First time driver - help and suggestions

We are visiting Orlando at the end of November, we are staying for 7 nights at one of the Disney Hotels and 10 nights on International Drive (embassy suites - jamaica court). We are planning to hire a car for 7 of the days we are on international drive ..... I haven%26#39;t driven in orlando before and am a little nervous!!! We have decided to pay extra for a GPS (hopefully to make it a bit less stressful so we don%26#39;t have to mess about with maps etc). The first day we are planning to drive to 2 of the malls off i-drive (to break me into driving) - going to mall at millenia and florida mall. We also thought we might visit clearwater for a day?

Has anyone got any other suggestions for places to visit?? Or tips on driving?

Thanks in advance

First time driver - help and suggestions

Louchie, driving over there is easier than the UK..slow down, keep with the pace of the slower vehicles and watch for cars undertaking..they call them ramps(slip roads) they are not very long and the lane can close on you..the sign posts are very good and clear..watch your speed fines are steep..one tip, at a red light unless specificlly told ,you can turn right if your way is clear..you might get a local thumping is horn at you for not going..

it will not take long for you to get used to it..and if its raining and you use the wipers you have to use dipped head lights..I was told this on my fist visit in 93..

as for places to go..visit orlando tourist info and brouse.

happy driving

First time driver - help and suggestions

Dont advertise that fact you are a tourist, dont sit on the side of the road reading a may, pull into a well lit area or gas station.

Also, if you are on the interstate and you see a vehicle on the ';hard shoulder'; you should try and move to the next lane if its clear, rather than driving right next to the stranded motorist be it a lorry or car whatever.

If you are filling the car up yourself, use the lowest price unleaded - after all its not your car!

Dont carry alcohol in the car with you, even un-opened. It must be in the boot (trunk). Make sure you carry your rental agreement and driving licence with you, we had a smash on the I4 a few years back when a guy ran into the back of us while we were in a traffic jam, and the sherrif told us it was the law to have all your documents with you.

Last of all, relax and enjoy the drive.

of course I meant a MAP not a may!!!!

Hi louchie!

Don%26#39;t worry, you%26#39;ll be fine! I drove last November for the first time, and we had a huge Ford E150 van. There was 2 of us sharing the driving, but the other guy%26#39;s chin hit the parking lot floor when he saw the Dollar guy pull up in the E150, and chickened out, leaving me to do all the driving. I loved it! take the advise of others here, and i%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll love it too. I%26#39;ll never rely on transfers and buses ever again! We had gps, and were really glad of it.

The right turn on red thing, just think of it as our left turn with a give way, because that%26#39;s all it is! ( unless you get the no right turn on red sign of course).

Take your time, watch people over taking either side of you, and most of all, have a blast!!!

Don`t panic, driving is really easy there. Just need to think about direction you will be travelling e.g. North or South on Interstate 4, to get to destination. All roads are well signposted and unless you want to go off the beaten track I really don`t think you need sat nav.

After a week at the parks you might want to chill out a bit so a day at the beach would be good. However, although Clearwater is close there are far nicer Gulf coast resorts e.g. Anna Maria Island, or places further north than Clearwater.

If staying on I Drive then Kennedy Space Ctre is an easy 1 hr drive, of course there are the Universal Parks and Seaworld. Boggy Creek airboat rides are good fun. Lots to do on I Drive - Wonderworks, crazy golf (but not as we know it )etc etc