Please help a new Disney driver

[sets14]

We have always flown into Orlando and used DME. In Jan, we are breaking the mold and driving to Disney. We will be staying at All Star Sports for 3 nights before moving to the Villas at Grand Floridian. we will use Disney transport to the parks but I have a few questions about driving around property:

1. The day we check out of AsSp, we will be going to Downtown Disney. I am ok to get there, but from Downtown Disney, where is the closest Publix? Which way to I head out of DTD?

2. Driving from Publix to VGF. Do I go through the Magic Kingdom parking tollbooth? Is there a different way to the hotel? Do I tell the toll booth that I am going to VGF? I have no clue about driving around that area.

3. We are coming down 95 from NC. I assume we will hit I-4 and take that into Disney? Any tolls along the way?

Thanks for helping this newbie on property driver!

 

[figment_jii]

2. Driving from Publix to VGF. Do I go through the Magic Kingdom parking tollbooth? Is there a different way to the hotel? Do I tell the toll booth that I am going to VGF? I have no clue about driving around that area.

Yes, you will probably need to go through the MK Toll Booth to get to the GF.* It's very easy; as you approach the toll plaza, be in the right lanes (but not the bus lane). Tell the CM that you are checking into the GF and they'll wave you through. Proceed straight and you'll see signs for the GF. I think it's a left at the first light (Seven Seas Drive), then you'll pass the Poly, and then veer right at the split (Floridian Way) and you'll head to the GF (it'll be on your right). Overall, I've found driving around WDW to be pretty easy. Follow the street signs and they'll direct you to the easiest route to your destination.

If you use Google Street View, you can take a look at the route from the Toll Booth to GF to get a sense of the turns.

*There is a route that bypasses the Toll Booth; it goes by Fort Wilderness. I think the Toll Plaza route is easier, but it might depend on where you're coming from.

 

[sharadoc]

Yes, you will probably need to go through the MK Toll Booth to get to the GF.* It's very easy; as you approach the toll plaza, be in the right lanes (but not the bus lane). Tell the CM that you are checking into the GF and they'll wave you through. Proceed straight and you'll see signs for the GF. I think it's a left at the first light (Seven Seas Drive), then you'll pass the Poly, and then veer right at the split (Floridian Way) and you'll head to the GF (it'll be on your right). Overall, I've found driving around WDW to be pretty easy. Follow the street signs and they'll direct you to the easiest route to your destination.

If you use Google Street View, you can take a look at the route from the Toll Booth to GF to get a sense of the turns.

*There is a route that bypasses the Toll Booth; it goes by Fort Wilderness. I think the Toll Plaza route is easier, but it might depend on where you're coming from.

Yes if you are coming from the DTD end of WDW, you can turn off Buena Vista Drive to Bonnet Creek Parkway. You'll drive past OKW, POFQ, and POR. The turn left at the dead end/entrance to Golden Oak. Follow that road past Fort Wilderness and bear right where it "ends" (you'll be under the monorail track). This will put you on the same road as if you had gone through the MK ticket booth. Then follow the directions from above.

It is very easy to drive there. Just be alert and follow the signs and you'll be fine.

 

[DVC California]

We have always flown into Orlando and used DME. In Jan, we are breaking the mold and driving to Disney. We will be staying at All Star Sports for 3 nights before moving to the Villas at Grand Floridian. we will use Disney transport to the parks but I have a few questions about driving around property:

1. The day we check out of AsSp, we will be going to Downtown Disney. I am ok to get there, but from Downtown Disney, where is the closest Publix? Which way to I head out of DTD?

Publix Super Market at Regency Village Shopping Center
8145 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL ‎
(407) 238-9924

Drive up Hotel Plaza Blvd and turn right on SR535 Apopka-Vineland
Turn left after the I-4 overpass onto Vineland Ave (Landry's Seafood/Bahama Breeze)
Continue towards and past the Premium Outlets
Publix is on the left just before International Drive

2. Driving from Publix to VGF. Do I go through the Magic Kingdom parking tollbooth? Is there a different way to the hotel? Do I tell the toll booth that I am going to VGF? I have no clue about driving around that area.

Head south on I-Drive and make a right on World Drive. Follow Signs to MK Resorts. Stay in right lanes at main gate and tell parking CM you're checking in.

(Please post follow-up on VGF parking. Is it across the street like hotel guest self parking?)

3. We are coming down 95 from NC. I assume we will hit I-4 and take that into Disney? Any tolls along the way?

No tolls on I-4 (at least in Orlando that I know of).

 

[sharadoc]

I forgot one more thing - we prefer using 417 Florida Greenway off I-4 instead of I-4 all the way. You pick it up at Sanford. It is a toll road, you'll need about $8 in quarters, we usually just get two rolls for the car. There is no traffic vs going through downtown Orlando. It's really nice.

 

[sets14]

(Please post follow-up on VGF parking. Is it across the street like hotel guest self parking?)


).

Will do- I am interested in seeing the parking situation at VGF myself. I found some google map images and it looks like there is a dedicated DVC lot next to the villas by the wedding pavilion. I will post back with more details.

 

[sets14]

I forgot one more thing - we prefer using 417 Florida Greenway off I-4 instead of I-4 all the way. You pick it up at Sanford. It is a toll road, you'll need about $8 in quarters, we usually just get two rolls for the car. There is no traffic vs going through downtown Orlando. It's really nice.

Thanks for this info. Depending on what time we hit Orlando we may go this route for lack of traffic.

 

[Robert P]

3. We are coming down 95 from NC. I assume we will hit I-4 and take that into Disney? Any tolls along the way?

Thanks for helping this newbie on property driver!

Correct. You take the right lanes which become I-4, in the vicinity of Daytona Beach. It's very well marked.
There are no tolls going in on I-4.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When taking the route to Publix please be aware it is very crowded on 535 and can take you 25 minutes to go 1/2 mile during the afternoonFriday or Sat. afternoon and evening.


But if you follow the directions and turn left on to 535 which is not as crowded. stay in the outside lane. Turn right at the first light which is Palm Parkway, follow that road for about 2 miles there is a Super Walmart on the left. Then when you come back just stay on Palm Parkway. The road will change names will be come Wintergarden Vineland Rd. Take it for about 3miles and turn left on to Vista Blvd. You will pass the loading docks for Disney which is kinda cool to see. Don't worry you are find to take this road. Take Vista Blvd it for about 7-8 miles and it will led you to the VGF. This is the route I always take and it is so much easier and less congested.

Here is a map from DTD to Walmart then to GF its 12 miles to go from DTD to Walmart then over to GF.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...gX_diDGDcuHvEcOihQ&oq=D&t=h&mra=ls&via=1&z=13

 

[sharadoc]

Yes, you will probably need to go through the MK Toll Booth to get to the GF.* It's very easy; as you approach the toll plaza, be in the right lanes (but not the bus lane). Tell the CM that you are checking into the GF and they'll wave you through. Proceed straight and you'll see signs for the GF. I think it's a left at the first light (Seven Seas Drive), then you'll pass the Poly, and then veer right at the split (Floridian Way) and you'll head to the GF (it'll be on your right). Overall, I've found driving around WDW to be pretty easy. Follow the street signs and they'll direct you to the easiest route to your destination.

If you use Google Street View, you can take a look at the route from the Toll Booth to GF to get a sense of the turns.

*There is a route that bypasses the Toll Booth; it goes by Fort Wilderness. I think the Toll Plaza route is easier, but it might depend on where you're coming from.

Yes if you are coming from the DTD end of WDW, you can turn off Buena Vista Drive to Bonnet Creek Parkway. You'll drive past OKW, POFQ, and POR. The turn left at the dead end/entrance to Golden Oak. Follow that road past Fort Wilderness and bear right where it "ends" (you'll be under the monorail track). This will put you on the same road as if you had gone through the MK ticket booth. Then follow the directions from above.

It is very easy to drive there. Just be alert and follow the signs and you'll be fine.

 

[owtrbnks]

AND . . . from DTD if you go up Hotel Plaza Blvd. to the end, turn LEFT at the crossroads light, there is a Winn Dixie less than 1 mile on the right. We always shop there when staying at SSR, it's only a 5 minute drive from "home."