WDW Driving Tips

[ascardino]

We are headed back in less than 2 months Can't wait!

This is the first trip for us renting a car. Are there any tips you can share for driving from MCO to WDW (to SSR) and/or just driving around the "world" in general. I remember reading that some streets are unmarked and make for some shortcuts.

Anyone wished they hadn't rented a car after they did??

 

[OKW Lover]

Nothing special you need to know. All roads are well marked. As long as you read the signs you'll be fine.

From MCO to WDW, we prefer to take the south exit (AKA Greenway or Rte 417) from the airport. You go though two $1 tolls and get off at exit 6. Follow that road to WDW property. After passing under the Disney welcome arch take your 3rd right. Go straight at the lights. The SSR entrance will be about 3/4 mile on your right.

 

[mecllap]

I liked going south on 527 and then west on 192 (Kissimmee) to get into the park; I don't like I-4. Or you can go in on Osceola Pkwy -- Take plenty of quarters for the toll booths. Last May, we noticed that gas on property seemed to be competitive for price, not extra high (altho I filled up at super walmart, which is just north of 192 on Vineland, Hwy 535). The property is very well signed for the most part. You might be able to get an Orlando map from your AAA office, if you're a member. I like having a car, in case I need to run to the store for something, or do other things, but you may find that staying on property, you won't need to use it much (we still prefer our car even on property, but we're in the minority on that one).

 

[bengalfreak]

I like having a car, in case I need to run to the store for something, or do other things, but you may find that staying on property, you won't need to use it much (we still prefer our car even on property, but we're in the minority on that one).

We won't be without a car either. I absolutely despise waiting on busses. And strollers on busses drive me completely nuts. Rather than rain on anyone's vacation magic by being grumpy, we either drive or rent a car.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We like th rental car mostly for travel to & from the airport & for running errands. I usually make sure we have a WDW map which gives the general positioning of all the locations so I can guesstimate North/South/East or West when driving. These can be found and printed from some web-sites or from a travel book. I also Mapquest & print many possible routes before I leave and use the addresses from tripadvisor. Traveling from one hotel to another can be confusing so a reference is always a good thing.

Have fun.

 

[ascardino]

Thanks for all the great info. I am all but certain that we are going to go through with our rental ressie. I have to think about packing a booster and infant car seats which can be a pain. But, I may have to meet my grandfather who will be 92 in Nov and is thinking about driving up from the West Palm area to meet us. He is a little hesitant with not knowing the Disney property all that well so I offered to meet him "somewhere" to guide him

Anyone have suggestions on a good central location to meet him. He will be coming north up the FL turnpike?

Thanks again.

 

[we3disneygo]

we have always rented a car, just watch out for the other driver's who don't know where there going and cut you off???

 

[DizneyNutz]

Take the turnpike north to HWY 417 (probably south but maybe called west) either (417 south/west) way will put him heading towards Disney. Take the HWY 536 exit and stay on it until he comes to Buena Vista Blvd crossroad. Turn right on Buena Vista and get in the left lane. Pass by Downtown Disney (on his left). After passing Downtown Disney continue to veer left at stoplight and continue on Buena Vista and it will carry him right by the SSR complex. You can decide where to meet him there. Hope this helps

 

[makinorlando]

Take the turnpike north to HWY 417 (probably south but maybe called west) either (417 south/west) way will put him heading towards Disney. Take the HWY 536 exit and stay on it until he comes to Buena Vista Blvd crossroad. Turn right on Buena Vista and get in the left lane. Pass by Downtown Disney (on his left). After passing Downtown Disney continue to veer left at stoplight and continue on Buena Vista and it will carry him right by the SSR complex. You can decide where to meet him there. Hope this helps

417 runs North and South - the 528 (Beach Line) runs East and West.

Nothing special you need to know. All roads are well marked. As long as you read the signs you'll be fine.

From MCO to WDW, we prefer to take the south exit (AKA Greenway or Rte 417) from the airport. You go though two $1 tolls and get off at exit 6. Follow that road to WDW property. After passing under the Disney welcome arch take your 3rd right. Go straight at the lights. The SSR entrance will be about 3/4 mile on your right.

I totally agree - to me 417 from the airport is the most direct and traffic free way to go.... so worth the tolls!

 

[iluveeyore]

If you're staying on Disney property, you might want to consider using the free Magical Express from the airport to avoid direction headaches and tolls, and then rent your car while at your resort. Alamo picks you up at your resort and takes you to the car care centre, then returns you to your resort when you bring the car back. There might be other companies nearby that do the same. Then you take the ME back to the airport - free! Just a thought - that's what we did, and it was so stress-free and easy! If you have an AP, you get a discount as well.

 

[bengalfreak]

If you're staying on Disney property, you might want to consider using the free Magical Express from the airport to avoid direction headaches and tolls, and then rent your car while at your resort. Alamo picks you up at your resort and takes you to the car care centre, then returns you to your resort when you bring the car back. There might be other companies nearby that do the same. Then you take the ME back to the airport - free! Just a thought - that's what we did, and it was so stress-free and easy! If you have an AP, you get a discount as well.

Very stress free. Just be sure to note that the Rental Car companies charge a premium at the resorts.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Very stress free. Just be sure to note that the Rental Car companies charge a premium at the resorts.

I agree Disney car care can be pricey.

For our last trip we took a resort bus to Epcot and then took the Swan/Dolphin bus from Epcot over to the Dolphin where we picked up our rental car. It wasn't exactly convenient but the trouble saved us about $200 for 7 days. I discovered that Alamo doesn't seem to charge a premium for returning the cars to the airport even if you pick it up at another location like, the Dolphin.

A quick FYI, sign up for the e-mailed specials and check mousesavers and the official sites daily. Some specials come & go in the blink of an eye.

Good luck

 

[mdfdisney]

I'll give a quick warning to anyone driving a rental car to POP Century. Since this is one of the newest resorts, very few signs say "POP". I forgot to bring a map of the resort (good tip luvOrlando), but I remembered it was near Wide World of Sports. So look for signs directing you to WWS if you want to get to POP.

Also, I-4 looks more like a North - South freeway near Orlando, but it is labeled East - West. Resist the urge to drive towards Orlando and take the West direction towards Tampa to get to WDW.

You feel like you are driving in circles sometimes, but you will get where you want to go if you just follow the signs.

 

[chamonix]

definitely take the Greenway/417. Very little traffic! Well worth the tolls.

Whenever you leave your resort to go somewhere on property have a bell/valet/concierge/desk person give you directions. There are maps of Disney roads available as well. It's not hard to get around at all, just go slow enough to read the signs.

...and NO, we have never regretted renting a car. We wouldn't go without.

 

[ascardino]

Thanks everyone for the info. We are sticking with the car rental this trip. It will definitely make up our mind for the next trip. I'll make sure to get maps.

Also, we rented a car from the Dolphin for a day trip to visit my grandfather. It wasn't too expensive and was pretty convenient.

In this case we got a great deal from Dollar for about $200 for the week for a minivan.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Disney has great signs on their property. You cannot get lost. If I can do it, anyone can!

 

[Karnak]

It might be OK to drive from your resort to the parks, EXCEPT for the Magic Kingdom. I think you will find it much easier to take the bus to that particular park.

Enjoy.