and never paid anything. Didn't take much longer either.

As a local, I try to take as many shortcuts as possible and not have to pay the tolls. However, with traffic being the way it is all around Orlando, in the long run it's easier just to get a SunPass and just deal with the tolls. Otherwise you will find yourself at every red light in town and taking an hour for a drive that could have been as short as 11 minutes.

 

[micki7337]

Is there an easy way to avoid the toll roads from MCO to Walt Disney World?

one way is magical express, but if you are driving try this from mapquest

1: Start out going SOUTH on AIRPORT BLVD. 0.9 mi Map
2: Turn SLIGHT LEFT to take the ramp toward TERMINAL B/SR-436/NORTH EXIT/SR-528-TOLL. 0.1 mi MapAvoid
3: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto AIRPORT BLVD. 1.8 mi MapAvoid
4: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto FL-436 N/S SEMORAN BLVD. 0.6 mi MapAvoid
5: Turn LEFT onto N FRONTAGE RD. 0.8 mi MapAvoid
6: N FRONTAGE RD becomes MCCOY RD. 1.0 mi MapAvoid
7: Turn LEFT onto TRADEPORT DR. 0.2 mi MapAvoid
8: Turn RIGHT onto MCCOY RD/N FRONTAGE RD. Continue to follow MCCOY RD. 1.0 mi MapAvoid
9: Keep RIGHT at the fork to go on FL-482 W. 7.5 mi MapAvoid
10: Merge onto I-4 W toward TAMPA/DISNEY WORLD. 6.9 mi MapAvoid
11: Take the SR-536 E exit, EXIT 67, toward SR-417-TOLL/EPCOT/DOWNTOWN DISNEY. 0.2 mi MapAvoid
12: Take the ramp toward EPCOT/DOWNTOWN DISNEY. 0.9 mi MapAvoid
13: Merge onto EPCOT CENTER DR. 2.8 mi MapAvoid
14: Take the ramp toward MAGIC KINGDOM/MAGIC KINGDOM RESORTS/FORT WILDERNESS. 0.4 mi MapAvoid
15: Merge onto WORLD DR. 0.8 mi MapAvoid
16: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto N WORLD DR. 0.9 mi MapAvoid
17: Turn LEFT onto SEVEN SEAS DR. 0.3 mi MapAvoid
18: 3111 WORLD DR LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 32830. 0.0 mi Map
Total Travel Estimates: 43 minutes / 27.26 miles

Hope this helps

 

[SandrA9810]

Well the expressway authority raised rates this year, increasing every toll 25cents. From the airport to Disney on the 417 is 2.50 each way. But be sure to get off at the international dr exit or you'll pay 50 cents to get off at the next 2 exits.
When we lived in lake nona (east side of the airport) for a month, we studied the map for hours on end trying to find free ways to get to disney and back. The best suggestion, is to take Bear Rd out of the airport, and get on the 528 just past the toll, and then you only have one toll to pay, I think it's 75 cents. Kari would drive the 417 in because of less traffic, and would drive the 528 home since she could take as much time as she needed.

The expressway authority is evil and awful, and I try to avoid paying thier tolls anywhere I go. But going out the south access rd to boggy creek is just way out of the way and not even worth it in gas.

Here's the way we would go, get on Cargo RD, turns into Bear RD, then a right onto Tradeport Dr. Hop onto the 528 there. Taking this way maybe adds like 5 minutes to your time, but I've seen the toll plazas backed way up before. They might have 6 booths, but 1 and sometimes 2 open.

And in the blue circle is an old WWII plane. There's a parking lot there too, so you can stop and get out to see it up close. That is if any one in your family has a plane or WW fasination.

 

[WillCAD]

Locals often think the Expressway Authority is somehow evil, but those of us in other parts of the country who visit Orlando only periodically on vacation don't really care.

I realize that if you drive a particular road every day, avoiding the tolls can save you a fortune every year. I;ve had commuting routes in the past where I had to pay a toll each way, and I hated the extra expense, so I understand the desire to avoid the tolls, believe you me!

But for those of us who only come into Orlando once or twice a year, it's not as big a deal to pay $6 in round-trip tolls, when the alternative is to take surface streets in an unfamiliar city, on routes as convoluted as those listed above.

Everyone has their own priorities, and if you feel that you would not have any trouble navigating those Silly String routes to avoid the tolls, then I say more power to ya. But personally, I'll just pony up the measley $3 and get to WDW in 25 minutes, without getting lost, stuck in traffic, or taking a 42-minute, 27-mile route.

The routes I take (depending on where I'm staying I might take either the northern or southern route) each cost $3 in tolls each way and take about 25 minutes, depending on how fast I drive. And both are under 20 miles (19.3 and 17.6, respectively).
Click here to see my routes

I choose not to add an extra 10 miles (half a gallon of gas, or $1.25 at the current $2.50 average price) and an extra 15 minutes to my trip.

 

[SandrA9810]

If you decide to take the toll road 417. You can take the south access rd out. There's plenty of signs to it, and it will take you right to the 417, that way you don't have to drive the north way out and then drive south past the airport.

 

[Renigadecrew]

I would highly recommend you take tolls but if not Take the north exit toward 527 then make a left on N Frontage rd. Then make a left on sconway rd and then a right on McCoy rd. Make a left on s John young pkwy get on 527 toward I-4get on I-4 West.Get off exit 68 for 535 then make a right on 535 then left on hotel plaza blvd, right on Burena Vista Drive, and left on vacation club way.

If u decide to take tolls:


If ur exiting from terminal b then take south exit to the 417 to exit 6 to 538 then make a right on vacation club way

If ur exiting from terminal a then take north exit to the 527 down to I-4 then get off exit 68 for 535 then make a right on 535 then left on hotel plaza blvd, right on Burena Vista Drive, and left on vacation club way.

Both involve 2 1.00 tolls but I'd recommend bringing extra money just incase.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

To avoid all tolls take the airport South exit to Boggy Creek Road (SR 530).

Turn right and follow BCR to US-192 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway).

Turn right to go to WDW.

You will avoid about $3.00 in tolls but add about 75 traffic lights and congestion, as well as a few extra miles.

 

[NotUrsula]

If ur exiting from terminal a then take north exit to the 527 down to I-4 then get off exit 68 for 535 then make a right on 535 then left on hotel plaza blvd, right on Burena Vista Drive, and left on vacation club way.

Or, much simpler, just circle around the airport to the South Exit; it only takes about 5 minutes to go around. We always come in at Term A and leave via the South Exit to 417.

I don't know why the thread was resurrected, but the advice is still the same; if you are there on vacation, it is more than worth the convenience to pony up a Happy Meal's worth of tolls.

 

[manning]

For what you pay for the vacation the tolls are a drop in the bucket. Now if you live there it can add up.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I avoided the tolls and got to Disney real quick! It didnt take long at all. I honestly dont remember which route I took. I just do what my GPS says.