Backroads and Shortcuts [on and around WDW property] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Backroads and Shortcuts [on and around WDW property]
My family and I have been driving to Disney regularly since 2001. During that time I have gotten to know my way around Disney property fairly well. I thought I might share a few ways I learned on our trip last week.
FROM THE NORTH
We drive I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike ($3.00 toll). In recent years they have added FL-429 which is a toll road that takes you to the western end of the Disney property near Coronado Springs and Blizzard Beach. The toll to drive this route is an addition $2.00. You can exit at Western Way with no toll. While driving this route if you look left or east you can see The Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower and the Swan and Dolphin on a clear day. This road crosses some of the highest elevation in Orange County. This route is great if you are staying at Coronado Springs or Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Western Way ends at Buena Vista Dr. Turning left takes you to the Epcot Resort Area. Please watch your speed on this road as it is heavily patrolled by the FHP.
This trip we were staying at Bay Lake Tower. I found a shortcut with not a lot of traffic and only a few traffic lights. By taking the first exit off of FL-429 which is Exit #19 on to SR535, left at the light, there is a 0.75 toll to exit here. This road runs south and changes names to Ficquette Rd and then to Reams Rd. While on Reams road look for Center Dr. on the right. This takes you past Disney University and the Disney Transportation Garage where you see the end of the Monorail tracks. You will come to a four way stop and turn left on to World Dr. to get to The Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. You can turn right on to Floridian Way to get to The Grand Floridian, Shades of Green or the golf courses. The only negative is that you cannot turn left into the Contemporary off of World Dr. you must go down and make a u-turn and go back.
This just one route I explored this past trip. Also be aware that there are shopping and dining opportunities after you exit FL-429. There is a Super Target, Speedway and a Chick-fil-A all of which I went to. A little ways down SR535 there is a Walgreens and a Publix Supermarket on your right. Later I will share areas around Animal Kingdom Lodge as this is our DVC Home Resort.
Interesting! Have never run across those in all the years we drove. Does anyone know if they used to be gated? We did find a few backstage roads with only gated access.
It appears that the Center Dr. access road was gated at one time. Another road that once was gated was Vista Blvd. There was a gate near Fort Wilderness, you could not drive pass this area unless you were staying on property. It is much easier to drive around the property than it once was.
I remember the gate by Fort Wilderness. One time we were staying at Old Key West and had family from the area visiting us back in 2002. We had a dinning reservation at the Wilderness Lodge and had them follow us there but security at that gate would not let them through. I explained what we were doing and the guard let them come through, but it was obvious he was not pleased to do so. Now you just fly through.
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