Driving in Orlando

[karriemouse]

I have never driven an automatic - that will be a weird experience.

I had never driven an automatic before either, so I hired one in the UK for a day to practise beforehand. Really recommend doing that - it removes one worry.

Now I'm more confident than my DH at driving in Orlando as I have a sense of direction!

 

[MrR]

Not that I want to scare anyone, but on two of our three trips to Orlando we've had bumps in the car. One of them was fairly serious - a car went into the back of us at a red light, in heavy rain, and smashed the rear of our people carrier bad enough that we couldn't open it again (we took it back to the airport to change it, but ended up keeping it when they didn't have any others with satnavs). The other driver, who I did feel sorry for, ended up getting a ticket, and a court date.

Then last year I scraped a white van at an intersection - completely my fault this time, but the van drove off, so there weren't any repercussions.

Despite that... I have absolutely no fear of driving again this year - and I say that as someone who was terrified before his first visit. As others have said after about 10 minutes you'll be fine. My problem is more that I'm driving a vehicle that's bigger than I'm used to, rather than the US road system per se.

Everything over there is bigger, and easier to use - the lanes are wider, the parking spaces are so much simpler to park in, and leaving the highways is less bother than it is over here. Make sure you get a satnav with your hire car, though, as it'll take the stress out of dealing with exits, and the like.

 

[nannyj]

My husband was absolutely terrified of driving in Florida, such that he made himself quite ill by worrying about it. He is so used to it now and loves it. He even wants to drive down to the Keys this time.

 

[joolz1910]

I am starting to believe I could do this!

How do people cope with being tired after a long flight? I never sleep on planes, so I am expecting to be shattered.
I also thought that if I hired a car, we could always use a Mears shuttle thingy if I wanted a break from driving. Did someone say it was £32 return from Universal? That seems reasonable.

How much (on average) would you expect to pay for a 7-seater for two weeks, including insurance and anything else you need?

 

[Pegasus928]

I am starting to believe I could do this!

How do people cope with being tired after a long flight? I never sleep on planes, so I am expecting to be shattered.

Being tired never seems a problem. We take the morning flight out of Manchester which lands at around 2.30pm Florida time - so thats only 7.30pm UK time. We also stay in the Radisson the night before to avoid an early start from home.

How much (on average) would you expect to pay for a 7-seater for two weeks, including insurance and anything else you need?

Just did a quote through
http://www.floridahire.com/
and it came in at
Budget = £398
Alamo = £453
Thrify = £468
Dollar = £488
That is for 2 weeks and includes Gold level of insurance.

 

[joolz1910]

Being tired never seems a problem. We take the morning flight out of Manchester which lands at around 2.30pm Florida time - so thats only 7.30pm UK time. We also stay in the Radisson the night before to avoid an early start from home.



Just did a quote through
http://www.floridahire.com/
and it came in at
Budget = £398
Alamo = £453
Thrify = £468
Dollar = £488
That is for 2 weeks and includes Gold level of insurance.

That is so reasonable. I thought car hire and insurance would cost a lot more. Thanks for doing that. I suppose a morning flight would be the best option. I hadn't realised the time difference was so small.

The more I read on these boards, the more I realise I know absolutely nothing. How do people cope without the DIS?

 

[Lizzybear]

I think when you see all the rules of the road in the US written down it seems much more scary than it actually is.. I was soo nervous before I drove in the US for the first time and devoured every bit of info I could find beforehand, expected the worst etc but, honestly, it was soo easy and I got my confidence really quickly I even drove in California and Nevada last year which was much more challenging than Florida but still not a problem, if you can drive over here then you can over there IMO

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

Hiya

I looove driving in Florida, its a real highlight for me and I hog the car frankly. First time we went we had an 8 seater van, massive big beast it was and I had a hoot. Satnav is a must I would say as map reading is not a good idea if you are off Disney property, the nav just makes it really easy. You will be pleasantly surprised how quickly you adapt to driving on the right. In general the speeds on the freeways are not excessive and once you are onto Disney property things become even more relaxed.

Once you realise you dont need to change gears you just need teh same level of focus you have here, though frankly the roads and the manners are better over there anyway

 

[joolz1910]

Hiya

I looove driving in Florida, its a real highlight for me and I hog the car frankly. First time we went we had an 8 seater van, massive big beast it was and I had a hoot. Satnav is a must I would say as map reading is not a good idea if you are off Disney property, the nav just makes it really easy. You will be pleasantly surprised how quickly you adapt to driving on the right. In general the speeds on the freeways are not excessive and once you are onto Disney property things become even more relaxed.

Once you realise you dont need to change gears you just need teh same level of focus you have here, though frankly the roads and the manners are better over there anyway

My friend said the same. She was amazed at how quickly she adapted to driving on the wrong side of the road. I don't enjoy driving over here, so I doubt I'll enjoy it over there.

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

Dont worry Juliette, its a far more relaxed style of driving over there. This last trip we had the smallest car they had and by small they mean the equivalent of a UK family car.

Even when we spend 99% of our trip in Disney I still need to have a car rather than the Disney transport, park-hopping becomes so much quicker and easier

 

[tezza_init]

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!

That's good advice, tell your left foot to take a holiday

I found driving in Florida very relaxing and easy on the major roads. Needs more concentration on minor roads and its easy at first to stray the wrong side especially at junctions. In all though I enjoy the experience and its not as stressful as you may think. other drivers are normally very considerate and there's not the same aggressive manners you might experience say on the M25.

Cheers

 

[fearfall]

I found driving in Florida is better than driving here

 

[MrR]

I don't know if anyone else does this, but for the first few days of driving in the States, I'm always instinctively reaching down to my left for the gear stick!

One thing you'll notice when you come come home is how cramped and claustrophobic our roads are. Everything over there is just so spaced out, and that much... airier. When you've driven in Florida, you really appreciate how we have to cram everything into our tiny island.

 

[joolz1910]

I would be happier if I could drive around a big empty car park for 20 minutes before I hit the roads. If you have an accident (positive thinking) does it affect your insurance here, or is that totally separate?

 

[buzz for boys]

Ive never thought about it to be honest but I would think its completly seperate as its not on ur insurance but the car hire firms !!
If im wrong im sure someone will correct me !

 

[joolz1910]

Ive never thought about it to be honest but I would think its completly seperate as its not on ur insurance but the car hire firms !!
If im wrong im sure someone will correct me !

I would have thought it was separate too, but wanted to make sure.

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

I would be happier if I could drive around a big empty car park for 20 minutes before I hit the roads.

Its a good idea, even now I take a wee drive in the rental park to get used to the car.

I know it seems daunting but the fact its an automatic actually makes it easier, problem is you come back here to the UK and cruise up to a roundabout, brake as you have done for the last 2 weeks and wonder why the gearbox is trying to escape from its mountings as you shudder to a halt.

 

[Lizzybear]

AFAIK accidents in a hire car have no bearing on your car insurance at home, however they may well do for future car rentals with the same company and possibly others.

 

[joolz1910]

AFAIK accidents in a hire car have no bearing on your car insurance at home, however they may well do for future car rentals with the same company and possibly others.

 

[Metro West]

I think flashing amber means proceed with caution.

Yes but the pedestrian still has the right of way.

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.

You guys are the ones who drive on the wrong side of the road...not us.

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.

You shouldn't have any problems driving here as the roads are well marked and can accommodate a large number of vehicles. However...your arrival time will have an impact on traffic. If you are arriving during rush hour (4-6pm) you will find the roads a lot more crowded and slow going. If not, you should be good. Once you get on Disney property, it will be very easy to navigate your way around. Just watch for the road signs.

I will tell you the drivers here tend to drive aggressively so just be weary and go with the flow. I always have to remind my parents...when they visit...to drive as others do (within reason)...nothing reckless.

Another good thing...if you venture out onto local roads...we have countdown signals to let you know when the light will turn. That helps pedestrians more but you will know when the light will turn too. Also...at night...most of the larger roads have illuminated road signs above the intersections to let you know the street names.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.