Turnpike or US 27?

[Ringo8n24]

My friends and I take different ways to WDW coming from I-75. We all get on the Turnpike, but some get exit on US-27 and some keep going to get off on I-4. I prefer exiting at US-27 because that is the way my parents brought me in the 70's and it is like a tradition. But, everyone is telling me that I-4 is just so much faster especially since we are now traveling with a toddler. What is everyone else's preference who travel this direction?

 

[jcraycraft]

Well I fall into the category US-27 due to tradition. Need to run down 192 and see all the growth since the 70s. I am not sure if I-4 is faster or not…. My MS streets and trips software says to take US-27 as the fastest route, and so do the AAA trip tickets.

 

[Kadee]

My family and I have been both ways. We have been down 27 many, many times due to the fact that my husband's family lives in Sebring (south of Orlando on 27). We have timed both ways to WDW (because of a fight we had while traveling). The turnpike to I-4 is faster (not by much but with a toddler, a few minutes makes a HUGE difference) and MUCH less of a hassle. The traffic on 27 and 192 has gotten much worse over the years. Even if it were slower, I'd still go Turnpike to I-4 just for the ease of traffic.

 

[Ringo8n24]

My family and I have been both ways. We have been down 27 many, many times due to the fact that my husband's family lives in Sebring (south of Orlando on 27). We have timed both ways to WDW (because of a fight we had while traveling). The turnpike to I-4 is faster (not by much but with a toddler, a few minutes makes a HUGE difference) and MUCH less of a hassle. The traffic on 27 and 192 has gotten much worse over the years. Even if it were slower, I'd still go Turnpike to I-4 just for the ease of traffic.

I think I might try it one time all the way to I-4. I see we go your direction when we go so basically you travel about the same route as me, but I have a little further.

 

[Kadee]

I noticed that! LOL I just HATE that drive down I-10 to I-75. There is NOTHING there. It seems so much quicker once you get on I-75. I used to live in Biloxi on Keesler AFB and have driven to WDW from Biloxi. Still a long drive no matter what way you go. Oh...BTW...the construction in Pensacola is HORRIBLE, so be very careful! And have fun on your trip.

 

[Ringo8n24]

Oh...BTW...the construction in Pensacola is HORRIBLE, so be very careful!

You know now that you mentioned that the construction in Pensacola has been going on our past two trips to Disney. Have you heard when they are going to wrap that up? You are closer than us on that info. We can only pick up WKRG and they do not mention anything about it. It is a very scary construction area. I am always white-knuckling the steering wheel all through there.

 

[Kadee]

You know now that you mentioned that the construction in Pensacola has been going on our past two trips to Disney. Have you heard when they are going to wrap that up? You are closer than us on that info. We can only pick up WKRG and they do not mention anything about it. It is a very scary construction area. I am always white-knuckling the steering wheel all through there.

Originally, it was supposed to be done by the end of this year, but it looks like it is going to last another 2 years. My info is not exactly from someone who knows, tho. I heard it from a friend whose husband is an engineer from a nearby county. You know.... friend of a friend of a friend sort of thing. But I DO know that Florida (especially Pensacola area) is notorious for dragging out their road construction, so I wouldn't look for it to be done in the next 2 years. But that is just my opinion. I shop in P'cola a lot and have started driving the back way into it. Takes me 15-20 minutes longer, but less hassle. Do like we do....leave VERY early (4 am) so that no one is on the road through there. You would hit it about 5:30 am I think.

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

Tradition, tradition, tradition. If I were a rich man I would fly to WDW!!! However, since I a semi-poor retiree I have to drive. The US27 route is a must at least once to show the kids what Florida around Disney used to be, if only in their imagination. At one time around Clermont there were 6,000,000 orange tress, as well as grapefruit trees that you could see from the Citrus Tower for what seemed miles on end. What a sight to behold. Now those beautiful hills and valleys are being taken over by homes and condos after the devastating freeze some years ago. 192 was the same. There were no Publix, 7-11, gas stations or anything for the 7 miles from US 27 until you got close to WDW and then there were 4 or 5 hotels/motels, that for the time were out of this world for folks from Indiana. Soon it will be wall to wall development. Oh, the good old days I thought they'd never end my friends.

 

[Ringo8n24]

ILOVEDISNEY...you are so right. I love going that route, but it is depressing to see all of the businesses and hotels that are abandoned. The whole highway by Clermont is becoming retirement villages and golf courses. I remember in the 70's it was more like a nice quiet road for the tourist. I know the Citrus Tower says it is still open, but it sure looks like it is not. Besides, there are not many orange trees to see so what is the point.

 

[disneydisney]

We almost 100% of the time go down turkpike to I-4 thats because it nostalgic for us and also seeing Universal and then Seaworld and then come to Disney gets me siked for coming there. Thats one of my favorite things is going down I-4.

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

ILOVEDISNEY...you are so right. I love going that route, but it is depressing to see all of the businesses and hotels that are abandoned. The whole highway by Clermont is becoming retirement villages and golf courses. I remember in the 70's it was more like a nice quiet road for the tourist. I know the Citrus Tower says it is still open, but it sure looks like it is not. Besides, there are not many orange trees to see so what is the point.

The Citrus Tower is still open, but on Sundays you have to wait for the church service to be over at Noon. I think the sweet ladies still work there who I first met 30 years ago when they were my age now--almost 58. We always had to stop to buy orange gumballs for the kids in the plastic sacks. I still love the smell of the orange blossom perfume--real and manufactured.

I forgot to mention the prison nearby on 27 north of Clermont. What a punishment to be locked up only 30 miles from WDW and never see it. However, you can see the fireworks at night from Clermont.

 

[brkgnews]

Last time we went, we opted for I-75 to Hwy 27 to Hwy 192. (Go figure -- we spend tons of cash on a WDW vacation, but balk at a $1.25 toll!). Anyway -- traffic on 27 in Ocala was pretty horrific. Heavily congested, and quite temper-raising. On the way back home, we tried a slightly different route, and were quite pleased. We used State Highway 44 to cut between Hwy 27 and I-75. A fairly decent drive -- puts you on I-75 around exit 329, if memory serves me right. That's the route I'm planning on taking this September.

 

[DBF John]

A goood BACKway route is to take the Turnpike to S.R. 50 (Winter Garden) and go East bound about 3 miles to C.R. 535 (look for a Publix Shopping Plaza on the right) go South, This will bring you to the North Side of WDW property, look for traffic light at VISTA Road, proceed through intersection and take the next Right on to Buena Vista Drive, follow around to DTD.
Saves time and confussion of going to I-4, and you get to see Central Distribution.

 

[crazydaveh]

Take the Pike! It's only 45 minutes from the pike to the WDW property (going 80mph on the turnpike).

Sure, they just increased the fee as well, it's now $3 each way to the I 4 exit, but in my opinion, it's a lot faster!

I 4 can be congested, but if it is, you can always catch a glympse of Universal!!!

 

[MKCP 1985]

The turnpike takes you right to Disney's back door. If you take the 535 exit off the turnpike, you don't even have to get on I-4 at all, but you can instead come in through Lake Buena Vista.

DBF John mentioned getting off on 50, but I'm certain there is a 535 exit straight off the turnpike.

 

[Kadee]

The turnpike takes you right to Disney's back door. If you take the 535 exit off the turnpike, you don't even have to get on I-4 at all, but you can instead come in through Lake Buena Vista.

DBF John mentioned getting off on 50, but I'm certain there is a 535 exit straight off the turnpike.

THANKS!! I'll have to try that way next time! Anything to make the ride easier!

 

[Woody13]

The turnpike takes you right to Disney's back door. If you take the 535 exit off the turnpike, you don't even have to get on I-4 at all, but you can instead come in through Lake Buena Vista.

DBF John mentioned getting off on 50, but I'm certain there is a 535 exit straight off the turnpike.

Which of the following exits would qualify as the 535 exit?


259 Orlando (I-4)
254 Orlando South (U.S. 441, Bee Line Expressway/Toll 528)
249 Osceola Parkway/Dart Boulevard (Toll Road)
244 Kissimmee-St. Cloud (US 192 & US 441)
242 Kissimmee-St. Cloud (US 192 & US 441)(Northbound Exit Only)


http://www.dot.state.fl.us/turnpikepio/TripPlanner/interchanges_mileage.html

 

[MKCP 1985]

I'll have to get back to you on that, Woody (and before Kadee or Ringo head down). I wonder if that website is completely up to date? All I can tell you definitively right now is that on April 8, while driving south on the turnpike with intentions of proceeding to I-4, before I got that far, I saw a sign that offered an exit onto SR 535, which I remembered from past experience runs through the back of the Disney property and through Lake Buena Vista. I took that exit, rode along the back roads until I saw the opportunity to make a right turn onto Lake Buena Vista Drive, and drove through LBV straight on to the Magic Kingdom parking lot, all without ever getting onto I-4.

I'll research this, because I'm curious, too.

 

[Ringo8n24]

I'll have to get back to you on that, Woody (and before Kadee or Ringo head down). I wonder if that website is completely up to date? All I can tell you definitively right now is that on April 8, while driving south on the turnpike with intentions of proceeding to I-4, before I got that far, I saw a sign that offered an exit onto SR 535, which I remembered from past experience runs through the back of the Disney property and through Lake Buena Vista. I took that exit, rode along the back roads until I saw the opportunity to make a right turn onto Lake Buena Vista Drive, and drove through LBV straight on to the Magic Kingdom parking lot, all without ever getting onto I-4.

I'll research this, because I'm curious, too.

Is that the area of road construction right after you get on the Turnpike from I-75? I thought I remember that now about the SR535 when we were down in February and I could have sworn there was a Disney sign near it. It seemed to be a new road which could be why it is not listed on any maps. Has anyone else seen that?

 

[MKCP 1985]

Okay, I called the people at the Florida Turnpike, Orlando area office, and was told there is no new 535/Vineland Road Exit off the Turnpike. All I can conclude from that is there must be signs at either the Highway 50 exit at 272 or at the next exit which is at 467 (Highway 429). At either exit, you can run into 535, and I'll bet you a dozen doughnuts there are signs at one of those exits directing you to 535.

Maybe DBF John's way was what I did (exit 272), but I wouldn't have gotten off on Highway 50 (Colonial) without an exit sign mentioning 535.