Some questions about driving around WDW

[Melissabo]

A little background info. We are a family of 4, me, dh and two ds's 2 1/2 and 6. This is our 2nd trip to Disney. Our first we took ME and relied on buses with the exception of a few cab rides. We like to take mid day breaks some days and thought it may be nice to have a car with us. We leave in two weeks. I have a full size reserved with Dollar for $129 with all of the fees and taxes for one week rental. I have a few questions.

Our first day we pick up the rental from the airport and stop at the grocery store and then on to POR. Is there a store in mind that would be easy to get to? I mapped out a few but am wondering if there is one that sticks out as the easiest on the way to POR.

After checking in we head to MK for dinner and fireworks we will probably head over at about 2:00 p.m. Is it better to just take a bus or should we drive to MK? (I am aware we have to park at TTC an do the tram thing) I wasn't sure the best night to avoid crowds after fireworks.

Later in the week we are going to Fort Wilderness for a sleigh ride and dinner, I figured we would drive there but do we need to take an internal bus once on Fort Wilderness property? Or can we park near the Hoopdee De Doo? (where the sleigh ride departs from)

We are heading to 1900 Park Fare for dinner on Sunday the 1st of Dec. after planning on spending the day at MK. What is the best way to do this?
Take the buses? drive to TTC? go to mk then monorails to GF then back to TTC? Valet park at GF head to MK then back to GF for dinner? I do not mind paying the valet fee if it will save on time and aggravation.

Thanks, I am excited to have our own car but a little nervous about navigating in a different city.

 

[dsneprincess]

I don't know any of the street names, but if you want groceries on your way to POR, I would use the Publix near the outlet mall. If you get off 417 at the first WDW exit, after you go through 2nd toll booth (exit 6?), go to end of exit ramp & there is a Hess gas station on your left at a T intersection, turn right & follow the road a bit. Behind Walgreens there is a Publix. Another option is after you check into POR, there is a Publix out 192 if you go past POP Century, it is a left then over the bridge & right at light at Gaylord Palms & Publix is on left just prior to 192. The prices at either store are reasonable & the stores are clean & safe. Do NOT go to Goodings at the Crossing: their prices are ridiculous!!!
We drive to all the parks. I don't know that it is easier or faster, but it is our preference. I also don't know the ins & outs of valet parking for 1900 Park Fare. I do know you can park at TTC & use resort monorail for transportation.

 

[MinnBoy]

We typically take the South exit out of the airport and get on the 417 (Toll). Less busy than the 528 (also Toll) and you avoid I-4 which can be very busy if you hit is at the wrong time of day. Anyway, there is a Super Target off the 417 and Orange Blossom Trail. From there, you continue West to Epcot Center Drive which puts right on the way to POR.

As for driving up to MK, we choose to take the bus there because you have to take a boat or the monorail anyway. Just a personal opinion on that one.

 

[North of Mouse]

Driving within Disney would make me nervous too (seems hard to get around to me) that's why we leave the driving to Disney

Can answer one of your questions. You will have to park at the Outpost at FW campground and take an internal bus to the Settlement. There is no parking within the campground at all - except at the individual campsites.

 

[jmasgat]

I've stopped at that Publix, and it is pretty easy to get to, although there are probably other shorter routes/store combos. Here's a link to directions.

http://goo.gl/maps/BSx5b

As for your other questions. Driving to MK is always a longer proposition than the other parks. I would recommend the bus for your first trip.

For your trip on the 1st (which is Saturday,BTW...I know because it's my birthday!) I'm not sure if driving will really save you any time in the end, since you can't park for the whole day at GF (at least, that's the rule). You could drive to TTC and then take monorail/boat to park. Then take resort boat over to GF. When you are done, take resort monorail (or walk--although it's a hike with 2 children) to TTC. So it's just as much transportation! Probably just as easy to take the bus to MK, resort launch to GF,monorail back to MK, then bus back.

Maura

 

[Melissabo]

I've stopped at that Publix, and it is pretty easy to get to, although there are probably other shorter routes/store combos. Here's a link to directions.

http://goo.gl/maps/BSx5b

As for your other questions. Driving to MK is always a longer proposition than the other parks. I would recommend the bus for your first trip.

For your trip on the 1st (which is Saturday,BTW...I know because it's my birthday!) I'm not sure if driving will really save you any time in the end, since you can't park for the whole day at GF (at least, that's the rule). You could drive to TTC and then take monorail/boat to park. Then take resort boat over to GF. When you are done, take resort monorail (or walk--although it's a hike with 2 children) to TTC. So it's just as much transportation! Probably just as easy to take the bus to MK, resort launch to GF,monorail back to MK, then bus back.

Maura

You are right, I did mean the 2nd which is Sunday.

I thought if I paid to valet I could park at the GF? no?

 

[Donna M]

We just returned yesterday and rented from Dollar. It was great! Join Dollar Express so they will have all your information, then when you get to the airport all you do is go straight to the garage, look at the board above the (not sure what they call it, a kiosk-where a couple people can help you?) Next to your name will be a parking space number where your car will be located. Ours had less than 2000 miles and was in excellent condition. We jumped in and drove off to the exit where we showed my license and paper work; super quick.

When driving around WDW, read the signs carefully and have your navigator reading too. I've been there many times and I thought I knew my way around pretty well. Thought I'd try going by following their signs---wasn't happy when I drove under the Welcome to Disney sign and it said Bye Buckle Up! I obviously missed the "next right" and took the wrong right! I had to make a choice of Route 192 or I-4. Luckily I knew enough about the area to get me going in the right direction again though it was a major detour.

I hope you have better luck.

 

[Melissabo]

We just returned yesterday and rented from Dollar. It was great! Join Dollar Express so they will have all your information, then when you get to the airport all you do is go straight to the garage, look at the board above the (not sure what they call it, a kiosk-where a couple people can help you?) Next to your name will be a parking space number where your car will be located. Ours had less than 2000 miles and was in excellent condition. We jumped in and drove off to the exit where we showed my license and paper work; super quick.

When driving around WDW, read the signs carefully and have your navigator reading too. I've been there many times and I thought I knew my way around pretty well. Thought I'd try going by following their signs---wasn't happy when I drove under the Welcome to Disney sign and it said Bye Buckle Up! I obviously missed the "next right" and took the wrong right! I had to make a choice of Route 192 or I-4. Luckily I knew enough about the area to get me going in the right direction again though it was a major detour.

I hope you have better luck.

Thanks for the tip, I will join dollar express. So no paper work to fill out there? That sounds way more easy than filling everything out at the counter with two antsy kids. We will have our navigation garmin and iPhone so direction wise hopefully we will be good. That reminds me to check out some maps before we leave.

 

[bumbershoot]

Driving within Disney would make me nervous too (seems hard to get around to me) that's why we leave the driving to Disney

For us, these are the things that help with driving around WDW.

A good map. GPS tends to send us on closed, CM-only, streets. Our specific GPS isn't the most robust, and can't "recalculate" if we are doing something different than what it wants us to do. So a map works really well for us.

Knowing what general area we are in, and knowing what area we are going to helps *tremendously* if you are just following the road signs. The thing that blew us away on our first trip is that it truly is like being in a different city, when driving on WDW property. They are highways, really, with highway-type signs and exits and ramps and whatnot. I was expecting residential type streets, but the big roads are BIG. So if you know that you're in the MK area and you are heading to the Epcot area, it makes it much easier to just use the signs they have. Once you are in the right area, then you start narrowing it down to the specific place you are going.



We have driving to MK most of the days we have gone there. We are either getting in SO early that we have gotten close-up parking spots, or we're entering as people are leaving (early afternoon after a BIG thunder-shower, for instance) and have gotten close-up parking spots. We've been very lucky in that respect, and we haven't yet ridden a tram at the parking lot on the way to MK.

 

[dsneprincess]

We drive everywhere on Disney property. It is not hard, BUT, it is much easier if you have a "sign reader" and a driver. It is difficult to do both at once, but Disney's signs are very good. It helps to have a general idea of what hotels are near each park, so you can follow hotel or theme park signs. There is not a lot of traffic or roads, you just use the same ones over and over.

 

[JanB]

Knowing what general area we are in, and knowing what area we are going to helps *tremendously* if you are just following the road signs. ............ So if you know that you're in the MK area and you are heading to the Epcot area, it makes it much easier to just use the signs they have. Once you are in the right area, then you start narrowing it down to the specific place you are going.

This is very, very good advice. You will find that the WDW property road signs will commonly indicate destinations such as "EPCOT Resort Area" or "Downtown Disney Resort Area". A map such as this one:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/propertymap.htm
has the "areas" color-coded and will help you to know which area is your destination. Once you get closer to "EPCOT Resort Area", then you will begin to see more specific direction, such as "Boardwalk Resort".

Also --- as long as you are still on Disney property, even if you miss an exit, you will usually continue to see signage that will direct you back to the area that you think you just missed.

 

[Donna M]

Also --- as long as you are still on Disney property, even if you miss an exit, you will usually continue to see signage that will direct you back to the area that you think you just missed.

And this is why it's a good idea to know the area around WDW too. By taking the wrong "next right" I ended up exiting the property, but I knew the orientation of I-4 and 192 to get myself back onto the property. There wasn't any easy turnaround.

There's a lot of information on each sign so having a sign reader is a good idea too, along with the driver; my navigator was sleeping.

 

[JanB]

And this is why it's a good idea to know the area around WDW too. By taking the wrong "next right" I ended up exiting the property, but I knew the orientation of I-4 and 192 to get myself back onto the property. There wasn't any easy turnaround.

There's a lot of information on each sign so having a sign reader is a good idea too, along with the driver; my navigator was sleeping.

Donna is absolutely correct. There are several maps on the WDWInfo website that may be helpful.

Since this will only be your 2nd visit to WDW, and since you expressed a bit of nervousness, it could be helpful for you to be aware of where you can get specific assistance once you are at WDW and about to head out to somewhere new. I would encourage you to take advantage of the POR (or any Disney resort) concierge assistance. You can just go to their desk in the main lobby (as often as you like, but try to avoid the check-in times) and ask for specific directions via car and via Disney transport. They can mark up a map for you and tell you how much time to allow to get where you need to be.

And in each of the parks, there will be a Guest Relations (customer service) desk where you can ask "Can you show me the best way to get to XXX?" I believe there is even a Guest Relations at Downtown Disney. There is always someone available on-property who can give you guidance.

 

[DOOM1001]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2919091

Driving inside Disney is easy,avoid GPS as it will confuse you and send you to who knows where.Just look over the map and street names of where you're going and look at the street signs and it's impossible to get lost.

 

[Melissabo]

Thank you for all of the replies, I'm going to go through the link, check out the maps and maybe leave the gps at home.

Sounds like dollar express is the way to go as well.