Please tell me driving to the parks isn't this bad!

[laurabelle]

This is our first time staying offsite and driving. When we drove down for the first time in April we were staying onsite and just parked the van and used Disney transportation to the parks. For the most part I've read positive posts here about driving yourself around to the parks. I checked out a guide book from the library that's supposed to show time savers, best values, ect. This book made driving to the parks sound horrible, bumper to bumper traffic on 192, backup on World drive, long delays in the morning, the tram is a big headache, on and on listing complaints about driving. We've been to WDW many times and typically get to the parks prior to opening, break for a few hours and come back late afternoon. We'll be staying at the Vistana Resort on 535. Is it really going to be that bad??? Will it be a pain to take our breaks? Any tips or hints?

 

[weluvpluto]

I would definately still plan your break!
There would be no reason for you to be on 192 from where you are in the morning (Here at home I can't remember which road is World drive though)
From where you are staying the easiest way to get to the parks would be to take a right out of Vistana (onto 535) and go down to 536 which I believe is the first light. Turn right onto 536 and that will take you quickly onto WDW grounds.
When leaving the WDW grounds it is a little harder to find 536, just because of the way the roads are set up (sorry I don't have the WDW transportation guide here) I think most exits show I-4 and 192
Since you are arriving prior to opening, I don't think you will encounter most of those problems in the guide book. When you go back after your break, you still should not encounter those problems (although I'd still try to stay off 192 )

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I would totally ignore the guide book and just follow what you know already. As weluvpluto said, the drive to WDW is easy taking her driving instructions.

It will be easy to take your breaks when you want to do them. Just enjoy the trip, WDW and Vistana.

 

[disneyvacationtime]

We have stayed at the Vistana Resort five times, twice in November, once in September, once in May, and once in March and have never experienced traffic difficulties in driving to/from WDW, Sea World or Universal. We used the same route to WDW as a previous poster suggested. Enjoy your trip!

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks guys, I feel lots better!
Dumb guidebook...

 

[hercamore]

It's a piece of cake from Vistana.

herc.

 

[MLindaG]

I'm a Vistana owner since 1986 and I have never had a problem with traffic driving to WDW. Once you are in WDW you need to really pay attention to the signs as you can miss a turn and end up wondering where the heck you are! (Done that!) It is really very easy to get to the parks. We always went back during the heat of the day to give the kids a nap/rest/swim. Getting back to Vistana from the parks - just follow the signs for Walt Disney World Village and then look for 536. (You don't want to go to WDW Village but it is in the general direction of where you want to go and when you are trying to figure out which road to take I usually follow that and then all of a sudden we see the sign for 536.) We've made the mistake of I-4 and 192 at one point or another. Just have a good map of the area so if you do end up on the wrong road you can figure out an easy way to get back to where you want to be without backtracking. Have a great trip and I hope you enjoy your stay at Vistana! We love it. Going August 1st for a week.

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks Linda!