| Author |  Topic  | |
sallyann
 United Kingdom
13 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2008
Status: offline |  Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 15:44:37  
| Hi thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome at the site. I have a few questions, the first one is this will be the first time me and my husband have ever drove abroad (let alone the USA), Where can we get a hand book on the rules over there. As someone has mentioned to me that even when the light is on red you can still turn right. The second question is we are flying with Virgin but have recently heard some negative things about this airline such as long delays and staff being rude. Is this true or just Gossip. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Sally
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CERICROWLEY
 United Kingdom
3956 Posts
Joined: 14 May 2004
Status: online | |
normajohnp
 United Kingdom
797 Posts
Joined: 08 Feb 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 16:14:37
| Hi Sally,
If you have hired your car through Dollar they give you a booklet when you pick your car up with the most important points to remember when driving in Florida like turning on a red etc. I have just returned and you are wellcome to the booklet if you would like it. If you would like me to send you the booklet please DM me your address and I will send it to you then you can read through it before you go. We flew with Virgin last year and the flights were fine, but as we do not usually fly with them I can`t really comment on them. Let me know about the booklet ie, if you want it or not.
Norma. |
http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-38.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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andrewmckay5
 Canada
2375 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Status: offline | |
sallyann
United Kingdom
13 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 16:50:53
| Hi Norma,
That would be great. Thank you very much. I must admit we are more than a little nervous about driving over there. How should i send you my home address? You have mentioned DM, but i'm sorry i don't know what that means.
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sallyann
United Kingdom
13 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 17:00:45
| Hi Norma,
Thanks for the offer, but i have just found out that the lady i have booked the villa from has a copy and she is going to post it to me, along with some documents. But Thank you again for the very kind offer.
Sally | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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sundowner
 United Kingdom
1253 Posts
Joined: 17 May 2005
Status: offline | |
Madabouttigger
 United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 19:05:55
| Hi Sally - dont worry about driving, it is really quite easy, just take your time and read up on the rules before you go. A sat nav is a brilliant idea if you are feeling a little worried. You will get lost a few times, every one does, but a lot of the drivers in Orlando are people on holiday, just like you and we found most drivers to be really courtious.
We always fly from Manchester with Virgin and haven't had any problems at all. Dont forget your on line check in - it's brilliant, and sign up for air miles then you can discount your next trip.
Have fun planning your trip.
Diane. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Jill
United Kingdom
2004 Posts
Joined: 23 Feb 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 09:19:18
| Sally you have just mentioned a good reason for booking a villa direct from the owner rather than through a third party when you said
"the lady i have booked the villa from has a copy and she is going to post it to me, along with some documents"
It is doubtful you would be able to get that kind of help through a third party booking. |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1519 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 12:27:31
| With reference to the 'turn right on red' rule.
I heard, 'second hand' that a German visitor thought that rule gave him the priority to turn right on a red traffic light i.e. other traffic gave way!!!!!
So in case anyone else is under any misapprehension about the rule - you can indeed turn right, but you must give way to traffic coming from your left. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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blott
 United Kingdom
22234 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: online | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 14:18:10
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
With reference to the 'turn right on red' rule.
I heard, 'second hand' that a German visitor thought that rule gave him the priority to turn right on a red traffic light i.e. other traffic gave way!!!!!
So in case anyone else is under any misapprehension about the rule - you can indeed turn right, but you must give way to traffic coming from your left.
Oh, I think I've met the person who does this Robert!  |
Blott
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/150.aspx
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50sumtng
United Kingdom
78 Posts
Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 15:03:51
| Personally, I have found that USA drivers are a lot more curteous than european and the overall driving speeds are a bit lower. I guess that most drivers in the orlando area are well used to the tourist drivers. Just remember that they will overtake you on either side and some of the big trucks can be a bit intimidating.
Usually, the biggest test is finding the correct exit out of Orlando airport.  . Once you have mastered that, the rest is easy |
paul
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Southsider
 United Kingdom
1346 Posts
Joined: 23 Nov 2003
Status: offline | |
Tavles
 United Kingdom
40 Posts
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 16:11:27
| Hi Sally
Don't worry about driving in Florida. I find it easier and less stressfull than driving here in the UK on our small and overcrowded roads.I really enjoy driving in Forida,it's one of the things I look forward to every trip.So relax Sally and I hope you and your husband have a brilliant holiday.
Alan
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Frosty
 USA
851 Posts
Joined: 15 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 17:00:32
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
With reference to the 'turn right on red' rule.
I heard, 'second hand' that a German visitor thought that rule gave him the priority to turn right on a red traffic light i.e. other traffic gave way!!!!!
So in case anyone else is under any misapprehension about the rule - you can indeed turn right, but you must give way to traffic coming from your left.
And pedestrians, as they can be crossing the road you are turning on to!
Sally, you may want to check with the villa owner wether they offer the facility of a "meet and greet". This is where someone will park up at the airport and meet you when you clear customs, they can then guide you through the airport and car pick up and even give you the option to follow them home. Alternately some will pick you up at the airport and then drive you home and then pick up a car from a more local depot such as on the 192.
If you are at all nervous and worried, i would enquire, it may take some of the stress out of your holiday.
If you need anymore help give me a DM i might be able to help you.
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Neil & Kay | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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sallyann
United Kingdom
13 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 19:43:15
| | A big Thank you to you all for your tips and reasurance. We have ordered a sat nav, but unfortunatley they did'nt have any available, although the very nice man did say he would have one for the day after we arrive and would hand delivery it to our villa. The only problem is that we still have to get from the airport to our villa. (Which is approx a 40 min drive). Also thank you to Neil and Kay for the tip about the meet and greet, I will ask the lady who owns the villa and let you know. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Beaky
![]() United Kingdom
14 Posts
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Jun 2008 : 19:19:24
| I just got home today after our first visit
We stayed at Windsor Hills and it was the best holiday I and my family have ever had.
I was a little worried about driving but it was much more enjoyable than this country !!
We did have a Sat Nav mind you and it really improved the driving experience !
You will love it.
We did
Leighton
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Julie Sayer
![]() United Kingdom
8 Posts
Joined: 12 Nov 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 14 Jun 2008 : 12:04:13
| | We have flown with virgin a number of times and never had any problems. As far as our family are concerned the flight is a means to an end and as long as we get there we don't care who we fly with. My father died in florida and we had flown with virgin. We found they couldn't have been better and was there for the whole family. Polite and helpfull. I can't complain about the help that they gave us at that distressing time. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ShirleyD
 United Kingdom
5529 Posts
Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 14 Jun 2008 : 12:45:00
| Hi Julie, I'm sorry to hear about your father and I am so glad the Virgin staff were there to help you. It sounds like Virgin are going through a bit of a bad patch with staff morale and reliability issues, but on the whole, they are a good safe airline who will come through when needed.
Sallyann, I would take the sat nav from the next day. The owner of your villa will give you detailed instructions of how to get to the villa and I am sure will also talk you through the journey in advance. If you are staying south of the airport, in my experience, the sat nav tries to send you out the North exit to join the I4 in the busier International drive area, when you are better using the quiet 417 toll road from the south exit, so although it will get you there, the owner will know the best route anyway  |
Shirley
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ellie
 United Kingdom
5994 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 14 Jun 2008 : 21:31:56
| Sally Ann, I can understand your nervousness about driving in Florida. I have to confess that despite being a villa owner who travels to Orlando several times a year I had never driven in 12 years of visiting Florida. I left it to my husband each time.
Well, I have finally done it, and I can honestly tell you that I wish I had done it before. I had never driven an automatic, so was worried about that, but it really is easy, and the roads are much better than here in the UK. If you happen to go wrong then you just turn into the next interchange and drive a little way back and there you are. On the whole drivers are much more courteous, and do not drive close to your bumper, they do not flash you if you go wrong, and seem far more patient.
So try not to worry, I am sure you will be fine, and you will wonder why you had any fears. |
Ellie
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deejay-55
51 Posts
Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Status: offline | |
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Driving and Flights
