WARNING to anybody driving to WDW!!!

[LilyWDW]

I had a conversation with a bus driver back in June, she was showing us all the places that the sheriff cars hide looking for speeders. Since WDW is in an unincorporated portion of the county (Reedy Creek Development District) they fall under the Sheriff Departments jurisdiction.

The driver told me that the buses can get tickets, but they don't get pulled over, I'm not sure how that works though...

Most likely the officers will take the bus number down and then contact the transportation office. I would bet they have an agreement to that.

As for getting pulled over... don't speed. I mean, I speed... usually 5-10 over the limit. However, if I get pulled over, it's my own fault.

 

[boettj]

My questions is how can you tell one of these people from the rest of us? They don't walk around with a "P" branded in their chest or anything.

I know this tread is about driving, but I feel the need to put my 2 cents in about pedophiles. As a parent of three, I am all for branding them with the P. Honestly, I don't think they should be integrated back into society. It seems like you turn around all the time to hear about repeat offenders. When are we going to start protecting our innocent children from these freaks?


Sorry, I feel a little better getting that out.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thanks for the warning. A new thing here in New York since Sept. 1 is photo enforced red lights. If you go through or just as it turns red, the camera takes your picture, they mail you the picture and you get fined. Hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm being extra careful.

We had a similar law in MN recently struck down as unconstitutional because no law enforcement officer observed the driver and the ticket went to the registered owner of the vehicle regardless of who was driving. Because they couldn't identify the driver, it was unenforceable. So those laws might be challenged if it's similar. Of course, maybe your cameras are really good!

To the OP - thanks for posting - it's always a good reminder to watch speed where people are likely unfamiliar with the exits etc anyway. I know I am always eager to get there and would likely go faster. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[boettj]

The Sentinel has occasionally published stories about WDW hiring extra off duty OCSD deputies for traffic enforcement. So many of the cars you see on property are there at Disney's request and expense. I have no problem with the company doing this to tackle a problem that clearly endangers people.

I just shake my head and laugh secretly at the people who tailgate me there while I putt along at the speed limit. Sorry if I make any CMs late for work. I have had 2 warnings already in Tampa so I don't think I'll get away with another one in Orlando!

I picked these quotes because I think they really tell the story. Look, you are on vacation. What is the rush? Take it slow, relax, smell the roses. We typically rent a car even when staying on property. The reason is that we do not feel comfortable on the buses with our kids. They fly everywhere from our experience. When I drive, I know that my DD3 is in her seat safe and sound. I also know that I am in control of how I drive. As I've stated, I'll go 8-10. However, this thread has made me think about the speed I go. Not just at Disney, but every time I hit the road.

Here are three ways to think about it:

1. With a speed limit of 55mph, going 15mph over will take you 70miles in one hour. So 15 miles more. If that drive is only 35 miles, you will do it in a half hour. Whereas if you went 55mph, the same 35 miles only adds 3 minutes to your drive.
2. Consider getting pulled over going 70mph in a 55mph zone. The amount of time you would have saved in an hour going 70mph is lost. While the cop writes your ticket. Time savings lost, and a nice costly ticket to boot.
3. The last one I take from driving a fire truck. When I go to a fire with lights and sirens my goal is to get the crew to the scene safely. The faster I go, the less likely I am to get that crew to the fire safely. The drives are not typically long. By going 10mph faster, I do not save much time. Yet I put my crew at risk. For no reason. We cannot help the people at that house if we don't make it there. Treat your family the same way.

Ladygrace, oh tailgaters. When I am on the highway going my 5-10 over the speed limit, I love when people feel the need to come flying up on me. Nothing like them trying to get you to move over when in traffic. If I can pull over I will. Unless they are tailgating me when I have not where to go. Then, well let's just say I take my time to pull into the slower lane.



Another of my 2 cents.

 

[lh193]

Oh lordy, I am glad so many of you are perfect law-abiding citizens, but the point of this post seems to be the UNEXPECTED speed decrease in certain areas that lead to UNINTENTIONAL speeding. Look, many families driving to WDW aren't experts in getting there and don't really know where they're going. The passengers are busy studying maps and the driver is busy (a) trying to watch signs (b) watching traffic in front and behind (c) trying to make sure he's in the correct lane so he doesn't end up somewhere else. If the speed limit is changing that many times for no reason, it does seem like a revenue generating move instead of a safety issue.

It's been said that driving is one of the most complicated tasks that people do every day, but we take it for granted and many people sleepwalk through it, when there are so many complex variables you need to watch out for to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

Thanks for the tip about watching speeds.

 

[livie1205]

Geeze, you make it sound so simple!!!

I am 33 yrs old and been driving since I was 16....I have NEVER been pulled over for speeding and have never got a ticket for anything.I am not saying I have never gone a little over but I am very aware of speed when I am driving, I know many people that have been in very bad accidents....I am also driving my kids around and I just want to get to where I am going safe and sound.I am THAT minivan that gets passed because they are going the speed limit lol but I am ok with that.

 

[lugnut33]

Remember, they can't give you a ticket if they cant catch you!! Vrooom Vrooom!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Another place to add a warning to:

If you use Exit 62 off I-4 (it's the 417 N/Celebration/Disney World exit) be VERY careful--as soon as you exit, the speed limit is 35...then 40...then 45...then 50. !

You are not obliged to increase speed immediately each time a sign showing a higher limit appears.

 

[figureskater]

I have seen several people get pulled over on Disney property for speeding. Do watch your speed! We always pull over into the slow lane and drive the speed and watch all the other cars fly by. It feels ridiculously slow after driving up I4. But it is in a wildlife area and I have seen deer many times on that road.

 

[boettj]

Remember, they can't give you a ticket if they cant catch you!! Vrooom Vrooom!!

HAHAHAHA

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a conversation with a bus driver back in June, she was showing us all the places that the sheriff cars hide looking for speeders. Since WDW is in an unincorporated portion of the county (Reedy Creek Development District) they fall under the Sheriff Departments jurisdiction.

The driver told me that the buses can get tickets, but they don't get pulled over, I'm not sure how that works though...

Yes, the buses do get pulled over. I've seen it. Not often, but it happens. I'm sure the Sheriffs take into consideration how loaded down the bus is and, in some cases issue the ticket after the fact, but I have seen buses pulled over.

 

[Feralpeg]

Oh lordy, I am glad so many of you are perfect law-abiding citizens, but the point of this post seems to be the UNEXPECTED speed decrease in certain areas that lead to UNINTENTIONAL speeding. Look, many families driving to WDW aren't experts in getting there and don't really know where they're going. The passengers are busy studying maps and the driver is busy (a) trying to watch signs (b) watching traffic in front and behind (c) trying to make sure he's in the correct lane so he doesn't end up somewhere else. If the speed limit is changing that many times for no reason, it does seem like a revenue generating move instead of a safety issue.

It's been said that driving is one of the most complicated tasks that people do every day, but we take it for granted and many people sleepwalk through it, when there are so many complex variables you need to watch out for to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

Thanks for the tip about watching speeds.

I drive WDW property on a daily basis. Other than the area mentioned by the OP, I really can't think of an area where the speed drops drastically so fast. I think the problem with that particular area is that you are coming off a major highway where you have a high speed limit. There isn't a lot of space from that highway to where you get off on WDW property. The speed limit must drop quickly. The fact that the sheriff uses that area to catch folks may not be really fair since most are not familiar with it. Other than that, most roads on WDW property have well posted speed limits.

By the way, I'm one of those perfect law-abiding people. I'm 57 years old. I've been driving since I was 16. I've never had a ticket.

 

[Galls]

I have probably gone to WDW on vacation 25 times in my life, and I do not ever remember seeing a cop on the property before my last trip in august after about a 4 year break in between trips.

Are those roads not private roads owned by Disney? If so how did the cops get on the property? Seeing them parked in the parking lots was almost a shock as I remember Disney use to never let them on the property.

 

[Feralpeg]

I have probably gone to WDW on vacation 25 times in my life, and I do not ever remember seeing a cop on the property before my last trip in august after about a 4 year break in between trips.

Are those roads not private roads owned by Disney? If so how did the cops get on the property? Seeing them parked in the parking lots was almost a shock as I remember Disney use to never let them on the property.

Disney has requested the presence of the Orange County Sheriff on WDW property. You will see many sheriff cars at DTD and on the roads.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The worst ever was on that straight away heading towards the Contemporary (this is after you've come through the Magic Kingdom gates mind you). Right where the road curves, the speed is 30 and there were two Sheriffs there pulling people over. Guests traveling on the monorail could see it. It was so close to the Contemporary it was silly. Just wanted to warn you guys. Keep your eyes on your speed because the Orange County Sheriffs were out in FULL force!

Pretty sure that the highest speed limit anywhere ON WDW PROPERTY is 50 mph.

In the curve you're talking about near the Contemporary, the speed limit drops from 35 to 30 for a brief period, then back up to 35. The reason for the drop is that in the middle of the curve, there's a driveway that has a lot of bus traffic, and visibility isn't great there.

One other thing I've discovered is that before the speed limit drops, there's a "Reduced Speed Ahead" sign. I've found that if I let off the gas when I hit that sign, and just coast, by the time I'm at the new speed limit sign, my vehicle is now traveling the correct speed, with no need to brake.

(As an aside, most of the roads are not actually owned by Disney. Many of them fall under the jurisdiction of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is the district that WDW property falls into. (The District is a governmental authority of a level slightly below County, but slightly above City).

RCID (and the main (only?) landowner in the district, WDW) contract with the Orange County Sheriff Dept. to provide primary law enforcement coverage within the boundaries of the district, including speed enforcement

The roads themselves, unless posted, are not actually private property (there are a few places where you'll see a sign stating "Service or Authorized Vehicles Only", and that's where the roads are private property).)

 

[LadyGracey]

You are not obliged to increase speed immediately each time a sign showing a higher limit appears.

Well yes, of course.
But that speed trap becomes hairier in reverse...when you come speeding off property. and when the speed limit on the beginning of the entrance ramp to I-4 is 35.
It is just so easy to speed there-that road is nearly deserted and people aren't always thinking or watching signs-and obviously the Osceola county sheriff has that figured out down there.
2 warnings has made me much more careful!

Jason-yeah, I-4 is becoming like the Indy 500. I do my 5 over and people pass me like I'm not moving. Really...it amazes me. It's not worth a ticket, or the possibility of death, to get there 10 minutes sooner! I look at it as 10 extra minutes of listening to theme park tunes on my iPod on the car stereo.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board.

 

[larryz]

Still awaiting an answer to this one. Is there a thread?

There have been problems lately with inappropriate behavior (and not just on the Disboards... ).

 

[mickaholic4077]

Pretty sure that the highest speed limit anywhere ON WDW PROPERTY is 50 mph.

In the curve you're talking about near the Contemporary, the speed limit drops from 35 to 30 for a brief period, then back up to 35. The reason for the drop is that in the middle of the curve, there's a driveway that has a lot of bus traffic, and visibility isn't great there.

One other thing I've discovered is that before the speed limit drops, there's a "Reduced Speed Ahead" sign. I've found that if I let off the gas when I hit that sign, and just coast, by the time I'm at the new speed limit sign, my vehicle is now traveling the correct speed, with no need to brake.

(As an aside, most of the roads are not actually owned by Disney. Many of them fall under the jurisdiction of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is the district that WDW property falls into. (The District is a governmental authority of a level slightly below County, but slightly above City).

RCID (and the main (only?) landowner in the district, WDW) contract with the Orange County Sheriff Dept. to provide primary law enforcement coverage within the boundaries of the district, including speed enforcement

The roads themselves, unless posted, are not actually private property (there are a few places where you'll see a sign stating "Service or Authorized Vehicles Only", and that's where the roads are private property).)

Reedy Creek is essentially a Disney entity,so the roads are,for all intents and purposes,Disney-owned.

 

[DC7800]

The roads themselves, unless posted, are not actually private property (there are a few places where you'll see a sign stating "Service or Authorized Vehicles Only", and that's where the roads are private property)

Isn't Western Way actually a private (versus public) road, even though guests are certainly permitted to drive - and be ticketed - upon it. At least that's what I was told from a previous (related) discussion, though I could certainly could be misinformed.