Driving for the 1st time

KayleighAndJim · Mar 25, 2015

Good tip Lola, I'll be sure to ask.

Last time I went to Florida was my first time driving and I had no idea how much petrol I needed. I went in and spoke to the attendant who was lovely and just turned it on for me so I could see how much it took and then paid him after.

I think they are used to us tourists ☺

DizneyNutz · Mar 30, 2015

Hello to everyone. My wife and I live in the USA and have been to Disney about 20 times. I have recently started to visit the UK Board because my wife and I will be visiting over there next June for a 12 night British Isles cruise. I have attached a link to a map of Disney Property to help plan your driving or just to look at to learn the layout of Disneyworld. Using this map I have circled where you can find some things like near the top right Crossroads Shopping center is a grocery store and a McDonalds is located there also. Just North of that and across the highway is a medical center but we hope there is no need for that. I marked an X farther South on the right where you can find a Super Walmart store. At the Super Walmart you can buy clothing, groceries, beer, wine, medicine and first aid items, etc. Along that road (SR 535) you can find gas stations as well as some restaurants. Just right of Animal Kingdom at the 4 way intersection is another McDonalds. Across the lower end of the map is HWY. 192. There you will find several dine in restaurants (Cracker Barrel) and also fast food like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza. You can also have pizza delivered to your resort but if staying on property you must meet them in lobby. Sometimes on extended stays people want something different than overpriced Disney Food. Hope this helps and let me know if I can answer any questions.

pampat · Mar 30, 2015

If you have never driven an automatic car before, I would recommend booking a lesson with driving school (or asking a friend with an automatic) just so you are familiar with driving with one foot!

Pam

Woodview · Mar 30, 2015

To DisneyNutz,

On your British Isles Cruise are you by any chance calling into ports in Ireland ?

Cobh ( Cove ) or Ringaskiddy ( other side of river Lee ) both in Cork.

When is your trip and if you are calling into either of these Terminals then you are within

a 15 min. drive away from where I live .

DizneyNutz · Mar 30, 2015

Not sure at this time? We are currently booked on Disney and it will port in Dublin. Looking at possibly changing to another line that will port near Cork.

OrlandoMagic · Apr 2, 2015

Just a small tip, when you first get into your hire car take some time to get yourself familiar with all the controls, especially lights and wipers. Have someone outside the car check that the lights work when you switch them on. Not something you want to have to worry about if it gets dark and/or rainy.

bazzanoid · Apr 6, 2015

The main thing to remember is to keep an eye on the speed limit signs as they change frequently. Particularly coming off the interstate or highway onto Disney property the limit drops from 55 to 30, and there's a good chance you'll be too busy looking at the road signage above the road to notice the speed change sign in the same place next to the road. And then you get pulled over by the local sheriff and told off a little :rolleyes:

wayneg · Apr 7, 2015

bazzanoid said:
The main thing to remember is to keep an eye on the speed limit signs as they change frequently. Particularly coming off the interstate or highway onto Disney property the limit drops from 55 to 30, and there's a good chance you'll be too busy looking at the road signage above the road to notice the speed change sign in the same place next to the road. And then you get pulled over by the local sheriff and told off a little

One of the reasons I like having my TomTom plugged in at all times, even when I think I know my way around. If I am uncertain of the speed limit I have a quick glance at the satnav which tells me.

DLPDreams · Apr 7, 2015

DizneyNutz - thank you for taking the time with the map - it's great!

Hope you enjoy your British Isles cruise! :thumbsup2

bee86 · Apr 9, 2015

Jumping in on this!
Fantastic information here

Im going to be doing the same thing this trip....trip 4 and first time to rent a car! Totally scared :guilty:

but I have gathered some great info from here to swat up on before I leave

Thanks OP for posting!

lost*in*cyberspace · Apr 9, 2015

lolainkent said:
.......,
It's also no longer a thing to fill up the car with gas and then go pay, you have to pay at the pump or go give, just say, $20 to the attendant and then go back in if you're owed change. I'm not sure I've come across a petrol station the States in the past 5 years that has let you fill before some form of payment, so prepare for that (however, pay at the pump is pretty notorious for how people get their CC info stolen...so COVER as you enter your PIN, or use cash, which is what we do!).
.......

This is a little bit paranoid. I have been using a credit card at the pump to pay for gas in the U.S. for many, many years with zero problems. This is not a big issue.

lolainkent · Apr 14, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
This is a little bit paranoid. I have been using a credit card at the pump to pay for gas in the U.S. for many, many years with zero problems. This is not a big issue.

And my brother had his stolen, which was linked back to a pay at the pump station in the US. I'll stick to being paranoid.

dashofsunshine · May 4, 2015

I've never specifically been to the UK, but if your regular driving atmosphere is anything like the way they drive in Italy, you will get over here and think our driving is the most tame thing you've ever seen :laughing:

driving in Italy for a week I was convinced many times that I was going to die, haha. You'll be fine!!! The wrong side of the road thing threw me for a loop to begin with, but it got better pretty quickly. Have a great trip!!

PrincessLou · May 18, 2015

I would definitely recommend a sat nav, we didn;t use one and we had a few tense journeys!
It is easy to turn off to early or to late after a long day at the parks and it isn;t always easy to find your way back!

SpencerOrg · Jul 26, 2015

We will be over in a week from the UK and I have to admit that driving is the only thing that worries me at the moment. The advice on here has been brilliant to read and has really helped me relax.

We are staying at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa and from what I can tell is not too bad a drive from Orlando International Airport. Does anyone know how many tolls there on 417 and how scary a drive it will be?

Thanks

wayneg · Jul 27, 2015

SpencerOrg said:
We are staying at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa and from what I can tell is not too bad a drive from Orlando International Airport. Does anyone know how many tolls there on 417 and how scary a drive it will be?

Thanks

Very easy drive, thru 2 tolls off at Idrive/LBV/WDW turning thru 1st set of lights, turn left at the 2nd set and its just down there on your left next to the LBV outlet.

SpencerOrg · Jul 27, 2015

Thanks Wayneg for that - really appreciate the reassurance!

Driving for the 1st time

KayleighAndJim

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DizneyNutz

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