Walt Disney World Roadwork/Parking Construction and Updates

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From Orlando Theme Park News...

 

 

Downtown Disney Roadwork to Impact Parking Garage

Thursday, April 23, 2015 | Posted by OTPN administrator

 

Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive near Downtown Disney is about to ramp up as crews prepare to pave the way for dedicated bus lanes and lane expansions. Beginning the night of Monday, April 27, the middle of the intersection near Team Disney will be blocked and affect the way drivers enter and exit Team Disney and the parking garage at Downtown Disney. The pedestrian crosswalk in this area will continue to remain available during that time.

 

Access to Team Disney & Hess Parking near Cast Services

• Westbound drivers (from Hotel Plaza Boulevard) will not be allowed to turn left into Team Disney. Instead, drivers should enter Team Disney from eastbound Buena Vista Drive.
• All traffic exiting Team Disney must make a right turn only.

 

Access to the Downtown Disney Parking Garage

• Westbound drivers traveling to Downtown Disney (from Hotel Plaza Boulevard) will still be able to turn right into the parking garage. However, eastbound drivers from the Epcot/Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park area will not be able to turn left into the garage at the Team Disney intersection and should enter the garage at the intersection across from Typhoon Lagoon where entry is available in both directions.
• All cars exiting the parking garage near the Team Disney area must make a right turn only.

 

To navigate to other areas, you may use the following map as a guide (subject to change at any time):

 

 

This work will continue for 6-8 weeks. Drivers should plan for extra travel time, consider flexible work arrangements, use alternate routes when possible and always carefully follow directional signage.

 

MAPS: ©2015 Walt Disney World Resort. All Rights Reserved.

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/04/downtown-disney-roadwork-to-impact_23.html

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From Orlando Theme Park News...

 

 

Roadwork Impacts Beginning June 8 at Downtown Disney

Saturday, June 06, 2015 | Posted by OTPN administrator

In addition to the recently-announced overnight road closure, roadwork on Buena Vista Drive continues this week while crews pave the way for new dedicated bus lanes and lane expansions for the Downtown Disney area.
 

Beginning the night of June 8, the middle of the intersection at the Hess Station and Hess parking lot will be blocked and affect the way drivers enter and exit that area. Only westbound drivers are expected to be impacted by this project.

 

Access to the Hess Station or Hess parking lot near Team Disney:

• Westbound drivers (from Hotel Plaza Boulevard) will not be able to turn left into the Hess Station entrance. Instead, drivers should enter from eastbound Buena Vista Drive..
• All traffic exiting the Hess Station will only be able to turn right.

The following map will help Guests to easily visualize the area that will be blocked during construction:

 

 

This work is expected to be completed in 6-8 weeks. Drivers should plan for extra travel time, use alternate routes when possible, and follow directional signage during construction.

 

MAP: ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/06/roadwork-impacts-beginning-june-8-at.html

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

 

Roadwork on S.R. 536 Near Walt Disney World Resort

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 | Posted by OTPN Administrator

The Florida Department of Transportation is working on road improvements to S.R. 536 (Epcot Center Drive) from an area near Buena Vista Drive to the S.R. 535 intersection, which will require temporary lane closures through July 18.

 

As part of this project, all lanes will be resurfaced. Work is expected to continue to take place mostly during the day, so be sure to drive carefully and allow extra time when traveling in this area, especially since some lanes may be closed.

 

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/07/roadwork-on-sr-536-near-walt-disney.html

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

 

Ramp Closures

On August 12, the onramp to westbound Buena Vista Drive from westbound Epcot Center Drive will be closed to all traffic from 2 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. and the onramp to southbound World Drive from westbound Buena Vista Drive will be closed to all traffic from 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The closure for the onramp to northbound World Drive from westbound Epcot Center Drive that was scheduled for August 5 has been postponed untill further notice.

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/walt-disney-world-transportation.html

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

 

Upcoming Roadway Changes Around Downtown Disney

Thursday, August 20, 2015 | Posted by OTPN Administrator

 

As Downtown Disney continues to transform into Disney Springs, Guests may notice more roadwork on Buena Vista Drive in the coming months to support the area’s future growth. Buena Vista Drive is being widened from 7 to 10 lanes with dedicated bus lanes. Additionally, two pedestrian bridges and an additional slip ramp will open in the next few weeks. The next phase of roadwork will begin August 25, 2015 and impact road lanes, turn lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks.

 

NEW ROADWORK

 

1. Intersection work near Casting entrance begins

Cars will only be able to enter and exit Casting using one lane each way (previously, there were two lanes). When exiting Casting, cars can ONLY turn right. This temporary work is scheduled to begin August 31 and is anticipated to take 6-8 weeks.

 

2. Roadway shifts continue

New roadway shifts go into effect on Buena Vista Drive during this time, and cars will be driving in the future bus lanes.

 

OPENINGS

 

3. New crosswalk at Team Disney opens

The crosswalk between Team Disney and the Downtown Disney Cast Services has been moved to make way for additional lanes along Buena Vista Drive. The new crosswalk is now open, and is further back from Buena Vista Drive, closer to the Team Disney entrance. Note that the crosswalk to cross Buena Vista Drive to Downtown Disney remains the same until the pedestrian bridge opens. This is a permanent change.

 

CLOSURES

 

4. Sidewalk between Team Disney and Speedway closes

Those who park in the Team Disney or the Cast Services/Speedway lots should walk through the Speedway lot to cross at the intersection near Casting to access the Marketplace. This temporary change will be in effect until May 2016.

 

5. Left-turn entrance into the Orange Garage (across from Team Disney) closes permanently

Cars needing to turn left into the garage should access it by entering from the intersection across from Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (until the flyover ramp opens). Cars will still be able to turn right into the garage from the intersections across from Team Disney and Typhoon Lagoon.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL-SIZE VERSION OF THIS MAP.

 

Be sure to continue to follow roadway signs and the direction of Parking Cast Members when visiting the area. With more roadwork occurring in the next month, please watch for additional updates in the future.

 

MAP: © 2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/upcoming-roadway-changes-around.html

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From Laughing Place...

 

 

Disney World to See Roadway Enhancements

Aug 26, 2015

As part of the ongoing expansion of Walt Disney World and due to increased guest visitation, the Reedy Creek Improvement District approved a $350 million bond issue to focus on roadway improvements at Walt Disney World.

Among the improvements that are part of this project are:

• A fly-over that bypasses the Magic Kingdom toll plaza for guests visiting Magic Kingdom Resort Area hotels.
• Reconstruction of the intersection of Osceola Parkway and Victory Way that will replace the traditional intersection with a flyover design.
• An extension of Western Way to either Avalon Road or County Road 54. Extending the new road past its current Flamingo Crossings terminus.
• A bypass of Center Drive that will take traffic from Reams Road more directly to Floridian Way

These projects are in part due to development around Walt Disney World which is causing guest and cast member traffic to come to property from more diverse locations. This is particularly noticeable with the residential development north of the Magic Kingdom causing traffic delays at the back end of the Walt Disney World property which often require law enforcement to provide traffic control.

This work, which is scheduled to happen over the next five years is in addition to the roadway enhancements that are occurring as part of the Disney Springs development.

 

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2015/08/26/disney-world-to-see-roadway-enhancments/

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

From Laughing Place...

 

 

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2015/08/26/disney-world-to-see-roadway-enhancments/

 

Whoa- that is big news.

 

$350 million!

 

This one will be interesting:

 

A fly-over that bypasses the Magic Kingdom toll plaza for guests visiting Magic Kingdom Resort Area hotels.

 

I wonder how that will impact guests towing trailers and heading to the Fort?

 

It's interesting that they plan to get this all done in the next 5 years.

 

That means things will be a mess for a while.

 

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Here's the Orlando Sentinel article...

 

 

 

Shortcut to Contemporary, Polynesian hotels among Disney road improvements in the works

A flyover letting visitors to Magic Kingdom hotels bypass a parking toll plaza is among several new road improvements planned at Walt Disney World.

 

A $350 million bond issue by Reedy Creek, the Disney-controlled taxing district, will provide funding. There is no set schedule for the improvements, but they are expected within the next five years, Reedy Creek Deputy District Administrator Ann Blakeslee said.

 

The projects will accommodate expected attendance growth at the resort, which is adding new attractions, including Star Wars and Toy Story-themed lands at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The projects are "in anticipation of increases from the Studios and increases in general," Blakeslee said.

 

A flyover will take resort traffic over the Magic Kingdom's toll plaza, providing easier access to travelers heading to hotels such as the Contemporary and Polynesian Village resorts, said John Classe, a Reedy Creek deputy administrator. Right now hotel visitors must drive through the parking plaza, even though they don't have to pay.

 

The road projects also include:

 

•A reconfiguration of Osceola Parkway at Victory Way, southeast of Disney's Hollywood Studios and north of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A traditional intersection will be replaced with a flyover design similar to that at state roads 50 and 436 near Orlando. The flyover would take Osceola Parkway traffic over Victory Way.

 

•An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.

 

•A Center Drive bypass to the west that will allow traffic heading south off Reams Road more direct access to Floridian Way.

 

Residents on the Disney property who are handpicked by the corporation to live there voted last week on a referendum on the bond issue paying for the improvements. They voted 17-1 for approval.

 

Reedy Creek is also making steady progress on improvements to the road network near Downtown Disney. A ramp from eastbound Buena Vista Drive rising above the road and funneling drivers into the third story of a new parking garage should open Sept. 8. A half-mile spur extending off the westbound ramp leading from I-4 onto Epcot Center Drive should open in early October.

 

[email protected] or 407-420-5240

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-road-improvements-20150826-story.html

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Thanks for the link, Mo.

 

This statement is interesting:

 

Residents on the Disney property who are handpicked by the corporation to live there voted last week on a referendum on the bond issue paying for the improvements. They voted 17-1 for approval.

 

I wonder if that means there's going to be a vacancy in one of the on-property residences?

 

And I didn't know this:

 

 A ramp from eastbound Buena Vista Drive rising above the road and funneling drivers into the third story of a new parking garage should open Sept. 8.

 

September 8?

 

I didn't know that they were that far along.

 

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Residents on the Disney property who are handpicked by the corporation to live there voted last week on a referendum on the bond issue paying for the improvements. They voted 17-1 for approval.

 

I wonder if that means there's going to be a vacancy in one of the on-property residences?

 

Good catch! 

[swimmarz 72]

looks like I am gonna need more Torque to get up the flyovers  

[Beckers 1,136]

I've never heard the term "fly over"

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I've never heard the term "fly over"

 

Figures.

 

You live in the land of circles and jug handles.

 

TCD

[Specularius 102]

I've never heard the term "fly over"

Me either....is that like an over pass?

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Me either....is that like an over pass?

 

Yes.

 

I found this definition on-line:

 

An overpass (called a flyover in the United Kingdom and most Commonwealth countries) is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway. An overpass and underpass together form a grade separation.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpass

 

I didn't realize that flyover was a UK term.  I've heard it used quite a bit in Florida before.

 

Maybe this is like the whole parking garage/ parking deck/ parking ramp thing.

 

TCD

[Travisma 1,317]

looks like I am gonna need more Torque to get up the flyovers  

And good brakes coming down them!

[Specularius 102]

So we blame the Limey's for this.

[Beckers 1,136]

When I saw the article "fly over for the toll plaza" I totally thought it was going to be a blue angel thing like they've done in the past.

[Beckers 1,136]

Figures.

You live in the land of circles and jug handles.

TCD

I have a circle about .5 of a mile from my house lol

[Travisma 1,317]

Here's the Murican definition of Flyover, usually used with the word States or Country

 

American phrases describing the parts of the United States between the East and the West Coasts. The terms, which are often used pejoratively, refer to the interior regions of the country passed over during transcontinental flights—e.g., flights between the nation's two major urban agglomerations, the Northeastern Megalopolis, the Bay Area and Southern California. "Flyover country" thus refers to the part of the country that some Americans only view by air and never actually see in person at ground level.^[1][2]

 

 

 

^{Not some whimpy road ramp}

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Here are some of the more impressive ones on 95 in VA...

 

 

 

I'm guessing the ones near MK won't be quite so crazy. 

[jmaul 65]

•An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.

 

WBI uncovered this a couple months ago, no?

 

Wonder why. Nothing over there, unless they have a special deal with the cement joint.

[djsamuel 322]

•An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.

 

WBI uncovered this a couple months ago, no?

 

Wonder why. Nothing over there, unless they have a special deal with the cement joint.

Many people who work there take Western Way to Hartzog, and then Hartzog to Avalon Road.  I do it all the time.  But they are building Condos on Hartzog near Avalon Road, and as it is now, the traffic backs up waiting to turn onto Avalon.  This wasn't a problem years ago when Hartzog was mainly a dirt road (or a very rough paved road in spots.  Now it is fully paved.  It defintely cannot handle heavy traffic, especially when the stores and hotels are built (or finished) in the Flamingo Crossings area.

[swimmarz 72]

we have a few here, there really a non issue, there was one that i saw in the news that looked nuts but i dont think disney will do that

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From OTPN...

 

 

New Ramp and Bridge Opening Soon at Downtown Disney

Thursday, September 03, 2015 | Posted by OTPN Administrator

As Downtown Disney continues to transform into Disney Springs, Cast Members and Guests will see more roadwork on Buena Vista Drive in the coming months to support the area’s future growth. Buena Vista Drive is being widened from 7 to 10 lanes with dedicated bus lanes, to ultimately improve the traffic flow.
Additionally, two pedestrian bridges and an additional slip ramp will open soon to provide our Cast and Guests easier access to and from Downtown Disney.

 

Next week, the project reaches an exciting milestone with opening of its first pedestrian bridge near Team Disney and a ramp providing direct access into the Orange Garage.

 

While these additions will improve access to the Downtown Disney area, several other roadwork projects will continue and impact traffic patterns, turn lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and parking. Drivers are encouraged to plan extra time when traveling through the Downtown Disney area. Here’s what to expect:

 

OPENINGS:

 

1. Flyover ramp to Orange Garage partially opens (SEPTEMBER 8, 2015)

If you’re traveling eastbound toward Hotel Plaza Boulevard, take the right lane to the new ramp to park in the garage. The ramp goes directly into Level 3. The entire slip ramp will open later this year.

 

2. Team Disney pedestrian bridge opens (sometime next week – more details coming soon)

The pedestrian bridge near Team Disney opens for Cast Members and Guests, allowing them to cross Buena Vista Drive to access Downtown Disney. The crosswalk on the street will no longer be available.

 

CLOSURES:

 

3. Garage exit changes (SEPTEMBER 8, 2015)

The only ways you’ll be able to exit the garage onto Buena Vista Drive will be at the intersection across from Team Disney or by driving to Level 2 in the garage to take the ramp. Driving through the lots in front of Cirque du Soleil (L, M & N) will not be an option.

This temporary change will last for 6-8 weeks.

 

4. Parking lots in front of Cirque du Soleil (Lots L, M & N) close (SEPTEMBER 8, 2015)

Cast Members and Guests may continue to park in the garage and the parking lots behind Cirque du Soleil (O, P & Q) during this time. The intersection across from Typhoon Lagoon will only be available to enter/exit parking lots O, P & Q behind Cirque du Soleil. This temporary change will last for 6-8 weeks.

 

5. Sidewalk between Team Disney and Casting temporarily closes (when the bridge opens)

The sidewalk between Team Disney and Casting will be unavailable until May 2016.

 

6. Crosswalk near Casting closes (the same time the pedestrian bridge opens)

Cast and Guests should use the Team Disney pedestrian bridge or the Hotel Plaza Boulevard crosswalk (if coming from Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Casting, SunTrust or the Marketplace Cast lot) to cross over to the Marketplace. This is a permanent change.

 

Here's a map that will help you visualize all these changes (click on this link for the full-size version):
 

 

Please, continue to follow roadway signs and the direction of Parking Cast Members. With more roadwork occurring in the coming months, please watch for additional updates here on OTPN.

 

MAP: ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

 

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/new-ramps-bridges-opening-soon-at.html