If you were expecting this page to contain things to do in Orlando
then please go to the Area Attractions page
instead!
Much of the information on this page is aimed at UK first time
visitors to the US, although frequent visitors may find something new!
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Always drive on the right |
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Always wear seat belts in the front - it is the law |
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Do not drive if under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(good advice in any country!) |
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Never carry open bottles / cans of alcohol in the car. They
must be carried in the boot (trunk) |
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You can turn right at a red traffic light if there is no
oncoming traffic UNLESS signs say otherwise |
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The street name posted above an intersection is the name of
the road that you are crossing, not the one that you are on |
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At a 4-way stop junction, whoever stops first gets to go
first |
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Use headlights when the weather is poor. As a rule of thumb
- if you need your windscreen wipers on then your headlights
should be on also |
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Always carry your drivers licence |
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Traffic lights are suspended from wires above the road |
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An amber flashing signal is just a warning of a concealed
turning, fire station etc. |
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Traffic lights go straight to green after red, there is no
amber plus green as there is in the UK |
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Keep some small notes or quarters (25c coins) handy in case
you have to pass through toll booths. Travelling from the
airport you are most likely to travel on toll roads (usually 75c
to $1 at each toll plaza) |
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In general you should keep to the right-most lane when
driving unless overtaking, but passing on either side is common
particularly on multi-lane roads, so caution is advised |
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Many petrol (gas) stations require you to pay before you can
pump |
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If you are travelling in the same direction as a school bus
that has stopped and has flashing red lights then you MUST stop
and wait until the bus moves off. You must not pass it. If you
are travelling in the opposite direction then you MUST also stop
unless the road you are on is a dual carriageway (4 lanes or
more) |
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You are extremely unlikely to encounter a roundabout
(circle) in Orlando |
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When approaching emergency vehicles parked on the highway
you should move over to the next lane or otherwise slow to at
least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. It's
Florida law! |
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If you need to contact the emergency services dial 911 |
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Take Traveller's Cheques in US Dollars - you will have
difficulty changing ones in British pounds. Most shops and
businesses will accept TCs just like cash. Sometimes you may be
asked to provide photo ID |
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All prices in shops (and restaurants) are quoted without
sales tax. Expect to pay around 7% more when you get to the
checkout |
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The weather is likely to be hot, sunny and humid. Expect
75F+ (the US uses Imperial measurements). Clouds and storms can
suddenly appear, dump their contents and then the sun reappears |
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Be cautious - the sun is very strong here - don't forget you
are in the tropics. Keep up your fluid levels |
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Electricity is 110v with a 2-pin flat blade socket. Adapters
are readily available but won’t alter the voltage |
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Beware of buying electrical goods (wrong voltage) or video
tapes (wrong format - US uses NTSC, UK uses PAL) |
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Be prepared for a queue once you are off the plane in
Orlando, immigration can take an hour or more. Make sure that
you have completed your immigration forms before you get to the
counter! |
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After passing through immigration at Orlando International
you will collect your baggage from the carousel and pass through
customs before boarding a monorail to the main terminal. |
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If you are collecting a hire car at Orlando International
airport these are located downstairs from the arrivals hall |
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Look out for the free local newspapers and advertising
leaflets, they contain discount vouchers for some attractions
and restaurants as well as useful maps of the area |
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When parking at the theme parks make a good note of where
your car is located - these car parks are huge. Most car parks
are divided into sections with memorable names (for example
'Goofy') to help you |
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It is normal (and expected) to add 15 to 20% to restaurant bills as a tip
(gratuity) |
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Several of the theme parks offer a "Fast Pass" or Express
option which allows you to jump the queues. In the Universal
parks these have to be purchased. |
