reassurance PLEASE!!!

[welshlamb]

Due to leave on the 15th Dec for our first Xmas hol in disney. Although we are really excited and counting down the days until we leave i can't help but feel a little sad/anxious about not spending our normal family xmas with other family members who are not comming with us. Am i normal?
I think a little of the anixiety is to do with driving . Although this will be our third trip it's only the first time at driving (always been with people who have driven for us) Should i feel this worried the more i look at "driving in the us websites" the more i start to panick
Any little tips would be appreciated. Is anyone flying from Gatwick on the 15th Dec at 11.10 (changing at Atlanta)

 

[Miffy2003]

welshlamb, I certainly can reassure you with driving

I read all the websites before driving and although it was good to get the background, I think I overdid it and got myself confused

I the end when we got there it was super easy. Far easier I might say than driving in most partsof the UK

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in WDW - OK it won't be a traditional Christmas but I'm sure the memories you will come back with will more than make up for that

 

[fizz13]

I'm a nervous driver normally, so driving in the US filled me with dread. However, once I got out there it was ok. The first hurdle was the different car layout, finding the handbreak etc. so take your time with this but it was easy enough. The roads are pretty well layed out and after a day or so you'll wonder what the big deal was I promise.
I have also had Xmas abroad without all the family and its a little weird but you can phone them, and the parks will be decorated so beautifully, it will certainly feel festive and christmassy, you will love it!

 

[welshlamb]

Thank you so much. Its nice to know that people often feel the same way especially about driving.

 

[Lisash]

I'm going on the 14th and can't wait. We did our first Xmas in WDW last year and like you I was really apprehensive. I now can't imagine spending Christmas at home it was really magical and I felt the most 'Christmassy' I had done in years. Have a great time. Maybe we'll see you there

 

[leemel]

Honestly, driving over there is a doddle.
The main things are:
Find the parking brake - we went from a compact to a Town and Country due to Sanford Dollar being out of compacts. It was huge. Handbrake was nowhere to be found, apart from that really obvious place just below the steering wheel on the left hand side!
Automatic shift on the steering column. Again, its just a matter of time to get used to it. Also remember that in most, you can't select the reverse gear without your foot being on the brake, similarly, you can't select drive, or 1 from starting without your foot being on the brake.
Traffic lights - most junctions, you can turn right whilst the light is on red, as long as your path is clear. There are some around I-Drive with a NO Right turn on red, so just ignore the clowns who give it the horn.
Honestly, after the first 5 minutes of driving, you'll be fine.

 

[misspickle]

i know what you mean we fly out the 16th dec and i feel horrible leaving my parents behind i usually spend xmas with them, but its a once in a life time experience, and there will be many xmas ahead. don't think too much about driving you know have to do it and you'll do it well.....