super_si

Anyone know how far the Florida mall is from Itn Drive?

Cheers

Si

ANDYUK300

are u in tampa?
in you are then the westshore plaza is about a mile to mile and half from the international plaza.

Matt Churchill

Reckon about 15mins from the junction of Sand Lake Rd and I-Drive (as Florida Mall is on junction of Sand Lake and Orange Blossom Trail).

So depends where on I-Drive you are, if at the bottom of I-Drive add on about 15mins to get up I-Drive. The best way, is to go up Universal Blvd not I-Drive as it is a lot quieter and therefore quicker (as Universal Blvd also crosses Sand Lake), in fact we always use this, unless we want to get to somewhere actually on I-Drive.

super_si

My hotels opposite the Mecardo Centre, think thats thr junction that bi-sects Sandlake Road. Not driving over there anyway

Si

Spoon

Massive,massive mistake and you'll regret it. Hire a vehicle whatever you do.

Crossing the road on foot takes a night.

boxst

Hello

I agree with that. American society just isn't geared to someone that doesn't have a car. They just can't get it in their head. Questions like "Where is the bus?" and "Can I walk there?" are just met with complete blank incomprehension.

To answer your question though, have a look at http://www.mapquest.com/. You can get driving directions (!) from there, and that will give an indication of the distance.

Steve.

J S W

definately agree with the above

whatever you do you must get a car as international drive doesn't have much to offer after the first couple of days and everything else is is so spread out.

James

zesty

I stayed on I-drive a couple of months ago and didnt hire a car, took about an hour of waiting/driving to get the bus to the mall, I ended up getting a cab back. I am back over there next week and have got a car this time.

super_si

Being twice, never regretted it before and im sure i wont this time its easy to go to everywhere we want too go really FM is about the only place we'll need a taxi to.

Anyone reccomend a good meal? Misses said the Golden Koral(sp) was nice last time

Spoon

Bundle of fun you and your family are then!!!

J S W

I have heard the Mcdonalds is nice there

You can walk there as well.

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

Golden Corral is a buffet type large cafe, its full of super large americans, its all you san eat for a set price and it wasnt very clean, but that was the one i was in

just come back from Florida on thursday, it is nearly 100' and the humidity is really bad, nice though

Matt Churchill

Personally, always get a carm but, also know plenty of people who don;t and they seem to get on ok - each to their own.
Luckily I go tomorrow for 3 weeks!

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

whats a 'carm'?

Spoon

It's a car owned by a spiritulist.

I can honestly say that visiting Florida without hiring a car would be like going to a brothel and sitting in reception.

I needed to hire a 7 seater dayvan just for my purchased goods on route and that's before I stopped anywhere.

super_si

can you justify why? I mean youve all said this but not given a decent reason on why we should? for a start thought you need to be 25 to get insurance over there

Spoon

Si- If you need to ask for a reason then I am actually now believing you can't be running on all 4 cylinders.

What about all the other places to visit within a 1 hour drive (or 10 day walk)?

Maybe you really do just like hanging around the hotel car-park, it's your choice after all.

I was never suggesting you should anyway, it's your holiday, just that you shouldn't not go without a hire vehicle.

If the 25 years of age minimum requirement applies for insurance then you don't have any choice there then anyway, but I'm sure there will be a company who will hire you something, maybe not?

Anyway, have a good time whatever you choose.

Spoon

Oh, 1st site on google search says 21 minimum age too, never looked further than that.

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

i had a dodge caravan thingy with loads of gadgets, great to get from a-b

when i was hiring the car a lad came out of Dollar and said he had to pay $20or $30 a day for the insurance thing 'cos he was under 25, i never paid any extra ins, it was optional, i said i was a safe driver, and i was.

you must have a car in Florida, there is no way you can do it any other way!!

i paid $200 for 2 weeks for the 7 seater, there are some really good deals at the mo, and what with the exchange rate it only cost me about £120-2 weeks and i left the tank empty, HTH

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

they were not that bothered about id and that they just need to fill there quota of getting cars out each day

police are very hot on bad drivind and speading though.....................NO SPEED CAMERAS!!!!!

YOU ARE DEFFO ALLOWED TO BE UNDER 25

super_si

All we want to do is relax, Go to Disney, Universal , Busch. Can easily do that without a car. I honestly dont see the need for one. Not everyone has Petrol Legs hehehe

Si

Spoon

All you want to do is relax??

What, on a bus???

Busch Gardens is in Tampa too!!!

You'd take a bus or taxi there???

Lol, there's no convincing some people.

Have a good holiday.

super_si

15-20mins to Disney is just being impatient really. Its not that far. Busch is a bad example being an hour away. But neither of us wanted to drive. So we wont

Daryl

something you do these things in...

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

SI you really need tol re-think the public transport thing, i never saw it

the roads are just that. there is nothing in-between, just tarmac!

if someone says an hour its 2 (the Florida laid back way). there is nothing there exept the attractions.

its easy to drive on the wrong side of the road, and its legal lol

if you are in Tampa go to 'Weeki Wachee Springs' its on the coast, its a freshwater spring with mermaids and they do this amazing under water diving show (deepest in the world or something) and a water park and its not very commersialised (sp) so very good value, its a place not many people know about

YOU NEED A CAR

good luck anyway whatever you do

Matt Churchill

You can do without a car if you want. A lot of hotels run buses to the parks. Also, you can rent a car if under 25, but, they charge you more for the privilege!

Just got here and have got a Lincoln Town Car, which is the size of a small Town!

Juts do want you want and enjoy yourself, I know I am