New Attractions Officially Open in the International Drive Resort Area
The I-Drive Resort Area continues to increase its presence as a major player in Orlando's booming hospitality industry. The past 2 years brought changes to the tourism corridor with the opening of highly anticipated projects like I-Drive 360 (the $200 million entertainment destination and home to the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquarium, SKELETONS: Animals Unveiled, Arcade City, and many stores and food & beverage offerings) and Mango's Tropical Cafe.
Visitors can also find new offerings that opened just a few months ago, while others will open in the future, including:
BRAND-NEW ADDITIONS:
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games opened September 28, 2017 with 140,000 square feet including multi-level go-karting, laser tag, rock climbing, zip-line, twelve bowling lanes and more.
iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving opened May 3rd with a one-story, 14,000-square-foot building featuring two wind tunnel tubes.
Lockbusters Escape Game opened May 26th and offers five uniquely themed escape adventure rooms.
At Pointe Orlando, Main Event Entertainment, a state-of-the-art bowling experience, opened at Pointe Orlando with 48,000-square-feet of space. It features bowling, multi-level laser tag, high ropes adventure courses, billiards and interactive and virtual video games, with dining experiences ranging from fast-casual to chef-inspired casual.
After over 20 years at their current location, Visit Orlando's Official Visitor Center moved in September 2017 to the retail space next to Mango's Tropical Cafe. With 6,000-square-feet and 30-foot ceilings, it is more than double their previous space.
Multiple new hotels and resorts opened in the area, including the following:
Uncle Julio's opened July 27, 2017 at I-Drive 360. The new 8,515-square-foot restaurant features "scratch Mexican food," made with fresh Texas-grown ingredients.
Pio Pio Restaurant, featuring Colombian and Peruvian cuisine, moved to its new, larger location which includes a full bar on May 4th.
I-Drive's overhead pedestrian bridge opened this June. The 410-foot enclosed bridge connects the plaza outside the Hyatt Regency Orlando to the Orange County Convention Center, just across from the Linda Chapin Theater. The bridge also has an escalator leading from the hotel plaza to bridge, three stairways and two elevators and follows the path of the existing crosswalk but is above International Drive. Check the latest here.
iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving opened May 3rd with a one-story, 14,000-square-foot building featuring two wind tunnel tubes.
Lockbusters Escape Game opened May 26th and offers five uniquely themed escape adventure rooms.
At Pointe Orlando, Main Event Entertainment, a state-of-the-art bowling experience, opened at Pointe Orlando with 48,000-square-feet of space. It features bowling, multi-level laser tag, high ropes adventure courses, billiards and interactive and virtual video games, with dining experiences ranging from fast-casual to chef-inspired casual.
After over 20 years at their current location, Visit Orlando's Official Visitor Center moved in September 2017 to the retail space next to Mango's Tropical Cafe. With 6,000-square-feet and 30-foot ceilings, it is more than double their previous space.
Multiple new hotels and resorts opened in the area, including the following:
- TownePlace Suites Orlando at SeaWorld completed a six-story, 181-room hotel in June 2017.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld opened a six-story, 181-room hotel, this July.
- Staybridge Suites Orlando at SeaWorld had a September 2017 opening with 95 rooms on six floors.
Uncle Julio's opened July 27, 2017 at I-Drive 360. The new 8,515-square-foot restaurant features "scratch Mexican food," made with fresh Texas-grown ingredients.
Pio Pio Restaurant, featuring Colombian and Peruvian cuisine, moved to its new, larger location which includes a full bar on May 4th.
I-Drive's overhead pedestrian bridge opened this June. The 410-foot enclosed bridge connects the plaza outside the Hyatt Regency Orlando to the Orange County Convention Center, just across from the Linda Chapin Theater. The bridge also has an escalator leading from the hotel plaza to bridge, three stairways and two elevators and follows the path of the existing crosswalk but is above International Drive. Check the latest here.
FUTURE ADDITIONS:
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is in full swing with its Capital Improvement Plan, representing the largest renovation project in the venue’s history. Taking place primarily within the OCCC’s West Building, the plan includes upgrades and enhancements, as well as adding a number of new spaces like the new Tangerine ballroom, upgraded meeting rooms and boardrooms. Full completion expected in 2018.
Westgate Resort Condominiums anticipates a late fall 2017 opening date for a new eight-story, 80-unit condominium building. A second building, also eight-story, 80-unit is scheduled for completion summer 2018.
The Hollywood Plaza Parking Garage will open as a seven-story entertainment and parking complex located directly next to Mango’s Restaurant & Nightclub. To include Circo Orlando, high-end Italian rooftop restaurant, 10 level, 880 space parking facility, 9,500 square-feet of ground level retail and office space. Opening fall 2017.
Topgolf Orlando expects a fall 2017 opening for a three-level, 65,000-square-foot entertainment center. Also: private event space and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays.
Air Force Fun Orlando Helicopter Tours at Orlando Crossings Mall is scheduled to 'take off' at Orlando Crossings Mall this November 2017. The 2,400-square-foot facility will include a two-story building with two helicopter pads.
Starflyer-Vue at 360 will open the world's tallest spinning swing ride at 440 feet. The tower ride will reach speeds of 40 mph as riders reach the top and begin spinning. The ride will seat 24 passengers. Expected opening November 2017.
Residence Inn Marriott Universal Studios, plans a five-story, 145,000-square-foot, extended-stay hotel with 196 rooms. Expected opening is late 2017.
I-Drive NASCAR will be doubling it's 5,000-square-foot meeting accommodations, adding more space and attractions to its gaming area and redesigning its bar and restaurant. Expected completion late 2017. idrivenascar.com
Cambria Hotel & Suites plans a seven-story, 140-room hotel. Expected opening in 2017.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld has begun an expansion to include up to 40,000-square-feet of new indoor / outdoor space, which will bring their total meeting space to 100,000-square-feet. Completion in 2017.
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