The BeeLine(528) to I-4 or the 417 to Osceola?

[TurnR@TheMouseHouse]

I'll will be heading over to the World on a Friday early afternoon from Cocoa, FL.

I have taken 528 to 417 (south and then east) in the past. I was looking at the map and thought maybe taking 528 all the way to I-4 and exiting at 535 and going in through the intersection at the Crossroads Shopping Center past Downtown Disney to Bonnet Creek might be a better way to go. (Staying at PO)

Any comments?

 

[roadtripper]

I'm certainly no expert, but after crawling through traffic on I-4 through Orlando a few times, I vowed never again. A Friday afternoon would seem a bit likely to be crowded. We take the Beeline to 417 (the Greenway). The tolls are worth the open roads, IMHO.

 

[zurgswife]

WE always take 417 never had any problems

 

[EdDome]

I've done both routes. Actually I prefer 528 to I-4 but I would be cautious of traffic building in the afternoon. The toll difference is nominal.

 

[DebbieB]

We went shopping at the Premium Outlets on a Thursday night a couple of weeks ago, probably around 6:00pm. I-4 runs next to it, traffic was a huge mess.

 

[localdriver]

I'll will be heading over to the World on a Friday early afternoon from Cocoa, FL.

I have taken 528 to 417 (south and then east) in the past. I was looking at the map and thought maybe taking 528 all the way to I-4 and exiting at 535 and going in through the intersection at the Crossroads Shopping Center past Downtown Disney to Bonnet Creek might be a better way to go. (Staying at PO)

Any comments?

Yes. 528 to I4 is not a good idea. (looks great on the map though)..LOL

Take 417 and avoid I4. Take exit 6.

Follow 536 thru the Disney World Arch and take the first exit after it to the right. Go straight thru the Light onto Bonnett Creek Parkway. Follow to the PO resort of your choice. FrQtr is 1st, followed by Riverside.

Enjoy!

 

[TurnR@TheMouseHouse]

Thank you. I think Ill take 417 to Bonnet Creek! Like you said 528 looks good on the map. But it can be a nightmare. You never know.

If I took the 528 all the way to I-4 and had not traffic problems. That would a Magical Day!

 

[seashoreCM]

Going back to the airport (except possibly early in the morning I have not tried yet) I have not had any problems using I-4 east to the Bee line 528 east.

Bonus: Get off Bee Line east at Exit 9 Tradeport. Left at bottom, cross under, get into middle lane.

(Or left lane for reasonably cheap gas station right there. Exiting gas station, do not cross back under but get back into middle lane)

Required right onto McCoy, just over a mile to airport entrance. Total toll 75 cents from Disney.

No exact change worries, no out of your way to top off rental car gas tank. no poring over maps to find gas stations.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Hint: Fill up rental car the night before on-site at Disney. The Hess gas stations are among the cheapest around.

Hint: Airport to Disney, if you take the north airport exit to the first light and turn left (Frontage Rd), you can get on the Bee Line west about a mile later and skip the first toll.

 

[cruiseonmagic]

The traffic will not be bad in early afternoon, and the when it does start building it is usually past the exit that you were going to take. There is construction west of the Lake Buena Vista exit(the exit by Crossroads), so taking Hotel Plaza blvd by crossroads is a pretty decent shortcut.

There is construction (they are building an overpass) on 417 which will slow traffic at times. I go 417 if it is rush hour (4p or later) but I4 most of the time(there's more to see ). It takes me 1 hr and 5 min from Cocoa Beach to MK for either route--I typically have lunch in the crossroads area, on my way to work, 3 or 4 days/wk.

How bad does Orlando traffic get? It used to take me 1.5 hrs to drive 9 miles when living in Chicago. Orlando has traffic "slow downs" but it keeps moving. I don't consider traffic to be "terrible" unless I can read the entire sports section without going anywhere

 

[ncbyrne]

We have taken all sorts of roadways in the past. Even took a DIS Budget board recommended route that avoids all tolls (indeed, toll free, but took us extra time!) For our next trip, DH will be driving and he wants the route with the least traffic and least traffic lights and the most direct to Coronado Springs.