Driving Advice

[stal]

Hi, I first thought that i wouldn't drive at all on holiday, mainly because i am not confident enough. I will be staying onsite and thought that i could use their shuttle to attractions. After reading about how much these limit your time and are not very reliable, i'm having second thoughts.

We will be staying on international Drive and i am thinking of hiring a car for 2 days for when we do Disney.

Could you tell me hoe easy it is and what your first time experiences as drivers are? In Simon's book he says that driving over there is enjoyable! is this true!?!?

thanks

 

[matty624]

Personally I find driving easier in the US than at home. The cars have automatic everything and although left hand drive, because they are like they are, they're easier to drive than ours! Everywhere is well sign posted, the only thing you have to watch is the amount of time they give you on exits, which is sometimes a bit brief.
But overall, it really is enjoyable to drive there. Infact, I think for me, it's on a par with actually going to Disney!
Ian

 

[signtalker]

Sorry can I clarify here are you staying onsite or International drive??(or am i going slowly mad!!)

jules

 

[stal]

sorry, we will be staying on International Drive.

 

[Rain]

I also felt the same way about driving in the US, made about 6 trips using transportation.

I decided that I was going to try it last year, It was so easy I now wonder what I worried about, the only thing I found myself doing was driving a bit too close on the right side for a couple of hours or so. I am told this is a common problem due to the larger side of the vehicle being on the right!

I felt fairly confident after about 20 minutes of driving, confident enough to drive on I-4

I now don't think I would want to manage without a car again.

Lynda

 

[LINCLAIRE]

hi Stal
Just wanted to put my 5 eggs in and tell you that if I can drive in Florida, anyone can-no confidence and NO sense of direction!!
We stayed on I-Drive last September and did all the parks and I was the sole driver with 2 VERY EXCITED boys ( 6&7 yrs) in the back driving me nuts!!!!.
To top it all, my DH had to spend 3 days in hospital and so I lost my navigator- Yes I did get seriously lost- 15 minute drive back from the hospital took 2 hours, but my excuse was the horrendous downpour and lightening! ( honest!!!!!!)
The first time I ever went to Florida, I was 23 yrs old and had just passed my test by about 8 months, when we got there, I was presented with a 12 seater mini bus!!!
I'm only 5" 1' and it was as much as I could do to climb into the darn thing!!- still it's all good fun
Next January we have a 15 seater, but we have a second driver

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Driving around the tourist parts of Orlando is very easy. Traffic speeds are lower than here in the UK, the roads are wide and straight, drivers are generally courteous, etc, etc. My biggest problem was working out how to use the self-serve petrol pumps!

Although it is possible to get around without a car, as many people here will testify, you can't beat the convenience of having a car. It will allow you the flexibility to get to and from the parks when you want, and in a much shorter time than using public transport. It will also give you extra options about how you spend your time (eg, we always keep a 'water park kit' comprising swimming costumes, towels, etc in the boot of the car just in case we change our mind on any day).

The driving is easy, and I recommend that you hire a car for the duration of your holiday.

Regards

Rob

 

[Dimplenose]

My DH found the driving very easy, I on the other hand found navigating very stressful. The signs are often at the exits rather than before and quite often ambigous with lanes taking us off onto exits we never intended. That said we always managed to correct ourselves... eventually.

We've only stayed on Disney property but found having a car very useful, I wouldn't want to be without one.

Libby

 

[SidB]

Yeah, i agree with Dimplenose, navigating is far worse. The only warning I'd give would be, if you're not confident and it's dark when you arrive, it is very intimidating. I'd say that you don't need a car for the main Disney parks. It's invaluable for trips to the water parks, shopping, and visiting other parks. You'll need a car to try out restaurants further affield.

 

[JohnnySharp]

As already stated, it is much better if you have a car.
Getting around is so much easier, for us we have never just concentrated on Orlando - having a car gives you so many more options.
Say you want to go to the Florida Mall for instance, if you don't have a car how are you going to get there?

I think people are just wary of driving in a strange environment.
Driving is easier than in the UK, however, I am terrible at directions but I am lucky in that my wife is very good.
Even now we make wrong turns every time we go , most people do.

The petrol pumps can be a problem, they all seem to be so different, this year I had to drive away from one and find another as I couldn't figure out what to do..you basically have options of how to pay and usually have to specify before you begin taking the fuel.
You would have thought after 9 trips I would have got the hang of it by now!

Not hiring a car for us would be unthinkable I am afraid.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by JohnnySharp
The petrol pumps can be a problem, they all seem to be so different, this year I had to drive away from one and find another as I couldn't figure out what to do..

Only one? On one memorable occasion it took me three different garages before I could put gas in the car! But then I'm stupid, as Jane keeps reminding me.

But seriously, driving in Orlando is easy (even if petrol pumps can be a little tricky).

Regards

Rob

 

[JANNYANS]

As far as navigating goes I recommend my guests have an idea of the direction they are going in -N E S W as the signs usually have this info on them and you can tell if you are going the wrong way.

 

[Bozza]

It's no problem at all. Don't rush when you first pick up your car and you'll be fine.

In fact, don't get so comfortable that you get caught speeding like I did!

 

[safcdl16]

Stal, My V is driving in US for the first time as we speak. She is the most un-confident driver in UK I know and was adamant she couldn't drive over there. I gave her a little lesson in a car park in March and she was right!

However, for her one week trip this week she was going to spend as much on the shuttle for her and the kids as it was to hire an economy car so she bit the bullet and hired from Dollar. We figured our Gary knows the roads and can make sure she doesn't get too lost and reckoned she'd be less nervy without me 'coaching' alongside her.

She was terrified on the way to the airport at the thought of driving. She hit a detour as soon as she left Sanford, got lost, retraced her steps, found the 417, got caught in a downpour but made it in the end.
She's loving it now - been to Walmart and Premium Outlets already and loves the freedom to eat where she chooses - Golden Coral coz she knows the way!

Do the car, you'll love it.

Dave

 

[Red-Snapper]

Would suggest you get the car for the whole holiday, not just the few days.

We have American relatives over here at the moment and they have found the driving here a bog shock compared to America.

 

[UK Valerie]

yes im finding driving easy. have used the car everyday apart from yesterday. Its a lot more convenient. I dont have much confidence in uk but the cars are easie rto drive and the roads a lot wider

Have a go

 

[UKDEB]

V - so glad to hear you're getting on OK with the driving. Hope you, Gary and Julie are enjoying your trip.

How're you managing without Dave to organise you all? Enjoying the lie-ins?