Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?

Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?

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Discussion

Adenauer

Original Poster:

18,564 posts

235 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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I have the Villa, the Esta forms, the rental car, the flight tickets, universal studios, space centre, and disney tickets, all booked.

Is there anything I've forgotten to do? I bloody well hope not biggrin

Flintstone

8,644 posts

246 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Umbrella?

mondayo

1,825 posts

262 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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dosh?

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Comedy bomb..?

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Passports!

Both parts of driving licence (but you won't be asked for the paper bit).

Mr E Driver

8,542 posts

183 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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You can turn right on red at most traffic lights when there is nothing coming towards you and you can pass either side with care on the I4smile

sussexjob

1,985 posts

230 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Union Jack Shorts eek

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Mr E Driver said:
You can turn right on red at most traffic lights when there is nothing coming towards you and you can pass either side with care on the I4smile
Everyone does it but strictly "undertaking" isn't legal on Freeways and Interstates, only on more minor roads.

And before you turn right on red (and this is sometimes enforced) you're supposed to come to a stop.

One other thing is the "move over" law - it's been in place for some years but is being enforced now, sometimes as a trap. If you see an emergency vehicle at the side of the road you have to move over and leave a clear lane or slow to 20MPH below the limit.

Edited by Deva Link on Thursday 8th July 23:10

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Mr E Driver said:
You can turn right on red at most traffic lights when there is nothing coming towards you and you can pass either side with care on the I4smile
Just a polite reminder that you must come to a complete stop before turning right on red. There are also a few situations where you may turn left on red too.

Passing on the inside is not exclusive to I-4, nor is it a legal manoeuver, strictly speaking.

As with anywhere, the less attention you draw to yourself (weaving from lane to lane to make progress, tailgating and aggressive driving) the less likely you are to end up pulled-over.

There is a myth that local cops don't target tourists because "the paper-work's too much hassle". Be assured that this is not true any more. If you habitually break the speed limit, you will definitely get nicked. Plod (from a variety of agencies) is everywhere.

It is very common to be busted for speeding by a cop traveling in the opposite direction.

More speeding tickets are issued on the South Access Road, leading to Orlando International Airport than anywhere else in the metro area, according to OCSO.

The intersection of McCoy Road and Orange Ave and Sand Lake Road, just to the west of the airport has the highest incidence of accidents involving British tourists in the entire county. This is the first major intersection on city surface streets that most tourists encounter on arrival. Rental cars driving into oncoming lanes by jet-lagged visitors is a common error, but most accidents are a result of the visitor slowing/stopping on yellow and being rear-ended by a local, who was accelerating to beat the light. Again, according to OCSO.

Today's temp has been low 90's, bright and sunny with no afternoon rain - a little unusual.
Be prepared for heavy afternoon showers/storms, that clear out after an hour or so.

Lots and lots of mozzies around at this time of year.

Welcome - You'll have a great time.

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Matt Harper said:
Be prepared for heavy afternoon showers/storms,
One tip I would definitely stress at this time of year is when you get in the rental car at airport, figure out how to turn the wipers on, and the rear wiper too if the vehicle has one - it isn't always blindingly obvious and you don't want to be trying to work it out in a thunderstorm on I4 or SR-417.

Not sure if it's the law in Florida (Matt?) but it seem to be the drill that if you turn on the wipers you turn on the headlights too.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Thursday 8th July 2010
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Absolutely correct DL - and I see you had the other points covered too. Good shout on "Move-Over", which is now being acted on aggressively too. I have lots of friends in local law enforcement - and my daughter works for Orange County Sheriffs Dept., - the number of cops who are killed/maimed by other motorists, while they are conducting traffic stops is horrific.

I recently did a ride-along with OCS "Wolf-Pack" DUI unit. They busted and arrested 3 pissed British drivers on the one shift I was with them - though for perspective, they also collared around 25 local rednecks for the same crime.

Benzman

231 posts

199 months

Friday 9th July 2010
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Sun Block.

I've just come back from Naples around 3 hours drive south of Orlando and it was 98f every day and an absolute burner.

Even with afternoon thunderstorms, once cleared the sun was back just as strong.

Go to Walmart or Publix and get yourselves 24 bottles of water for $3.99 or be ripped-off at a $1+ a bottle elsewhere.

With regards to finding out how the wipers work, that's sound advice, when it rains it rains. You certainly don't want to be on I4, I75 or any other road and start fumbling around trying to work out how to turn the blessed things on.

One last one, if a Police car or other emergency vehicle is parked at the side of the Interstate, move over to the next lane when passing otherwise you'll be the next one they stop.

Edited by Benzman on Friday 9th July 14:58

andyjo1982

4,957 posts

209 months

Friday 9th July 2010
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Benzman said:
Sun Block.

I've just come back from there and it was 98f every day and an absolute burner.

Even with afternoon thunderstorms, once cleared the sun was back just as strong.

Go to Walmart or Publix and get yourselves 24 bottles of water for $3.99 or be ripped-off at a $1+ a bottle elsewhere.
Most parks do also have water fountains so you can easily fill up your water bottles as well.

Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Friday 9th July 2010
quotequote all
Benzman said:
Sun Block.

I've just come back from Naples around 3 hours drive south of Orlando and it was 98f every day and an absolute burner.

Even with afternoon thunderstorms, once cleared the sun was back just as strong.
We always get a bottle of Riemann P20 Once-A-Day Sunfilter at the airport on the way out. The only trouble is that you come back just as white as when you left!

Mattlan

394 posts

204 months

Friday 9th July 2010
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Just returned from 10 days out there. Car hire con see my vitriol in general gassing ( sorry don't know how to link it to here) other matters include (and apologies if you already know) all theme parks are captive markets once in, and therefore very expensive for even basic's like bottled water. Bag searches (including "bumbags" if spotted" an annoying delay on entrance to parks. I found that combat shorts with bumbag under shirt provided enough storage facilities for camera's, phones wallet etc and bottled water in each leg pocket without being stopped and searched. Universal (both parks) provides enough to do for 4 days enjoyment, Disney Hollywood studio's rammed and declared average by wife and 10 year old son. $12 to 14 dollar car parking fee to enter most parks, but we left around two pm most days, sauntered back to our apartment via Wendy's for lunch and then returned at say 5pm for another stint having cooled off. Harry Potter new attraction at Universal is fab if you like that theme. Surprisingly Seaworld was my son's favourite by miles, enough rides (MAnta particularly good, best at front) show's ( dolphin one cheesy but good) and stringray petting etc, plus close to where we were staying made it a firm favourite, plus it seemd a lot quieter towards the end of the day compared with other parks.

SwanJack

1,912 posts

271 months

Saturday 10th July 2010
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As for the car hire, did you read the Tour Operators T&C's for the 'free' car?

Adenauer

Original Poster:

18,564 posts

235 months

Tuesday 13th July 2010
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Thanks for all the tips, chaps thumbup

And the trip just got better, Atlas V launch scheduled on 30th July, woohoo biggrin

Any tips on where to watch it from? I've heard that Playalinda Beach is a good spot.

Really can't bloody wait now!!!!


Mr E Driver

8,542 posts

183 months

Tuesday 13th July 2010
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Cocoa Beach is quite good, about 10 miles away, but you still need to get there early as the roads get very busy or else go to KSC spend the day there and buy a ticket (not expensive) to go to one of the viewing sites.

Adenauer

Original Poster:

18,564 posts

235 months

Tuesday 13th July 2010
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We're going to the KSC a week beforehand anyway, so I'll have a look at that option thumbup

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Tuesday 13th July 2010
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Remember that Atlas launches go from pad 41, which is in the northern sector of the air station - some distance from Cocoa Beach.
My recommendation would be Merrit Island Nature Preserve - either Cucumber Island, which is an outer barrier island on the Atlantic coast, to the north and sometimes publicly accessible, depending on trajectory, or the Old Haulover Canal on the Intercoastal. You are much closer to the pad here.
Best of all would be to watch from KSC visitor center if you can get tix - that would be the closest you can possibly get. Not sure if they charge to park on NASA Causeway for non-shuttle launches - ask when you visit beforehand.
Atlas launches frequently deliver a spectacular sonic boom. You're in for a treat, as long as the weather stays kind. It is absolutely perfect right now, just a bit toasty and humid - just right for rocket launchery.