Hi everyone & Supermarkets, supplies on International Drive

[scooch]

Hi all!

First off! Amazing forums... i've been visiting religously for the past month since booking our holiday and really haven't felt i could contribute much as most threads seem to get replied to so quickly by the regular orlando visitors with such good answers. Reading up peoples stories helps the waiting time go by and the excitement build up Anyway, i'd just like to thanks to everyone on the forums for being so nice to each other

We leave June 7th to stay in the Quality Inn International. I've been to orlando twice before ('94 and '01) both times with family but now i'm going with my gf ali who hasnt been before and i can't wait to show her what's in store I was actually going out with her the last time i went but didnt have enough money to take her along and instead spent many hours on the phone to her from all the parks just trying to describe what it was like
We did visit Disneyland Paris last september together and had a wonderful time, though it does lack the other parks it was very relaxing and had great fun.
The two times i've visited orlando, the 1st i was only 11 and we stayed at the Holiday inn on i drive, second time we stayed at best western, florida mall. I feel quite exprienced now with the area and getting around. I'm 20 so a rental car wasn't an option but i actually feel a bit better not having to drive anyway and the Quality inn int. has a free shuttle to sea world & the universals. They also have $12 return shuttles to disney so with all that and the idrive trolley i think we'll be fine. I'm not yet sure about the times of these shuttles, i'm hoping they'll be good as they were from the best western fl mall. Anyone with details for the shuttle at this hotel would be much appreciated.

One question i have for those who know idrive well is regarding supermarkets such as walmart, are there any on idrive and if so what would you recommend?
The hotel fridge will be great for keeping our supplies and ive picked up a small thermos cooler bag which has room for about 6 drinks and space left for snacks.

Thanks for your time all,
David

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi David and Welcome to the Dis

Glad you love it here have you read some of the trip reports, there is loads in the index to keep you going

I haven't stayed on I Drive before, but I am sure someone will be able to help you. You and your girlfriend will have a fabulous time

 

[Kimkie]

I think there is a Goodings supermarket in a shopping square on I Drive. Right hand side as you go towards the main cross-road with the huge, but awful, Mc Donalds. Someone with the right answers will come along soon!

 

[scooch]

Thanks Kaylee for the warm welcome.
I've read quite a few of those reports, one thing that i thought would have helped the index would be dates of the holiday next to the names of the people, but never the less a great resource.

I think that McDonalds you're describing is right next to the hotel so i guess Goodings isnt far either. I'll certainly look out for it.

Cheers,
David

 

[janine29]

Hiya!!
I'm also going to stay at the Quality Inn international (on Thursday-yippee!) and I ordered a free I Ride trolley map, I think it was off www.orlandoinfo.com (but am not 100% sure as have visited that many sites!) It is a detailed map of I drive and details what is at each trolley stop. It would seem that on the opposite side of the road from the stop for our hotel is a 7-Eleven (24hr store) There are also lots of other supermarkets listed as being nearby. There doesn't seem to be a Walmart though.

I return on the 5th so log onto the forum just before you go and I'll send an update for you.

 

[scooch]

Thanks Janine, I look forward to hearing from you, I'm sure you'll have a great trip!
I think i've found an online version of the map you mention, at: http://www.iridetrolley.com/directory/gold_line.htm. As you say, it does look like a 7-eleven over the road. The hotel certainly looks like a good location, right in the middle of i-drive.

David

 

[janine29]

If possible, order one as it also has quite a few discount vouchers in for the I Drive area

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Hi David,

Your nearest Walmart would be the one on S. Kirkman Road. It's about 3-4 miles from I-Drive I think. Kirkman Road is on the way to Belz Outlet mall I think. Someone else can confirm - or correct- this

Goodings on I-Drive is very close to the Mercado Village. It's open 24 hours. The prices are a little higher than other grocery stores but with your transport limitations it's very accessible.

Louise

 

[Olaf]

I'm jealous. I wish my boyfriend had taken me to WDW when I was 20.

You're going to have a great time.

 

[KayleeUK]

Thanks David..dates next to the reports sounds like a good idea - leave it with me

 

[scooch]

Originally posted by KayleeUK
Thanks David..dates next to the reports sounds like a good idea - leave it with me

Here is some i did last night...

<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=253613" target="_blank">Astrid's Trip Reports</a> 11/03/02 - 27/03/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=296457" target="_blank">Bengunn's Trip Reports</a> 15/08/02 - 07/09/02 ?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187003" target="_blank">BevS97's Trip Reports</a> 04/05/01 - 17/05/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187004" target="_blank">BevS97's DLP Trip Reports</a> 9/11/01 - 13/11/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2269338#post2269338" target="_blank">BevS97's 2002 Trip Reports</a> 31/05/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189065" target="_blank">Bonzo and Alison's Trip Reports</a> 12/05/01 - 02/05/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=347374" target="_blank">Bwalker's Trip Reports</a> 24/09/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187006" target="_blank">Caroley's Trip Reports</a> 12/10/01 - 26/10/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=210921" target="_blank">Disneymad's 5 Day Trip Report</a> -/05/02 ?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=296459" target="_blank">Drennan's Trip Reports so far...</a> 12/10/02 - 24/10/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187008" target="_blank">Elise's Trip Reports</a> 02/03/02? - 14/03/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167293" target="_blank">Fiona's First Walt Disney World Holiday 2001</a> 16/02/01 - 02/03/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=274395" target="_blank">Fiona's Trip Reports so far</a> 02/02/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=373551" target="_blank">IceQueen's Trip to Orlando</a> 22/04/03 - 04/05/03<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187839" target="_blank">JayneL's Trip Reports</a> 19/12/01 - 27/12/01<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=313095" target="_blank">Jody71's Trip Reports</a> 02/12/02 - 16/12/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187012" target="_blank">Kaylee's Trip Reports @ CBR 2000</a> -/10/02 - -/11/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=302012" target="_blank">Kaylee & Alan's Trip Reports 2002 @ BWV</a> 24/10/02 - 08/11/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=293784" target="_blank">Kenbar's Trip Reports so far</a> ?/?/2002<br />
<br />
<a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=352616" target="_blank">Leeds Utd Fan Trip Reports</a> 21/02/03 - 02/03/03<br />
<br />
<a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=352617" target="_blank">LouiseB Trip Reports</a> 22/04/02 - 28/04/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=352614" target="_blank">Malcolm Silcock's Trip Reports</a> 15/05/02 - 02/06/02<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189058" target="_blank">Mike's Trip Reports</a> 25/11/00 - 9/12/00<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=255078" target="_blank">Milly's Trip Reports...so far..</a> 25/11/00 <br />
<br />

I'll probably get the rest done some time tonight if you leave it with me...

David

 

[KayleeUK]

Wow!!

Did you read them all??

Thanks for that I have been playing if you want to pop over for a look

 

[Janice]

Hi David and Welcome to the Dis!

First off - thank you for listing all the dates with the trip reports, that is a great help

We stayed at QII on our first trip (although we did have a Hire Car) and found it to be a most convenient and handy location.

We had breakfast in the restaurant early each day, before the crowds - and then set off for the day. We were given vouchers for the breakfast from Virgin.

We found the hotel to be basic, but good value for money, clean and comfortable. I understand there has also been some refurbishment since our stay.

Hope you have a wonderful time

 

[peewakio]

Hiya Smooch,
Goodings is about a 5 minute walk from your hotel.
Come out of the main entrance to the QI cross the road and turn left. You will walk past Charleys Steakhouse (dont miss - bit more expensive but well worth it, unless your veggies) Goodings is on the next block.

I see that you need to pay $12 dollars each for transportation to Disney.
The cheaper method is to jump the I-Ride trolley (get a season ticket on your 1st day, you can get them from reception at your hotel) to Sea World then jump on the No50 Lynx bus ($1) to the Disney Transportation centre. This process takes half an hour or so longer but if you're anything like us you'll be up at the crack of dawn looking for things to do.
Lets say that you visited Disney 4 times that a saving of $80 (enough for a meal at Charleys)

 

[scooch]

Thanks all so far for your advice some good stuff

Kaylee, no i didnt read all of them but i did skim through a lot of them. I see you've updated the index with some more info, if you still want to me to get the dates from the rest let me know.

Some good advice there peewee thanks! The only problem i can see is with the bus times. It seems the iride only runs until 10:30 (doesnt say what time the last one will be where etc and the lynx 50 last bus from wdw is 10:18 which gets to seaworld at 10:39. Too late for the iride Any earlier and we'd miss the fireworks at magic kingdom but i'm sure it'll be fine for the other parks.

David

 

[TracyK]

David
I would check the trolley times. We've always got the last Link 50 bus back and there have always been trolley buses running after this.

 

[scooch]

I just got that info from the iride website. http://www.iridetrolley.com/facts.htm. Do you think this may be wrong?

Thanks,
David

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

There's a massive new publix - opened last year - at the very bottom of international drive (past sea world on the way to disney) which is just right across the road from the factory outlet mall, premium outlets, which, in our opinion is just as good as belz.

Its a great chance to do all your shopping at once

I am pretty sure the trolley buses go past it.

David

 

[giggler]

about 1/2 a mile behind QII is a k-mart, this will probably be the best place to replenish thoose supplies at the best value.
if you walk down sand lake road (opposite direction to florida mall) under I4 take your 1st right and you will see a k-mart up on the right hand side.
its a big k-mart so it supplies everything from food to golf clubs, kitchens, furniture, clothes, the list goes on and on


have a great time


giggler