We are due to have our second holiday at Disney in March staying at POR. The last (& first time) we visited we found driving around really difficult. Mainly as I was concentrating really hard on which side of the road I was meant to be on, that following a map and street signs was really too much to ask. I then got disorientated when I came off roads on the "clover leaf" system rather than a standard "roundabout" that we have in the UK. I could not work out which way to turn, and the number of times it took us over an hour to get back to our hotel (CBR last time) as I found myself leaving the World and could not work out how to turn around to get back on the road in the other direction. (sounds pretty daft I know, but in the UK it is easy - Just drive around the roundabout!)
This time I was thinking about purchasing the TOMTOM maps and bringing the sat nav with us. Has anybody tried this - are the maps accurate.

To make matters harder this time, we will be arriving into Sanford airport rather than Orlando International - so I can not use memory to help find the way!

On my last trip I utilized a Garmin and it worked perfectly. With my Garmin I was able to save in my favorites the actual location of my Villa at SSR, which helped tremendously as they all look the same to me there! As far as Tom Tom I'm not sure how extensive the maps are for the "World", but the Garmin worked great for us, as I agree that driving around Disney can be rather confusing.

Sean

P.S. While researching which navigation device to purchase I had read that the Garmin brand is better in the US and Tom Tom better in Europe...so I don't know if that is true or will play any role in the quality or specifics of the maps.

I am also a Garmin user and found that it was a great tool to use while at WDW. It was able to remember the last several places I went to for easy access later.

However... it did want to take me down a few "cast members only" routes, so you still have to use common sense and follow a sign here or there.

I would think that the TomTom maps would work just fine for WDW and the surrounding areas as well.

If you're using either Garmen or TomTom units, make sure to download the excellect MouseSavers WDW POI database. It has all the locations of the theme parks, restaurants, hotels, and other nearby services such as gas stations, stores, hotels, etc.

You can get them from http://www.mousesavers.com/gps.html

Oh, and Judith: In Florida, you are allowed to make a U-Turn at any intersection provided that there is not a sign prohibiting it and it is safe to do so. In other words, to turn around you would get in the left-turn lane and make a complete 180 degree turn when traffic is clear and you have a green light (if there is a light at the intersection).

We are due to have our second holiday at Disney in March staying at POR. The last (& first time) we visited we found driving around really difficult. Mainly as I was concentrating really hard on which side of the road I was meant to be on, that following a map and street signs was really too much to ask.


Judith - you have my absolute sympathies! Ten years ago we did a car on honeymoon for a WDW holiday and 10 mins from the airport I was starting to be glad we were in the land which is full of divorce lawyers! It is so stressful without roundabouts - what a fabulous invention they are!!!! Last year we just relied on WDW transportation and taxis and will be doing the same this year, but I'd be really interested to hear if the sat nav works for you as this might swing me to get a car. I use one in here in the UK and it's wonderful apart from in city centres with underpass/over pass routes - my navigator, 'Jane UK', usually tells me where to go at an under/over pass just about the same time I'd hit the wall if I listeneded to her ;)

Slightly off topic, but how do you like your TomTom Judith UK? I'm considering getting one after borrowing a friend's. I would be using it for my trips around Europe primarily.

Slightly off topic, but how do you like your TomTom Judith UK? I'm considering getting one after borrowing a friend's. I would be using it for my trips around Europe primarily.

I'm not Judith UK but I am from the UK and use a Tom Tom several times a month for work reasons. As I noted above, apart from the underpass/overpass issue (same thing for a motorway which splits three ways at a junction - very rare but the Tom Tom struggles with it...) it is a wonderful thing. I have often felt utterly lost and bewildered when I hear the words, "you have reached your destination", but invariably 'Jane UK' is right and I have, indeed, reached my destination!!

Slightly off topic, but how do you like your TomTom Judith UK? I'm considering getting one after borrowing a friend's. I would be using it for my trips around Europe primarily.

I am Judith UK and I originally bought the TomTom for my husband who is a sales rep and drives all over the North of England. He thought it would be a waste of money as he knew the way to all his customers. However he never goes out without it now!

What it is really useful for is when there are accidents or road works on a route that you know, as it can then guide you along the roads you would never normally take to avoid the obstruction.

I have borrowed it on several occasions to drive in unknown cities and it has never let me down. It is great for finding car parks and petrol stations which is always handy in a hire car in a strange city!

I also have a friend who took one with him to France, they were driving the scenic route to their destination, when his daughter suddenly developed a bad stomach bug. He changed the instructions to get to their destination by the quickest route and reported that it was fantastic and cut several hours worth of driving time of the route, much to his daughters delight!

I have definately decided to get the maps for Orlando and will also try the down load mentioned:)

It is so stressful without roundabouts - what a fabulous invention they are!!!!

For what it's worth, I'm betting most Americans (myself included) would tell you that roundabouts are simply HORRIBLE! I guess it's all about what you're used to.

For what it's worth, I'm betting most Americans (myself included) would tell you that roundabouts are simply HORRIBLE! I guess it's all about what you're used to.

I guess so. Perhaps I'm just thick, but I really can't cope without them.

OH WHAT A TOPIC! My dh just got the TomTom...we have been pulled over so he can play with this thing every chance he gets...thought I would through "Richard" the voice dd picked out the window the other day..I know it will be useful but until dh gets the hang of it....:(

Roundabouts are wonderful inventions if drivers remember how to use their signals when they are on them!

You can hire sat nav's from Sanford. For me personally i find the american highways and maps far easier than the UK, but we are all different. My partner who is a professional coach driver hates driving in the US because of the traffic signals being above the road, it just throws him every time and he forgets to look up!

Good luck and try to be relaxed as much as you can and it will be much easier!