Advice needed for a not very confident woman driver!

[Woodyplus3]

Hello everyone.

I am staying for 20 nights at the POFQ in a little over 2 weeks.

My question is regarding driving in the US. I have never driven in the US before (the idea scares me somewhat) and as such in the past we have always stayed on-site and used taxis as needed to get around.

For the first time in my 10 visits I am considering hiring a car for a couple of days. Is it possible to hire a car for only a couple of days? If so where is the best place to look? Is there somewhere at Disney to collect/drop off? And finally will I cope with driving on the wrong side of the road and driving an automatic car? I normally only do short journeys at home and it is very rare that I drive on motorways although I have been driving for over 20 years without a prang.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

My DH always drives - he really likes it.

So I can only say I think you can pick up a hire car at the Dolphin hotel, car care centre at Mk - also I think one of the hotels at DTD used to be one of the drop off / pick up points - you will have to see what options the different companies have.

 

[bronny]

Hello everyone.



My question is regarding driving in the US. I have never driven in the US before (the idea scares me somewhat) and as such in the past we have always stayed on-site and used taxis as needed to get around.

Hi

You are braver than I am! I decided to cancel my car hire after a horrendous driving experience in France. I know it would be easier with a car but its just me and my son going on holiday. I have heard that driving in the US is great though and very easy. The best site I have found I have added a link for. I did see on another site somewhere that if you unlucky enough to be stopped by police you should keep your hands on the steering wheel and explain to the officer that you are reaching for your license etc before you do. All in all the the reviews of driving over there are good, its just not for me at the moment.

http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm


Have a fantastic holiday!

Bronny

 

[Netty]

I drive over there! we have been about 10 times and I have driven about the last 3 times, to be honest i have always been too scared to give it a go, but i can say that it is so much easier than driving here!
please have a go, they use automatics there and i have only ever driven a manual here, but it was so easy to drive an automatic!
I am the worlds worst ever passenger in the car, so for me to drive over there anyone can do it

 

[Funky_dino]

just remember the little things really,

Just be aware that undertaking isn't against the law so they over take on both sides.

You can turn right on a red light, unless it says you can't.

You must stop at a stop sign even if nothing is there.

If you have your wipers on you need your lights on as was ( i think is just a state thing, not sure)

Sorry if that sounded patronising at all, it wasn't meant to hehe

 

[Pegasus928]

Both me and DW drive when we are in Florida and neither of us has a problem with it. All the roads are a lot wider over there than he UK and the majority of them are at least 2 lanes.
We have never felt rushed or bullied like we often do when driving at home and always settle into driving on the right hand side without any trouble. Because everyone else is doing it it just seems natural pretty much from the start.
And don't worry about driving an automatic. This actually makes life a lot easier as if you do feel a little nervous, or need to concentrate a little more at some point, you don't need to have to worry about gear changes etc. I always find it harder when I return to the UK and get back to driving a manual.
The amount of times I forget to press the clutch when stopping in the first few hours

 

[Aardvarks]

Tell your group that driving is a group responsibility and allocate tasks to each member.

Driver, it is your job to pilot the vehicle and avoid contact with other road users.

Have familiy members specifically checking the speed limit of the road you are on although a good rule of thumb is to drive 5mph slower than the faster cars that you see or just keep up with traffic and maintain a 3-5 second braking distance. Have other family members act as navigators and street callers for both road names and highway numbers. Share the burden.

Automatics are easy and great fun but lack the engine braking effect of a manual car so follow the braking advice above.

Plan your route ahead and remember that at intersections, the road you are crossing is on the sign above the carriageway that you are in.

The power steering is faster on american cars and it takes fewer turns loack to lock so be carefull during yur first few miles as you may over cook some corners.

I would say that in general traffic moves slower than in the UK, that road users have more patience and more courtesy and people will make allowances for slower moving traffic or people in the wrong lane. There are many retired people in Florida and driving does seem a bit easier. You wil find it to be more relaxing than driving in Middlesbrough or up the A19 in rush hour

 

[Woodyplus3]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I have booked a convertible for 2 days wih sat nav through netflights and I am picking it up from the Grosvenor Hotel across the road from Downtown Disney.

I am hoping that if it isn't too daunting that next year we will stay off-site and have a car for the duration.

Wish me luck.

 

[Netty]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I have booked a convertible for 2 days wih sat nav through netflights and I am picking it up from the Grosvenor Hotel across the road from Downtown Disney.

I am hoping that if it isn't too daunting that next year we will stay off-site and have a car for the duration.

Wish me luck.

you will be fine!! just take your time, familiarise yourself with the car first then drive around the car park! soon you'll be driving to all the shopping malls!!!

 

[Aardvarks]

you will be fine!! just take your time, familiarise yourself with the car first then drive around the car park! soon you'll be driving to all the shopping malls!!!

Seconded.

You will never look back. some great malls to go to.

Nearest and easiest to find is

Orlando Premium Outlets

and then try

Florida Mall

It really is great fun

On your first trip out, treat yourself and drive to Celebration Village, only about 5 miles. It is a real community but it was designed by Walt Disney.

http://www.celebration.fl.us/pnrinfo.html

http://www.celebrationhotel.com/

 

[alisonbestford]

I passed my test in May and hired a car, in Florida, a year later.....I doubt that anyone could be as nervous a driver as I was then but I absolutely loved driving on our trip

You'll be fine and, in my opinion, the Sat Nav will make things even more simple

 

[castanea1985]

Driving over there is so wonderful.... believe me! I have to cover a lot of miles for my job over here and I simply can't wait to get into an automatic when we get out there!!

I've been driving for nearly 20 years out in the US with no problems at all.

Just don't worry about it - as there's nothing to worry about???

Last year we took our BIL and SIL out for the first time. We hired two cars - I drove one back and My DH drove the other. Then my SIL just took it to our local Publix and back... just about 1/2 mile away .... that was it, she was off with no trouble at all!

If you're staying on site at POR... why not just take the car round the car park to start with?? You'll soon get the hang of it!

Just remember to tuck your left leg away... I sit on mine! LOL and RELAX!!

Tracy xx

 

[alisonbestford]

Just remember to tuck your left leg away... I sit on mine! LOL and RELAX!!

Good advice

My partner was a firefighter - they were told to tuck their left leg under the seat whilst driving the fire engines

I can only drive an automatic so no worries for me