How easy to drive around Florida?

[mick]

PS

Forgot to add that the first toll leaving SFB on the 417 south and also on the 528 leaving MCO north are also manned. So no need to worry about searching the airports to buy something

A handful of tolls in Florida are also cashless - see here

sunpass/en/about/whe...eSunPass.shtml

Mick

[SuckingDiesel]

Thanks all and Mick if you could link your "Why a villa" that would be fab.

We were due to go for our first time this week staying onsite😭. The plan was to then return in a couple of years and do Universal etc instead.

I think realistically we probably won't go now until 2022, so debating trying to take a longer holiday and do it all in one trip.

[Geordie boy 57]

Originally Posted by mick

You don't know how happy I am to be posting good things again

This is the first toll as you leave MCO on the 417 south.

If you want to pay cash just keep right and give the attendant no more than a $20 bill and ask for change. Most plazas on main carriageways are manned. Most on the off ramps aren't so you'll need change to pay at tolls like this - j2 off the 417

Or you can of course use Sunpass

Mick

See more...

I’ve missed your toll pictures Mick
They sure helped me loads when I drove for the first time
I knew the route from MCO to villa like the back of my hand before we even flew
Definitely agree that driving over there is far easier than hear
Even changed my company car to an automatic since

[mick]

Originally Posted by SuckingDiesel

Thanks all and Mick if you could link your "Why a villa" that would be fab.

We were due to go for our first time this week staying onsite😭. The plan was to then return in a couple of years and do Universal etc instead.

I think realistically we probably won't go now until 2022, so debating trying to take a longer holiday and do it all in one trip.

See more...

Not a link as such but something I've saved in Word as I've posted it a few times on here over the years. But please bear in mind that there's other equally valid supporters of hotels and we're not typical Dibbers now by a long way but here you go

Why villa over hotel?

Apologies for a list but as I’ve responded to this question a few times it’s a bit easier for me to summarise.

Would like to clarify this list though by saying that we’re both 70+ and have visited over 35 times but haven’t been to a park for many years. Also there’s only two of us in a 4 bed villa. Our needs and holiday plans are highly unlikely to be typical of other Dibbers.

1. Park at your front door not a mile away.
2. Lots of space to spread out.
3. Own private pool within 20’ of lounge and use it any time of day.
4. Own spa to watch the sun rise and set.
5. Pop back inside any time for drinks – hot or cold.
6. Spare bedroom to store shopping.
7. Spare bedroom for family occasionally joining us (after notifying owner obviously).
8. Choice of bathrooms if one engaged – including one on the pool deck.
9. Eat meals and snacks whenever you like prepared in the full kitchen.
10. Listen to your own music without offending fellow guests and neighbours.
11. Watch TV in the lounge or bedroom (s).
12. Separate walk in shower in the master bathroom plus a large tub.
13. Ability to keep on top of the clothes washing.
14. The lanai at the villa we use allows shade and sunbathing easily.
15. Freedom of access without wondering if housekeeping are there or have been.

Mick

[mick]

Originally Posted by Geordie boy 57

I’ve missed your toll pictures Mick
They sure helped me loads when I drove for the first time
I knew the route from MCO to villa like the back of my hand before we even flew
Definitely agree that driving over there is far easier than hear
Even changed my company car to an automatic since

See more...

We should have been driving through the left hand lanes of that plaza tomorrow at around 5pm and using the Visitor Toll Pass again as we did last November. VTP currently suspended though

Mick

[mick]

Originally Posted by SuckingDiesel

Thanks all and Mick if you could link your "Why a villa" that would be fab.

We were due to go for our first time this week staying onsite😭. The plan was to then return in a couple of years and do Universal etc instead.

I think realistically we probably won't go now until 2022, so debating trying to take a longer holiday and do it all in one trip.

See more...

Come back if you want any car hire advice but, to be honest, you may not get robust quotes more than 12 months out.

Maybe make a diary note to come back on here a year before you plan on going. I have every intention of still being here

Mick

[Geordie boy 57]

Originally Posted by mick

We should have been driving through the left hand lanes of that plaza tomorrow at around 5pm and using the Visitor Toll Pass again as we did last November. VTP currently suspended though

Mick

See more...

I’m sure you will be driving over there again when this is all over
“Stay safe”

[jemrock]

Originally Posted by mick

You don't know how happy I am to be posting good things again

This is the first toll as you leave MCO on the 417 south.

If you want to pay cash just keep right and give the attendant no more than a $20 bill and ask for change. Most plazas on main carriageways are manned. Most on the off ramps aren't so you'll need change to pay at tolls like this - j2 off the 417

Or you can of course use Sunpass

Mick

See more...

This is really helpful - thank you for posting! And also to Gryff!

[florida addict]

The first 3 trips we were too afraid to drive... The last 7 no such change. It has given us so much freedom to go when we want and last year we went exploring to Miami and The Keys an amazing holiday.
I would say the first few minutes are tricky and the first time we drove we were working off a paper map.
Google maps off line has transformed that for definite

The Orlando tolls thingy from last year was another revolution in terms of not worrying about tolls and just getting a bill at the end of the holiday. Very simple to sign up to and use...hope it becomes permanent

[Lorbs]

Its easy and you quickly get used to the difference