Virgin car hire & driving in Orlando

[AnitaCB]

We are hiring a car through Virgin and Dollar and although we're staying in Kissimmee we are getting coach transfers from the airport and getting the car the next day from 'Holiday Inn International' (presume this is I-drive). My hubby is very nervous about getting the car from there and having to drive it back to our hotel. He didn't want to drive at first but we were persuaded that we would need a car. So I would like advice about driving in this area - especially for a first timer!! Thanks.

 

[jna]

The very first time I collected a hire car in Florida I drove it slowly around the car park at the place where I collected it to get used to it. Initially I found an automatic car strange, but very soon discovered that it is a boon in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, where the traffic can be stop/start at times.

As other people will I am sure confirm driving in this area is not difficult and speeds are not as quick as you find in the UK. You have to be aware of overtaking on both sides of you on dual carriageways, and watch out for the 'turning right on a red' system at some junctions. Forget and you can get honked!

Get a good road map of the area and watch the road signs carefully. You generally do not get as much warning of the junction/turn off you want as you do in the UK.

Speed limits can be strictly enforced, particularly out of town, say on the stretch between Orlando and Tampa and I believe there are on the spot fines.

I don't know if this little system is shared across all cars now, but one year our car had an automatic door locking system which operated after you had driven it for about a hundred yards. Quite took us by surprise on the first occasion, but is a very good safety idea. On the safety front as well and this is not meant to scare, if someone nudges the back of your car, don't stop until you get to a garage, store carpark etc. There are those who do prey on hire cars.

Overall, if you've driven on the continent, you will not have a problem on the roads of Florida.

 

[Claddagh]

Hi,

DH (designated driver ) thinks driving in America is easier than driving in England, because everything happens so much slower. It's like travelling along a three lane highway at 50 miles andhour or less. I-Drive is like driving down a two lane dual carriageway with hardly any cars on it. The 192 has mile markers all along it so you know where you are all the time.

DH was very nervous the first time also but it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be and after a day or so it became automatic for him to drive on the other side of the road, you just have to take your time and keep your wits about you. I would say American drivers are definately not as agressive (though at certain times of the year there are probably more British drivers on the roads of Kissimmee than American

If you're not used to driving an automatic get the guy at the car hire place to go over the controls before you set of. One car we had, you had to release the handbrake via a handle under the steering column!! IMHO to get the best out of Orlando you do need a car. Enjoy!


Maria

 

[Tony Toon]

Hi,
I-Drive is like driving down a two lane dual carriageway with hardly any cars on it.
Maria

Is this the same I Drive that I know and avoid like the plague if at all possible?

To reassure Claddagh though, driving in Orlando really is a doddle so long as you remain alert to the usual things you would encounter, even here in this country. And there is nothing to worry about if you find yourself on I Drive either. I have always found it in most places to be pretty gridlocked. So if nothing moves then there is nothing to worry about, is there?

Seriously, I have found driving in Florida to be a pleasure, and in the main a much more relaxed exercise than it is here.

 

[tyke]

Check out Kissimmee-US192.com

The site has a dedicated section for UK Visitors including a great guide for First Time Drivers and also has loads of Interactive Maps for the Orlando area.

Happy motoring

tyke

 

[carolfoy]

Can I just add that its not impossible to enjoy your stay without driving? the first year I went everyone told me that i'd need to drive to get the most out of it but I just didn't want to even tho' I drive in Spain all the time, we found the Lynx busses to be great and only needed a taxi once so the overall spend on transport was $$$$ less than car hire/insurance and parking costs and so much less stressful

 

[chas]

Check out Kissimmee-US192.com

The site has a dedicated section for UK Visitors including a great guide for First Time Drivers and also has loads of Interactive Maps for the Orlando area.

Happy motoring

tyke

Brilliant site has made us feel more comfortable about driving over there.

 

[binkyboots]

As a first time car hirer I'm very nervous indeed! that site is good, but, how scary is it?

do the folks at the rental place give any instructions at all?

 

[Tony Toon]

If you get to the car and are unsure of anything, just go back to the desk and ask for assistance. I did this in July when the automatic gear levers were on the dash rather than on the floor (yeah I know it seems pretty basic to most folk on here but it was the first time I had come across this.) Rather than doing something foolish trying to work it out for myself, I asked for help and they were only too glad to help (better than maybe a red face later ). So don't be embarrassed to ask. I'm sure they've seen everything before.

 

[Soprano]

We are hiring a car through Virgin and Dollar and although we're staying in Kissimmee we are getting coach transfers from the airport and getting the car the next day from 'Holiday Inn International' (presume this is I-drive).

This is an interesting idea. It will be our first time driving but am quite put off by arriving at the airport after 14 hours of travel, then having to drive a car.

I am flying with Virgin too and staying at the Holiday Inn International.

How did you arrange both transfer and car hire?? I didn't see it online

 

[alisonbestford]

I dropped off our hire car at the Holiday Inn in Feb and it was fine
To tell the truth it was the one and only time I drove the car alone and, initially, I was incredibly nervous
Try not to worry, everything will be fine

 

[Claddagh]

Is this the same I Drive that I know and avoid like the plague if at all possible?
QUOTE]

Hi Tony Toon ,

I notice that you go in July mainly, so I can understand why you avoid I Drive !! We have been in September or November when it has been really quiet so we maybe have have not seen the true madness of Orlando traffic

 

[AnitaCB]

This is an interesting idea. It will be our first time driving but am quite put off by arriving at the airport after 14 hours of travel, then having to drive a car.

I am flying with Virgin too and staying at the Holiday Inn International.

How did you arrange both transfer and car hire?? I didn't see it online

It's advertised in the Virgin Florida brochure. You can't arrange it online - there's a bit added to the section where you choose a car or transfers to contact them if you want both. Thomson arranged it for us, although Virgin have not been that good with the details. We just did not fancy trying to navigate unknown roads after a long flight, especially as we've never been before!! We should be getting our car from the Rodeway Inn Dollar office on the first day of our holiday (they come and collect us) and then we return it to them on the last day. Hopefully it will work!!

 

[GarryK]

BinkyBoots

If you can handle the new Edinburgh Traffic Management scheme, the city-bypass in the morning or the Gyle at start/finish times then you'll find driving in Orlando an absolute breeze.

Take it easy to begin with, familiarise yourself with the car and you'll have no problems. To me, driving in Orlando is part of the holiday fun and is so much eaiser than driving in the UK. Quite happy to forego a few beers when we're out at night 'cos there's always some in the fridge in the hotel.

Garry

 

[binkyboots]

ah, thank you garryk, that's pretty reasuring, yep, gyle, bypass, heavy traffic (lol, traffic managent, ugh) and rush hours are all fine, I feel a bit better about this now!

My dad's given me a few hints about automatic cars, but I think I'll be ok, probably worse coming from America to the uk I imagine, encountering gear sticks etc...

 

[alisonbestford]

My dad's given me a few hints about automatic cars, but I think I'll be ok, probably worse coming from America to the uk I imagine, encountering gear sticks etc...

I read this earlier, from a 'Passporter' (US site) e-mail, and had to smile

Of course, car rental is always an option (make your car rental reservations before leaving home), but remember, the British drive on the "wrong" side of the road! London probably isn't the best place to learn to drive on the other side of the road! As in the rest of Europe, train travel in Great Britain is efficient, affordable and comfortable and allows you to travel between large cities and small towns in first class or second class sections.

I can only drive an automatic car (and am licensed as such) and would be totally lost trying to drive a manual!

I can't even begin to imagine trying to drive one - even on the 'right side' of the road

 

[AnitaCB]

This is an interesting idea. It will be our first time driving but am quite put off by arriving at the airport after 14 hours of travel, then having to drive a car.

I am flying with Virgin too and staying at the Holiday Inn International.

How did you arrange both transfer and car hire?? I didn't see it online

Soprano,

Forgot to say we were told there is a Dollar office at the Holiday Inn on I Drive, so if that is where you're staying, the return transfer and car pick up would work really well for you. If you do book it and Virgin say you can't have both (this happened to us), just ask your agent to confirm it via the phone with Virgin and there should be no problem!