International Drive ??

[barrett7890]

hi there,
we've been to orlando 3 times....twice on I Drive and once at WDW.....we're going back next year....again to I Drive

The choice of good value restaurants and cheaper hotels is definately worth it for us....we've never had any probs getting to the theme parks

That was the only thing we didn't like about staying at WDW......it was more difficult to go to things outside Disney.

Last May we went to Pointe Orlando and noticed a few closed stores but not may.....if anything the number of stores had multiplied since the last time we were there

If anyone staying on I Drive has any questions feel free to PM me

cami
x

 

[MazdaUK]

I went to Pointe Orlando in March this year and belive me there are many empty stores - including the huge FAO Swartz (although the building is still there)

Maybe its more lively in the evening but early afternoon on Good Friday it was deserted.

 

[barrett7890]

is that the big toy store?? we were really sad to see that it had gone, apparently they've turned part of it into a nigthclub! what a waste

it's also a shame they are letting the big toy statues go so shabby...were they even still there in March?

cami
x

 

[MazdaUK]

The statues were still there but really filthy. A family was letting their kids sit on Ragetty Annie for a photo - I wouldn't let mine go near them as they had pale shorts on

 

[sue Z]

another choice is to check out the hotels that have universal blvd as an address as that runs parralel to Id rive and it not as congested as I drive. My parents and I stay at the holiday inn that is on Universal Blvd and you forget that I drive is just to the other side of the goodings plaza!

some of the hotels might use I drive as an addy but you might find that they are actually on Universal Blvd. case in point of this is the Doubletree Castle. When you get to where the FAO Swartz used to be at the pointe Orlando is where u Make your right turn onto Universal Blvd.

 

[mark&sue]

A bit off topic but we are staying at Holiday Inn International Drive and wondered if it would be easy to get tea bags?

Would the hotel shop sell them?



Susan

 

[cazzie]

A bit off topic but we are staying at Holiday Inn International Drive and wondered if it would be easy to get tea bags?

Would the hotel shop sell them?



Susan

I am not taking any chances so I shall be going with my box of tea bags.

 

[mattr555]

Im staying at the Vistana Villages, flying out on Friday. Ive never been to Orlando or driven in the US. Does anyone know of any good tips/websites for route maps from VV to Disney and Universal parks? Id like to have a working knowledge of the area before I attempt to drive on the wrong side of the road.

Also, how does driving in the US compare to driving in the UK, Spain, or Mexico (the other countries ive driven in)

 

[MazdaUK]

mark&sue - US teabags tend towards the weak (Lipton yellow label as standard "abroad") - take your own

We bought a really good map in Walmart for a couple of dollars - it is laminated and folds in various ways and includes "close-ups" for the Disney area and I-drive (even marks the different streets in Universal Studios!) plus a sort of A-Z map of downtown Orlando. You can pick up a free map at the airport when you get your car but its not brilliant - ask your rep (if there is one) or the hire people the best way to get to where you're staying.

 

[wicket2005]

I am not taking any chances so I shall be going with my box of tea bags.

You are not allowed to bring any food into USA. When you are on the plane you have to put any food you have into carriers just before you land in the USA for disposal. I don't know whether tea bags would count but no doubt someone here can answer that.

What I am doing this year is writing the directions from the airport to the hotel on a postcard so I know exactly where we are going. I am also writing on it reminders for my hubbie on the differences in driving in the USA which are given in The Brits Guide to Orlando.

 

[spiceycat]

I don't know if they will delivery to you or not.

www.floridakiss.com

the vacation guide is what you want - it has a magazine - several nice maps.

the one of the WDW area - is not as detailed as the Kissmmee - one - but enough so that you can find your way from Vistana Village to WDW.
I would go on ID - when you come out of VV turn left - when this road ends turn right - stay on this road - until you see the WDW park you are interested in.

 

[spiceycat]

here is Orlando version - but they don't have a nice map

www.orlandoinfo.com

I like the map that the Kissimmee vistors center gives you better than the one I get from AAA. It is definitely more accurate.

 

[wicket2005]

Cazzie

ncbuy.com tells you about what you are allowed to bring into the country. I think tea bags are okay. The first time I went I didn't know and ended up having to throw a lot of fruit away. Every since then never bothered to take any food stuffs with us.

 

[cazzie]

Cazzie

ncbuy.com tells you about what you are allowed to bring into the country. I think tea bags are okay. The first time I went I didn't know and ended up having to throw a lot of fruit away. Every since then never bothered to take any food stuffs with us.

Thanks so much for that info, I am only planning to take tea bags (I admit I can't go without my cuppa) as we will be eating out.

Just another thought what about crisps? I had planned to take some for DH but now I think maybe not. I have to admit I never realised the amount of restrictions for the US until I booked this holiday.

 

[wicket2005]

To be on the safe side I don't take any food into USA with me. We don't even usually bother with snack for the 'plane. I think because you are just sitting there you don't use much energy up so therefore you don't need as much food.

The first time we went with the kids aged 7 and 5, I took absolutely loads of stuff both for entertainment and to eat - hardly any of it was needed. What I would suggest you take is bottles of water for the 'plane, one 'plane we went on had self service water, the other two didn't. Sometimes it can get quite dry on the journey plus it helps to keep you hydrated.

I don't know whether crisps would be accepted into the country or not but you certainly could have them on the 'plane. They do sell crisps (chips) over there but don't have the flavours like we have.

What I am intending to take with us this year for us is a bag of mixed nuts and raisins, these are good for you and filling. The kids don't like nuts though so I am just going to buy some of those little boxes of raisins you can buy.

Cazzie I am very much looking forward to hearing all about your first trip, you must be so excited.

 

[cazzie]

Cazzie I am very much looking forward to hearing all about your first trip, you must be so excited.

I just got back from the hairdressers to be honest I am swinging between excitement and nervousness I haven't got a clue what to expect and part of me is scared stiff, I get nervous flying to the Algarve . I haven't even packed the cases yet

I am going to try and write it all down at night so I can do a trip report

 

[wicket2005]

I have always made a diary, it is fun to look back on. Though I swear we didn't go to Typhoon Lagoon in 2000 but low and behold it is in the diary, still don't have any memory of going there then. It is hard writing when you get back in when you are tired but it does serve as a useful record for when you go back again. I use it to jot down reminders if I have discovered something new.

You will have to let us know what your hotel is like on International Drive. I am staying there for the first time at the Rosen Centre. It is a large wide v shaped pink coloured hotel down the Sea World end of International Drive.

Have a lovely time and get packing!

 

[MazdaUK]

I just put the teabags in my case. Raisins are readily available in US (even the hotel shops sell them) as they are a US product - which probably makes any in your luggage illegal as far as US authorities are concerned. They are very strict on really weird things, and if you haven't disposed of the "contraband" by the time you reach Customs then you get an automatic fine. One of the stewardesses on the return flight was fined $500 for a tin of Weightwatchers bolognaise!

I kept a diary during the trip and used it to write my trip report. I then printed out the trip report and used bits in my scrapbook (I bought a self-adhesive photo album from Boots, the sort where you can add extra pages). Its lovely to look at, and better to show guests than huge packs of photos, as they can see what the pictures refer to without having to say "that's us in Magic Kingdom, that's Josef with Mickey" etc.

 

[molly18molly]

we found I-Drive really tacky and very busy, but I'm sure the hotels are OK - my firends stayed there at Nikibirds (or something) Christmas 2003 and had no trouble getting around using hotel minibus. Alternatively if staying at Disney I believe you can book a Mears shuttle to do US/IOA and Seaworld (and even KSC)

We liked the Premium Outlest best - Belz is a bit spread out, and we found lots of outlets we'd wanted to visit (like Gant) seemed to have closed down. Avoid Pointe Orlando - loads of empty shops and what was left felt really run-down and creepy, even though there are some VERY expensive shops there.

Totally agree about Pointe Orlando - sooo run down and creepy - totally different to a few years ago - def a place to avoid at all cost!

 

[molly18molly]

I have always made a diary, it is fun to look back on. Though I swear we didn't go to Typhoon Lagoon in 2000 but low and behold it is in the diary, still don't have any memory of going there then. It is hard writing when you get back in when you are tired but it does serve as a useful record for when you go back again. I use it to jot down reminders if I have discovered something new.

You will have to let us know what your hotel is like on International Drive. I am staying there for the first time at the Rosen Centre. It is a large wide v shaped pink coloured hotel down the Sea World end of International Drive.

Have a lovely time and get packing!

Hi
We stayed at the Rosen Centre back in 1998 and it was fantastic - great rooms, immaculate and great hotel - we loved it and if we stay off site again it would be our first choice hotel. Have a great trip.