ORLANDO, FL (November 2019) - The I-Drive Resort Area continues to increase its presence as a major player in Orlando's booming hospitality industry. The past several years have brought changes to the tourism corridor:
Fun Spot America added an interactive water feature and new ferris wheel to their property. Opened this fall 2019.
fun-spot.com
SeaWorld Corporate Headquarters is relocated to a new 40,725 SF, 3-story building built on Sea Harbor Drive at the previous employee-only parking lot. Completed in fall 2019.
seaworldorlando.com
Mikado, a Japanese restaurant, opened at ICON Park this August 2019.
iconorlando.com
Phase two of
The Reserve at Shingle Creek Resort, completed August 2019, includes a 133,000 SF operations building with parking and a 36,000 SF laundry facility.
rosenshinglecreek.com
Bigfire restaurant is now open at Universal CityWalk. This 2-story, lakeside lodge-type eatery features American cuisine. Opened June 2019.
blog.universalorlando.com
The Surfside Inn & Suites, a 750-room 'surf culture' themed resort, opened at Universal's Endless Summer Resort this June.
www.universalorlando.com
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmead at Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort June 2019.
blog.universalorlando.com TODAY Cafe opened this May at Universal Studios in the former Beverly Hills Boulangerie. The cafe is designed to look and feel like Studio 1A in New York City. It serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, platters and pasteries.
blog.universalorlando.com
Burger Barn opened this May. This fast-casual restaurant features angus beef burgers and hand-dipped Blue Bell milk shakes.
www.burgerbarnfl.com
WoodSpring Suites Signature Hotel began construction late 2018. This 4-story, 139 room hotel opened spring 2019.
www.woodspring.com Mia's Italian Kitchen is an 8,000 SF Italian restaurant which moved into the former Don Pablo's at 8717 International Drive. They opened in April 2019.
www.miasitalian.com
KareKare Curl at Aquatica splashed into action on April 12, 2019. This two-person, curve shaped wave slide ride with vertical wave wall will have you 'riding the curl'.
aquatica.com
A new
Element Hotel has broken ground at Vue 360. This 8-story, 165 unit hotel is anticipating a late 2019 opening.
element-hotels.marriott.com
Pointe Orlando has several new dining venues being added to their already impressive line-up.
- Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse, are both scheduled to open in November. www.rodiziogrill.com/orlando/
- The Hampton Social will be moving into the former Tommy Bahama's eatery at Pointe Orlando. This restaurant specializes in seafood, pizza & brunches. www.thehamptonsocial.com
- Brother Jimmy's BBQ will feature a wide-selection of BBQ, wings & beer, Both scheduled to open early 2020. brotherjimmys.com
A 6-story, 144 room
Holiday Inn & Suites at Regency Village is being constructed near Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. Expected completion is November 2019.
www.ihg.com
The
Kirkman Road Pedestrian Bridge is well underway at the intersection of Kirkman Road and Major Blvd. This 186-foot steel-truss bridge will improve pedestrian safety across Kirkman Road. The bridge will be 14-feet wide and the project also includes improved sidewalks. Completion in 2019.
www.i4ultimate.com
Hyatt House expects to open on I-Drive in 2019. The $28 million property plans to have 175 rooms.
house.hyatt.com
Mooyah Burgers & an arcade will be 'mooving' in to the Hollywood Plaza Entertainment Complex in 2019.
www.mooyah.com
Azul Sand Lake Vista, a 262-unit multifamily project including two 5-story buildings and a 2-story clubhouse, is under construction surrounding Boo Boo Lake off of Turkey Lake Rd. Expected completion is 2019.
jeffersonapartmentgroup.com
Walk-On's I-Drive Bistreaux & Bar is coming to I-Shops. This 2-story, 8,500 SF sports bar restaurant will feature Louisiana-inspired cuisine. Opening 2019.
walkons.com Dezerland Action Park plans to open their doors late 2019 to a 300,000 SF
Orlando Auto Museum with hundreds of cars ranging from the 1930's to modern day. The goal is to be the largest auto museum in Florida. Additional entertainment will span another 250,000 SF of the complex.
www.dezerlandactionpark.com
The
Grand National 16.5-acre mixed-use project is underway on North International Drive. It will include 60,000 -square-feet of retail and restaurant space. A new TownePlace Suites by Marriott has also signed on for a 7-story, 148 unit hotel. Projects began coming online in 2018 and will continue through 2020.
www.naproperties.com/projects/grand-national/ Mango's will be repurposing 700 SF retail space for the new
Tropical Cigars at Mango's. A 2nd floor 'cigarden' will also come online late 2019.
mangos.com
2020 and beyond
Tru by Hilton, an 8-story, 259 suite concept hotel has just started their site work. The hotel will be located across from the Orange County Convention Center and has a target opening date of February 2020.
tru3.hilton.com
The
I-Drive Retail at Four Points by Sheraton is quickly nearing completion. This 4,800 SF commercial property is a 4 tenant building to include restaurant and retail. Anticipated opening early 2020.
equitymp.com
Tryp by Wyndham is building a new 4-story, 98 room hotel near SeaWorld on International Drive. Expected completion is February 2020.
www.wyndhamhotels.com/tryp/
Camelo Pizzaria is coming to
Orlando Crossings. The 4,200 SF restaurant will feature their family style pizza & fine-dining for all. Expected opening is the first quarter 2020.
camelopizzaria.com
ICON Park has several new restaurants coming online. Blake Shelton's
Ole Red Orlando will begin construction in early 2019 on their 15,000 SF, 2-level restaurant. A welcome addition to ICON Park, offering Southern food & hospitality and live Country music. Expected Opening is planned for spring 2020.
olered.com/orlando Also coming in 2020 is a contemporary cuisine restaurant called
Ox Grill. The Orlando Slingshot, a 300' high, 450' catapult ride and the
Orlando Gyro Drop Tower, a 400'high, 350' freefall reaching speeds of 75 mph.
iconorlando.com
The Endless Summer Resort is the much anticipated development on the former Wet 'n Wild property.
The Dockside Inn & Suites will be a 2,050-room resort with completion anticipated in March 2020. When combined with Surfside Inn & Suites, both properties will include three pools, two food courts, parking garage and poolside bars.
blog.universalorlando.com
GLo Hotel, a new boutique hotel brand from Best Western is under construction on Vineland Ave. This 4-story, 154 unit property is said to break the "cookie-cutter hotel mold." Expected completion is April 2020.
www.bestwesterndevelopers.com/portfolio/glo.php
Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando is a multi-directional launch coaster boasting a 93' tall spike with 100-degree angle. Coming Spring 2020.
#BreakTheIce seaworldorlando.com
Essex at Universal began construction in October 2018 on their apartment complex with 330-units in five buildings. Amenities to include 10,000 SF clubhouse, saltwater swimming pool, dog park and two courtyards with fire-pits & water features. Completion is anticipated to be July 2020.
flournoypartners.com
Pointe Orlando will be undergoing a $32 million redevelopment project starting later this year. It will include The Link, a new 100' passageway, escalator, gathering space, upgraded valet areas, new landscape & signage, among other things. The project is expected to be completed Summer 2020.
pointeorlando.com
Aloft and Element Hotel began construction in late 2018 on a 7-story dual hotel with 284 rooms. Estimated completion is November 2020.
www.ad1global.com
Wyndham's WorldMark Orlando Kingstown Reef has broken ground on a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation. Two 4-story buildings with 87 new units, a new 9-hole miniature golf course and renovation of the 99 existing units are all underway. Completion is expected in late 2020.
www.worldmarkbywyndham.com
Sand Lake Road Improvement Project expects completion in late 2020 of work that includes widening to six lanes, bike paths and new sidewalks. Extends from I-Drive to Universal Blvd.
cflroads.com
Phases 2 & 3 of
Vineland Pointe will be constructed concurrently and include a Target, Cheesecake Factory, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Total project includes 69.41 acres and 447,500-square-feet of retail space. MOD Pizza, Duck Donuts, Rita's Italian Ice & Chipotle opening this year. Completion expected for the holidays 2020.
oconnorcp.com
The
Kirkman Road Resurfacing project will begin August 2019. The 6.6 miles includes Kirkman Rd. from S.R. 408 to Sand Lake Rd. (exluding Conroy Rd. to International Drive). Estimated completion is Fall 2021.
www.cflroads.com
The
Comfort Suites Orlando began construction in January 2019 on a 6-story hotel, including 104 rooms. Expected completion is reported for April 2021.
www.peakcm.com
I-Drive dedicated transit lanes from Sand Lake Road to the Beachline is scheduled to begin construction in fall 2020, with a completion date of fall 2022. Approximately three miles of dedicated transit bus lanes from Sand Lake Road to the Beachline. New sidewalks, landscaping, and signage.
orangecountyfl.net
Universal Orlando Resort is building a new, forth, theme park to be called
Universal's Epic Universe. The park will also feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more. We anxiously await further details as they are made available. Expected opening 2023.
universalorlando.com
The $250M-$300M
Kirkman Road Extension from Carrier Drive to Universal Blvd. will be a 1.7-mile extension of south Kirkman Road. The north-south stretch is estimated to be completed in 2024.
www.cflroads.com
Awaiting details
SKYPLEX Entertainment Complex will open with Skyscraper, the world’s tallest roller coaster at more than 500 feet. Also: SkyFall - a 450-foot drop ride, Skyfly - a 600-foot zipline, Skysurf Park, SkyLedge thrill experience, Sky Jump - 500-foot free fall dive attraction, SkyPlaza - retail & dining area, open-air promenade, indoor arcade, 450-room hotel, and go-kart track. Project size: 1.5 million square feet. Projected completion unknown.
facebook.com/skyplex
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is opening a 7,300 SF restaurant on I-Drive at will feature a made-from-scratch menu.
cheddars.com
Guests can run-to-the-border at a brand new
Taco Bell very soon. This 3,333 SF restaurant with drive-thru commenced construction September 2019.
tacobell.com
The
Hilton Orlando is renovating their pool-area amenities. In addition to aesthetic updates, they are adding a children's splash pad, expanding the adult-only "quiet" pool and adding a new walk-in cooler to the pool bar area. Plans to expand the Marketplace area in the lobby are also underway. The pool-area was completed this spring 2018. The Marketplace completion is unknown at this time.
www.thehiltonorlando.com
Super Nintendo World is coming to
Universal Orlando Resort. This themed area will be expansive, immersive and interactive, filled with multiple attractions, shops and restaurants based on Nintendo's iconic games, heroes and villains.
blog.universalorlando.com
The Reserve at Shingle Creek Resort phase three will be a multi-level parking garage and phase four will include a 640 room, 16-story condo tower, walk-in pool & lazy river and 150,000 SF of additional convention space.
rosenshinglecreek.com
I-Drive 2040 Vision Plan - Recognizing the importance of creating a shared vision for the International Drive Area, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs appointed a Steering Review Group (SRG) composed of I-Drive-area stakeholders and landowners who are committed to maintaining I-Drive as the world’s premier global destination for tourism and family entertainment. She envisioned a vibrant International Drive corridor that would be a dynamic gathering place for visitors and residents alike. See the plan
here.
Quotes from I-Drive stakeholders and partners:
"I have had the opportunity to call the Rosen Inn International (formerly the Quality Inn International) located at 7600 International Drive, my home, from 1974 to 1990. Now spanning some 42 plus years as an owner-operator of multiple hotels in the district, one can only imagine the tremendous growth and development we have had the distinct privilege of being intimately involved with.
The International Drive district features our World Class Orange County Convention Center, dozens of spectacular hotels, fine dining, and numerous exciting entertainment venues. In addition, specialty retailers and an assortment of merchants can be found on virtually every street corner. We currently enjoy a robust marketplace thanks to our diverse base of visitors; tourists, conventioneers and locals.
I remain confident that we will continue to adapt to our ever changing environment and provide the finest service and hospitality anywhere in the world. I am extremely optimistic regarding future development in the district and remain poised to do my part to ensure that I-Drive remains a legendary destination."
Harris Rosen, President, Rosen Hotels & Resorts
"Unicorp National Developments sees a very big future with International Drive. And as we are currently the largest property owner on I-Drive with 77 acres, our plan is to redevelop much of this property to take advantage of the exciting, new, urbanism vision that has been approved for the I-Drive District. This will include hotels, restaurants and even more entertainment. Thousands of Orlando Eye riders experience the landscape of Central Florida from 400 feet each day and we are excited to be part of I-Drive and the growth and future of Orange County. This is where it all happens and we are thrilled to be part of it."
Chuck Whittall, President Unicorp Companies
“International Drive is the most burgeoning entertainment district in the world, and Orange County is in the process of implementing the ground-breaking I-Drive 2040 Vision that sets the tone for the District to continue to be the most visited leisure and convention market in the world. We look forward to the future as we work toward the opening this year of our 800-space parking garage complex with a rooftop restaurant and to the future opening of Skyplex."
Joshua Wallack of Wallack Holdings, COO Mango’s Tropical Café Orlando /Managing Principal, Skyplex
“AMP Group / Perfumeland was born and raised on International Drive starting with just a 1,200-square- foot perfume shop in the mid 90’s. As Perfumeland grew, so did our company with a number of new investments into the International Drive area culminating with the addition of the Orlando Crossings Mall and I-Drive NASCAR Indoor Kart Racing facility. Our company’s expansion is a direct result of the wonderful growth we have seen to Orlando and its tourism industry in the last few years. I-Drive has been a catalyst for the growth of our region. We are truly excited over the I-Drive 2040 Vision and what the future holds.”
Alejandro Pezzini, Chief Operating Officer, AMP Group
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Contact: Luann Brooks, Executive Director
International Drive Business Improvement District
www.IDriveDistrict.com
P: 407-248-9590
lbrooks@idrivedistrict.com
Orlando's Most Dynamic Destination!
Updated: October 29, 2019