Secret road with no tolls to Disneyworld from the airport!

[nelson84]

Is there a secret route from the airport to disneyworld that you do not have to pay tolls? Or is there a route that you can take that has the least amount of tolls? We are on a budget here, every little bit helps.

 

[minnie1928]

There are lots of roads...I found out the hard way since I took our GPS along for a conference and my DH had it programmed to avoid toll roads. Seriously, it took much longer the way I went. I don't know how much tolls are, but I think I'd just pay the tolls.

 

[NotUrsula]

The toll is less than $5 each way. If you can afford to fly and rent a car, you can swing the toll.

Taking 417 from MCO to WDW is a huge timesaver; and it makes a lot more sense to pay the price of a Happy Meal to start getting your money's worth out of your vacation destination about an hour sooner, rather than weaving all over creation and wasting time and gas to do it.

 

[marlynnp]

additional time & gas usage - not worth it

 

[ncbyrne]

We did this on one trip, following directions on got right here on the DIS. The next time (flash forward 5 years), I still had the printed directions, but there had been so much construction, those directions didn't work. We made it, but we had to stop a couple times to get directions. If you really want to avoid the tolls, download a streetmap and work out the best route. Shouldn't be too hard to do at all. We have used Magic Express the last two times, so haven't needed directions.

 

[snowgooseltd]

I second the 417 choice!! Take the first WDW exit you see, it'll save you one toll and all the roads lead to WDW. Watch Disney signage carefully, it can be tricky. Try to stay off I4, there are constant problems, traffic, accidents on that road!!

 

[lifenthetropics]

I would seriously reconsider the trip if the tolls will break you. Maybe if you waited and saved up a little more it would be less stressful. Just a thoght

 

[Dax]

Again with 417...I drive daily on 417 to the airport, and the toll total is 2 tolls at $1.25 and then however much the exit one is, either .50 or .75

 

[cglaura]

Ditto 417.

I hear you with wanting to save, and funny, nowhere in that question was a statement saying it was going to make or break your trip . OP was just asking for tips on how to save.

As my granny said...

"Save a little here, save a little there, by the time you know it you're a millionaire!".

(Imagine that in a cute little 'ol hungarian granny voice ).

 

[SandrA9810]

Actually there's a very easy side road that follows the 528 out of the airport and can cut off one toll. The second toll is usually cheaper, but can still be easily avoided.

 

[Green Tea]

Didn't you get this lavish trip including a cruise all inclusive for like .14 cents or something? You tried to convince everyone here it wasn't a scam but everyone told you to be careful? Maybe I have you confused with someone else. If so, my apologies. If not, the bill for tolls will be the least of your worries. Be prepared.

 

[damone]

I would seriously reconsider the trip if the tolls will break you. Maybe if you waited and saved up a little more it would be less stressful. Just a thoght

I gotta agree with that. I can see trying to save a few bucks on your resort choice, but if you're truly worried about saving money by not paying tolls, you shouldn't be going.

 

[ticktock]

I gotta agree with that. I can see trying to save a few bucks on your resort choice, but if you're truly worried about saving money by not paying tolls, you shouldn't be going.

I disagree with this in principle. The OP didn't say they couldn't afford the trip. They just said they were on a budget and EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

I HATE paying theme park prices for soda and snacks/counter service ect. I bring my own drinks and snacks with me where ever I go because it hurts my heart to pay $2 for 30 cents worth of soda. On the other hand I will ONLY stay in a deluxe, preferably the Poly and I love Cali Grill, Flying Fish and Jiko. Those are totally worth it to me.

Every one has different priorities. I would rather have the big things in life (my new marble slab walk in shower) then the small ones (designer purse). To each his own. Though I have to say I would take the toll road and save the time and aggravation. I've been in too many accidents growing up in Fl with the old people and the tourist, urgh.

 

[seashoreCM]

Out the north airport exit, left at first light you can (Frontage, becomes McCoy). This takes a somewhat easier to describe path along the north side of the 528 Bee Line (now Beach Line) Expressway shown in the map above, and skips one of the two tolls.

Returning to airport via I-4 East to 528 East, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under. Get into middle lane. Required right onto McCoy (see map above).

On 528 and also on 417 watch for signs telling you of a toll up ahead. Some toll plazas require that you take an "exit ramp" to pay tolls as cash, then you merge back onto the main lanes. Only those who have Florida electronic toll transponders may use the straight through lanes.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[damone]

I disagree with this in principle. The OP didn't say they couldn't afford the trip. They just said they were on a budget and EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

I HATE paying theme park prices for soda and snacks/counter service ect. I bring my own drinks and snacks with me where ever I go because it hurts my heart to pay $2 for 30 cents worth of soda. On the other hand I will ONLY stay in a deluxe, preferably the Poly and I love Cali Grill, Flying Fish and Jiko. Those are totally worth it to me.

Every one has different priorities. I would rather have the big things in life (my new marble slab walk in shower) then the small ones (designer purse). To each his own. Though I have to say I would take the toll road and save the time and aggravation. I've been in too many accidents growing up in Fl with the old people and the tourist, urgh.

I get what you're saying, but again, we're not talking about staying at Pop Century instead of the Grand Floridian. We're talking about $5 round trip. We all want to save money, but if $5 is something you're looking to get around, eh.....A vacation might not be a good idea right now.

 

[dizkids]

I would pay the tolls and save the extra money (and time) you can be paying for gas.

I did the beesline highway once because a family member INSISTED this was shorter and why o why did we listen. It was not faster at all but somehow that trip we were not in a rush so we did it but never again.

 

[ticktock]

I get what you're saying, but again, we're not talking about staying at Pop Century instead of the Grand Floridian. We're talking about $5 round trip. We all want to save money, but if $5 is something you're looking to get around, eh.....A vacation might not be a good idea right now.

Even if it is just $5 some people are willing to spend the extra half hour to save it. Clark Howard the radio host will park blocks away from his destination in a bad part of town to save $5 on parking and he is very well off.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Didn't you get this lavish trip including a cruise all inclusive for like .14 cents or something? You tried to convince everyone here it wasn't a scam but everyone told you to be careful? Maybe I have you confused with someone else. If so, my apologies. If not, the bill for tolls will be the least of your worries. Be prepared.

I remember that thread

 

[NotUrsula]

Even if it is just $5 some people are willing to spend the extra half hour to save it. Clark Howard the radio host will park blocks away from his destination in a bad part of town to save $5 on parking and he is very well off.

And in that case he is just seriously foolish, or doesn't bother to insure his car. Putting your car at risk of a breakin just to save $5 is NOT a wise financial decision, because if someone does break into it, your insurance premium will rise. I will park a few blocks further out for a cheaper garage rate (a mile is my limit), but I'm not going to park in an insecure place that puts either myself or my vehicle at risk.

AFAIC, time is money, especially when it comes to vacation, and gasoline is money, too. You have to weigh the savings against what the workaround potentially costs. If you get lost or stuck in traffic on I-4 or the Beachline, which is not at all unusual, you've just burned more than the cost of the toll, and had to deal with the aggravation besides.

I did try it once in Orlando on this route, but I learned it just wasn't worth it in that case. Somewhere else it might be, but not there.

 

[SandrA9810]

And as a native floridian that lives near the 417... I hate tourist that take that road. (well i don't personally hate you, I hate that you use it)

Because when it comes time for them to raise the rates, 90% of the users of that road are not locals. So they don't really give a hoot how much they raise it. And yet it hurts the wallet of every local around here. Because all you tourist are still going to use that road, and still give them money.

I AVOID tolls, I know every road between here and miami just to stay off of the Turnpike. Sure it might be "easier", but I sure as heck ain't giving them my money.

Is it that wrong to avoid something you hate? How many people avoid shopping at Disney and go to little tourist road side traps? How many people go off property to eat to save a few bucks (I sure as heck know that it doesn't save time)? What about people that stay off property to save a few bucks? Is it that wrong for them to stay at a cheaper hotel than being at the grand inclusive Disney resort?