Seriously, 528 vs 417 to WDW from MCO?

[WaDiWo]

Hi all!

We will be renting a car for the first time on our upcoming trip to WDW. Just wondering what is the best way to Walt Disney World from the Orlando International Airport. "official" WDW website directions say 417, but I've heard others say 528.

Can anyone offer suggestions? experiences?

We will be arriving on a Saturday morning hopefully 9am-ish. renting a car, and driving to the Contemporary. We can bring change for tolls.

Thanks!

 

[jimmytammy]

We always take 417 now. We are from NC, and always take this route from
I-4. Its safer, less headache, less traffic. You will see 2 exits for WDW, take exit 3. This is less traffic way, will put you near Wide World of Sports area, POP Century, etc. A bit off the beaten path to get to MK area, but easier to navigate.

528 itself is fine, problem is it dumps you onto I-4 and wrecks and heavy traffic can delay you from your destination.

 

[Tara]

417

 

[Capt_BJ]

417 is a fairly new road - not here in the 80's anyway (lived here 86 - 89 too)

I believe that's why research - and old books - say 528.

IMHO - 417 is a no brainer. You can completely avoid I-4!

On a Saturday morning it is probably a non-issue but I always find less traffic on 417.

 

[mmouse50]

How much would the tolls be on 417?

 

[skelooch]

How much would the tolls be on 417?

2 tolls @ 1.25 to exit 6, another .75 cents more if you decide to get off at exit 3, which happens to be the next exit after exit 6.
I always use exit 6, it's a straight shot into WDW off the exit and leads onto Epcot Center Dr and then onto World Dr, just follow signs to MK after entering WDW.

 

[gmeh1]

2 tolls @ 1.25 to exit 6, another .75 cents more if you decide to get off at exit 3, which happens to be the next exit after exit 6.
I always use exit 6, it's a straight shot into WDW off the exit and leads onto Epcot Center Dr and then onto World Dr, just follow signs to MK after entering WDW.

Does that amount reflect the recent toll increase?

 

[DebbieB]

I usually take 417. I've taken 528 when I accidentally went out the North Exit and there's much more traffic plus you have to deal with I-4.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Does that amount reflect the recent toll increase?

Yes....I drove 417 from MCO yesterday.

 

[WaDiWo]

Thanks for the info everyone! Cant wait!

 

[seashoreCM]

Except for the PM weekday rush I have found 528 and I-4 to be satisfactory.

 

[DVC-Don]

South exit to 417.

 

[DVCgrace]

Agree - South exit to 417, unless you really like to begin (and end) your vacation using a traffic / accident / headache prone route. I travel frequently between my 2 homes in NJ & Celebration, FL - 417 is the only (sane) way to go!

 

[joncorr3]

417 all the way!!!

BTY most GPS services send you 4 and 528.

But 417 is just awesome!!!

 

[chamonix]

417, no question!

 

[OKW Lover]

Does that amount reflect the recent toll increase?

Yes....I drove 417 from MCO yesterday.

I think the toll increase was scheduled for 7/1/12 so the price may be higher when you take it.

 

[Renigadecrew]

If ur exiting from terminal b then take south exit to the 417 to exit 6 to 538 then take exit for bonet creek pkwy then on vista rd and lasy right on world drive


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, right on bonet creek pkwy, Left on vista rd and right on world dr

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

 

[ParrotBill]

I-4 is a mess almost every day. Between Lake Buena Vista and Orlando, it runs slow from late morning through the evening on most days now.

In fact, I am now a fan of taking 417 all the way around Orlando instead of I-4 when driving. 2 weeks ago I drove in on I-4 to heavy traffic, then stop and go all through Orlando from 2-3pm. It added nearly a half hour to our trip.

When I went home, I took 417 all the way around. It added only 10 minutes more than the time predicted for I-4, and was a pleasant easy drive. Get a Sunpass and you can even bypass all the toll plazas (note some tolls are marked "epass" but Sunpass is the same.)

 

[sharadoc]

417 all the way!!!

BTY most GPS services send you 4 and 528.

But 417 is just awesome!!!

This is an Important point!!!! Do not listen to your GPS when you get on 417. It will try to get you to get back onto I-4 at every single exit. Just stay on 417, turn off your GPS for about 15 minutes, then turn it back on and it will finally relent and agree to give you directions to WDW using 417.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

I also vote for 417 when we want to go straight to the resort. Since we have a car, we will sometimes go to the Disney outlet stores. We then exit North and take McCoy road to get to the outlet malls.