Traffic to WDW - how bad is it and from where?

[mbfavreau]

Hi DIS-ers!

I've seen numerous comments/complaints (but very few suggestions) about traffic to/from the WDW parks.

I'm currently booked to stay at the Courtyard Marriott Village (exit 68 on I-4) but have an option to stay at a Hilton near SeaWorld for much cheaper (friend's timeshare). Google maps says that the time to each park is only +2 minutes going further up I-4 (bt exits 71-72).

What is the reality of having a rental car and driving to WDW parks in late August?

1. Busier in AM or PM? (We'd want to be there for rope drop in the AM)
2. How about mid-day when we might go back to hotel for a swim?
3. How much time should we allow?
4. Is coming from Kissimmee area (SW of Disney property) better?

I know there are a lot of vets out there who have great thoughts. Thanks for weighing in!

 

[DOOM1001]

I would have no problem with staying at either the Marriott village or Hilton Sea World location.From Disney it'll be a bit closer to the Marriott location but it's really not too bad to the Hilton location.You have I-4 to get you from either location to any Disney park and although I don't think you'll get really bad traffic in this area of I-4,especially in late August when schools start coming back in session you could also look into some alternate ground streets to get you around if you want to avoid I-4.For example from the Hilton by Sea World you could take Central Florida pkwy which is the street in front of Sea World and take it to Turkey lake rd and turn left which will become Palm Pkwy and take you to 535 where you can turn left to get to the Hotel plaza blvd Disney entrance which is where DTD is at.As far as going back to the hotel you can do it but it will probably be 30-60 minutes from the time you leave the park to get to the hotel,remember in some parks like MK you have to get the monorail or boat back to the TTC to get your car and MK is also the park furthest to the north and a couple extra minutes drive time.The same for AK which is furthest to the west.As far as hotels by Kissimmee southwest of Disney you would have to get more specific as to their location as I've stayed at one hotel that's literally right by AK and Sherberth rd gets you in Disney property by AK right from that area really easy,however I've also stayed at another hotel on 192 almost by US 27 which was just way too far to come and go from the parks,like 30-45 minutes each way.On 192 in Kissimmee there are also fewer quality hotels to choose from.