Driving from Sanford (first time US driver)

[dave5282]

Hi Guys,

Myself and my girfriend are toying with the idea of renting a car in september. But we are flying into Sanford, and I have been warned that the drive from Sanford to LBV can be an uncomfortable one for someone who has never driven in Florida before... is it really that bad?? and based on the fact I have been driving for 6 years and avg 30k miles a year in the UK, will I struggle?

[jon_burrows]

Hi Dave the drive from Sanford is ok. You can either go down I4 or go down the SR417. SR417 is a toll road so you may need some change. Have a look here (http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/sfb_via417.html) for directions.

[dave5282]

Cheers Jon.

The photo maps look they will be a great help, approx how long will it take from sanford to LBV?

[Redkop]

those photo directions are great, cant advise on time as i havent visited that resort

[jon_burrows]

It'll probably take about one hour at the most to get to LBV. The toll roads are usually quiet.

[OKWTink]

It's a lovely ride. :yes:

As you cross over the bridge for Lake Jesup, keep your eyes peeled. It has the most 'gators of any other lake in Florida. :eek:

Take the 417. Yes, it's a toll road, but you won't have to deal with the horrors that are I4!

It will drop you right in Celebration, and you will be able to exit from Celebration to 192. Right in the heart of the fun stuff!

Don't hesitate to ask at the rental counter for a map of the journey to WDW area. Quite often they are free for the asking.

It will take you all of an hour. May take a bit more, or a bit less depending on weather and traffic.

[Duggs]

I've driven in the USA and especially Florida tons of times but never having flown in or out of Sanford.

Personally, for simplicity sake, I'll gonna drive straight across to I4 then South bound towards LBV etc etc...One straight road, right though basically. Can't go wrong...unless I end up in Tampa of course in which case I KNOW I've gone a bit to far ????

[jacquiE]

Hi

did the trip from sanford to Idrive for the first time last Nov, we took the I4 on the inward trip and got stuck in the traffic for some football match and it took us 4hours:( on the way back it took just 25mins:) and was a straight trip up the 4 would say that if you are cool about driving in the us then go for the I4 and hopefully the football match is not on when your there i think its around the 19th nov this year we are going back on the 16th of nov so we should have a easy drive to the hotel this time around.

[ukwdwnut]

dave we drove down from sanford in 02 on the 417 toll road, took us about an hour. honestly its a dead easy and straight forward drive, there was hardly ANY cars on the road when we did it. you will be fine, and driving in FL is a piece of cake much better than here :)

[tracey.cross]

We did the drive in Nov and Alamo the car hire company gave us spot on directions to the toll road. 5 mins from the airport we were on the toll road and then 40mins of quite staightforward toll road. We got off the toll road and were pretty much in the middle of disney. Driving on disney property is very easy as all is well signposted. Then 10 mins later were art all stars.

The only thing that made the drive difficult was that we were tired from the 10hour flight (our plane landed nearly 2 hours behind shedule due to head wind and a minor delay at gatwick) and it started to get dark half way into the drive. We found our way fine but would have rather not driven in a new country tired and in the dark.

[dave5282]

Cheers for your replies guys.
The advice I was given initially was from someone who came straight out of the airport and onto I4. I guess the trick is to avoid I4 and use the 417 with a pocket full of dollar bills and or quarters.
I think I will also print out those colour photograph step by step instructions and get the girlfriend to navigate whilst intermittantly reminding me to drive on the right.:rolleyes:

[OKWTink]

LOL! When I was preparing for a holiday in Ireland, one of the guide books I read said to have a navigator who would say, "Drifting!" if the driver started to cross over the lanes! LOL!

Hey, it comes in handy. :blush: (It's really just the turning corners bit that can get you confused). :luck:

[dave5282]

Okay, so i (at least) am decied on driving, we have a quote for £300 for the fortnight (Sept 15-29 this year) inc a young drivers special insurance pack with Budget as I'm 'only' 24, which seems the cheapest so far
I seem to remember from previous trips that you have to pay to park at disney, can anyone remember how much this is, and if its inc in our 14 day ultimate tickets?

[Whitequeen]

Not included in tickets and I think it's about $8 to park now.:unsure:

[Redkop]

Its $9 to park at the disney parks, though keep your ticket as you can use it within the same day at other parks :thumbs:

[Whitequeen]

See, I have no idea.:lol: I've never paid for parking. I was guessing.:rolleyes:

[Redkop]

info here (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/parkingprices.html)

[JuniorMickey]

Remember if you're staying onsite or have an AP you do not pay to park

[YNWA]

Okay, so i (at least) am decied on driving, we have a quote for £300 for the fortnight (Sept 15-29 this year) inc a young drivers special insurance pack with Budget as I'm 'only' 24, which seems the cheapest so far
I seem to remember from previous trips that you have to pay to park at disney, can anyone remember how much this is, and if its inc in our 14 day ultimate tickets?

Yea im 24 too, was worried about driving in FL in june even though ive been driving since 17. the 417 is dead easy and quiet, its just a straight run, have to keep your eyes on the road and not look at all the 'gaters in the lakes!!

We are going back in october and paying £320 for two weeks for a 7 seater minivan. From time to time they do a deal where they waiver the suppliment for under 25 year old drivers, so watch out for that.

In june we used U-Save who were excellent at only £130 per week and they do not charge an under 25 suppliment, we got a free upgrade too

[dave5282]

Cheers for that Nick.
were wuld I find U-save, do they have a website?

[ukwdwnut]

nick where do you pick the car up from using u save? that was a great price for the van :)

[YNWA]

Cheers for that Nick.
were wuld I find U-save, do they have a website?

Im not sure, i booked it through my job, try a google. ill have a look for you, see wot i can find

[YNWA]

nick where do you pick the car up from using u save? that was a great price for the van :)

Its a shuttle bus ride away from both airports, takes 5 mins and they take you back to airport on way back too. Very good rates and no problems at all, this time the rate was with Budget at £162 per week for minivan with all the insurance charges from MCO

[YNWA]

Its a shuttle bus ride away from both airports, takes 5 mins and they take you back to airport on way back too. Very good rates and no problems at all, this time the rate was with Budget at £162 per week for minivan with all the insurance charges from MCO

I mean for october when we go

[ukwdwnut]

is that van price discounted at your rate not joe public or for jp too, cos the last time i got a 7 str it was £550, that not too bad 5 mins is it better than when alamo were off site i would never have found my way back to their place, good job the people we were with went back a day later so it was their problem :lol:

[YNWA]

is that van price discounted at your rate not joe public or for jp too, cos the last time i got a 7 str it was £550, that not too bad 5 mins is it better than when alamo were off site i would never have found my way back to their place, good job the people we were with went back a day later so it was their problem :lol:

Im sure you could get a 7 seater much less than £550, yes that is my discounted rate but its only usually 30% off what the public price is