What's on Western Way?

[sbkline]

We always come in off I-75 and take the turnpike down to I-4 for the final stretch to WDW. The thought entered my mind of possibly taking the Western Beltway this time around just to try something new, but I'm not sure if I'm going to or not. One thing I enjoy about taking I-4, is that I know we are pretty much there as we drive down I-4 and see Sea World, Universal (or at least the signs and billboards all over the place) and all the cool hotels, etc. Is there anything to see off the Western Beltway (is it 429?)? Is there a bunch of sights and signs and such? Or is it as desolate as it looks like on the map?

 

[Master Yoda]

Lets see...there are trees, a speed trap, trees oh and don't forget, more trees.

 

[karlbeau]

Yes - a bunch of trees, though there are many large orange groves, if that makes a difference. The most interesting part about coming in the "Western Way" is that you pass the WDW greenhouses and you get a pretty decent (though distant) view of the animal housing for Animal Kingdom. After that you are simply at the Coronado Springs entrance and ready to turn toward the parks.

 

[Larry Mondello]

Don't forget the toll booth. As I recall is cost more to go on the Western Way that I-4.

 

[sbkline]

Sounds like a pretty dull way to go. I think I'll just stick with my normal route and enjoy all the sights of Orlando as I make the final stretch into WDW!:lol:

 

[HollyBelle]

We LOVE coming in off of Western Way, especially depending on the time of day because it allows you to miss all that I-4 traffic. Although, you're right there isn't much to actually see. In addition to the trees though, if you look off to your left after you head through the last toll booth (I believe, but not entirely sure), you can actually make out the Contemporary way off in the distance. We noticed this when we were coming in super late one night and we could see it all lit up.

The road does seems to drop you off at the world more subtly, which might not be preferable for someone who is trying to build a lot of excitement for others in their party.

 

[WDW-Crazy]

We LOVE coming in off of Western Way, especially depending on the time of day because it allows you to miss all that I-4 traffic. Although, you're right there isn't much to actually see. In addition to the trees though, if you look off to your left after you head through the last toll booth (I believe, but not entirely sure), you can actually make out the Contemporary way off in the distance. We noticed this when we were coming in super late one night and we could see it all lit up.

The road does seems to drop you off at the world more subtly, which might not be preferable for someone who is trying to build a lot of excitement for others in their party.

Glad you pointed this out. I also read from other viewers that all four park icons can also be visible from this area as well? Is this true? Does anyone have pics they can post on here?

 

[smk]

We always come in off I-75 and take the turnpike down to I-4 for the final stretch to WDW. The thought entered my mind of possibly taking the Western Beltway this time around just to try something new, but I'm not sure if I'm going to or not. One thing I enjoy about taking I-4, is that I know we are pretty much there as we drive down I-4 and see Sea World, Universal (or at least the signs and billboards all over the place) and all the cool hotels, etc. Is there anything to see off the Western Beltway (is it 429?)? Is there a bunch of sights and signs and such? Or is it as desolate as it looks like on the map?

Is this way faster than leaving the turnpike and going thru Cleremont (I think that is the name of the town!). We go this way and for years it was faster, or so we thought. However, the past two years it is nothing but stop light after stop light, making for a very frustrating ride. All we want to do is get there and it seemed like (last year any way) that we were stopped every few feet by a light. I will change that part up in a heartbeat if there is an easier, faster way.

 

[wdwmap.com]

We took the Western Beltway for the first time this year on the way down in December and loved it. There are a bunch of trees and it isn't as exciting as taking I-4 but to see the castle, The contemporary and all the other landmarks was a nice change, and seeing something from a new perspective after visiting most years since 72 was refreshing. I highly recommend it!

 

[MichWolv]

Lets see...there are trees, a speed trap, trees oh and don't forget, more trees.

I can attest to that part. Got nailed there a few months after the road opened.

 

[love disney]

Don't forget the toll booth. As I recall is cost more to go on the Western Way that I-4.

I believe it is a whopping 25-cents more. haha!

I live in north central Florida and always take this route now when heading to WDW. I hadn't been to WDW for ages and went a few years ago or so and took the turnpike to I-4 route. The next trip I found the turnpike to 429 to Western route and have been so thankful I found that route! I definitely suggest skipping I-4 all together. Plus my fiance and I always get really excited when you can see some of the taller Disney buildings over the trees while on 429.

However I should point out that if I need to go to Downtown Disney first or am leaving from there for some reason I seem to take the I-4 route and it seems a bit quicker being on that side of the property.

 

[Master Yoda]

I can attest to that part. Got nailed there a few months after the road opened.

Such a great way to start a vacation. I have been pretty lucky. There have been a few times at WDW that I expected to see blue lights but was allowed to go on my merry way. I guess they figure a guy driving a minivan is already being punished enough.:lol:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I hadn't thought about it before, but it sounds like this entrance to property might be more in line with vintage WDW, before Orlando turned into the theme park Vegas it is now. I've read how the entrance to property (from ALL points) used to be a very subtle and low-key affair.

So instead of thinking of it as boring, maybe people could think of it as one last link to the Orlando and WDW that used to be.

 

[Master Yoda]

I hadn't thought about it before, but it sounds like this entrance to property might be more in line with vintage WDW, before Orlando turned into the theme park Vegas it is now. I've read how the entrance to property (from ALL points) used to be a very subtle and low-key affair.

So instead of thinking of it as boring, maybe people could think of it as one last link to the Orlando and WDW that used to be.

Very true. Most people forget that before WDW, Orlando and the surrounding area were considered the middle of nowhere. About the only thing there were citrus farms and the Airbase that is now Orlando International Airport.

 

[007mickey]

429 and Western Way, not much to see but the first time we were on it a few years ago, I think we saw like 4 other cars the whole way. Seems like it's a little shorter?? We take it every time now to avoid any possible I-4 traffic.

 

[sbkline]

We LOVE coming in off of Western Way, especially depending on the time of day because it allows you to miss all that I-4 traffic. Although, you're right there isn't much to actually see. In addition to the trees though, if you look off to your left after you head through the last toll booth (I believe, but not entirely sure), you can actually make out the Contemporary way off in the distance. We noticed this when we were coming in super late one night and we could see it all lit up.

The road does seems to drop you off at the world more subtly, which might not be preferable for someone who is trying to build a lot of excitement for others in their party.

I have always seen people on here talking about that notorious I-4 traffic, but I have yet to experience it. Perhaps I've been lucky, or perhaps I just have a different idea of what constitutes bad traffic. :shrug: Seems like on every trip, either on the way down, the way back, or both, I end up stuck in horrible traffic backups, either due to rush hour traffic in the Marietta/Atlanta area, or an accident which brings things to a screeching halt. So for someone like me who is used to creeping along at 5 miles an hour on the interstate, I guess it takes alot for me to consider traffic to be "bad". If I can travel the speed limit, or even 5 miles or so below it, I don't feel like I'm in horrible traffic. And so far, on all our trips down, I-4 has been no problem at all. Of course, having said that, I'll probably spend 2 hours on that final stretch come April when we head down. :hurl:

I can see the point of experiencing the western beltway so as to see how WDW was before Orlando became the vacation Mecca that it is now. However, my only memories are from 2000 AD on, so I don't have that to compare it to. All I know is the memories of going down I-4 on every trip on that final stretch and seeing all the vacation destinations of Orlando around me, to remind me that I am there. To me, it's almost along the lines of getting on the monorail and hearing the beep of the doors and the "por favor..." line.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I have always seen people on here talking about that notorious I-4 traffic, but I have yet to experience it.

Ditto. Compared to Atlanta, I've never found Orlando traffic that bad. Course, time of day might play a factor there.

And I agree that seeing those billboards around the WDW area...including the Universal and Sea World ones...is a lot of fun! Driving through there is a colorful experience.

 

[Rob562]

I have always seen people on here talking about that notorious I-4 traffic, but I have yet to experience it. Perhaps I've been lucky, or perhaps I just have a different idea of what constitutes bad traffic. :shrug: Seems like on every trip, either on the way down, the way back, or both, I end up stuck in horrible traffic backups, either due to rush hour traffic in the Marietta/Atlanta area, or an accident which brings things to a screeching halt. So for someone like me who is used to creeping along at 5 miles an hour on the interstate, I guess it takes alot for me to consider traffic to be "bad". If I can travel the speed limit, or even 5 miles or so below it, I don't feel like I'm in horrible traffic. And so far, on all our trips down, I-4 has been no problem at all. Of course, having said that, I'll probably spend 2 hours on that final stretch come April when we head down. :hurl:

From my experience, I-4 is the kind of road where everything is great when everyone's moving, all cruising along at 70-75 MPH.

But it's also the kind of road where the slightest incident (accident, broken down car, even an animal strike) can cause a bumper-to-bumper crawl for miles...

That's why I take Palm Parkway when I drive from WDW to Universal. Takes an extra 5-10 minutes more than a free-flowing I-4, but the security of knowing I'm shielded from the potential bumper-to-bumper is well worth it.

-Rob

 

[Master Yoda]

From my experience, I-4 is the kind of road where everything is great when everyone's moving, all cruising along at 70-75 MPH.

But it's also the kind of road where the slightest incident (accident, broken down car, even an animal strike) can cause a bumper-to-bumper crawl for miles...

That's why I take Palm Parkway when I drive from WDW to Universal. Takes an extra 5-10 minutes more than a free-flowing I-4, but the security of knowing I'm shielded from the potential bumper-to-bumper is well worth it.

-Rob

100% truth. I-4 also seems to be quite prone to the phantom traffic jam phenomenon when you get into downtown Orlando and around WDW.

 

[davictim]

I avoid I-4 if at all possible. The only time I will use it is if we are heading to Universal/Sea World. I love the Western Way portion of the drive to WDW. It is relaxing, and has zero traffic. As others have said, keep your speed in check. Cruise control is your friend!