Florida Trip Advice!

[Shockwave]

OK, as I'm coming over to Florida and indeed the US for the first time ever in 7 weeks time today, I'd like some good advice about the fair state.

 

I'm pretty clued up on parks and how to get to each one, what I'm after is some more general advice.

 

Driving

 

Where are the best/cheapest places to fill up for gasoline? Names, brands, etc?

 

Do you guys have gas stations at Wal-Marts as we have at a lot of supermarkets over here? Our supermarkets offer very competitive rates.

 

And what would be a reasonable price mark to look out for? Over here I am currently filling up at 86.9pence per litre - sorry I haven't got a clue how to convert litres to US Gallons!

 

I'm gonna be using the Florida Turnpikes for two big drives. I know the prices for driving where I need to go, but how busy do they get, and are there certain times to avoid like the plague? Are they really worth the money over the Interstates? Also, how can I get a SmartPASS or whatever they're called? Or will it just be easier to pay with coins?

 

What are the general speed limits on the roads? Obviously I'll be looking out for speed limit signs, but a general idea would be really useful.

 

OK - really stupid question. What sequence do your traffic signals use? In the UK it's Red (Stop), Red/Amber (Get Ready), Green (Go), Amber (Stop unless it's too late to do so), Red (Stop).

 

Any other driving tips you could give me would be most appreicated.

 

Eating

 

Where would you recommend getting good fast food from? I've already got Maccy D's and Subway covered, but any other suggestions are welcome!

 

Shopping

 

Because the US is a LOT cheaper for most things than the UK, I'm gonna buy me some cool stuff over there. I've already seen that Wal-Mart are quite competitive on lots of stuff, and I also plan to check out a Hot Topic store if one is nearby.

 

Can you recommend me the places to get:

 

Clothes (casual - shirts - 3/4 shorts etc - VANS, Etnies and other brand skate shoes, other training shoes like Nike, NewBalance, etc)

 

Electronics (Camera/Camcorder Accessories, such as memory cards, lenses, an iPod 60GB)

 

 

 

If I can think of anything else, I'll add more questions later.

 

Thanks for any help you can give!

[SharkTums]

Oh, we're going to have so much fun!!!

 

Orlando Premium Outlets here we come!!!!

 

On a more serious note, gas prices have been flucuating way too much to give you an accurate price now. In Florida Citgo is a real brand that is usually pretty cheap. Lights go Green (Go), Yellow (try to stop), Red (stop), the other way they just switch from red to green.

 

For the turnpikes you're going to need about $2 for the big one going back and forth to Wild Adventures, then have at least $5 in quarters. You basically have to use them for some of your routes, there is no other good alternative. Don't bother with the 'sunpass' it has a fee to get one and you won't get your monies worth in just 2 weeks. Florida traffic isn't terrible, but I would avoid the normal rush hours of 7 - 9am and 4 - 6pm if you can.

 

Having never driven in the states, let alone Florida, probably the biggest advise you should get is to be careful of the weather. 'Florida Rain' shoudn't be in full force when you're out there but you should not drive in it. I have seen way too many accidents by tourists driving in it on I-4. It will seriously make it so you can't see anything. Just ask Derek about the Green Clouds and tornadoes we drove through to Orlando from the turnpike one time!!!

 

Speed limits on interstates and turnpikes will be between 55 and 70mph. On local roads watch out, cause it could be as low as 15 and as high as 55!

 

Shopping - Like I said, we'll take you to some places!

Eating - Fastfood...hmmm, this is hard for me since I don't like much! But I would suggest Checkers, Taco Bell, um, stuff....

 

 

Hope this helps!

[Homer]

You forgot to mention...

 

I-4 will always be under construction and/or in a traffic jam. Its a pain in the ass as well. If you encounter any big traffic in the WDW area, find a backroad. But I wouldn't suggest it for a tourist... although sometimes those jams can be 2 hours long!

 

And stay away from Waffle House!

[ParkTrips]

There are two tolls going from Orlando to Gainesville and beyond - a $.50 toll right in Orlando, and a $2.50 toll on the Florida Turnpike or whatever they call it. It will cost you $6 in tolls to get to Valdosta and return.

 

(PS when are you going to Wild Adventures??)

 

not sure if this will work, but here is every Wal Mart around Orlando with a gas station. They are usually a little cheaper than surrounding gas stations as well

 

There are about 4 Litres per US Gallon (actually, 3.79 to be exact!), so we pay about .39 GBP per litre

 

*based on $2.50/gallon

[Louise]

Tom: Make a trip to Steak N Shake. For me. Please.

 

And have fun, I'm not at all jealous.

[USRoadTripper]

In December, the gas prices on Disney property were less than those off property, so any time you are at Disney, you'll probably want to fill up. There is also a Hess station on 535 near the new Walmart that is usually more reasonable than the others in the area.

Orlando has TONS of great outlets, so no worries about finding good shopping. There are Disney and Universal outlet stores too, so you can pick up some souvenirs there for a LOT less than in the parks. I'd also definitely suggest hitting a Walmart...on my first couple of trips to Canada, Walmart was a destination because some things were *so* much cheaper than home (as in, I just finished up my last tube of Aquafresh Blanchissant that I bought in 2001 because it was so much cheaper in Canada!).

As for restaurants, there will be a little of everything. Look at the Fast Food Thread to see what others like and don't like! My personal pick is Taco Bell

Have fun, and I look forward to meeting you!

 

-Julie