Driving to points
around Orlando

Driving Tips

Getting your car at Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Unless you have arranged your holiday yourself, you will be met by a representative of your travel company after or during arrival at the ‘Land’ side of the airport.

They will direct you to your Car Rental Desk. 

If you arranged through an 'off airport company' they probably instructed you when to call, where they would meet you or where to catch the Shuttle.
 

At the desk

Have your driving license and passport ready, you may also need your booking reference that the travel company gave you.

Note – You will be asked to take out extra insurance. It’s up to you but don’t get fooled by this. As long as you have the insurances booked through your agent and adequate personal insurance, you should be OK.

If you came by yourself or without a booking. – You will need to arrange your insurance with the clerk. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Loss, Third Party Liability and local taxes & cover charges are all compulsory.

Extra insurance for personal injury will almost definitely be covered by your holiday insurance... But, it's up to you.

You may also be asked if you want to pre-pay for a full tank of gas at return of the car. Personally I wouldn’t go for it.

This may be the most expensive petroleum sprit you ever buy.

If you stay for a week and only potter around the local area, you may not need to visit a gas station and this is another worry off your mind.

Don’t worry though, buying gas is ‘a gas’ and well worth the experience.

Some companies offer a free tank on return - you may want to ask!
 

Finding your car

The Car Rental Desks are at street level...

If hiring from one of the major companies, you will walk out of the big doors and across to the multi-story car park

Note – This may be your first breath of the outside air. Hopefully it will be warm and it may be very hot!

Savour the moment. It may be a bit airporty, but you are finally here…

Follow the signs to your rental company and look for the isle that has your car type. Compact, Intermediate, Full Size, etc.

Note – If your type isle is empty, just pick the next car ‘up’ Not ‘down’

This is an automatic upgrade to the next biggest size. Don’t downgrade yourself.

This type of upgrade is free of charge and gets you a better car at no extra cost.

Just because they ran out of cars.
 

Getting to know your steed

You will need all the help from your ‘team’ and your designated co-pilot that you can muster for the next hour or so…

Load up your bags and return your trolley to its parking bay.

Take a look around the outside of the vehicle and make sure that everything looks in order.

Watch out for scratches and if you see any, you should report them to a representative, if you can't find one and/or you don’t like the look of the car, just pick another.

Note - If at this point you think your car size is too small, go back to the Rental Desk and ask about an upgrade.

If you want, you can stick with what you have and change it tomorrow, if you are tired or are apprehensive about your pending journey. Less hassle. Just give them a call anytime.
 

Finding the Parking Brake

Locating the Parking Brake can be 'interesting'.

If you got the engine running and in gear but still it won't move, try the Parking Brake. Should be an indicator on the Dash Board about this. There will also be an alarm sounding but it can be pretty quiet.

Hardly ever will the Parking Brake be where you expect it to be located - in the centre seat console.

The Release can be found as a handle or lever closer to you than the Parking Brake.

The Parking Brake is a small foot pedal on the far left of the foot well.

Press down on it to apply the Parking Brake and pull the handle or lever to release it.

The picture shows a 2006 Dodge Charger.

Your pickup location at MCO may be in the centre of the building where it can be quite dark.
Hopefully this will help you in getting going.

There is a possibility that there is no release handle. Try pressing the Parking Brake Foot Pedal and see if it releases the brake. Press on - press off action.


Now may be a good time to check out the Driving page for some hints and tips...
 

Moving off

Politely ask the family to calm down and take a look around the inside of the car.

Most controls are fairly international.
Lights on the left steering column stalk.
Indicators on the right etc..
Windscreen wipers are usually a twist of the left stalk. Doesn't' rain much but when it does it really comes down. You can suddenly need wipers after days of not seeing a drop of rain.

Adjust the seat to get comfortable. May need the Ignition to be at first position to get electric seats to move.

Check out that Gear Shift on the right hand side. Even if you are familiar with an automatic it is still unusual for it to be on the right side.

Check that the Gear Shift is in 'P' (park)

Turn the key to the first and then to second positions. Look out for lights and alarms that doors, seat belts, parking brake etc. need attention.

Turn the ignition key to the next position to start the engine.
Don't apply any pressure to the Gas Pedal it shouldn't need it to start the engine.
Many cars are extremely quiet when ticking over.
Lights such as Oil Pressure should go out on the display and the Rev Counter will spring up from zero to around the 1,000 rpm mark.
 

A few extra notes -

Automatic lighting controls are common, they switch the lights on when the engine is running and it is dark outside. If you are in the dark areas of the parking lot, lights may come on without you switching them on.

Possibly, auto locking systems can be confusing too.
Learn about this from the User Guide tomorrow, but don’t fiddle with the options. Many lock the doors soon after the engine starts.

There are Toll Plazas on the roads from Orlando International Airport (MCO) airport, have your co-pilot prepare the change or small bills ($20's are largest accepted).
 

Moving off - continued

Apply pressure to the Foot Brake with your Right foot and move the Gear Selector to 'D' (Drive). If you have to reverse out of a parking space - select 'R' (Reverse). You will have to depress a switch type button on the Gear Selector to get it out of Park.

Release the Parking Brake (see above).

Slowly release the Foot Brake until the car begins to creep...

If you have to reverse out of a bay... Take it easy but note that the lanes are wide enough to swing even the biggest people carrier easily.

Your in control now.... Away you go!

Note: Dig out the user guide from the glove compartment and read it over a coffee tomorrow morning

A good look around, think right & look left. Head for the 'Exit'...
 

Leaving the parking area

You may have to 'Check out' of the Rental Car Park, so have your Rental Paperwork ready and a coupon that was in the car. Maybe hanging from the mirror.

Having said that, some companies have you check out before you get to the car.

Pull away from the Booth across the spikes and away we go... Follow the 'Exit' signs.
 

Leaving the airport

From Orlando International Airport (MCO)

There are two ways to get to Kissimmee from Orlando International.
Most Travel Agents & Companies will give you some form of directions...

Please consult the Driving Directions below to get a feel of where you are going...