Need some directional help

[dizneykev]

I was wondering what the best way to get to the WDW resort from southbound Interstate 75 is. We will be beginning our trek down south tomorrow and I was wondering what the quickest route would be. Any locals or frequent travelers who can help me out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


Dizneykev

 

[stmize]

I usual drive down from Chatt on 75 when you get to atl take the hover lane and you will miss the downtown traffic. We have found this to be faster than going around Atl. Then take the Fla turnpike and following the signs once you get to Orlando but once you get off the turnpike be sure to go away from Orlando or you'll be going the wrong way Have a great time!!!!

 

[hls1023]

Get off the turnpike at the exit for either SR192 or the Osceola Parkway exit and make sure to head west. Otherwise you'll end up in downtown Orlando which is quite a ways from WDW

 

[Momx3]

I was wondering what the best way to get to the WDW resort from southbound Interstate 75 is. We will be beginning our trek down south tomorrow and I was wondering what the quickest route would be. Any locals or frequent travelers who can help me out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


Dizneykev

Hello fellow Cincinnatian!!!! We'll be making the southward trek in 1 week!! I got my directions from Mapquest and they seem pretty clear cut.

 

[dizneykev]

Yeah, the directions for most of the route are pretty easy, stay on Interstate 75 FOREVER. I thought that once I got nearer to the WDW area there may be a quick route I was not aware of. I have heard the mention of the Western Way but did not know if this is what I should take into the resort. I am sort of dreading the trip. I do not enjoy long car rides and this one certainly qualifies. We leave a little before noon tomorrow. My major goals are to get through Knoxville before rush hour and make it to Valdosta before stopping. If all goes well, I think we are going to try to drive it straight through. We should arrive in Atlanta sometime between 7-9 pm. I think we could probably just take I-75 straight through at that time of night, don't you think?

All the help thus far is appreciated.

Dizneykev

 

[hls1023]

Yeah, the directions for most of the route are pretty easy, stay on Interstate 75 FOREVER. I thought that once I got nearer to the WDW area there may be a quick route I was not aware of. I have heard the mention of the Western Way but did not know if this is what I should take into the resort. I am sort of dreading the trip. I do not enjoy long car rides and this one certainly qualifies. We leave a little before noon tomorrow. My major goals are to get through Knoxville before rush hour and make it to Valdosta before stopping. If all goes well, I think we are going to try to drive it straight through. We should arrive in Atlanta sometime between 7-9 pm. I think we could probably just take I-75 straight through at that time of night, don't you think?

All the help thus far is appreciated.

Dizneykev

It has been our experience that taking the Osceola Parkway (a turnpike exit) is the fastest and easiest way to get to WDW. I think there is like a dollar toll or something, but worth it. It takes you right by this HUGE hotel (The Gaylord Palms). And if you are coming from the north, I believe it will be the first exit you will hit anyway. When you get to the end of the road it basically dumps you right out at the entrance to WDW.
You can also take 192 (also a turnpike exit) which takes you through Kissimmee but there are like 100 traffic lights on that road and it seems to take forever. Oh and by the way, I-75 automatically turns into the FL turnpike so there shouldn't be any worries there.
Have a good time on your trip! :wave:

 

[3fordisney]

We also head in from I75 and we take the turnpike and take the exit for 192 and 27. We come in that way and it is a lot of stop lights. Haven't found a quicker way from the turnpike. If there is one, I would love to know it. We went down in April and there was a lot of construction going on through this stretch, so it took longer than usual. The toll, if I remember right, was only $1.25.

 

[2excitedkids]

my hubby and i and 2 kids make the trek down from nc in feb of this year. we have 2 kids who can't behave in a car very long, they are 4 and 6. for christmas my mother in law bought us a dvd system for the van, needless to say it wasn't opened until our trip (wanted it to still be new to them). we could have done without that thing. an 11 hour drive was heaven!!! i was wondering whose kids we picked up along the way and where my 2 were. we can't even drive 2 hours without them fussing. we stopped in jacksonville and let them play at a chik filet for about an hour just to get out of the car. this was the first time that they complained thus why we stopped. even on the way home they were angels. i was so dreading the trip, but was a very proud mama! hopefully they will be good going down for their 2nd trip in sept.

don't dread it so much, you might actually have fun!

 

[toadh63]

Definitely take the Western Beltway - still unspoiled, and rarely anyone on the road. Just follow it 14 miles to exit 8 (Western Way/Hartzog Rd) and head right onto the property. You can take a look at the Western Way property before it turns into the Motel Kingdom, and it beats US 27 about nine ways to Sunday.

Stuff to know:
Tolls are $2.25 from the Turnpike to Disney.
Don't speed (65 or 70 all the way) - the troopers and sheriff keep a close eye on things. A brand-new, empty highway is more temptation than a lot of folks can handle.

Have a safe drive!

 

[Momx3]

my hubby and i and 2 kids make the trek down from nc in feb of this year. we have 2 kids who can't behave in a car very long, they are 4 and 6. for christmas my mother in law bought us a dvd system for the van, needless to say it wasn't opened until our trip (wanted it to still be new to them). we could have done without that thing. an 11 hour drive was heaven!!! i was wondering whose kids we picked up along the way and where my 2 were. we can't even drive 2 hours without them fussing. we stopped in jacksonville and let them play at a chik filet for about an hour just to get out of the car. this was the first time that they complained thus why we stopped. even on the way home they were angels. i was so dreading the trip, but was a very proud mama! hopefully they will be good going down for their 2nd trip in sept.

don't dread it so much, you might actually have fun!

We bought our SUV with a built in DVD player as we travel alot by vehicle. It was the best thing I ever did for vehicle travel!! I'd rather them look out at the scenery but reality is they won't so movies keep them entertained as we are driving 14 hours to get to Disney. They don't get to watch it on around the town travel but for long trips it is a God send!

 

[JustPlainBill]

I'm driving down in 8 more days from Chicago, I've decided to take I-75 to the Florida Turnpike, then take 429 to the Western Way to Buena Vista Dr. to Epcot Resorts Blvd, approaching WDW from the north and west instead of from the south or east. I haven't taken the Western Way before, I haven't even driven to WDW in 17 years, I'm expecting to see a lot of new things. My research and the advice given to me by others was that this is the best way to get to WDW coming from the north.

 

[JustPlainBill]

We bought our SUV with a built in DVD player as we travel alot by vehicle. It was the best thing I ever did for vehicle travel!! I'd rather them look out at the scenery but reality is they won't so movies keep them entertained as we are driving 14 hours to get to Disney. They don't get to watch it on around the town travel but for long trips it is a God send!

We did the same, when we bought our new mini-van last year we had a dvd installed. Like you we restrict our kids using it to only on long trips. It is unbelievable how quiet the back seat has become and my wife and I can talk to each other in the car again like we used to before the kids came along, no more yelling, screaming and fighting. headphones are a must!

 

[dizneykev]

Great advice. We have a van with a built in DVD player and new movies have been rented for the trip. (we have an unlimited plan so it works great). I also hooked up our Xbox to play in the car. I will be traveling with my 6 year old son and my 15 year old brother in law in the rear. I am sure they will be entertained, it is myself I am worried about. I just hope to make it without going stir crazy. If I could sit in the back, play games and watch movies the whole way I would be fine. We also have an extra portable DVD player so if 1 kid wants to play a game and the other watch a movie, it will be possible. Now, if only it were Saturday already and I was sipping my Conga outside the Mexico pavillion at EPCOT all would be perfect!

It will be a great 17 days I am sure. Can't wait for it to begin.

Dizneykev

 

[ImaYoyo]

The newly built western way is by far the quickest route from the north side of the Turnpike.