Florida holiday!!

[Emma]

Hiya,
Since you're the only american people i 'know', thought i'd see if anyone could help with our florida trip in august. It's the first time any of us have been to america.
My husband won't drive over there - no discussion or comprimise - he just won't! lol, and I dont drive so that leaves us with public transport - how easy is it to use?? Will we be ok trying to see things without use of a car. We're staying on international drive.
Any other advice on what to see or do would be lovely too as we are completely new to it all and SOOOOOO excited!!!

Thankyou
Love Emma
xxx

 

[Ross]

You seriously need to have one or the other drive, otherwise you'll miss something that you can only do if driving yourself. Tie him down and use a cattle prod on him until he agrees with you and obeys your every command.

What parts of Florida did you want to see? The whole state is one big tourist spot, so it's hard to say unless we know what you like to do.

 

[hensylee]

you must mean International Drive in Orlando. Orlando's the city with the most fun stuff to do. I think if you talk with your motel/hotel people, they can find all the transportation you will want. Do it ahead of time, tho. I presume you have already made reservations (?). The big hotels have their own transportation to the places like Disney World, Sea World, and Universal. I am sure they must go to other places too. There used to be Church Street Station, but I think they shut that down - if it's still there, go at night if you can. It's in the middle of downtown Orlando, but I believe my son told me they closed it - shame. It was wonderful and you could spend many hours there. There are many restaurants and night clubs (if you're not too tired at night) - every sort you will want - in Orlando, some restaurants have shows while you dine. If you have some specific questions, just let 'em fly this way and maybe we can solve it for you.

If you head for Tampa you will want to see Busch Gardens. It has an African theme. A lovely place to visit and spend a day - or two. Lots of rides and things to see (many animals). While in Tampa, you could take in Weeki Wachee Springs. It's just a hop/skip from Tampa. Has a famous underwater ballet.

If you go to St Augustine, you can drive yourself - not as much traffic. There is the famous and oldest fort in the U.S. in that city. aCTUALLY, it's the oldest city in U.S. Spaniards started it first. In OLD St Augustine there is the Fountain of Youth (just a simple hole in the ground, tho). The original homes are in a square and it's been restored to its original state - houses are adjacent to each other, joined actually. Lots of little shops, ice cream stores, cafes to visit. It won't take you a whole day there.

Anywhere else you might be going? We can fill you in.

I can't blame your husband for not wanting to drive in Orlando. I lived there for six months and the traffic was horrendous then - can't imagine what it is since nearly 20 yrs ago. I-4 (main highway through Orlando) was built without knowing what was going to happen in Florida and they made a huge miscalculation when they built it. It should be about 8 lanes on both sides but it isn't.

P.S. don't go to Miami - it's filled with crime. Tourists have died there. Be careful on International drive, too. It was and maybe still is where night people hang out (prostitutes, etc).

 

[gadgetman]

Ann,

The reason they have a fear of driving in the U.S. is that "THEY" drive on the "WRONG SIDE" in the UK .

Emma,

I never made it to England during my tours with the military but had several friends that had been there. They said the driving was hard to get used to at first but they were able to get around. One said it made him think about his driving more. Several rental companies here in the U.S. have special programs for foreign drivers that might help you out.

The U.S. does not have anything like the public transportation available in Europe. We love our cars too much to give them up. They have tried just about everything to FORCE Americans out of their cars and into public transportation but no go. Most big cities have some forms of public trans (buses and taxis) but nothing like you are used to over there.

Can't help you much in "where to go" in Florida as I am usually a tourist there too. Outside Orlando just about any sightseeing will require "do-it-yourself" driving. As Ross said, what are you interested in seeing? Plenty of Theme Parks throughout Florida and also a lot of historic places. More of the "family" will probably be on after the holidays to help y'all out. Shoot, some of our family might even offer to help out as "tour guides". Good luck on your trip and hope you enjoy the old (and new) U. S. of A.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Phyllis]

Can't blame you for not wanting to drive on the "wrong side" of the road - we don't like to drive in England either and I95 (the main highway on the East Coast of FL) is known as combat highway. Roads are always under construction adding more lanes and the more they add, the more they need. If you stay only in the Orlando area, you will no doubt be able to arrange transportation to most sites of interest as Henyslee said. If you do manage to venture to the East Coast, there are many beautiful beaches between Palm Beach and Miami. We think Miami is not as dangerous as portrayed. We winter in Boca Raton and often drive to Miami for a Miami Heat Game, to visit Dick's alma mater the U of M, dinner at Joe's Stone Crab or a visit to South Beach which is a beautifully restored Art Deco area with many restaurants along the beach and a lot of European visitors. There is a great tri-rail system on the East Coast and also what is known as a "people mover" in Miami (sort of above ground subway system). If you give us an idea of your itinerary, maybe we can help some more.

 

[geebee]

If you are staying on International drive in Orlando and in a fairly good size hotel, you should be able to get transportation assistance from the concierge. However, driving will be necessary for anything outside the Orlando area. You are limiting yourself by not driving.

Depending on how long you stay, you may not have time for anything outside Orlando so you may be fine.

Obviously, Disney World is a must see and that can take a few days. Sea World, Universal Studios, etc. are all in the area and each takes a full day. There are also some great shopping areas in Orlando. Check with your hotel and there may be bus tours available to places like the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral (only about an hour's drive).

How exciting for you. I am headed to Clearwater (on the west coast) the end of June. Since I am fearless when it comes to driving (kinda a road trip person like Cory), I will be driving to Orlando, the cape and a couple of other places to see friends.

Take care.

 

[hensylee]

Ann,

The reason they have a fear of driving in the U.S. is that "THEY" drive on the "WRONG SIDE" in the UK .

Danny

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that! Don't drive in Orlando - you will die. That's a given. Even if you drive on the 'right' side of the road, it's iffy.

 

[Mary]

Emma,

I didn't think Orlando was hard to drive in at all when we visited, but I drive in St. Louis and Chicago so that might make a difference.

We also stayed on Internationall Drive, and you won't have problems getting to the theme parks using public transportation.
The bad thing, if you were driving yourself, you could take the "toll highway--can't remember the number--East to Coco Beach. It's only a thirty minute drive, and we loved it there.

Of course, if you don't get to see everything that you want to see, you'll just have to make Another visit!

 

[geebee]

The bad thing, if you were driving yourself, you could take the "toll highway--can't remember the number--East to Coco Beach. It's only a thirty minute drive, and we loved it there.

I think it is the Bee-Line Expressway - I agree, a great road. Love the Cocoa Beach area. Ron Jon's Surf shop - an interesting place. I was there is 1971 when it was just a hole in the wall (about a 15'X30' storefront). Now it is huge, huge, huge. Another Cocoa Beach area hotspot a restaurant called Dixie Crossroads that has the best shrimp in the world (and corn fritters to die for).