Conquering I-Drive

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For 28 million annual domestic and international visitors, this Sunshine State mecca may seem intimidating at first. The International Drive resort area spans 5,500 acres, where clamorous sights and sounds give way to a smorgasbord of choices: shopping, restaurants, theme parks, hotels . . . the list is endless.

Orlando was the first city I ever called home in Florida, and it’s still as familiar as an old family photo. Let me be your guide down I-Drive for an exploratory foray into Orlando’s urban wilderness. Together we’ll navigate and tame this much-loved Florida destination.

Airplane tires have hit the tarmac and you’re stretching your legs in the terminal. A comfortable hotel suite waits. Let’s get this show on the road!

Many I-Drive hotels provide shuttle transportation to and from Orlando International Airport. Check with your concierge for details, or visit this link for a short list of hotels offering free rides.

Budget travelers can take Lynx bus number 42 from the airport to dozens of stops along International Drive. It costs just $1.75 (or $4 for a one-day pass). The route is active from 6 a.m. until almost midnight  every Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. until 11:06 p.m. on Sundays.Visit GoLynx.com and click on “Schedules and Maps” for the best route to your chosen hotel.

Folks traveling with large families may want to grab a cab instead. It’s easier to juggle kids and luggage (taxis often carry up to nine passengers) and fares are per carload, not per person. The ride to International Drive should cost approximately $33 to $40 one way, but fares vary.

Find your taxi on A and B sides of the Main Terminal (Ground Transportation Level 1) at Commercial Lane spaces A5-A8, A28-A31, B5-B8 and B19-B24.

If you want to charter a car or shuttle in advance, check out Mears Transportation, a long-standing and reputable car service. Mears also has bus charters and taxis.

There are countless places to stay along International Drive. Deciding factors vary with each visitor, so do careful research to find a room that suits your specific needs. Travel budget, number and age of guests, distance to attractions and amenities all are important to consider.

Embassy Suites (8250 Jamaican Ct., 407-345-8250) is a favorite of mine for its median prices, spacious suites and free breakfast buffet. It’s a comfortable atmosphere for couples or families, and offers free daily transportation to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Walk, Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild.

La Quinta Inn (8300 Jamaican Ct., 407-351-1660) offers clean rooms at a budget-friendly price, and can accommodate visitors who travel with pets. The heated swimming pool is a great perk.

Doubletree the Castle (8629 International Dr., 407-345-1511) is a well-appointed option for travelers with money to spare. This modern theme hotel offers amenities like free wireless internet and cushy pillow-top mattresses.

On Canada Avenue – which runs for a short parallel stretch between I-Drive and Universal Boulevard – hotels such as Residence Inn Orlando provide breathing room from the main strip.

Not sure where to begin? Try this index of listings to jump start your search.

Once settled, you’ll find it surprisingly easy to get around without a car. The I-Ride Trolley Service provides cheap transport to hundreds of stops along International, running daily from 8 a.m. until about 10:30 p.m.

Single fares are $1 per adult, 25 cents for seniors over 65, and free for children age 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. Exact change is required, as drivers do not carry money, but transfers are free.

The trolley’s Main Line route runs north and south along International Drive, beginning at Prime Outlets and stopping at restaurants, hotels, theme parks and the Orange County Convention Center. Main Line trolleys arrive at stops about every 20 minutes.

The Green Line route supplements this with a loop from Major Boulevard down Kirkman Road and Universal Boulevard. Green Line trolleys arrive approximately every 30 minutes.

Travelers visiting for any length of time will want to invest in an Unlimited Ride Pass. These last from one to 14 days, and cost between $3 and $16. But don’t try to get one on the trolley – you’ve got to purchase in advance at one of 100 locations. Visit Iridetrolley.com for a complete list and more route details.

If you decide to travel with a rental car instead, download useful area maps here.

Sand Lake Road is a good way to get to Canada Avenue, if you’re staying off International. It also leads to nearby gas stations and Interstate 4, which in turn paves the way toward outlet malls and downtown Orlando.

Be advised that International Drive traffic is a bit touchy, which is to say that it’s on the heavy side and often populated by drivers unfamiliar with their surroundings. Consult your map before leaving the hotel parking lot, and be patient with fellow motorists.

Those who’ve read my travel advice already know I’m a big fan of hotel suites with kitchenettes. You can save a lot of money by dining in-room for at least one meal each day, using provisions from a nearby supermarket or farmer’s market.

For supermarkets, Goodings is your best bet on I-Drive. This mega-market is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week for all your grocery needs (8255 International Dr., 407-352-4215).

If you’re eager to get out of the hotel, morning meal options do abound on the strip. Bargain-basement breakfast smorgasbords can be found every day at Shoney’s, Sizzler and Ponderosa

I’ve always been skeptical of these, wondering how they manage to serve quality food so cheaply, but decided to give Ponderosa (6362 International Drive, 407-352-9343) a shot during my visit. At $3.99 (plus a little extra for my drink), the price was right, and the line was almost out the door, so it seemed a popular choice.

Lately, I’ve been trying to follow a healthy diet – more fruits and grains than waffles and sausage. Ponderosa surprised me with a good selection of both. I sampled some fluffy scrambled eggs, and then move on to ripe cantaloupe. Kids buzzed around the cereal station, scooping up Fruit Loops with abandon.

The quality is good, though not gourmet by any standards. It’s simple food, and diners looking for healthier choices can eat here without overloading on empty carbs or cholesterol. Of course, those who don’t worry about waistlines can pile on the pancakes and strawberry syrup.

Sweet Tomatoes, (6877 South Kirkman Road, 407-363-1616) just off International, serves great breakfast every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. Their buffet includes the usual suspects (scrambled eggs, waffles) and some tasty surprises (cinnamon chip biscuits, make-your-own breakfast burritos) for under $12 per person, including drinks.

Ming Court (9188 International Drive, 407-351-9988), across the street from the Pointe Orlando Shopping Center, gets enthusiastic raves for ala carte lunch dishes, noodles and dim sum with Japanese and Chinese flair. Stick to lunch if you’re on a budget, as prices rise during dinner.

I-Drive’s many Indian restaurants offer some vegetarian options. The cafeteria-style Orlando Spice Café, on Sand Lake Road about a mile from the main drag, has a delicious and reasonably-priced lunch buffet. (7536 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 407-264-0205)

Once again, Sweet Tomatoes is one of my favorite haunts for budget dinners, serving a huge and satisfying salad, pasta and soup buffet for under $13 per person, including drinks. You’ll even get dessert out of the way with a frozen yogurt station and a variety of sweet-tooth satisfying muffins.

When it comes to entertainment, theme parks are the big draw on International Drive. Six major parks are situated along the strip, with several others nearby offering everything from nature encounters to wild roller coasters.

Ticket Mania is a good resource for purchasing discount tickets online, but independent outlets can also be found about every ten feet along I-Drive. Exercise caution and read the fine print before buying tickets to avoid getting caught in a scam.

What follows is a brief run-down on the major parks, for the uninitiated. Visit each website for in-depth information.

SeaWorld
Watch dolphins dance, get up close with penguins and tackle thrilling coasters at this popular marine destination.

Discovery Cove
Get back to nature at this reservation-only attraction, where you can swim with dolphins, explore underwater reefs and feed tropical birds. Attendance is limited to 1,000 people per day, ensuring a relaxing experience without heavy crowds.

Wet ‘n Wild
A family park with dozens of water slides, including multi-person rides that let you experience thrills as a group. Guests can even go knee boarding and tubing behind a speedboat.

Universal Studios
Go behind the scenes at this movie- and TV-based theme park. Explore television studios and enjoy coasters based on favorite film characters.

I could fill a book with all the activities included therein. Visit the link above to explore and start planning your trip, and check out our VISIT FLORIDA’s Disney page for more suggestions.

Big theme parks are only the beginning. Visitors can find museums, shopping and a plethora of other amusements on or around I-Drive.

Festival Bay Mall offers fine retail shopping, as well as cool family activities like the Putting Edge glow-in-the-dark mini golf course.

Discount malls such as Orlando Premium Outlets are a magnet for bargain hunters. Click here to see a video from my personal shopping experience at Orlando Premium Outlets.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
Take a self-guided tour through this strange and amusing museum housing oddities from around the globe. Open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to midnight, this makes for an excellent late-night adventure.

Cypress Gardens
A roughly 45-minute drive down Interstate 4 brings you to this revamped theme park featuring beautiful botanical gardens, more than 40 rides, water-skiing shows and concerts.