i-Drive 360 Orlando
The Orlando tourism industry seemingly took a blow (along with the rest of the economy) during the latest recession. However, new businesses and complexes are finally flooding back into the area. The Orlando i-Drive 360 complex is just one example of this with a $200 million dollar budget. I-Drive 360, short for International Drive, will offer plenty to do, experience and see. I-Drive 360 is being developed by the Merlin Entertainment Group who also own Legoland Florida as well as many other theme parks throughout the world.
I-Drive 360 is located on the old Mercado shopping and restaurant complex which is about half way up International Drive not far from the Pointe Orlando complex.
Here, we will tell you just what you can expect from the I-Drive 360 Orlando lineup. As this story develops, be sure to continue to visit our Orlando villas blog for more updates.
Great Places to Eat
The very first business to open in the Orlando I-Drive 360 complex was Yard House, a restaurant that has seating for nearly 400 people, and features around 140 beers. Yard House has been open since April 24th. Other stores and restaurants you can expect to provide plenty to eat and drink include Ben & Jerry’s, Café du Paris, Pretzelmaker, the Great American Cookie store, Outback Steakhouse, Sugar Factory, Tin Roof, Cowgirls Country & Western Bar, Seafood Republic, Dick’s Last Resort, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings. More are sure to come. This very long list means that you can bet that the I-Drive 360 will have something to satisfy your growling stomach.
Shopping
Plenty of shops are already slated to be part of the I-Drive 360 Orlando complex and we will update this blog post as we know more. With a $200 million dollar budget, who knows what shops will opt to move in. For the time being, the I-Drive District itself still offers plenty of places to shop.
Entertainment
Entertainment is truly what the i-Drive 360 Orlando complex is all about. Not only do many of the bars in the complex offer live music (Cowgirls and Tin Roof), but the complex itself is outfitted with a one-and-a-half million dollar water, light, and music show.
Attractions
The Orlando Eye observation wheel is a huge Ferris wheel that will be the centerpiece of the entire complex at 400ft high when finished and offer views of central Florida in all directions. Don't worry about the hot Florida sunshine as it will be fully enclosed with air conditioned glass capsules.
Madame Tussauds is also opening up a wax museum in the complex which will feature life like Hollywood A-Listers ideal for a great selfie to share on Facebook.
For a more educational experience, head to the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium which will be around 25,000 square feet with a 360 degree underwater ocean tunnel, over 5000 sea creatures including sharks, jellyfish, sea horses and a string ray tank where you can touch them as they swim by.
The Orlando i-drive 360 complex will include free parking for all visitors and is set to open Spring 2015, we will update you with more information as we get it.