Using a GPS to navigate to and around WDW

[Mikester71]

I just bought the TomTom Go 920T GPS this past weekend and can't wait to use it on our next trip down to WDW next March. I just wanted to hear from people who have used a GPS system to help navigate around WDW property to see how accurate they are. I know the 920T comes with this map sharing feature which allows you to download custom maps submitted by other TomTom users online. Are there any TomTom users who have tried this and if so, how did you find this feature (accurate, some what accurate, not at all)?

 

[Laura]

The GPS does fine, but honestly it's just easier to leave it off and follow the signs if you ask me.

 

[Sloan]

no problems

My Garmin Nuvi is exceptionally accurate all around the property, and the map information is excellent. The only 'issue' I ever had was in needing to know that some of the property / resorts have addresses in various 'towns' like "bay lake", "Lake Buena Vista" etc., for when you want to enter a destination by address.

 

[scpergj]

I use the GPS that I use for Geocaching for on the road, too. I does'nt have fancy software that tells me where to go turn by turn, but I do have mapping software for it, as well as a windshield mount. The thing I like the best is having the breadcrumb type trail to follow. Even with all of the signs, and the fact that we visit at least 6 times a year, I still get turned around at times.

Have fun with the new toy! Let us know if the WDW roads are correct.

Kevin

 

[KeithVH]

I hereby nominate this thread as the all-time WDW fanatic winner due to the impossibly high geek quotient.

payment:

 

[Mikester71]

I hereby nominate this thread as the all-time WDW fanatic winner due to the impossibly high geek quotient.

payment:

Thank you...thank you very much! I tried, but the wife wouldn't let me have one. :ROFLOL:

 

[lac628]

We always get lost everytime we stay at Pop! I dont know why we can't remember, we've stayed there so many times! We have a GPS, but still get lost.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

My Garmin Nuvi is exceptionally accurate all around the property, and the map information is excellent. The only 'issue' I ever had was in needing to know that some of the property / resorts have addresses in various 'towns' like "bay lake", "Lake Buena Vista" etc., for when you want to enter a destination by address.

Im too tight to pay for US mapping for mine, but I think I can find my way from the airport to Disney and Universal. Having said that it would have stopped me touring Tamps to find Busch.

 

[Rob562]

I have a TomTom ONE, and have gone in and heavily edited my maps (and submitted the edits through MapShare). There are a number of places where roads needed to be un-blocked. I unblocked at least some of the driveways to resorts so that it would navigate you through the turns into the driveways.

Also, the POIs along Buena Vista Drive were often messed up because it didn't know the difference between West vs East BVD so there were a TON of things placed on the map near Blizzard Beach and CSR. I moved them.

I also re-named the on-property gas stations, moved a few hotel icons from where they physically are to be closer to where you'd turn off the road to be helpful to navigation, added PI and WWoS as POIs.

-Rob

 

[mousermerf]

I have a TomTom ONE, and have gone in and heavily edited my maps (and submitted the edits through MapShare). There are a number of places where roads needed to be un-blocked. I unblocked at least some of the driveways to resorts so that it would navigate you through the turns into the driveways.

Also, the POIs along Buena Vista Drive were often messed up because it didn't know the difference between West vs East BVD so there were a TON of things placed on the map near Blizzard Beach and CSR. I moved them.

I also re-named the on-property gas stations, moved a few hotel icons from where they physically are to be closer to where you'd turn off the road to be helpful to navigation, added PI and WWoS as POIs.

-Rob

My experiences with Tomtom have been less then positive. Finally to prove the point, on a recent road trip my other half took my Naivgon and a friend took a Tomtom. The Tomtom could not successfully get from Columbus OH to New York City.

Well, it did, but it went the long way and spent plenty of time stuck in traffic.

I (heart) my Navigon. I'm in the process of downloading the latest map updates and zagat restaurant reviews as we speak.

 

[dvcnut39]

We have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and used it last year for 18 days. We live in Pittsburgh and travelled all over Florida. No problems at all. Makes the trip much more relaxing. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[mousermerf]

Query:

Of the GPS's that people have, which ones have traffic information/routing and spoken street names? (Not "Turn left in 500 ft" but rather "Turn left onto Epcot Center Drive in 500ft")

 

[joel_maxwell]

i would like a GPS type system that plots your path for whatever time frame you set. that way, you can see how many round-about ways you go to get someplace after you change your mind a few times during the day.... and to see how many times you walk over you already chartered territory.

now that would be fun.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Query:

Of the GPS's that people have, which ones have traffic information/routing and spoken street names? (Not "Turn left in 500 ft" but rather "Turn left onto Epcot Center Drive in 500ft")

Garmin Nuvi.

 

[mousermerf]

i would like a GPS type system that plots your path for whatever time frame you set. that way, you can see how many round-about ways you go to get someplace after you change your mind a few times during the day.... and to see how many times you walk over you already chartered territory.

now that would be fun.

Mine has a scenic route option - it goes past parks, scenic drives, monuments, etc.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Mine has a scenic route option - it goes past parks, scenic drives, monuments, etc.

does it show you were you have been... with a travel path (so-to-speak)

 

[mousermerf]

does it show you were you have been... with a travel path (so-to-speak)

Hmm, dunno. It has some sort of logbook function i've never really played with.

As far as wandering, i do know it can switch between car/bicycle/pedestrian mode. I plan on taking it with me on my next flight to see where i am in the sky (I always wonder, but not every plane has GPS displays) and i just learned that it is an approved electronic device for flights.

 

[Mikester71]

I have a TomTom ONE, and have gone in and heavily edited my maps (and submitted the edits through MapShare). There are a number of places where roads needed to be un-blocked. I unblocked at least some of the driveways to resorts so that it would navigate you through the turns into the driveways.

Also, the POIs along Buena Vista Drive were often messed up because it didn't know the difference between West vs East BVD so there were a TON of things placed on the map near Blizzard Beach and CSR. I moved them.

I also re-named the on-property gas stations, moved a few hotel icons from where they physically are to be closer to where you'd turn off the road to be helpful to navigation, added PI and WWoS as POIs.

-Rob

So stupid question here, but as a new TomTom and first time GPS owner, how would I go about loading your map for the WDW area on my TomTom through the map sharing? Do I simply just plug in my unit to my computer and let it do all the updates available, or do I have to search out yours and specifically add it? :shrug:

 

[Rob562]

So stupid question here, but as a new TomTom and first time GPS owner, how would I go about loading your map for the WDW area on my TomTom through the map sharing? Do I simply just plug in my unit to my computer and let it do all the updates available, or do I have to search out yours and specifically add it? :shrug:

I know they've recently created an easy way to share new sets of POIs through the TomTom Home program, but I don't think there's a way to directly share map corrections.

It's my understanding that corrections you make to your unit that you share are only submitted to TomTom to review. After that, then it'll release them to be downloaded as corrections. There's also a setting in the MapShare menu that basically sets who you want to get corrections from.
The list says corrections I made myself, verified by TomTom, to POI I subscribed to, from trusted sources, reported by many, and reported by some.

I'd guess that because not many people would report the corrections and changes I did, your unit would have to be set to include "reported by some". I also don't know who/what "trusted sources" are.

If you do the "reported by some", afterward check the turnaround on World Drive that gets you from the MK toll plaza over to the Car Care Center. That and the roads within the CCC should be un-blocked. (Before, routing to the CCC would mean driving up and around past the Poly).

-Rob

 

[Mikester71]

I know they've recently created an easy way to share new sets of POIs through the TomTom Home program, but I don't think there's a way to directly share map corrections.

It's my understanding that corrections you make to your unit that you share are only submitted to TomTom to review. After that, then it'll release them to be downloaded as corrections. There's also a setting in the MapShare menu that basically sets who you want to get corrections from.
The list says corrections I made myself, verified by TomTom, to POI I subscribed to, from trusted sources, reported by many, and reported by some.

I'd guess that because not many people would report the corrections and changes I did, your unit would have to be set to include "reported by some". I also don't know who/what "trusted sources" are.

If you do the "reported by some", afterward check the turnaround on World Drive that gets you from the MK toll plaza over to the Car Care Center. That and the roads within the CCC should be un-blocked. (Before, routing to the CCC would mean driving up and around past the Poly).

-Rob

Thanks Rob, will have to check it out. If you don't mind me asking, how satisfied are you with your TomTom so far?