Orlando Monthly Happenings on I-Drive! - What's Making News on International Drive...November 2009

ORLANDO, FL. (Nov. 2009) – Start planning now for holiday activities! The I-Drive area is one of the most popular travel destinations for visitors looking for nonstop holiday cheer at area attractions, resorts, restaurants and shopping venues. Plan to relax and hop onboard the convenient and fun I-Ride Trolley Service that allows visitors to save $$$ on gas. It is also decked out for the season! With more than 30,000 accommodations from budget to luxury, vacationers soon discover why I-Drive is Orlando’s Most Dynamic Destination! For vacation and holiday planning information, hot deals, discount coupons and reservations go to: www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

The International Drive Resort Area pulls out all of the stops each December to make this Orlando destination one of the most popular in the country for holiday travelers. Filled with fun for the entire family, the area's 100 hotels and resorts, five of the world's great theme parks, more than 150 restaurants, more than 485 shopping outlets and entertainment complexes are all decked out for the season.

Decorations, special holiday entertainment and visits from Santa at many hotels and restaurants greet visitors who are celebrating their holiday in the area. Meet the Grinch, have a holiday dinner with Pirates, have a photo taken with Santa, view gingerbread houses, shop at the area’s world-famous retail outlets.

An In-Mall Shopping Promotion at Festival Bay Mall on Nov. 14 includes $10 gift card giveaways. Nov. 21-Dec. 12 brings the third annual Gingerbread House Contest benefiting Partners-in-Education schools. Santa arrives at noon on Nov. 21 and will be available for photos through Dec. 24. On Nov. 28 from 1 pm-3 pm in Center Court, Radio Disney will be offering games, prizes and activities. Each Monday night Nov. 30-Dec. 21, pet owners and their lovable, four-legged friends can pose for a keepsake photograph with Old St. Nick. Check for hours. www.shopfestivalbaymall.com. 407-351-7718.

Rosen Shingle Creek’s Third Annual Holiday Showcase Celebrating Central Florida's Performing Arts takes place Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19) from 6 pm-9pm. The free event is open to the public and includes Thursdays: local school and church choirs performing holiday favorites; Fridays: holiday songs and carols performed by Mike Merideth and Valerie Pernice Strings, excerpts from the Nutcracker by the Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance, Windermere Ballet and Community Dance Theatre with narration by the Drosselmeyer; Saturdays: contemperoray dance holiday classics performed by Valerie and Miriam's Dance Arts, Soda Pops and the Ballet Guild. www.rosenshinglecreek.com. 407-996-9939.

Macy’s Holiday parade at Universal Studios kicks off Dec. 5-Jan. 1, 2010. The world’s most famous parade in New York has become a holiday experience at Universal Studios. The Macy's Holiday Parade features some of the most popular balloons and floats direct from the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Complete with a tree lighting ceremony by Santa Claus each day of the holiday season, the event is included in daily park admission. www.universalorlando.com. 407-363-8000.

Orlando is the No. 1 destination travelers with children plan to visit this year, according to a TripAdvisor family travel survey with more than 1,500 respondents. Homewood Suites Orlando/International Drive and Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive were listed in the survey results as part of the Top 10 Bargain Family-Friendly Hotels. www.tripadvisor.com.

Hotwire.com announced the results of its fourth annual Travel Value Index study and named Orlando as the top destination for deal-seeking travelers in 2009. The study is based on the following categories: discounts and low prices on air; rental cars and hotels; affordable entertainment and overall appeal; and choice of accommodations.

The I-Ride Trolley Service operates 15 trolleys with service from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. daily. Costs: Single fare, $1.25 per ride; senior fare 65 and over, .25 cents per ride. Children under 12 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. Unlimited ride passes are available: (one-day pass, $4.00 per person); (three-day pass, $6.00 per person); (five-day pass, $8.00 per person); (seven-day pass, $10.00 per person) (fourteen-day pass, $17.00 per person). Each I-Ride Trolley seats 54 riders plus two wheelchair positions and an ADA-specified hydraulic lift system.

Nov. 21-22: Animal expert Jack Hanna, host of “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventure,” showcases exotic animals from all over the world at SeaWorld Orlando. The shows are included with daily park admission. www.seaworldorlando.com. 407-351-3600.

ICEBAR Orlando now offers Wine Down Sundays every Sunday evening from 7 p.m. until midnight. The event features wine and cocktail specials, as well as live music by local jazz icon, Johnny Mag, in ICEBAR's Fire Lounge. Admission to ICEBAR is $19.95 and includes the use of thermal gear for the 27 degree Fahrenheit environment for 45 minutes. Admission to the Fire Lounge is free. www.Icebarorlando.com. 407-426-7555.

Banshoo Sushi opened at the Rosen Centre Hotel. The restaurant offers an inventive selection of six sashimi and seafood presentations; nine Nigiri sushi and sashimi selections and 12 signature rolls by 20-year sushi expert, Chef Tadayoshi "Yoshi" Kohazame. www.rosencentre.com. 407-996-9840.

Prime Outlets Orlando opened Vinito Tuscan Tavern. The new 400-seat eatery touts a menu of Italian dishes created by concept chef, Raffaelle Marsilio. The restaurant features a semi-private dining area with two tables. wwwvinitousa.com. 407-354-0404.

Be in Havana by dinnertime! Visit just opened Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, located in Pointe Orlando, for award-winning Latin cuisine, dancing, floorshows and not-to-be-missed tropical cocktails! Cuba Libre features a contemporary interpretation of traditional Cuban cuisine and a broad base of authentic Cuban cocktails. www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/orlando. 407-226-1600.

The Orlando Arts Getaway program launched the Loch Haven Cultural Pass, which includes admission to the Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art and the Mennello Museum of American Art for 20 percent off of the regular adult and children admission prices. In addition, American Coach is offering a discounted round-trip transportation ticket from International Drive to Loch Haven Park with the purchase of the Loch Haven Cultural Pass. Each Cultural Pass is valid for 14 days from the purchase date and costs $25 for adults and $15 for children. American Coach transportation tickets are $10 for adults and $7.50 for children. www.redchairproject.com. 407-872-2382.

Cornell Fine Arts Museum presents "Andy Warhol Personalities" through Jan. 3, 2010. The exhibit features Polaroid photographs taken by Andy Warhol during the 1980s Pop Art Movement. Polaroids include figures such as fashion designer, Carolina Herrera, socialite, Pia Miller and Ric Ocasek of The Cars. www.rollins.edu/cfam. 407-646-2524.

Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen was recently honored with a Legacy Award, Sustainable Florida's highest honor, during the organization’s 11th Annual Best Practices Awards held at Rosen Shingle Creek. Sustainable Florida is a public-private alliance of organizations and businesses that promote sustainable best management practices - those which protect and preserve Florida's environment while building markets for Florida's businesses by enhancing their competitive advantages today through collaborative educational efforts throughout Florida. To learn more about the Rosen properties and to schedule a site visit, call 407-996-9939.

The Peabody Orlando, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Rosen Centre Hotel and Rosen Shingle Creek have received Meetings & Conventions magazine's prestigious Gold Key Award, designating them as outstanding meeting properties. Additionally, Rosen Centre Hotel earned the Gold Platter award for its excellence in food and beverage, while Rosen Shingle Creek received one of the meetings industry's most prestigious awards, Golf Platter "Elite" status, which is given only to the top five convention hotel catering departments in the United States.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando has been named one of the top 500 hotels in the world by the team of reporters and editors at Travel and Leisure magazine. www.universalorlando.com/portofino.

The Peabody Orlando hotel has earned its 11th Inner Circle Award from Association Meeting Magazine. Winners of the award are chosen by association meeting planners that read the publication and are graded on the hotel's food and beverage service, guest and meeting room quality, catering and convention services, and audiovisual and technical support at meetings. Currently, the Peabody is undergoing a $450 million expansion set for a 2010 completion that will double its guest rooms to 1,681 and add 210,000 square feet of flexible multi-use space.

Rosen Hotels and Resorts announces that its three Orlando convention properties, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Rosen Centre Hotel and Rosen Shingle Creek, are the first hotels in Central Florida to achieve Two Palm status in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging Program. They are among only 11 Two Palm hotels in the state of Florida. For more information about Rosen Hotels and Resorts Green Meetings program, visit rosengreenmeetings.com.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has also named the following 27 International Drive Resort Area properties to the Florida Green Lodging Program with a One Palm designation:

Launched in March 2004, the Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. After receiving the designation, hotels are recommended to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging facilities. www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

More Green… The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is the first in the country to receive certification for its recycling efforts. Recognized for recycling 40 percent of its waste, the center also uses reclaimed water for all of its landscape irrigation, has energy-efficient motors to power fountain pumps and has a control system to regulate air-conditioning and lighting levels. Hosting 300 events, shows and meetings a year, the OCCC is the second largest convention center in the U.S. www.occc.net.

Hilton Orlando opened its 1,400-room hotel. With more than 200,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel also offers two pools, a lazy river, a nine-hole executive golf course, a full-service spa and basketball, tennis and bocce courts. This is the first hotel to provide a covered, open-air walkway to the Orange County Convention Center. www.Orlando.hilton.com. 407-313-4300.

The International Plaza Resort & Spa has officially become DoubleTree Resort Orlando-International Drive. The resort has received a $35 million makeover of guest rooms, the lobby and hotel amenities including the pool, restaurants and meeting space. www.Orlandointernationaldrive.doubletree.com. 407-352-1100.

The Quality Inn Plaza has completed an eight million dollar renovation. All 1,020 guest rooms received a make-over including new bathroom tile, granite-topped vanities, carpeting, window treatments, new lighting fixtures, pillow-topped mattresses and a complete furniture package. The property also received a new brick paver entrance and all new furniture at the hotel's three outdoor pools. After completing a $2 million renovation, the Clarion Universal has been rebranded to Best Western Orlando Gateway.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando unveiled six Dr. Seuss-themed suites. The two-room suites feature a king bedroom for adults and two twin-sized beds in the children’s room. The suites are decorated with blue carpet, a montage of bright colors and famous Dr. Seuss characters, such as the Cat in the Hat, Horton and the Grinch. www.loewshotels.com or 407-363-8000.

The Point Orlando Resort, a new luxury condo-hotel, has opened with 144 suites. The contemporary European-designed property is located on International Drive near the Orange County Convention Center. Amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, Internet and local calls, a business center, fitness room and poolside Jacuzzi. www.thepoint-orlando.com. 407-956-2000 (public)

Westin Imagine is the area’s newest Florida art-deco style hotel and includes 315 guest rooms and one and two bedroom suites. All guest rooms and one bedroom suites are furnished with kitchenettes while all two bedroom suites have full kitchens. With over 7,100- square-feet of state-of the-art conference and meeting space facilities, meeting attendees will enjoy professionally planned banquet and catering events. WestinWORKOUT® helps guests maintain individual wellness while away on business or pleasure. The Westin Imagine Orlando is located directly across from the North/South Concourse of the Orlando Orange Convention Center on Universal Boulevard. www.westinimagineorlando.com. 1-800-327-2424.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando has opened Jurassic Park-themed kid’s suites and completed a $10 million room renovation. The new Jurassic Park suites include raptor’s cage headboards, custom wall murals, artwork from the making of the movies and Jurassic Park-themed furniture. The hotel has also completed renovations on all guest rooms and suites in a design motif that reflects the charm of the South Pacific. Technology upgrades include the addition of iHome clock radios with iPod docking stations and the installation of 32-inch (81-centimeter) flat-panel televisions. www.loewshotels.com. 407-503-3000.

Festival Bay Farmers Market will be available every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with vendors selling Florida grown vegetables, plants, and citrus, honey, as well as homemade jams, jellies, bakery goods. Cultural foods will be available including American, Latin, and British specialty items. The Market will be located outdoors in front of the Festival Bay Mall main entrance and adjacent to Bass Pro Shop. Contact Florida Business Expo, 407-296-5882.

New at Prime Outlets International Orlando, Red Brick Pizza and Magic Nails & Day Spa. Enjoy gourmet fire roasted pizza at Red Brick Pizza. Relax with a manicure or pedicure at Magic Nails & Day Spa. www.primeoutlets.com.

Universal Studios Florida opened Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, an innovative roller coaster reaching speeds of 65 mph. The coaster gives guests the opportunity to select a soundtrack to ride along with from 30 popular songs spanning five genres of music with the option to take home a music video of their experience. www.universalorlando.com. 407-363-8000.

SeaWorld Orlando introduces a new show, A'Lure, The Call of the Ocean, an aquatic tapestry combing powerful athleticism, high-energy acrobats and mesmerizing electronic visuals. The 30-minute production takes guests on an enchanting journey through the ocean's depths and mysteries, telling the tale of the Sea Sirens, whose hypnotic calls have lured fishermen into their underwater lairs for centuries. www.seaworld.com/orlando.

Magical Midway on International Drive introduces a new tower thrill ride known as the StarFlyer. The only tower ride of its kind in the United States, this almost $2 million dollar unique attraction stands 256 feet tall and illuminates in the evening. Visitors board the StarFlyer on an 18-foot high platform and are seated in a chair like swing. The ride accommodates 18 passengers with 6 single seats and 6 double seats. The chair seats are attached vertically by chains to the star shaped center car, which revolves up the tower on its own axis making the seats fly through the air at 54mph reaching heights of over 230 feet. The StarFlyer provides visitors a phenomenal view of Orlando and exhilarating experience for the entire family. 407-370-5353. www.magicalmidway.com.

Universal Orlando Resort will partner with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. to create a Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films. Titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new 20-acre (8-hectare) area will become part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The new land based on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series will to be located in Universal's Islands of Adventure. After entering through the Hogsmeade archway, guests can experience shops and dining featured in the books. The land will also incorporate several rides including "Dragon Challenge," a twin high-speed roller coaster, "Flight of the Hippogriff," a family coaster and "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey," an attraction bringing the world of Harry Potter to life using new and advanced technology. "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is set to open in spring 2010. www.UniversalOrlando.com. 407-363-8000.

Orlando International Airport is the only airport in the state to offer an onsite walk-in urgent care. Solantic, a leading provider of walk-in urgent care across Florida, offers travelers an option to going to an emergency room while on vacation. Open daily from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. www.solantic.com. 321-319-0349.

Also new…A new food court includes Burger King, Ruby Tuesday, Macaroni Grill and more. Airside 3 renovation has skylights, additional windows, marble floor and complimentary Wi-Fi and Samsung mobile charging stations. A new Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) installation allows passengers to use one kiosk to check-in for multiple airline flights. www.orlandoairports.net. 407-825-2001.

What's Happening on I-Drive!

What's Making News on International Drive...November 2009