Saturday 9 September 2017

What's New for September: Summer fall fun on I-Drive

It’s the perfect time to 'fall' in love with the I-Drive Resort Area, so make plans now and put some new attractions on your “must do” list! Orlando’s Magical Dining Month is in full swing. Universal begins its famous Halloween Horror Nights this month. Fly high at iFly Indoor Skydiving. Race through New York with Jimmy Fallon. And much more!

It’s open! Cool off, make a splash and enjoy Universal's Volcano Bay. The new tropical island water park features innovative, thrilling attractions and TapuTapu wearable technology for virtual queuing. See details and make plans to cool off at Orlando’s hottest new attraction!

Soar at iFly Indoor Skydiving's new facility next to WonderWorks on International Drive, equipped with two all-glass wind tunnels in an open single-story floor plan that allows I-Drive visitors to see fliers in action. iflyworld.com

Take SeaWorld Orlando's Kraken roller coaster to a new level with "Kraken Unleashed." This new twist on the coaster is the first of its kind virtual reality roller coaster. www.seaworld.com

And with all this fun, you have to eat! If you're looking for something spicy, Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican opened their doors on June 27th to join the dining offerings at I-Drive 360. The Texas-based restaurant chain sits near the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, with a patio around the building for a perfect view of the wheel. The Tex-Mex menu includes everything from honey chipotle salmon to cowboy queso. unclejulios.com

Visitors always enjoy endless I-Drive fun including six of the world's most famous theme parks (SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica - SeaWorld's Waterpark, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay), restaurants, dinner shows, shopping experiences, mega entertainment complexes, smaller family style attractions and spas. The excitement never stops at the world-famous Orlando resort area and you will want to check out everything that is new!

New overpass provides ease of travel for visitors

A long-awaited connection for both tourists and businesses along International Drive soon has opened.The Grand National Overpass, part of the $2.3 billion I-4 Ultimate project, connects Grand National Drive to Caravan Court and provides easier access between the popular retail and entertainment areas of I-Drive on the east side of Interstate 4 with the attractions and hotels on the west side for pedestrians and cars. The overpass includes pedestrian walkways and access ramps for both eastbound and westbound express lanes as part of the project’s overall effort to increase safety and mobility.

Halloween happenings

Have some horrifying fun at Universal

The streets of Universal Studios Florida™ come alive with all-new hordes of horrifying mutants, monsters and maniacs. Explore nine terrifying haunted houses, brave five creature-filled scare zones, enjoy two outrageous live shows, and experience many of the park’s most exciting rides and attractions. The annual Halloween event runs on select nights from Sept. 15-Nov. 4. For more information, go to halloweenhorrornights.com.

It’s Halloween fun for the whole family at SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular®. 

During this daytime event, families are immersed in an underwater "fantasea" including trick-or-treating, whimsical pumpkin fish, sea-themed arts and crafts and up-close animal encounters in a family-friendly event. The event runs weekends, Sept. 23- Oct. 29. seaworld.com/orlando/events/halloween-spooktacular/

Orlando Magical Dining Month is on!

It’s the month that visitors and locals look forward to all year: Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. Now through running through Oct. 1, diners may sample 100 of the area’s finest restaurants, including many in the I-Drive Area.

In its 12th year, the promotion includes a three-course, prix fixe menu with appetizer, entrée and dessert. The cost at any Magical Dining Month restaurant:$35 per person. And $1 from each meal goes to Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation.

I-Drive area restaurants included in Magical Dining Month:
A Land Remembered, Benihana, Cala Bella, Ciao Italia Ristorante, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Copper Canyon Grill, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Everglades Restaurant, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, Funky Monkey Bistro & Bar, Itta Bena, Jack's Place, Kobe Ichiban, Mango's Tropical Café, SeaWorld Orlando Sharks Underwater Grill, Shogun Japanese Steak House, Spencer's, Tapa Toro, The Capital Grille, The Grill at Grande Vista, Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, Urban Tide, Vincenzo Cucina Italiana.

Check here for menus and to book reservations. For more details on Magical Dining month, visit here.

If you haven’t been to the Resort Area lately…don’t miss these recent openings

The "world's first-ever flying theater," Universal Orlando's "Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon" is open. Check here for more details.

Coca-Cola Orlando Eye is part of the $200 million entertainment destination located in the heart of International Drive. The 400-foot, iconic observation wheel is the centerpiece of this themed complex featuring a dynamic blend of attractions, restaurants, nonstop entertainment and shops. USA Today Travel named it the second largest observation wheel at 400 feet tall.

Joining the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye as part of I-Drive 360’s unique line-up of attractions are world-famous Madame Tussaud’s, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Skeletons and Arcade City. Twice a day, visitors enjoy a $1.5 million water show set to music and color-changing lights. The complex offers free parking in its 1,600-space garage. www.i-idrive360.com

Mango's Tropical Café & Nightclub Complex
opened its $40 million, 55,000-square-foot restaurant and nightclub providing nonstop live entertainment, dancing and dining. The Latin-themed restaurant and club is an expansion of the Mango's brand in South Beach and is the newest nighttime hotspot on I-Drive. www.mangos.com/orlando

Skull Island Reign of Kong, at Univeral's Islands of Adventure, provides a journey deep into a mysterious island, swarmed by enormous prehistoric predators. Check it out here. And also open: The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster. Check details.

SeaWorld Orlando opened the new and improved Dolphin Nursery which includes underwater viewing, along with the new Flamecraft Bar. seaworldparks.com

Pollo Tropical opened its first I-Drive location in July 2017. This 3,642-square-foot restaurant will be located near the north end of International Drive. pollotropical.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld
opened a six-story, 181-room hotel, this past month. ihg.com

Staybridge Suites Orlando at SeaWorld had a July 2017 opening with 95 rooms on six floors. ihg.com

Westgate Lakes added 25,000 square feet of meeting space and 25,000 square feet of restaurant/retail space within the existing parking garage. The two projects are part of “The Village Shops at Westgate Lakes,” which includes a steakhouse, Draft’s sports bar, marketplace, arcade and meeting/banquet space. Opened July 2017. westgateresorts.com

TownePlace Suites Orlando at SeaWorld
completed a six-story, 181-room hotel in June 2017. marriott.com

Aquatica, SeaWorld's Water Park opened their brand new Pass Member Pavilion in May 2017. seaworldparks.com

Lockbusters Escape Game offers five uniquely themed escape adventure rooms. Opened May 26th. www.lockbustersgame.com

Breakout Escape Rooms Orlando is located in the Regency Village Shopping Center on Vineland Ave. Race against the clock with only your logic and wit to save you in one of their three rooms: "The Ringmaster's Den," "Game of Espionage," or the "Zombie Roadhouse." roombreakout.com/orlando

Visit Main Event Entertainment, a state-of-the-art bowling experience, at Pointe Orlando with 48,000-square-feet of space. mainevent.com

Pio Pio Restaurant, featuring Colombian and Peruvian cuisine, moved to its new, larger location which includes a full bar. www.mypiopio.com

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen has opened at CityWalk. Read all of the yummy details here.

The World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's at the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road has re-opened and is the first in the country to have a newly-designed 22-foot-tall kids' jungle gym with slides and tunnels. Eight kitchens prepare more than 200 menu items. http://mcfun.com/

Hulk Hogan's Beach Shop lets visitors shop for shorts and sunglasses amidst Hogan's memorabilia and Hulkamania inspired keepsakes for purchase. Don't forget to get a selfie with the Hulkster life-sized statues. shophulkhogan.com

Homewood Suites Orlando Theme Park opened February 2017 with 134-rooms on 3.5 acres. homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center opened its brand-new Calypso's Pool Bar & Grille this January. The dining oasis features a Floribbean style menu, specialty craft cocktails, a recreation patio and entertainment. Guests can enjoy poolside al fresco dining, with a spectacular view of tropical waterfalls. www.cariberoyale.com

Seabra Foods Market at Orlando Crossings Mall opened with 17,000 square feet of shopping space that includes a variety of ethnic products from Portugal, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Spain, and more. http://www.seabrafoods.com/

At Universal Orlando, Cabana Bay Beach Resort has expanded by adding a hotel tower with 399 retro designed rooms. Additional details here.

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