Timing

[bocaj1431]

I posted a thread with no responses but I really could use some help with my question. So I am hoping if I word it differently I might have some success. If the park closes at 9 PM and we leave at 8:30 PM, about how long does it take to be in our car and out of universal and on the main roads (roughly). Trying to estimate for a late dinner reservation in DW.
TIA

 

[skylock]

There are so many factors in what you are asking, there is really no way for anyone to answer your question.

I would allow at least an hour probably an hour and a half to be on the safer side to get to DW.

There are people leaving the parks in droves the closer to closing it gets.

A lot can depend on where you parked in the garage. How many cars are trying to get out of the garage. How long it takes you to get to your car.

How heavy the traffic is when you get out of the garage. Is there any road works? Are you able to get in the correct lane to make your exit first try.

If I just had to eat at DW the night I did Universal, I would probably leave earilier and swing by my hotel for a little while to freshen up.

Good luck.

 

[bocaj1431]

There are so many factors in what you are asking, there is really no way for anyone to answer your question.

I would allow at least an hour probably an hour and a half to be on the safer side to get to DW.

There are people leaving the parks in droves the closer to closing it gets.

A lot can depend on where you parked in the garage. How many cars are trying to get out of the garage. How long it takes you to get to your car.

How heavy the traffic is when you get out of the garage. Is there any road works? Are you able to get in the correct lane to make your exit first try.

If I just had to eat at DW the night I did Universal, I would probably leave earilier and swing by my hotel for a little while to freshen up.

Good luck.

I have never been to Universal so I was hoping for just an estimate of time. Thank you for your help. I will definitely leave earlier.

 

[Breezy2]

You don't mention how late your dinner reservation is at DW but only that you want to leave at 8:30. IMHO I would cancel the DW reservation and eat at Universal. There are many fine restaurants at the hotels and City Walk. No one can predict the traffic flow at that hour. Getting out of the garage can be a nightmare, I-4 at a crawl and then you are trying to get back into Disney when it can be experiencing peak time traffic issues. Then again it could be flowing just fine but you have a double whammy trying to get back to your destination at DW. Depending on where your reservation is at DW, if you have to go into a park and rely on their transportation add another hour. In order to make it back earlier you have to cut your day way short at Universal. Rush hour traffic in Orlando is awful. Relax and enjoy Universal and do the late DW dining on a day you are there. Less stress, more happy faces!

 

[Lynne G]

I would give yourself at least 1/2 hour. From leaving the park, to get to your car, and on the highway, I'd say about 45 minutes total. Much of it also depends on what time of year, and what is going on. During HHN, Mardi Gras, summer, and holiday crowds, those getting in and out of those garages can be more ticks off your time than you think. So, YTMV.

One year, we were coming from Sea World area to eat dinner on Christmas Eve in CityWalk. There was a huge sea of people in CityWalk, as the parks were closing in 15 minutes before we had arrived. Speed was not our friend.

One time, we were going to Disney, but stopped at CityWalk one morning to meet up with friends in CityWalk. There was a mass of people still coming into the park around 10 that morning.

Even at an 8:30 leave on a 9pm closing, there are more people in CityWalk that want to enjoy the places in there. Many seek food and/or shopping as it gets closer to park closing time.

Guess that is why no one can absolutely say. And in the second week of January, one evening, we went from Downtown Disney to CityWalk, and it took us almost an hour, as I4 can be slow any time of the day or night. Construction and cars that don't know lanes and where they want to get off.

Good luck, and hope the meal you want to go to is a great one.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If you are at the exit of IoA or US, it generally doesn't take very long to get to your car - maybe 15min tops. US uses a parking garage, not the huge open lots that MK has. So even the worst spot is still pretty short walk once you are t the garage. As others have said though, getting out of the parking garage and off US property can be a bit backed up at times. While there is a kind of mass exodus at park close, and plenty of folks leaving before that, leaving the garage - unless it is a holiday or some big event - probably won't be all that bad at 8:30pm.

Even when City Walk is pretty crowded, it is unlikely to be so crowded that you can't walk down it, (except New Year's Eve, when they hold a big event) if you don't stop in any of the shops. Plus, the walkway has moving walkways.

As others have said, I-4 is your major unknown, as it can be backed up. If it is running pretty well, then it should take under 30min to drive from the edge of US property to Disney Springs (close edge of WDW). If bad, it could take quite a bit longer, but it is usually under an hour.

But, that is the close edge of WDW. It takes another 15 min or more to drive across WDW property, more to park, more to get to an eatery in the park. If you are dining at your hotel, you won't have to deal with all that, but parking+ walking to the back of Epcot could take 45+ minutes.

US park EXIT to Disney Springs- allow about 100minutes. (might as short as 70.)
US park exit to hotel dining- allow 100-120minutes. (100 If hotel is near DS, 120 if MK area.)
US park exit to in park dining - allow at least 2 hours., longer if you are going to the WS or back part of the park (like BOG).

As others have said though, I'd only do this if there was a compelling reason to make the drive. US has some super places to eat. In general, I think the food is less expensive and better quality (for price paid). Plus, you generally don't have to make ADR's more than a few days in advance.