Driving in Orlando

[joolz1910]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to get my head around driving in Orlando. I'm still undecided.

I am not a confident driver, despite holding a full UK license for 20 years. I just about cope when I'm driving in the UK, what will I be like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, and sitting on the 'wrong' side of the car?

I suppose what I want to know is, what is it like driving in Orlando? Busy, stressful, confusing? Could I get used to the car before hitting the road? I drive a seven seater on a daily basis and I would be doing all of the driving at WDW as DH doesn't drive.

 

[wickesy]

You'll be fine within about 10 minutes. The cars are all automatic, so no need to worry about gears, the roads are nice and wide and 90% of the drivers around you are tourists so they don't know where they are going either.

Just take your time in the airport car park getting used to being on the wrong side of the car and road and you'll soon settle into it.

 

[tinks86]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to get my head around driving in Orlando. I'm still undecided.

I am not a confident driver, despite holding a full UK license for 20 years. I just about cope when I'm driving in the UK, what will I be like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, and sitting on the 'wrong' side of the car?

I suppose what I want to know is, what is it like driving in Orlando? Busy, stressful, confusing? Could I get used to the car before hitting the road? I drive a seven seater on a daily basis and I would be doing all of the driving at WDW as DH doesn't drive.

Hi, we have never driven abroad before and found it fine after the first few mins! It was weird at first as I think nearly all their cars are automatics - takes a bit of getting used too! Driving on the 'wrong' side wasn't a prob, doesn't make much difference, we found it harder getting used to how they change lanes (every which way!) and the road signals - e.g. you can still turn right on a red light! Never found out what flashing amber meant though - anyone???

I would say that you should be fine, you can drive round the airport for a bit if you want to get used to it, and having the car there is easier than buses etc. Use a Tomtom if you can - it was a life saver

 

[team harris]

You'll be fine!
It is easy, the roads are soooooooo much nicer than in this country (especially if you drive round WDW Resort. The drives from Sanford and Orlando airports are simple enough - harder in the dark, but very well sign posted. Don't think about driving on the wrong side - just make sure you as the driver are always positioned in the middle of the road (like you are in this country)
Your biggest nightmare is driving back in this country after you've handed back the keys to your hire car!!

 

[wickesy]

Never found out what flashing amber meant though - anyone???

I think flashing amber means proceed with caution.

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks. I feel like I need to get over my fear of driving abroad. I have never driven an automatic - that will be a weird experience.

One dumb question. If you are driving on the freeway/motorway, and there are 3 lanes, which is the 'fast' lane?

Also, is there a hard shoulder?

I bet some of you are shaking your head in disbelief at me. I just don't want to end up on one of those shows with titles like 'America's Dumbest Driver'.

 

[wickesy]

Thanks. I feel like I need to get over my fear of driving abroad. I have never driven an automatic - that will be a weird experience.

One dumb question. If you are driving on the freeway/motorway, and there are 3 lanes, which is the 'fast' lane?

Also, is there a hard shoulder?

I bet some of you are shaking your head in disbelief at me. I just don't want to end up on one of those shows with titles like 'America's Dumbest Driver'.

If you have never driven an automatic before make sure you remember to keep your left foot tucked away - you don't want to be stamping on the brake pedal thinking it is the clutch!

There is no 'fast lane' as such on the freeway because overtaking is permitted on both sides but generally you would want to stick to the right or middle lane - be careful of far right lanes that are 'Exit only' otherwise you will find yourself making an early exit from the freeway. I'm not doing a good job of boosting your confidence here am I.

Yes there is a hard shoulder on the far right.

 

[orangetiggs]

driving in orlando is so much fun, its easy. The cars are all automatic so its really easy. I was worried when I first went out there to drive, Just aged 21 and now prefer driving out there than here 7 years on!

I also drive a small car here but love driving the big 4x4's out there

 

[joolz1910]

If you have never driven an automatic before make sure you remember to keep your left foot tucked away - you don't want to be stamping on the brake pedal thinking it is the clutch!

There is no 'fast lane' as such on the freeway because overtaking is permitted on both sides but generally you would want to stick to the right or middle lane - be careful of far right lanes that are 'Exit only' otherwise you will find yourself making an early exit from the freeway. I'm not doing a good job of boosting your confidence here am I.

Yes there is a hard shoulder on the far right.

I will just cry the whole way from the airport. Why didn't I marry a man who could drive?

 

[wickesy]

Ah, don't worry I'm making it sound a lot worse than it actually is. Honestly, soon after you leave the airport it will begin to feel really natural and you will wonder what you were worried about.

 

[Netty]

Have a look on this site, it has step by step instructions for driving from the 2 airports and also a section with tips on for driving in the USA.
I first drove over there 2 years ago-a 7 seater minivan, and it was extremely easy, don't know why i worried!!
you will be fine!

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

 

[joolz1910]

Ah, don't worry I'm making it sound a lot worse than it actually is. Honestly, soon after you leave the airport it will begin to feel really natural and you will wonder what you were worried about.

Have a look on this site, it has step by step instructions for driving from the 2 airports and also a section with tips on for driving in the USA.
I first drove over there 2 years ago-a 7 seater minivan, and it was extremely easy, don't know why i worried!!
you will be fine!

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

Thanks. I am trying to think positively. I have a good while to chicken out and opt for transfers if needs be.

 

[buzz for boys]

i too married a man who didnt drive and I would say im quite a confident driver but as soon as we landed I started to shake how on earth was i going to drive in the dark??
Trust me I was fine within about 15 mins the shaking stopped and i really loved it Im sure I made a few mistakes with turns and on several occasions people at traffic lights bibbed me to tell me i cud go on the red but i was quite happy driving it was a breeze!!!
have to say it was a shock at the rental desk when they just give u keys and point towards the direction of ur car but if you expect it then that wont be so bad !
The biggest problem I had was when we arrived bk home I was convinced there was something wrong with our car as I couldnt get it into gear Dh got out of the car to look for the aa number that was in my handbag in my boot - it was then that it dawned on me I was pressing really hard on the brake and not the clutch !! Once i tried the clutch we were moving but I did crunch the gears and bunny hop for a bit until I got use to it again!!

 

[joolz1910]

i too married a man who didnt drive and I would say im quite a confident driver but as soon as we landed I started to shake how on earth was i going to drive in the dark??
Trust me I was fine within about 15 mins the shaking stopped and i really loved it Im sure I made a few mistakes with turns and on several occasions people at traffic lights bibbed me to tell me i cud go on the red but i was quite happy driving it was a breeze!!!
have to say it was a shock at the rental desk when they just give u keys and point towards the direction of ur car but if you expect it then that wont be so bad !
The biggest problem I had was when we arrived bk home I was convinced there was something wrong with our car as I couldnt get it into gear Dh got out of the car to look for the aa number that was in my handbag in my boot - it was then that it dawned on me I was pressing really hard on the brake and not the clutch !! Once i tried the clutch we were moving but I did crunch the gears and bunny hop for a bit until I got use to it again!!

That's how I drive anyway.
I drive a Renault, so I have a card, not a key. I also have no handbrake because it's electronic. I suppose I got used to that so perhaps it won't be so bad. I think the rental places should have a sort of track for idiots like me to zoom round a few times.

 

[tracipierce]

I know exactly how you feel! As a single mum, I took my 3 kids to Disney for the first time 3 years ago and was terrified. But flying into Sanford meant that transfers would be more expensive than car renting, so I bit the bullet and hired a car.
Like everyone else says after a few minutes you have adjusted and the roads don't feel much different to ours.
I'm not a very confident driver and had never driven abroad before, but hey if I can do it by myself with 3 argumentative restless kids in the back after a long flight anyone can do it :
I wasn't at all worried the 2nd trip and it was fine, I was even brave enough to drive to busch gardens and back without a satnav

I'm just looking at car hire websites planning for our next trip in August!!
Good luck, you will be great

 

[auctionmaster]

<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://vacationaddiction.com/chose-your-vacation/resorts/welcome-texans-but-sorry-no-disney-park-for-you.html?tracker=2687"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://vacationaddiction.com/chose-your-vacation/resorts/welcome-texans-but-sorry-no-disney-park-for-you.html?tracker=2687" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="0" height="0"></embed></object>Hi everyone, I'm trying to get my head around driving in Orlando. I'm still undecided.

I am not a confident driver, despite holding a full UK license for 20 years. I just about cope when I'm driving in the UK, what will I be like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, and sitting on the 'wrong' side of the car?

I suppose what I want to know is, what is it like driving in Orlando? Busy, stressful, confusing? Could I get used to the car before hitting the road? I drive a seven seater on a daily basis and I would be doing all of the driving at WDW as DH doesn't drive.

Its not to bad...

 

[Pegasus928]

Having driven all around the world - Europe, Middle East, US - I would say without any hesitation that driving in the US is a lot easier than driving anywhere else.
The roads are bigger - most of them have 2 or 3 lanes - parking spaces are wider, only occassionaly do you encounter someone who is in a mad rush and driving like a lunatic, most speeding restrictions are observed, exits from freeways and signs for attractions appear well in advance - giving you time to sort yourself out and you can overtake on either side so if someone is hogging the middle lane it's not a huge problem.
My BIL is coming with us in October and my Sis reckons he is nervous about driving on the 'wrong' side for the first time - and he has been driving for more than 20 years, goes out driving in his Imprezza for fun at home (not just for work and shopping like most of us) and is one of the most confident drivers I know, so you are certainly not alone in feeling a little bit of trepidation.
I'm sure that once you have relaxed into it you will enjoy it as much as the rest of us.

 

[madmumof2]

I was thinking of hiring a car for a couple of days for my trip, but I have this mad fear that I'll 'forget' I'm supposed to be on the right side and just drive off on the left, only realising my mistake when I see loads of cars coming towards me! :S

 

[Pegasus928]

I was thinking of hiring a car for a couple of days for my trip, but I have this mad fear that I'll 'forget' I'm supposed to be on the right side and just drive off on the left, only realising my mistake when I see loads of cars coming towards me! :S

You're absolutley right. That is a mad fear.

 

[joolz1910]

I was thinking of hiring a car for a couple of days for my trip, but I have this mad fear that I'll 'forget' I'm supposed to be on the right side and just drive off on the left, only realising my mistake when I see loads of cars coming towards me! :S

Me too! Or that I'll miss the traffic lights that are on strings above your head and sail straight over a junction. I also don't like the idea of turning right through a red light. Oh dear.