First time in WDW...driving question

[nomy]

Hello again!

I hate driving in other countries! I am a little worried about the journey from Sanford to LBV (Quality Inn), so I have been looking on Google Earth at the roads I may take. The Bible says to take the Greenway Toll road until you join the I4. It looks very scary! One thing I am a little confused about is what happens at the toll booths. Looking at Google, I can see the booth as I join the Greenway (turning left off East Lake Mary Boulevard), so I realise that's where I pay. Further down though (after University Blvd junction, and again near Underhill lake)) I see other toll booths accross the main highway. What is the procedure for getting through these when you have already payed. Later on, the I4 intersection with the Greenway looks horrific!

Any advice (however basic!) for the journey from airport to LBV would be very welcome, along with any tips for a newbie!

Sorry if these seem silly queries, but I would rather go knowing what to expect! I'm probably making a lot out of nothing, sometimes you can have too much information I guess.

Thanks...

 

[Deedee]

When we drive from sanford to i drive we go all the way on the I4. From the airport turn onto lake mary boulevard, it is a straight road until you see the signs for I4 east and west you have to take the westbound sign posted Tampa/orlando attractions then follow the signs to i drive take exit 74. There are no toll roads it is just like our motor way it takes about 45 minutes.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Nomy

I have never done this particular route as I've never flown into Sanford but I would like to reassure you that driving in Orlando is really really easy

I know what you mean about looking on Google Earth but in practice getting on and off the I4 is exactly like getting on an off a UK motorway.

A few tips are:

1. Familiarise yourself in your car before setting off, eg controls etc

2. Drive at your own pace - I have always found American drivers are less aggressive than those in the UK

3. Try and learn the route before you set out, or at least have a navigator to be ready to direct you

4. Try and relax

 

[tartangirl]

Hi,

I would agree with advice from Miffy. Dont rush out of Sanford until you are comfortable you know the controls of the car.

I would say that driving in America is very easy. The only bit that scares me is driving in a thunder storm - but I would be scared about that in any country.

If you are at all worried about driving then stick with the Florida Greenway. The initial stretch from Sanford will be very quiet and gives you plenty time to get used to driving - so keep your eye on the speed and dont break the limit. If the toll booths worry you more than the driving itself then stick with the I4 and just take your time. Personally I would go with the 417 (making sure you get sufficient cash before going) as the toll booths really aren't anything to worry about.

The toll booths across the road are very easy. The outside lane (left) is usually for people with a Pass so avoid that lane. You will get a choice of booths to pull up to and all open ones will have a green light above them. On the 417 most of these are manned and change is given so you'll pull up to the booth, wind down your window, hand over your cash, wait for the light to turn green and then drive off. This is no different to booths you get in this country (e.g. Forth Road bridge).

I think some of the exit junctions are unmanned so you will need change in quarters. You pull up and there is a basket where you throw your money - so far DH has never missed - and drive through.

The junction at the end of the 417 is no problem, it's just a slip road - are you sure that's the one you want as I would have thought that would take you past LBV? I would have thought you'd come off earlier.

Other tips - keep your sunglasses handy as you'll need those for the drive.

 

[nomy]

Thanks for the responses, you have made me feel a little better. I should stop going into such detail! You are right tartangirl, If I was to stay on the Greenway till the end, I would be a little far south of LBV. Looking at Google again, it seems the BEE-Line expressway is where I should come off. That's a toll road isn't it?

The thing I am unsure of about the tollbooths is that when I come accross the first one, do I tell them where I am going? Looking at Google, it appears they are dotted along the main highway meaning I will pass through a few. So does that mean you just pay a fixed price at each one which allows you only to travel to the next one whre you pay again? Sorry if that sounds dumb, but I will be happier when I know how they fully work.

To be honest, I haven't used many toll roads over here!

Our plane gets in at 15:30 on a Friday afternoon, so I estimate we will be on the road around 17:30 ish....rush hour!!! How would that effect your choice of route? Or should we just have several coffee's until it dies down. Talk about babtism of fire!

Thanks again everyone, and sorry for all the questions.

 

[basas]

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=28.587347~-81.25561&style=o&lvl=1&scene=3891026

An example of a toll plaza on the Greeneway...

Overall, it's not that bad...

Just think, it could be this

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=33.745057~-84.391513&style=o&lvl=1&scene=1406152

or this

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=33.906195~-84.474947&style=o&lvl=1&scene=671613

Went on I75 into Atlanta (the road above) at rush hour and it was nuts. People doing 80-85 zipping by on all sides, weaving in and out, trucks honking you as they drive about 3 feet from your bumper...never again! Fortunately the traffic was completely stopped (both directions) only a few miles later!


Those two from Atlanta btw...maybe it's just me but I love going around to different cities (be it LA, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, etc.etc) on Google Earth (or using Live Local for cities they have bird eye images for) and looking at the freeway systems.

 

[basas]

Thanks for the responses, you have made me feel a little better. I should stop going into such detail! You are right tartangirl, If I was to stay on the Greenway till the end, I would be a little far south of LBV. Looking at Google again, it seems the BEE-Line expressway is where I should come off. That's a toll road isn't it?

The thing I am unsure of about the tollbooths is that when I come accross the first one, do I tell them where I am going? Looking at Google, it appears they are dotted along the main highway meaning I will pass through a few. So does that mean you just pay a fixed price at each one which allows you only to travel to the next one whre you pay again? Sorry if that sounds dumb, but I will be happier when I know how they fully work.

To be honest, I haven't used many toll roads over here!

Our plane gets in at 15:30 on a Friday afternoon, so I estimate we will be on the road around 17:30 ish....rush hour!!! How would that effect your choice of route? Or should we just have several coffee's until it dies down. Talk about babtism of fire!

Thanks again everyone, and sorry for all the questions.

Toll roads work different everywhere. These toll roads (such as the Greeneway), you pay at every Toll plaza the ammount indicated. Other tollroads across the Nation like the Ohio Turnpike, Indiana Toll Road, etc.etc use a system where you 'pay to get on', and then pay as you exit the toll road. If you remain on the road, you pay at the state-line at a large toll plaza.

Also, 417 really isn't a bad route during rush-hour. Just avoid I-4 and you should be fine!

 

[disneycymru]

If you are new to driving in the US I would suggest keeping to the Toll Roads initially until you become confident. The I4 can have horrendus traffic and the Interstates (Motorways) often allow traffic to exit on both sides. If it is busy this can become stressful with looking out for exit junctions and then having to cross lanes of traffic, although in Florida the drivers tend to be more courteous than someway like LA.

If you do use the interstate I would say it is best to stay away from either "edge" lanes as often these become exit only unlike in the UK where this is rare. Apparently the "Brit's" are well known for doing this according to the Americans. Something you also need to be aware of is that in the US you are allowed to overtake on both sides and it takes a bit of time to accustomise to this.

Generally driving in the US is enjoyable and the Americans appear to be welded to their cars so the roads are bigger and everything is designed to be accessed by Car. Using the tolls is no problem just get some change or drive to a manned toll booth.

Hope this helps

Gareth

 

[janine]

We just spent 3 weeks in Florida.
After spending one week cocooned in Disney (we got married there) we decided to have our hooneymoon over at St.Petes beach. My Husband had never driven in the US before and was worried, especially as one of our wedding guests had managed to 'get lost' , Anyway we picked up the car, and found that it was so easy to get wherever we wanted.
I am not kidding, we were really worrying over it , and needn't have. The roads are straight & well sign posted. I am so glad we hired that car now!

 

[Cochise]

Not sure about the well signposted bit but have a decent local map and try to be aware where you are and what is coming up which will take all the stress from the situation. As for the I4, hey it can be busy but there is nothing to frighten anyone as long as you are aware the inside lane sometimes becomes the exit only but that is always clearly indicated in bright yellow.

 

[bazzanoid]

Personally I'm looking forward to driving in Florida... no matter how busy the I4, it'll still be quieter than a monday morning rush hour on the M25 - and I've done that a few times to say the least (had a car written off on it once as well by a plum behind me who clearly couldn't see the wall of stationary traffic in front of him...)

Last time I went was on my honeymoon, and being only 23 at the time, decided against paying a couple of extra hundred dollars for the young driver charges, and resigned myself to public transport.... it's an excellent way of getting around, but hampers you for getting back from Disney properties as the last no 52 bus left the TTC at 8.05pm!!!

Sooooo glad i'm driving in october.... we upgraded to a midsize car for not much extra (booked flydrive through expedia and a private villa direct with it's owner) to make sure we're comfortable and plenty of space for the inevitable extra luggage on the return journey...

 

[nomy]

Thanks for all your advice.

I think I will stick with the 417 then going accross the Bee-Line to the I4. Is the Beeline ok? I'm sure I'll use the I4 in anger later on, but in the first instance I think I should make it as easy as possible for us.

I'll stop winging on about it now. I'm sure it will be fine

Thanks again everyone.

 

[GarryK]

Hi Nomy

Think you've made a wise choice. I've used the 417, 528 (Bee-Line) and I4 many times and think the 417/528 combo is better suited to a new driver than I4.

The Bee-Line gets a bit busier than the 417 as it passes Orlando Int Airport but nothing like I4 at rush hour. You still come onto I4 (W) at the end of the Bee-Line to get to LBV but only for a very short time.

Have fun.

Garry

 

[UKPhil]

Try this site:

http://www.orlando-maps.info/

It gives a drive-through with instructions of the entire journey from Sanford to Kissimmee.

Have to amit that before our first trip (seems like so long ago now!) I felt aprehensive too. I'd never driven outside the UK before. Don't worry ! After a few days there you''ll find it all becomes second nature. The pace there is very slow - if you've ever driven in a city in the UK you'll find it very relaxed there by comparison. The Greenway is a very quiet road so you'll have a nice gentle introduction to driving in the USA.

 

[arieliwish]

I think some of the exit junctions are unmanned so you will need change in quarters. You pull up and there is a basket where you throw your money - so far DH has never missed - and drive through.

Only encountered this for the first time last year - and i did miss with a quarter!!! Mad panic for a few seconds, then realised I had plenty of change in the car, so threw another one and made sure I hit this time!!!

Don't worry, I avoid driving on motorways and busy towns in the UK, but over there was so easy. Just plan your journey in advance, take your time and think about being on the other side of the road and not having gears!! Also just in case you're like me and like to take the 'scenic route' (!) sometimes, learn which roads get you back to where you were meant to be!! LOL!!

I find it's when you get back to the UK and have to deal with gears and in my case the M62 from Manchester!!!!

 

[Amyrlin]

I agree with everyione else, it is easier driving in the US and for the first time the toll road is the easiest. The route you arte taking should not have unmanned toll booths