Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
62
U.S. 192. This route is a good alternative
to I-4 if you are staying on the lower end
of International Drive, World Center
Drive, or areas east of the I-4, as it is far
less traveled than the main highway.
If you're jockeying between Disney and
Universal, one of the lesser traffic evils is
Apopka-Vineland Road.
It tends to be
less cluttered than I-4 or International
Drive. Follow it north from Lake Buena
Vista and the northeast side of Disney to
Sand Lake Road, then go right/east to Tur-
key Lake Road, and then left/north to
Universal Orlando. Another way to avoid
the highway when driving between Univer-
sal Orlando and Disney is to take the Palm
Parkway (just off Apopka-Vineland Rd.) to
Turkey Lake Road, which will take you
right to Universal.
I-4 and Hwy. 535 roughly bound
Walt
Disney World
to the east (the latter is also
a northern boundary), and U.S. 192/Irlo
Bronson Memorial Highway bounds it to
the south. World Drive is WDW's main
north-south artery. Epcot Center Drive
(Hwy. 536/the south end of International
Dr.) and Buena Vista Drive cut across the
complex in a more or less east-west direc-
tion; the two roads cross at Bonnet Creek
Parkway. Despite a reasonably good high-
way system and explicit signs, it's easy to
get lost or miss a turn here—even if you
think you know the roads. I've gotten lost
or passed an exit on Disney property at
least once or twice on every trip. Again,
pay attention and drive carefully. Don't
panic or pull across several lanes of traffic
to make an exit, especially once you're on
Disney property—there's always another
exit just ahead where you can get turned
around. All roads lead to the parks, and
you'll soon find another sign directing you
to the same place. It may take a bit longer,
but Goofy will still be there.
Clever landscaping hides the fact that
many parts of WDW are very close
together. It took me several trips to dis-
cover that Disney's Hollywood Studios
was just behind the BoardWalk, which is
right next to the WDW Swan and the
WDW Dolphin, which is across the lake
from Disney's Yacht and Beach Club
Resorts, which are next to Epcot—you get
the picture. Walking can occasionally be
the most efficient way to get from one
place to another; it's always worth looking
at a map to check before you set out any-
where.
Note:
One of the best maps of
WDW can be found on the back of the
WDW resort hotel maps given to those
staying on Disney property—it lays out
the entire WDW roadway system as well
as the theme parks and resorts.
3
ORLANDO NEIGHBORHOODS IN BRIEF
Walt Disney World
Though Walt Dis-
ney World and Orlando are often con-
sidered synonymous (surprise!), WDW
isn't situated in Orlando. It's actually
located southwest of the city in Lake
Buena Vista (and is a municipal entity
in its own right). WDW encompasses
more than 47 square miles and claims
four major theme parks, two smaller
water parks, several smaller attractions,
numerous themed resorts, a plethora of
restaurants and shops, and an entertain-
ment district.
Downtown Disney
Though not actu-
ally a neighborhood, Downtown Dis-
ney is certainly large enough to be
distinguished as such. It encompasses
Disney's entertainment districts—
Downtown Disney West Side and the
recently re-imagined Pleasure Island—
as well as its shopping and dining
complex, the Downtown Disney Mar-
ketplace. The area is filled with enter-
tainment venues, restaurants, shops,
and smaller attractions. You can experi-
ence the circus, ride in a gigantic
