cricketers arms

[JohnnySharp2]

It has to be said that The Mercado itself is looking very run down these days. Half the units are empty.

Fully agree, several years ago it used to be worth a visit.
It's been a long time since we had a walk around there.

 

[ely3857]

Hiya,

Never been to this pub but I agree the Mercardo is a dive. We walked around in 2002 and it was a state then. It seemed to have loads of potential if it was taken care of, The general idea of the open plan shopping, dining and relaxing area is a good one but needs some love and attention.



Ely3857 (Jodie)

 

[daywalker]

I think most of I-Drive is becoming very run down. Mercado obviously has it's problems, most major stores are leaving Pointe Orlando. Too many tacky shops on the drive nowadays (maybe they've always been there we just notice them more everytime we go back).
The new area up near Belz (I've forgotten the name, it has the cinema etc) is very nice but when we popped in late last year they seemed to be struggling to fill the place with stores.

 

[kevin harrison]

I think most of I-Drive is becoming very run down. Mercado obviously has it's problems, most major stores are leaving Pointe Orlando.

With all the shopping areas available in Orlando, why on earth did the Pointe think it's feasable to make you pay to park there?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

With all the shopping areas available in Orlando, why on earth did the Pointe think it's feasable to make you pay to park there?

I agree, it's a rip off to be asked to park there but I think PO has dwindled away to a degree.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think most of I-Drive is becoming very run down. Mercado obviously has it's problems, most major stores are leaving Pointe Orlando. Too many tacky shops on the drive nowadays (maybe they've always been there we just notice them more everytime we go back).
The new area up near Belz (I've forgotten the name, it has the cinema etc) is very nice but when we popped in late last year they seemed to be struggling to fill the place with stores.

The new area near BELZ is Festival Bay. Actually it has improved a bit since last year but there are still loads of stores still empty.
One thing we were grateful for FB , it was the only place open on Easter Sunday when we had time to kill before our flight home - all the Malls were shut.

We haven't stayed on I-drive for years, I think the tacky shops have always been there - the South end isn't too bad near the Rosen Center where we used to stay but even Pointe Orlando doesn't seem to be as good as when it first opened.
It's quite funny really but you watch these travel programmes on SKY and they advertise I-drive as being THE place to be (because the hotels they are advertising are on there) sorry it ain't.

 

[terrynewpack]

Personally I have never really liked International Drive but I do not think it is going down the pan in any other way than it is not as popular as it used to be. Various reasons for that is many more folk now stop in villas, condos and on site at Disney. Once upon a time many years ago it was a choice between International Drive and International Drive.

The Mercardo has never been right and has drastically gone down the pan. The Cricketers I have been in a few times but never liked it. Like others have said British pubs are bad enough in the UK without trying to find a decent one abroad.

One thing you may not know is that if you go into a British pub in Orlando and you are British you will invariably be charged full price. If you are a local then, in some pubs, the price drastically comes down. Tourist price and locals price. Best bet is to stick with the locals bars and pay locals prices.

Terry

 

[daveyoghurt]

I must admit to being and I-Drive fan, much as I like to spend my days in the theme parks, it's nice to come away and 'get away from it all'. The range of hotels cater for every budget and there are some superb restaurants and bars there as well. It's also nice on an evening to wander down the I-Drive on a night to walk off the days eating excesses, though that usually involves finding an off-the-beaten-track boozer!

Admittedly, a lot of the units in the Mercado are empty, but it's still nice to sit it that open square on an evening and enjoy a cocktail or two. If you go into the 'local' bars, then you're treated like a celebrity, I went a couple of years ago whilst the Ryder Cup was on and had an evening of drinks on the locals, courtesy of Monty and the boys!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

If you go into the 'local' bars, then you're treated like a celebrity, I went a couple of years ago whilst the Ryder Cup was on and had an evening of drinks on the locals, courtesy of Monty and the boys!

Can you recommend any 'local bars' in the area? a long time since I went for a drink down I-drive.

 

[mark&sue]

We are staying in the Holiday Inn International Drive and it will be my first time on International Drive but my 6th trip to WDW as we usually stay on site. This thread has made me very nervous, and I really hope that the place is not too run down as the rest of our party have never been to US before and I would hate to think they would not like it.

One of our party was hoping to catch the F A Cup Final in a "British Pub" but I think he thinks it will be like Spain!!!! I did tell him the match would be at 10.00 a.m. and the pubs may not be open.

Susan

 

[terrynewpack]

We are staying in the Holiday Inn International Drive and it will be my first time on International Drive but my 6th trip to WDW as we usually stay on site. This thread has made me very nervous, and I really hope that the place is not too run down as the rest of our party have never been to US before and I would hate to think they would not like it.

One of our party was hoping to catch the F A Cup Final in a "British Pub" but I think he thinks it will be like Spain!!!! I did tell him the match would be at 10.00 a.m. and the pubs may not be open.

Susan

The place is nowhere near 'run down'. It is the same as ever but there are closed shops in the Mercardo and Pointe Orlando. Lets be honest International Drive has never been renowned for shopping unless you wanted junk and t-shirts.

The FA Cup Final will be on in most of the British bars. Might have to pay to get in but it will be on.

Terry

 

[kevin harrison]

I-Drive isn't run down really. The Mercardo is though and something I'd give a miss to. The Pointe has empty units also, but isn't run down in the sense it's scruffy.

I Drive at the Beltz end is just like a typical tourist strip, with lots of cheap and tacky clothes shops etc. But the southern end is nice and quiet and not as developed.

Just take them to City Walk at night, not far up I-Drive and a good time is guaranteed, free parking after 6pm (or 7 - can't remember)

Don't be put off by this tread.

 

[mark&sue]

Thank you Keith. We have APs for Universal so I think the parking is free but we all like to drink (not the 6 children though) but I am sure a couple of cabs will work out ok. Our last two nights are in the Hard Rock Hotel so we should be ok at the end of our holiday.

Thanks for the reassurance I was beginning to think we had booked Southend or Benidorm (no offence meant to Benidorm lovers!).

I phoned up the Holiday Inn direct this afternoon to make sure we had bath tubs and not just showers as we stayed in the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth on Saturday night and there were no baths! I do think I worry too much!!



Susan

 

[kevin harrison]

Thank you Keith. We have APs for Universal so I think the parking is free but we all like to drink (not the 6 children though) but I am sure a couple of cabs will work out ok. Our last two nights are in the Hard Rock Hotel so we should be ok at the end of our holiday.

Thanks for the reassurance I was beginning to think we had booked Southend or Benidorm (no offence meant to Benidorm lovers!).

I phoned up the Holiday Inn direct this afternoon to make sure we had bath tubs and not just showers as we stayed in the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth on Saturday night and there were no baths! I do think I worry too much!!Susan

3 things....

1 - I was woried about our HRH suite also, as it has no bath and my daughter hates showers...I guess she'll have to stay dirty for a fortnight

2 - It's nothing like Southend or Benidorm.

3 - It's KEVIN, not Keith !!!

 

[slinky101]

 

[mark&sue]

Sorry Kevin to get your name wrong.

You are joking about no bath tubs in HRH aren't you?????????

 

[kevin harrison]

Sorry Kevin to get your name wrong.

You are joking about no bath tubs in HRH aren't you?????????

I am staying in a king suite, that has no bath tub. I'm unsure about standard rooms.

 

[mark&sue]

Kevin

You probably have a whirlpool or something! I was going to phone HRH up to check it but my husband keeps telling me to stop worrying and to get a life.

I have already been worrying about the disabled units at Disney Vacation Club as they don't have baths and we are not having our first visit there until 2007!!! but I can't stop worrying!!!

Many thanks for your help.

We won't need to worry about watching the FA cup if Arsenal lose on 16th April. I don't want to waste our first morning in Orlando watching the F.A Cup (even though I do love Football and have been to two F.A. Cup Finals)



Susan

 

[kevin harrison]

Kevin

You probably have a whirlpool or something! I was going to phone HRH up to check it but my husband keeps telling me to stop worrying and to get a life.

I have already been worrying about the disabled units at Disney Vacation Club as they don't have baths and we are not having our first visit there until 2007!!! but I can't stop worrying!!!

Many thanks for your help.

We won't need to worry about watching the FA cup if Arsenal lose on 16th April. I don't want to waste our first morning in Orlando watching the F.A Cup (even though I do love Football and have been to two F.A. Cup Finals)

Susan

Forget the football like you say, you are on holiday. ( I'm a Forest supporter so watched plenty of finals under Sir Brian - 2 European cups, how many have Arsenal?? lol) (we won't talk about now though, will we?)

Your husband is right, don't worry.

 

[SimonV]

Hi Kevin. I don't know who's been pulling your leg about no bath-tub in HRH rooms (suites or otherwise!) but it is most definitely that - a leg pull. It would be unheard of for ANY hotel room in the US not to include a bath, and what is more likely is that HRH suites include a separate shower as well as the bath. I hope this sets any shower-fearing souls to rest!!