It is over twenty-five years since we first visited Orlando and stayed on International Drive which, at that time, was by far the most popular area for accommodation. Since then, however, staying in a villa has become increasingly popular, especially with families. What better way to spend your holiday than in your own home from home, away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks? Why would you want to spend time squeezing your family into one room, sharing one bathroom when you can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful villa with many bedrooms and bathrooms and your very own swimming pool! After all you don’t live like that at home so why would you want to on holiday?
However, International Drive is still a great place to visit. This article is written with the first time visitor in mind and attempts to provide a whistle stop tour of some of the many, but varied attractions that can be found on present day International Drive.
Starting at the northernmost point is the Premier Outlet Mall with its range of designer shops, interspersed with the more familiar names of Reebok and Adidas, selling clothing and footwear at discount prices.
Ahead now three blocks and a right turn at Universal Boulevard will lead to the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks with thrill rides including Earthquake and Jaws. On the left, just beyond Universal Boulevard is the Wet n’ Wild water park.
Immediately south of Sand Lake Road is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum with the Mercado Mediterranean Shopping Village and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, with its two eighteen hole courses just a little further on.
Pointe Orlando Premier Shopping is next on the left, and then just beyond Universal Boulevard (south) is the Orange County Convention Centre and the Peabody International Hotel famous for its daily March of the Ducks.
Two blocks south of the Beeline Expressway is Sea Harbor Drive, which signals the entrance into SeaWorld famous for Shamu, the killer whale and Discovery Cove where you can swim with dolphins.
Cross the Central Florida Parkway and a second right into Vineland Avenue brings you to the Orlando Premier Outlets Mall and its vast selection of shops at discounted prices.
That just about brings us to the end of our whistle-stop tour but please bear in mind that this list of attractions is by no means exhaustive and leaves the visitor with many more delights to discover. For example we have not featured any of the fine restaurants that straddle I-Drive…although we have to say the Red Lobster is one of our favourites.
We hope this little taster of life on International Drive proves useful and we are sure a warm Florida welcome awaits you.
However, International Drive is still a great place to visit. This article is written with the first time visitor in mind and attempts to provide a whistle stop tour of some of the many, but varied attractions that can be found on present day International Drive.
Starting at the northernmost point is the Premier Outlet Mall with its range of designer shops, interspersed with the more familiar names of Reebok and Adidas, selling clothing and footwear at discount prices.
Ahead now three blocks and a right turn at Universal Boulevard will lead to the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks with thrill rides including Earthquake and Jaws. On the left, just beyond Universal Boulevard is the Wet n’ Wild water park.
Immediately south of Sand Lake Road is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum with the Mercado Mediterranean Shopping Village and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, with its two eighteen hole courses just a little further on.
Pointe Orlando Premier Shopping is next on the left, and then just beyond Universal Boulevard (south) is the Orange County Convention Centre and the Peabody International Hotel famous for its daily March of the Ducks.
Two blocks south of the Beeline Expressway is Sea Harbor Drive, which signals the entrance into SeaWorld famous for Shamu, the killer whale and Discovery Cove where you can swim with dolphins.
Cross the Central Florida Parkway and a second right into Vineland Avenue brings you to the Orlando Premier Outlets Mall and its vast selection of shops at discounted prices.
That just about brings us to the end of our whistle-stop tour but please bear in mind that this list of attractions is by no means exhaustive and leaves the visitor with many more delights to discover. For example we have not featured any of the fine restaurants that straddle I-Drive…although we have to say the Red Lobster is one of our favourites.
We hope this little taster of life on International Drive proves useful and we are sure a warm Florida welcome awaits you.