View Full Version : Black Lake Road
Nostromo
19-02-2004, 18:44
I am sorry to bring this subject again, but I have been looking at the excellent Trakker map of the Orlando area and unless there is a catch that I am missing, by far the best short cut from the US27/192 villas to WDW seems to be to take the Black Lake Road that arrives long before even Sherberth Road while going east on the US-192. From what it looks like, Black Lake Road is an easy left turn from the 192 before the latter 'dips' into Osceola County. By keeping to the left fork soon after the aforementioned turn, one seems to go either direct to the entrance of AK or drive past the park to merge into Osceola Parkway. It all seems so straightforward on the map...or is there more to it than meets the eye?
PS: This left fork to Black Lake Road seems to be only in the latest maps ie late 2003 and later. It does not even appear on the Mapquest site. Perhaps it is a new road, built to facilitate those going to AK and beyond. But on Trakker, there is definitely a left fork from the original Black Lake Road that merges directly with Osceola Parkway just past AK.
black lake road runs off the 192 onto sherbeth road..
by taking black lake road you miss some lights on the 192..
in the high season this will save you time but in the quiet periods its longer than going down the 192 to disney.
Is the Trakker map of the Orlando area on line or in paper form? Sounds like a must have.
From my recollection Black Lake Road is signed just before the bend in the 192. The junction, which has signals, is just after the start of the bend. You will have to follow the narrow winding course of Black Lake Road and the junction with Sherbeth Road is quite sharp and can sometimes take a while to negotiate. It is therefore only worthwhile if the 192 is busy this far back. Some maps show a more direct route immediately after turning onto Black Lake Road - the direct route has been blocked off, probably since the construction of Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Seminole
19-02-2004, 20:11
The last time I was on Sherbeth I was caught in a mile long traffic jam where it connects to the 192. It is only two lane. So the word is out about this "short cut". I chatted with a deputy sheriff there who said that tourists really should not use either Black Lake or Sherbeth because both roads are narrow, winding, Black Lake is very poorly lit and Sherbeth has an optical illusion at night where oncoming traffic appears at one point to be in your lane. The intersection of Black Lake and Sherbeth is an extreme hazard. It is nearly impossible to see traffic on Sherbeth heading to the 192 if you are stopped on Black Lake. The locals use the road to come and go from work and have no patience with visitors as you may find out if at night you have someone flashing lights behind you. Unless and until the county makes much needed road improvements, please be very cautious informing guests about the use of these two roads.
Nostromo
19-02-2004, 21:55
George, the tarkker map I referred to is called ORLANDO AREA STREET ATLAS and is a paper map available from www.trakkermaps.com It is an absolute must have at $19.95.
People, in the first place I am talking about using Black Lake Road in broad daylight, in the morning while GOING to the parks in the rush hour. When we return, it will be 7pm or later and so well past peak time; we can then just drive through World Drive into US-192 and continue west to the villas.
Second, I am not talking about the windy bit of Black Lake Road that goes towards Silver Lake area and joins Sherberth Road. There now appears to be a LEFT FORK to Black Lake Road soon after its origin at 192 (it may even have a different name now). This left fork appears to go past the entrance to the main drive of AK and merge into Osceola Parkway. As I said, it is not on many older maps, including non-updated on-line maps.
orlandobabe
19-02-2004, 22:03
Nostromo is right. There's no problem using it by day. On an evening when leaving the park and going to the villas west of Disney-nothing could be simpler than coming down World Drive, joining 192 west-where you just filter into the traffic.
We've come from Downtown Disney and been back in Lindfields in 20 mins on an evening.
That's not bad going-with Downtown Disney being further in!
Ray&Sarah
19-02-2004, 22:28
You could try online sources for driving directions for no cost!
Nostromo
19-02-2004, 23:40
quote:Originally posted by hayter
You could try online sources for driving directions for no cost!
Yes, true. You could also get print-outs, but how many? Even if you manage to get ALL the maps and routes, think of the number of pages and the ink cost! At $19.95 this Trakker Map is excellent value and one of the best investments that I ever made. It is an excellent large scale map and can always be sitting next to you in the car to be used if you're 'stuck' at any time of the day or night. A lot easier than struggling with a laptop on some byway, I would say.
tinkerbell
20-02-2004, 15:27
We ALWAYS use Black Lake Road no matter what time of day!
Nostromo
20-02-2004, 16:20
quote:Originally posted by tinkerbell
We ALWAYS use Black Lake Road no matter what time of day!
Oh good! Tell me Tink, do you use this apparently new left fork (or turn) about half a mile up on Black Lake Road that seems to go direct towards AK and then merge with Osceola Parkway? You then completely bypass Sherberth Road.
semerton
21-02-2004, 00:59
I have used this road since 1999 and it was quite an old one thay have reserviced it last year it was great when 192 was in repair I'm glad it is on the map now [:o)]
Sylvia
We also use it all the time - much quicker even to get to Walmart on the 192! However, I always advise people it is VERY windy with sharp bends and to drive with caution.
Nostromo
21-02-2004, 03:20
quote:Originally posted by semerton
I have used this road since 1999 and it was quite an old one thay have reserviced it last year it was great when 192 was in repair I'm glad it is on the map now [:o)]
Sylvia
In most maps, particularly the on-line ones, the only part of Black Lake Road showing is the one that wind towards Silver Lake Resort and ultimately joins Sherberth Road. But I am talking about the OTHER part, the one that bears left and goes directly towards AK and then is continuous with Osceola Parkway. This bit has no connection with Sherberth Road. But because of it, it seems like one can leave US-192 Eastbound as early as Marker 4 and still be less than 2 miles from the main drive of AK and correcpondinly close to the other parks and I-4. That is why I felt that it is the ideal short cut. If it is a resurfaced old road, should be no problem.
Nostromo
21-02-2004, 23:04
Listen everyone, this is now official. I just spoke to Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the staff member confirmed that this 'new' road (really a completely resurfaced edition of a long neglected old road) is now open and working. Effectively, it connects US-192 to Osceola Parkway directly. They still call it 'Black Lake Road', but she thought a new name might be given in the near future. But the most impotant thing is that IT EXISTS, has been thoroughly resurfaced and because of it US-192 is only a couple of miles away at Marker 4 from AK Lodge. This means that everything - WDW, I-4, I-drive, Orlando etc are not only that much closer (over 5 miles closer) but also convenient in rush hour when heavy traffic is going towards Celebration and Kissimmee. It should also be goodbye to the Sherberth Road shortcut.
tinkerbell
22-02-2004, 21:22
Sorry have been away! Yes that is the road we take Nostromo, and it's wonderful! So hassle free, always good to come in from MCO airport that way too and get your first glimpses of the TOT etc! Oh, and of course you get the option to stop for the Golden Arches drive thru!
Nostromo
22-02-2004, 22:03
quote:Originally posted by tinkerbell
Sorry have been away! Yes that is the road we take Nostromo, and it's wonderful! So hassle free, always good to come in from MCO airport that way too and get your first glimpses of the TOT etc! Oh, and of course you get the option to stop for the Golden Arches drive thru!
Hey, that's right! Coming in from MCO, why should anyone bother with Exit 2 into Celebration (and that awkward left turn) now? All we have to do is take EXIT 3 into Osceola Parkway and continue on it till it becomes Black Lake Road just before the AK Lodge and then the easy RIGHT turn into US-192 at Marker 4! That should save several miles / minutes off anyone's journey and will be a welcome relief after a long flight from the UK.