Orlando Monthly Happenings on I-Drive! - Whats New in the News on International Drive...May 2008

ORLANDO, FL. (May 2008)–Visitors to the International Drive Resort Area discover an endless list of leisure activities during May. New attractions at the major theme parks, expanded accommodations, special events, new dining, shopping and family entertainment give guests a reason to visit I-Drive again and again. Most are accessible onboard the convenient and fun I-Ride Trolley Service. With more than 30,000 accommodations from budget to luxury, vacationers soon discover why I-Drive is Orlando’s Most Dynamic Destination! For vacation planning information and reservations go to: www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

New and enhanced attractions, mega resorts, upscale dining and shopping, all continue to bring excitement and energy to the International Drive Resort Area as it continues this next phase of development. Tourists, meeting planners and convention attendees will have more new and upscale properties and meeting facilities to choose from.

The I-Ride Trolley System, one of the most popular attractions among visitors to the I-Drive Resort Area, is expanding its service to include Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, the new Point Orlando Resort as well as the newly renovated Westgate Palace Resort near Wet 'n Wild.

The I-Ride Main Line route travels primarily along International Drive north and south, beginning at Prime Outlets International and traveling southbound on a circular route to Orlando Premium Outlets. In addition to the many dining and accommodation stops along the route, it also stops at Pointe Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando and Aquatica.

The Green Line begins service in the Major Blvd. area and encompasses Kirkman Road and Universal Blvd., then shadows the Main Line route as it continues service down to Orlando Premium Outlets with stops that include Wet ‘n Wild, Pointe Orlando, the new Point Orlando Resort and the newly renovated Westgate Palace Resort, the Orange County Convention Center and SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando.

The I-Ride Trolley Service operates 15 trolleys with service from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. daily. Costs: Single fare, $1.00 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, $3.00 per person); (three-day pass, $5.00 per person); (five-day pass, $7.00 per person); (seven-day pass, $9.00 per person) (fourteen-day pass, $16.00 per person). Each I-Ride Trolley seats 54 riders plus two wheelchair positions and an ADA-specified hydraulic lift system.

The I-Drive Resort Area’s 19 participating teams and 146 participants surpassed the original goal of $40,000. Honorary chair of the event, Luann Brooks, executive director of the I-Drive Master Transit and Improvement District, said that the event was a huge success in its first year and that plans call for making this a yearly event in the International Drive Resort Area. The 11 members of the I-Drive district team raised almost $5,000, coming in third place out of the 19 participating.

For information: http://events.cancer.org/rflidrivefl. or contact Chad Buschell, American Cancer Society, 407-843-8680 (ext. 2534) or 407-403-2319 (cell) or chasd.buschell@cancer.org.

The 6th Annual I-Drive 5K Run will be held on May 10, 2008. This 3.1-mile course takes runners (and walkers!) through the heart of the International Drive Resort area. Prizes will include I-Drive Fun Packages with attraction tickets, gift certificates, merchandise and more!

A commemorative t-shirt is given to each runner along with gift bags of merchandise and special offers from Orlando's tourism and hospitality community. Proceeds from the run benefit the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive Scholarship Fund.

With up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches, Aquatica is the first new water park to open in Orlando in 12 years. It features 36 water slides; six rivers and lagoons and more than 80,000-square-feet of beach area. Guests are immersed with live animals in the park, including Commerson’s dolphins, brilliant macaws and colorful fish. www.aquaticabyseaworld.com. 407-351-3600.

Shingle Creek Golf Club was one of five central Florida golf stores to receive the designation as one of the Top 100 Golf Shops in the United States from Golf World magazine.

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.

Westin Imagine Opens! The property 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.

The Rosen Plaza Hotel has just completed a multi million dollar renovation of its 60,000 sq. ft. meeting/event space and has also replaced all of the beds and linens throughout its 800 rooms. Custom carpeting, decorative lighting, luxurious wall treatments and plush, comfortable seating are the highlights of the renovation. 407-996-9700.

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.

The recently-opened Hyatt Place Orange County Convention Center combines contemporary design with innovative services and amenities to create an atmosphere of casual hospitality. Amenities include free Wi-Fi access, 42-inch flat panel, high-definition television, continental breakfast and a StayFit@Hyatt gym. www.hyattplace.com. 888-492-8847.

After extensive renovations, AmeriSuites Orlando Convention Center, A Global Hyatt Affiliate, has officially been named Hyatt Place Orlando Convention Center/International Drive.

Fun Spot USA has opened "Hot Seat," a new ride formerly located at Wild Adventure theme park in Valdosta, Ga. The extreme ride swings riders 120 feet in the air until they are at a 90-degree angle to the ground an then swings down while flames shoot out of the top of the ride. www.fun-spot.com 407-363-3867.

Pirate's Dinner Adventure opened a 3,000-square-foot Governor’s VIP Lounge. The private reception area allows guests to view the pre-show through one-way mirrors and on closed-circuit TV; enjoy upgraded pre-show appetizers and a private full-service bar; gain early entrance into the main show area; and have an opportunity for one-on-one photos with a cast member. Pricing for the upgrade is $25 per person. The lounge can accommodate groups up to 100 for a standing reception and is available to individual guests when private events are not in session. www.piratesdinneradventure.com/florida. 407-248-0590.

Tharoo & Company has opened with Rado watches, Swarovski crystal, MontBlanc merchandise and elegant figurines. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. www.tharooco.com. 407-264-0200.

B.B. King’s Blues Club, a 16,000-square-foot supper club-style restaurant and live music venue features cuisine that ranges from ribs to Carolina glazed salmon. Live music will be performed nightly by the B.B. King All Star Band, an 11-piece house band with a full horn section that plays R&B, Blues, Motown and Classic Rock. www.orlando.bbkingclubs.com. 407-370-4550.

Pizzeria Valdiano includes authentic Italian favorites such as pizza by the slice, stromboli, submarine sandwiches, salads, pastries and espresso. The restaurant is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. www.pizzeriavaldiano.com. 407-903-5855.

Artsy Abode carries the entire selection of Vera Bradley handbags and luggage, plus their complete line of jewelry, home decor, unique art and gifts. This boutique-style shop is located adjacent to the new Chico's location at Pointe Orlando off the Central Courtyard. This is the first Artsy Abode location in Orlando. 407-903-0660.

Brighton Collectibles offers accessories including small leather goods, watches, jewelry, home accessories and eye wear as well as men's belts, wallets and watches. Located off the Pond Courtyard between The Capital Grille and Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe & Emporium, this is the second Orlando location. www.brighton.com. 407-363-1681.

Kiehl's, a seller of high-end beauty products, is set to open its first store in the Orlando. The new store feature Kiehl's signature hair-care, skin- and body-care products. It will be the second free-standing Kiehl's in Florida and is the third store to feature the retailer's "greener" redesigned interior, including features such as reclaimed wood flooring and energy-efficient lighting. www.kiehls.com. 407-355-3599.

Plan to catch a wave and lots of excitement when Ron Jon Surfpark is expected to open in 2008. Ron Jon Surfpark is the world’s first wave pool facility built specifically for surfing and bodyboarding and will include three innovative surf pools to accommodate all levels of wave-riding enthusiasts. The center stage is the Pro Surf Pool, an American-football-field sized pool that will create up to six saltwater waves per minute, up to 8 feet high, with ride lengths from 60-100 yards. www.ronjonsurfpark.com. 1-866-596-SURF.

Prime Outlets International Orlando will open Phase 2 on Memorial Day weekend with 67 new stores including: BCBGMAXAZRIA Factory Store, DKNY Jeans, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH. www.primeoutlets.com. 407-352-9600

Orlando Premium Outlets will open new stores including Gymboree Outlet, Joe’s Jeans, Michael Kors and Wolford on November 13, 2008 and undergo a major expansion that will bring new designer outlets to the center. www.premiumoutlets.com/orlando. 407-238-7787.

Great Wheel Corp. plans to build a 400-foot rotating observation wheel as part of a new International Drive resort complex. The wheel will be able to take up to 960 visitors at a time on a half-hour ride in air-conditioned pods. The attraction is scheduled to open in late 2009 on land connected to the Orange County Convention Center. www.greatwheel.com.

Wet ‘n Wild Orlando has opened its mind-blowing “Brain Wash.” The multimillion-dollar attraction showcasing the latest advances in ride technology. The new funnel ride includes a 53-foot (16-meter) drop for two- and four-passenger tubes, with dark areas for video projection and special lighting effects. www.wetnwildorlando.com. 407-351-1800.

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. Expected to open in late 2009, it will feature immersive rides and interactive attractions as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizard world’s best-known establishments. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life. www.universalorlando.com. 407-363-8000.

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.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has opened The Shuttle Launch Experience, a space shuttle simulation attraction. The 44,000-square-foot (4,088-square-meter), $60 million attraction is the most technologically advanced exhibit ever created at the complex. Using a custom-designed motion platform as well as multiple video screens, advanced audio effects and special effect seats, the attraction promises to re-create the sensations of blasting into earth’s orbit. The complex also introduced a new Internet ticketing program that allows visitors to purchase tickets online and print them on their home printers. Visitors using these tickets can bypass the ticket booths at the visitor complex. www.kennedyspacecenter.com 321-449-4444.