Relocating to the MAGIC (not the ship)

[TheBeadPirate]

As a few of you already know Lori and Rick are begining a move to Orlando. Due to our work schedule (we travel a lot) the move will take place over a couple of months.. and we are debating (well, Rick is trying to debate) keeping an apt in NOLA as well.

At any rate, we often see threads concerning "moving to Orlando" or "what is it like to live with the magic?" so it might be fun to share our experiences as we see it all through new eyes.

While we may not be your typical couple we certainly are your typical Disney "nuts".

Rick seems to think we are moving so that his cruise budget could be extended (florida resident rates may have us on the Wonder more than in the apartment)

So we picked up the keys for our apartment this past Friday and spent our first night in Orlando as residents. We have been scouting the area for about 3 months and are starting to learn our way around (or at least Lori thinks she is).

A few observations that we have made so far:

The word "tourist" has quickly crept into our vocabulary (usually with a non-family friendly adjective or two preceding the word). This phrase is most often used while attempting to drive from point "A" to point "B" and seems to emerge loudly during rush hour (which is from 6:00AM to 5:59 AM) it is often accomanied by wild hand movements.

Did I mention that our Apartment is a scant 1/2 mile from Disney? Our first night at the apartment I thought we were under attack (loud noises in NOLA are often associated with gunfire) but no, it was the fireworks display from WISHES. It is kind of nice to sit on the Lanai and see the fireworks (at least it is right now...)

It is amazing to see the retail opportunities that are available in Orlando. Everything is here! (must cut up all credit cards now!).

I suppose it is nice to just hop in the car and be at any Disney venue in just a couple of minutes (at least I am sure it will be when we are not exhausted from moving)

It is critical to purchase a Sunpass at once it will save you time, time and more time!

Learn the "back roads" it will save you time and limit the use of the "tourist" word.

Orlando is a melting pot of many cultures (which makes it a lot like NOLA) we enjoy the variety of foods, customs, etc. that are presented in that kind of environment. One change for us is that we are driving everywhere now as opposed to walking (as we did in the French Quarter). It now occurs to me that we each may bring a unique style of driving with our cultural heritage. It is unfortunate that several of these driving "styles" include traveling at 22 mph on expressways, ignoring red lights, and yeilding to the point of surrender. It is apparent that the rain in Orlando must have special properties as no one seems to be able to drive in it!

Our neigbors all seem to work in the parks. We have a new game where we try and identify where the person in the parking lot, hallway, or car next to us at the red light works. You evaluate the clothing (color and patterns are important) and then name the ride, venue, etc. Strangely enough the CM's do not seem to understand our compulsion to identify where they are employed

Enough for now but we will drop in every so often and share the experiences. Can't wait to find some new watering holes, eateries, etc. Oh ...and get to the parks!


Bead Pirates

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This is an excellent thread. Thanks for posting it. I look forward to more. We are planning on moving to FL in the next few years so this will be helpful.

 

[jcb]

Hey, I'm enjoying it and the last thing I would ever do is move to Florida.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Welcome to Orlando Lori and Rick!!!!

One tip I have about driving here is something I learned as a cast member.....assume everyone on the road is a tourist here on vacation and drive defensively.

Most folks on vacation do not know their way around very well and are 'entranced' in the idea of being on vacation so they are not driving at their best.

They may be the best drivers 'at home' but here it is easy to get distracted, or worse, panic because they are not in the correct lane or might miss an exit (my favorite is the frantic changing of lanes - from the furthest outside to inside across 4 lanes of traffic - in a matter of seconds because they realize they might miss the Sea World exit).

Just try to keep that in mind and adjust your driving accordingly.

Hopefully that will save you some frustration and avoid any bad situations.

 

[jcb]

(my favorite is the frantic changing of lanes - from the furthest outside to inside across 4 lanes of traffic - in a matter of seconds because they realize they might miss the [EPCOT] exit).

mea culpa . . .

 

[DisneyKevin]

You also need to learn to accept the fact that what you want at the moment will be on the opposite side of town at all times.

The quicker you learn to accept that as fact...the better off you will be.

You also need to know that streets and roads usually have several names.

Highway 192 is also Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, which is also Space Coast Boulevard, which is also Main Street in Kissimmee (but not much anymore because there is also another Main Street), which is 13th Street in St Cloud.

Orange Blossom Trail is also SR 441 and 17-92...but only for a while is it 17-92, but in Kissimmee it turns into Main Street (the actual Main Street ...but stays 441 / 17-92) and then switches back to Orange Blossom Trail

Apopka-Vineland Road is also SR 535 but only for a while but then SR 535 turns in a different direction, but Apopka-Vineland Road does not.

There is a Vineland Road and a Michigan Avenue everywhere, but none of them are the same.

SR 528 used to be the Bee Line (and still is to some of us...just to confuse things) but is now the Beach Line, but also still 528.

SR 408 used to be known as the East-West but will now only be referred to as that by people that have lived here a while.

SR 50 is also Colonial Drive.

SR 438 is also Semoran Boulevard

Got it?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Congrats Rick and Lori!!!

This thread interests me because I was just reading an article about how private citizens can rent military housing on Patrick AFB (Cocoa Beach), and the person I was reading about was considering a 7-mos lease to take advantage of the fall-winter-spring months. I was day-dreaming thinking...one of these days!

 

[safetymom]

Congratulations on the move. We play guess the cast members job too. You will love it here.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

You also need to learn to accept the fact that what you want at the moment will be on the opposite side of town at all times.

The quicker you learn to accept that as fact...the better off you will be.

You also need to know that streets and roads usually have several names.

Highway 192 is also Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, which is also Space Coast Boulevard, which is also Main Street in Kissimmee (but not much anymore because there is also another Main Street), which is 13th Street in St Cloud.

Orange Blossom Trail is also SR 441 and 17-92...but only for a while is it 17-92, but in Kissimmee it turns into Main Street (the actual Main Street ...but stays 441 / 17-92) and then switches back to Orange Blossom Trail

Apopka-Vineland Road is also SR 535 but only for a while but then SR 535 turns in a different direction, but Apopka-Vineland Road does not.

There is a Vineland Road and a Michigan Avenue everywhere, but none of them are the same.

SR 528 used to be the Bee Line (and still is to some of us...just to confuse things) but is now the Beach Line, but also still 528.

SR 408 used to be known as the East-West but will now only be referred to as that by people that have lived here a while.

SR 50 is also Colonial Drive.

SR 438 is also Semoran Boulevard

Got it?

This is Lori checking in. And I am beginning to learn this.

The Bee line I knew was 528 but didn't realize it was the Beach line now.

We live off of 535, after it turns off of Apopka-Vineland, and just figured out that it will take me to Winter Garden where Target, Best Buy, World Marketplace, etc are without hitting the I-4 traffic.

I didn't know that Sunpass and E-pass are interchangeable until I asked Kevin (thanks for that by the way)- and that is first thing on the list after we get back tomorrow.

Mapquest and Google maps have become my best friends.

 

[PeterPan09]

Welcome new neighbors!!!

I've been here since Sept 2008 and I've learned the fine art of defensive driving as well, traveling both 192 and I-4. I travel from the Disney area into Orlando and back every day and have become convinced that drivers in Central Florida are fascinated by any car pulled off onto the shoulder. If said car is accompanied by a police car, even more fascinating. If said car is being loaded onto a flat bed, it's so amazing that traffic comes to a COMPLETE HALT. It doesn't matter if these unbelievable events occur on the side of the highway you're on or not, any activity on the shoulder must be investigated at a maximum speed of 15 mph. If any of the above events are accompanied by water falling from the sky, you can just forget about getting anywhere anytime soon.

I've had plenty of experiences with the behavior that John describes-the sudden crossing of 3 lanes of traffic. You learn to look for the person riding shotgun to point instead of for a directional signal. Much more reliable.

Kevin's also very correct about the road naming, I'm still confused with that.

Having said all that-I LOVE living here. My complex is also crawling with CM's and "name that costume" is a pastime I engage in as well. I'm not as close as you, I have to take a little walk to actually see the fireworks, but I do hear them-although not as loudly as at your house. The best part for me besides being closer to family is popping over to the parks for a Mickey bar and a couple of rides after work or on a weekend afternoon. The hardest thing to get used to is that nice weather isn't the rarity that it was back home and I don't have to go out every time the sun shines. It shines a LOT here and nothing was getting done in my house!

I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Congrats Rick and Lori!!!

This thread interests me because I was just reading an article about how private citizens can rent military housing on Patrick AFB (Cocoa Beach), and the person I was reading about was considering a 7-mos lease to take advantage of the fall-winter-spring months. I was day-dreaming thinking...one of these days!

That is an awesome place to live it is literally across the street from the beach.

Tip you can buy the sunpass/epass in the grocery store and you dont have to order it from the epass people like I did.

You are much closer to downtown and we are beachies. I am still learning about the driving here I cuss alot!

 

[zulemara]

Lovin this thread. I have been here a year and actively engage in the tourist language I actually call them tourons..tourist and morons combined. It works well!!!

If you think driving is bad now...wait until the summer. I live at sabal palm across from Vista Way/wendys/walgreens on 535. I'm 7 minutes from EPCOT. It's awesome, but extremely frustrating when I just want to get somewhere. Vineland ave with the outlets is the next light down and I 4 is just past that, so the right lane is always backed up. I always say I nearly get in an accident on at least a weekly basis. triple/quadrubple lane switches, no signals, red light running, U turns when it specifically says NO U TURN(what part about that is confusing?), and of course the complete inability to drive in the rain, certainly makes driving an interesting experience. I have learned to identify the people who are likely to make an idiot move. They usually start hovering over lines and going slow. Thus far I haven't gotten in an accident, but I did almost get creamed by a red light runner.

Anyway, welcome to the area. It is an awesome thing to be able to go to the parks whenever you want, and by that fact, choose to only go when they are not busy, thus enjoying yourself much more. With the new ride at sea world and Harry Potter opening up, plus legoland and the FL expansion, it's a great time to be able to go to a park whenever u want!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Congrats guys!

I look forward to possibly visiting with you, if you are around when we come down in May. If you are home on Thursday the 20th, you may want to come have breakfast at Trails End and spend some time at Ft. Wilderness with us... Can't say why, but just sayin....

 

[jeanigor]

Colonial Drive is continually under construction too. The earth will start rotating in an opposite direction if the road is ever complete.

 

[txvjc]

I still don't understand why more people don't have a SunPass...it was our first purchase when we moved here...I don't know how you can live in central FL and not have one

 

[MM32830]

I didn't know that Sunpass and E-pass are interchangeable until I asked Kevin (thanks for that by the way)- and that is first thing on the list after we get back tomorrow.

While SunPass and E-Pass are interchangeable, the one you should get depends on which roads you primarily travel on.

If you travel primarily on Florida's Turpike, get a SunPass. If you travel mostly on the 408, then get an E-Pass.

Why? Because of the discounts. You get discounts with SunPass on the turnpike but not on the 408 and vice versa. To complicate matters, there are roads that are operated by both authorities. For example, part of the 429 is run by SunPass and part of it is run by E-Pass.

I got a SunPass for a couple of reasons. First, I use the turnpike more than the 408 but secondly, you can buy a SunPass (but not an E-Pass) at Publix.




________________
Armand

 

[MM32830]

SR 50 is also Colonial Drive.

SR 438 is also Semoran Boulevard

Got it?

Semoran Boulevard is SR 436.

Also, don't forget that Colonial Drive is broken down to EAST Colonial Drive and WEST Colonial Drive, where I-4 is the dividing line.





______________________
Armand

 

[DVCsince02]

So, how is that spare bedroom coming along?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Semoran Boulevard is SR 436.

Also, don't forget that Colonial Drive is broken down to EAST Colonial Drive and WEST Colonial Drive, where I-4 is the dividing line.

I meant 436....just a typo.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

We just moved here too! We live in Kissimmee across from the turnpike entrance, so we are about 20-30 min from Disney. So excited to be here! I am working at Fl Hospital Celebration and love it so far.