Driving in Florida

[MadAboutDisney]

Hi,

My husband has the enviable task of driving in Florida as I have absolutely no desire to try it (only passed my test 4 years ago) and so I was wondering how different it is to the UK.

He spent a year in France where they drive on the wrong side of the road and has no problem at all with driving over there (it's me who freaks out when I see a lorry hurtling towards my side of the car!!!).

Any tips, hints or info when driving over there and also about the driving of the car itself would be greatly appreciated. I know that the seat is on the other side and that the gears are on the steering wheel itself or thereabouts, but are hire cars generally automatic?

We will be arriving in Florida at 7.45pm but it will be 12.45am UK time so we will be quite tired. Is it an easy journey to the All Star Movies resort from the airport?

We have hired our car from Avis so can anyone tell me what to expect when we turn up to collect the car.

Many thanks for your help

Kind regards

Paula-Jane (PJ)

 

[Celestine]

DH normally drives, although I have bitten the bullet & given it a go. On the whole it is not too bad. The difficulty is wen you turn out of somewhere, e.g. petrol station & there is nothing else around as you have to think. DH did manage to turn onto the wrong side of the road doing this!!!! Floridians seem to be far more patient in car parks etc. With the exception of the people carrier (which had a gear stick on the dash) the cars have been automatic. Drive from MCO to AS was quite straight forward and took us less than 30minutes. Have a great trip!

 

[MadAboutDisney]

Hi Celestine,

Thanks for the info. I know hubby doesn't have any problems with driving, he's been driving for 14 years so he just gets on with it but I want to be able to help navigate and read signs and stuff and don't want any heated conversations!!!

We will have a great time whatever happens and my 6.5 and 4.5 year old won't give a monkey's either way!!


Many thanks

Paula-Jane

 

[Celestine]

If you are giving instructions, just remember that when there is a street sign hanging over you, that is the name of the road you are intersecting, not the name of the road you are on! My father did not realise this & wondered why he kept getting lost & subsequently vowed never to drive there again! When we've taken a car & accommodation through Virgin they have provided excellent instructions, including details on tolls & what the charges are. If you do not have this luxury, there are some good instructions on allearsnet.com. Staying on Disney is a bonus as that is well sign posted, even if you end up touring WDW rather than getting straight to your resort!

 

[tartangirl]

Driving is no problem and to tell you the truth there is little navigating required as the road system is so straight forward.
The only bit you might get lost is in Disney itself.

There are sometimes signs on the roadside telling you the next junction which will help get in the right lane before spotting the sign on the junction.

The other help I offer is to look out for the junction before the one we require (although you need a decent map for this) so DH can get in the correct lane

 

[AndRu]

I found that driving over there is much more relaxed. Most people drive automatics so everyone pulls away nice and steadily from junctions. The roads, for the most part, are wider giving you a lot of room to play with. I didn't see any roundabouts which I still find weird, then again, I suppose it would be confusing turning right onto a roundabout!

Celestine has already mentioned the road signs and to be honest, these are fantastic. You can see straight away which road you're on and crossing. It makes life so much easier.

My best tips would be:

1. Relax
2. Take your time
3. Don't panic!
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   Oh, and buy something (anything!!!) at the airport so that you have some US change for the toll booths. Arriving at a barrier with UK money and travellers cheques is not a good idea!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The three main things to remember are the;

1) Turn right at red signal is allows if no traffic is coming at most junctions (if not allowed, as outside Crossroads at WDW it will say)

2) Car can overtake you on BOTH sides on a motorway

3) Three way and Four way stops are the most difficult. basically, whoever gets to the junction first has right of way, then you take it in turns depending on when you arrived, but you MUST stop.

 

[JohnnySharp]

Agree about the three or four way stops, you do need to have a good look before you take your turn.

Driving in Florida is generally easier than in the UK, road users are usually polite - not that like anywhere you do not get the odd one that breaks the rules - the traffic flows much more smoothly on the interstates as there are generally 4 lanes and whilst most cars do not reach the speeds on the motorways in the UK they all tend to do between 60-70.

One thing that is noticable is that good manners is expected, if you put your hand up or flash your lights to acknowledge someone, they will not understand what you are doing
I have had some funny looks in the past because of this.

The cars are easy to drive , most being automatic. Of all the vehicles we have driven, only the People Carriers have gear change on the steering wheel.

Some other things to think about, you will probably only use P(park), D(drive) and R(reverse) on the gear change...you can only start the engine or remove the key when in the P position, the car will have Central Locking as well as the facility to lock all doors from the inside at the flick of a switch (do NOT do what I did one year and turn the engine on lock the doors and shut them!! cue telephone call for a locksmith and a $50 bill) wife and young baby not impressed..boot (or trunk) tend to be smaller than cars in the UK..Air Conditioning is standard..possibly CD player depending on which car you have chosen....always inspect the car when you collect in case there are any small dents etc, if there are any point them out, difficult one this because you are tired but excited and just want to get on with your holiday, I spotted a dent on our people carrier this year after we had arrived at our accomodation so I just rung Dollar up and they were fine..you will probably come across at least 1 Toll Road when you exit the Airport , have some dollar bills or small change ready...if Avis do not give you a map ask for one...above all relax I am sure you will be fine, if you take the odd wrong turning do not worry, have a great time

 

[MadAboutDisney]

Hi Guys,

Wow, thanks for all the info. Much appreciated. I feel alot better about it all now. Hubby doesn't care, he's well chilled out but I know i'll freak but it all sounds so easy with a few minor differences so it's looking good.

Thanks a million everyone.

Kind regards

Paula-Jane (PJ)

 

[slinky101]

hi there, just a confidence booster for you... i only passed my test 3 yrs ago and had never driven on the right before leaving the airport at sanford, never driven an automatic or a 7 seater people carrier. so guess what..... it was easy!!! road signs were almost idiot-proof. As others have said here the driving experience is so relaxed and easy going that you wont believe me until you've done it yourself. Have a great trip and concentrate on everything else . . . . driving is no problem.

 

[Mike Swannick]

Keep your eyes open for the traffic lights hanging over the junctions and not on poles at the side of the road, as the skid marks I left on the 192 westbound in 1996 will testify (both on the road and elsewhere).

 

[JohnnySharp]

Hi me again!!

Another thing to be aware of regarding some of the exits off the I4.
When you turn off quite a few of the slip roads that connect you on to where you want to go are very acute bends, ie almost like a circle and the speed limits drop to 20mph. The bend also slopes so just something to be aware of, you are going from 60+ speed to 20 very quickly - and 20 is a true reflection of the speed you should be doing.
There are certainly a couple near the Kissimmee exits like this I think not sure exactly which - I tend to drive, my wife is the expert on navigation.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Agree with everyone else.

Most important thing to do is relax (my biggest problem was that I was sitting on the wrong side of the car...the actual driving didn't really bother me).

The other thing to remember is to be careful but assertive. Plan you journey in advance (i.e which way do I turn out of the hotel etc.), and be confident.
It's actually a pleasure to drive around compared to the hustle and bustle of the UK (especially when the suns shining!)