International drive.

Double dizzy · 24 Apr 17, 12:21 AM

Heard people talking about it but where should we go? Not sure whether to visit.

Kraken · 24 Apr 17, 01:41 AM

No real attractions as such on I-Drive (especially with the demise of Wet'n'Wild). Yes, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf is great & there is a good Premium Outlets at either end.

I-Drive is definitely divided into two. North of Sand Lake Road it's a bit tacky and naff (in our opinion). Most of the shops are bargain souvenir places / fixed price buffet restaurants. Head South of Sand Lake and the grassed central verge [median in US terms] appears and the restaurants / shops go up a few notches - especially when you get close to the Convention Center at Pointe Orlando (lots of visiting convention customers on company credit cards!)

When it comes to Outlet Shopping, Premium Outlets on North I-Drive is better than the South I-Drive one on Vineland Road. North I-Drive is newer & has a better selection of shops.

As to attractions on I-Drive, the main ones are at Orlando 360, where the "Eye", SeaLife & Madame Tussauds is. The Eye is not worth the money - have done it and you can see next to nothing compared to the London variant. SeaLife - just head to SeaWorld for a much better display of marine life. Madame Tussauds - can't comment on as not done it... but it will be 100% times better than Ripleys Believe Me or Not further down I-Drive.

Double dizzy · 24 Apr 17, 03:00 AM

Thanks. Might give the bottom end a go and see.

ILOV3DOLPHINS · 24 Apr 17, 04:05 AM

I personally love going to I-Drive (and staying there)! Some of the tacky shops are just great fun to go and look around at the crazy stuff they have - it reminds me of being a kid and adventuring round them

I plan on taking my son to a few when we go in a couple of weeks.
Pointe Orlando has advanced over the years with more shops and restaurants - I quite liked it when we were there in 2012. And there is also The Upside Down House (Wonderworks) and Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Every one has their own taste though

ERICSMUM · 24 Apr 17, 04:55 AM

Personally I think the southern part from Sand Lake Rd to the Convention Center is very good if you have a spare evening and fancy a nice walk, a great choice of restaurant and some shops. The various attractions mentioned in earlier posts are subjective and down to personal taste.

Deciding which outlet to visit depends on which shops interest you - check out their websites. I visit both !

barryp1 · 24 Apr 17, 07:04 PM

I don't think there are as many "gift" shops as there used to be north of Sand Lake but granted you do have most of the worst eating places ( it's wrong to call them restaurants) e.g Cicis, Ponderosa, Golden Corral, Applebees to name just four.

Of course further north you do have Red Lobster, Sweet Tomatoes and Texas de Brasil, so it's not all bad.