Driving to Disney World could soon be a little easier. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), a planning district in charge of the Disney World area, has two major roadway design projects planned.
Welcome to Disney World!
The projects are still in the early stages of development; in fact, the CFTOD has just opened its projects to engineering firms and teams to bid on project contracts in an upcoming Design Forum.
There are two important upcoming roadway design projects up for bidding:
- Buena Vista Drive/Western Way Interchange
- Western Way Widening
Traffic in Disney World
So, what can we expect these projects to accomplish? First, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District plans to make improvements to the Buena Vista Drive/Western Way intersection to facilitate the movement of traffic through the area. Between commuter traffic, Disney College Program buses, and families driving to Disney World, this area is known to get pretty backed up at peak times of day.
©Google Maps
According to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the project proposes a “grade separated interchange, with Buena Vista Drive elevated above Western Way with interconnected ramps to facilitate traffic movements.”
©CFTOD
The changes along Buena Vista Drive will extend 1.02 miles from the existing Buena Vista Drive/World Drive Interchange to an area near Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course entrance, while the changes along Western Way will span approximately 0.59 miles near Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and the existing intersection of Western Way and Buena Vista Drive. Finally, the changes will bring new alignment from the intersection at Buena Vista Drive to the intersection at the Blizzard Beach driveway.
Welcome to Disney World
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is also set to add a stormwater conveyance system and stormwater ponds “to provide treatment of stormwater runoff from the project and the relocation and reconstruction of existing utilities running through the project area.” We don’t have a proposed timeline for this project yet, but the CFTOD stated that the project will be completed in phases.
Winter Summerland Mini Golf
Additionally, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has a second project on the horizon. In project #2, the CFTOD intends to widen Western Way from the State Road (SR) 429/ Western Way interchange east to the Coronado Springs Resort.
Views from the rooftop lounge at Coronado Springs Resort
Engineers will widen Western Way “approximately 2.45 miles from the CFTOD/Turnpike property boundary near the SR 429/Western Way interchange to approximately 535 feet north/west of the driveway serving Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.” When this project is complete, the road will expand from four lanes to six lanes.
©CFTOD
There is no proposed timeline for this project yet, but the CFTOD stated that the project will be completed in phases.
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These are some significant changes, and we expect construction to take some time to complete, so be prepared for lane closures and increased delays as the projects get underway. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
ALERT! It Just Got EASIER To Drive to Disney World
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Wow…not happy at all!!! As a professional driver, there’s nothing wrong with these roads. More lanes only cause more accidents especially between locals in a hurry and tourists who frequently get in the wrong lanes despite excellent signage from wdw. The construction over years will ruin the magic and cause more delays and likely road rage. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! This maga oversight committee by desantis needs to leave things alone….but of course they won’t….