Driving for the first time

[garyw]

Hello I am going to Disney for the first time in oct 05 can any one give me help with the driving while I am there does any one know of any good books maps or web pages thay might help

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Gary,
How much driving do you d in this country?
I ask that as it might be best if you do minimal driving to wait until the next day when you are refreshed to pick up your car.
Its a very simple country to drive in.
As with the UK, whatever side of the car you sit to drive the vehicle, the white centre line should be outside your window.
As all cars are automatics, that makes it a lot easier.
A dcouple of things though.
On the Freeways, you can overtake cars on either side of you, each lane is classed as its own road.
At many traffic light junctions, even if they are on red, you can turn right, unless there is a sign saying not to.
watcj out for lanes coming to an end and that lane becoming a leave the highway lane
Four way stops. if you come to a crossroad, the rule of thumb is that whoever is at the cross first has right of way and you take it in turns to exit the cross depending on where you are in the arrival order. Its actually very simple compared to explaining it!

Anything else others?

 

[squitty]

Hi

Have a look Here

Hope this helps

 

[arieliwish]

I had reservations about driving last sept, DH had suffered a stroke and is unable to drive, so all the driving and directions were down to me. It was fine, turning right on a red light feels strange at first but by the end of our first day I was getting the hang of it.
My best advice would be to find a road map (some guide books and free mags over there have them in) and try to remember your road names/orders, as you get little notice of junctions and what roads you're crossing.
That said, its very straight forward, even after hurricane Frances when the traffic lights weren't working and I had to learn fast about 4 way stops!! And remember the speed limit is lower than here, so not as scary.

 

[dawnpisces]

Hi, we were offered an upgrade (theres a surprise) when we went in May and it consisted of a larger car fitted with a GPS, satellite navigational thingy to those who arent techie minded. It was brilliant! This was our third trip and every other time I have got lost but not this time, the maps and onscreen messages were brilliant. I must say it took a bit to get used to programming the destinations etc but then it worked great. A+ recommended from me!!

 

[barry7767]

It really is easier than you think. This year will be my first time driving in Florida, but not first time in USA. Hired a car in LA last year and was quite worried about that! Was easy - looking forward to less traffic this year though!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Yes, do not be worried by it atall, driving there is an absolute breeze.
Its very laid back, and other drivers are quite tolerant, making the experience pretty stress free.
I bought the Florida version of the Highway Code before I went first time, that was quite useful.

 

[alisonbestford]

Driving in the US is great. I love it
The first time I drove was only 6 months after passing my test in the UK and, as I absolutely hated driving here, I was dreading it
I was talked into upgrading to an MPV at the Dollar desk and haven't looked back since (that was 3 years ago). We now have an MPV ourselves and I was totally cured of 'driving nerves'
Have fun and don't worry

 

[wilki32]

Got to say, agree with all of the above, first trip only drove 2 short journeys because brother in law wanted to do all the driving. The last 3 trips did all the driving and loved it, so much easier than driving in the UK. The only one that foxed me was the 4 way but just used it like a roundabout over here.
DW has said that this year she may even try and this is from a lady that won't drive on our motorways.
Anthony

 

[Tron[ADS]]

4-ways can be a little daunting at first, particularly when you have mutiple lanes on the 4 ways....I remember my first trip, when driving down I-Drive to Belz, I wanted to turn left into the mall car park, but didnt fancy it, so went straight on round that loop at the top, therefore making it a significantly easier right turn. Wouldnt bother me now though.

I often wonder if the calmer less imtimidating atmosphere among drivers there (ie very little road rage) could be due to the fact that you never know who might be carrying a gun, so you dont want to pi55 off the wrong person

 

[alisonbestford]

I often wonder if the calmer less imtimidating atmosphere among drivers there (ie very little road rage) could be due to the fact that you never know who might be carrying a gun, so you dont want to pi55 off the wrong person

Probably that, and the fact that probably 90% of drivers on the road there are tourists...... LOL

 

[Cochise]

I often wonder if the calmer less imtimidating atmosphere among drivers there (ie very little road rage) could be due to the fact that you never know who might be carrying a gun, so you dont want to pi55 off the wrong person

ROFL

 

[Yeegan]

I've done a lot of driving on US coaster trips. Mostly it's been fine but the Americans don't have as good lane discipline on the freeways as us Brits. I use mapquest for door to door driving instructions and the maps have been 99% accurate.

Remember to turn on your lights in the rain. The cops like you to park head in as most cars only have plates on the back of the car.

Get a good free map of the roads inside the Disney park from avirtually anywhere in Orlando as the signposting can be erratic. They also sometimes send you on a very roundabout route.

As there aren't relly slow or fast lanes on the freeways, it's probably best to stay in the middle lane as exits from the freeways can be from either side!

Have fun!

 

[Aceman88888]

First time I drove in the US was in 1999 and had a rather enforced upgrade to a 12 seat minivan which we affectionately dubbed 'The Hummer' for the holiday. It was daunting at first as the largest thing I had driven before that was a family saloon but by half way along the Greenway, felt like a seasoned veteran.

After a couple of days I had mastered the cruise control and it was a real delight to drive each day. Even trips on the Interstates were easy down to Tampa and beyond.

The only real challenging roads are at the respective top & botton of I Drive; The top near the Belz shops which is a cross between Russian Roulette and Synchronised Swimming (I know what I mean If nobody else does!) and the bottom because it just makes no sense (Look at the map and see what I mean!)

It's just about defensive driving really and thinking 3 steps ahead.

 

[paulh]

even my DW can drive over there so if she can do it anyone can
Paulh