Western beltway?

[DNSDisney]

Does anyone here take the western beltway to get to WDW and if so is it really quicker than taking the 192 exit off the turnpike?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Sharon, it depends where you're coming from. If you're coming from south Florida then the US192 exit (Kissimmee-St. Cloud) is a direct route west off the Turnpike to Disney World however most people would continue north on the Turnpike and take Osceola Parkway to the west.

If you're coming from the the west or northwest (i.e. from I-75) then the Western Beltway will save time versus using I-4 for most locations in Disney World. If your hotel is on I-Drive or in Lake Buena Vista along SR 535 or on Hotel Plaza Blvd., then I-4 would still be the way to go. Basically two cities make up Disney World. If your hotel is in Bay Lake (all 4 theme parks are in Bay Lake) then use the Western Beltway (TOLL 429). If you're going to Lake Buena Vista (above listed areas including Downtown Disney), then the old route via I-4 is probably still quicker. Again, this is only for those coming from the north or northwest via I-75 and the Turnpike.

BobK/Orlando

 

[DNSDisney]

Thank you Bob!
We are coming from I-75/turnpike area (headed south) so I think I will try this new route this time. We have always followed mapquest directions which seems like this way will cut off abt an hr off the drive for us, counting all those street lights we would normally have to go thur on 192 to back track to WDW. We are staying on property, so this really seems shorter. I wonder why this isn't advertised more or talked about more on here.

 

[fla4fun]

It's a fairly new road, and doesn't appear on a lot of maps yet (at least, not completely). It does cut off a lot of driving and aggravation for people coming down I-75/Florida Turnpike.

Western Way brings you into Disney right next door to Coronado Springs. If you are staying at All Star Resorts or AKL, turn right when the road dead ends at Buena Vista Drive. For everything else, turn left.

For reference, Buena Vista Drive is the road that runs from DTD, past CBR, past Victory Way (the road to Pop Century), past the entrance to MGM, past the Epcot resorts, over World Drive, past Coronado Springs, past Blizzard Beach, and ends by the All Star Resorts. If you are staying at a MK resort, you would follow the signs for MK which will put you on World Drive (the main Disney entrance road off of 192). For AKL, you will need to exit off of Buena Vista Drive onto the Osceola Parkway westbound (follow the signs to AK/AKL).

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thank you Bob!
We are coming from I-75/turnpike area (headed south) so I think I will try this new route this time. We have always followed mapquest directions which seems like this way will cut off abt an hr off the drive for us, counting all those street lights we would normally have to go thur on 192 to back track to WDW. We are staying on property, so this really seems shorter. I wonder why this isn't advertised more or talked about more on here.

Sharon, there have been quite a few posts about the Western Beltway (TOLL 429) on here; they pop up a few times every week.

As you come south on Florida's Turnpike look for EXIT# 267A signed as "Apopka/Tampa" and then follow the signs for TOLL 429 southbound "Tampa". The Disney World exit is then Exit#8 while south on the 429. There is one $1.00 mainline toll on the 429.

Considering the lack of traffic on the 429, there is a surprising amount of police speed enforcement on it so be careful. That goes double for the Disney exit/Western Way which has a quick drop in speeds but increased enforcement.

BobK/Orlando