Eleven miles of attractions, food and spectacular shows, International Drive is a must-visit when in Orlando! Locally known as I-Drive, it is home to an array of entertainment, including ICON Park, escape rooms, crazy golf, a chocolate museum as well as SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and WonderWorks. One of our top tips for visiting International Drive is to book activities online in advance, as you can save some money by doing so. With so much to see and do, we’ve put this guide together, so you are able to make the most of your trip to the famous strip!

Getting Here & Travelling Around

Running parallel to Interstate 4, I-Drive is the main road from north to south Orlando; it is likely when you’re in Orlando that you’ll drive along this road. On this route, you’ll clasp eyes on many of the famous attractions, in particular, The Wheel!

Our recommendation for parking when visiting International Drive is in ICON Park. The multi-level garage offers free parking and is the perfect base for exploring what I-Drive has to offer. Once you’ve parked up, there is the option of riding the I-Ride Trolley, which travels along the 11-mile route, for $2† per ride or $5† per person, per day for unlimited rides (which needs to be booked in advance through their website).

†prices are subject to change by I-Ride

Discover ICON Park

At the heart of International Drive, ICON Park is the most iconic part of the long stretch of road. The 20-acre destination offers rides, attractions, shops and an abundance of dining options. You could easily spend hours or even a few days exploring; find a list below of what to expect when visiting.

The Wheel – Experience panoramic views of Orlando, 400ft up in The Wheel! Previously known as ICON Orlando, the 23-minute ride will leave you speechless as you set sights on attractions such as Universal Orlando, Disney World and Downtown Orlando.

StarFlyer - ICON Park’s newest attraction is certainly not one for the faint-hearted. StarFlyer takes riders soaring through the skies up and down and around the giant tower. At 450ft tall (and 50ft taller than The Wheel) this is the tallest swing ride in the world.

Madame Tussauds – Get within arm’s reach of some of America’s most iconic celebrities and characters at Madame Tussauds! Featuring Hollywood favourites as well as being home to the Justice League Superheroes (Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman and Superman). All of the waxworks are ‘selfie’ ready and pictures are encouraged, so be ready to take some snaps!

SEA LIFE – Walk through the 360-degree underwater tunnel to get up close and personal with sharks, fish and turtles. Learn more about the marine creatures while watching them feed. SEA LIFE is committed to protecting the oceans. Their message ‘Breed, Rescue, Protect’ means they help home injured animals and breed seahorses, amongst a whole host of other incredible species.

SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology – Educational and interesting, the museum is home to over 450 real animal skeletons. With penguins, dolphins, elephants and hippos being amongst the skeletons on display.

Arcade City – Have bundles of fun with the latest arcade attractions! With games ranging from $0.25 to $3 per play, there are plenty of opportunities to win tickets to exchange for prizes.

7D Dark Ride Adventure – Get ready for an adventure like no other! This seven-dimension shooting game will engage all your senses (including sound, movement, wind and smell!) as you take on everything from zombies to robots in an interactive game!

Do Something Weird & Wonderful

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not - How do you compare to the tallest man in the world? Find out at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Celebrate the weird and wonderful as you wander through the 10,000 sqft building which is filled with unusual and amazing artefacts. The Odditorium takes between one and two hours to explore, as you engage yourself in the exhibitions! You can read more about this bizarre yet fascinating attraction in one of our previous blogs.

WonderWorks - An experiment gone wrong meant that a laboratory, which was once situated in the Bermuda Triangle, landed upside down on International Drive. Get hands-on with over 100 exhibits here including; Hurricane Shack, where you are given the opportunity to experience 74mph winds, play the giant piano, try on an astronaut’s suit, encounter and earthquake and get immersed in a number of illusions.

Enjoy A Smaller Theme Park

When it comes to theme parks, many just opt for the larger ones. However, at International Drive, there are two smaller parks which are still perfect for a thrill!

Fun Spot America – Home to Orlando’s only wooden coaster coaster and the second tallest SkyCoaster in the world, which reaches up to 85mph! There are a number of rides at Fun Spot; whether you seek something thrilling or child-friendly, it’s a great day out. Admission is free; however, most rides are around $5 - $10 per go, so we’d recommend purchasing a day pass which gives you unlimited access to the rides all day! These passes can be booked with us at Debbie’s Villas; give us a call on 01892 836822 for more information.

Magical Midway – There are a number of classic theme park rides available to enjoy here, such as go-karts and bumper cars, as well as one of Orlando’s largest arcades. Looking for something a little more thrilling? Rise 390ft above the ground for a heart-pounding ride on the world’s tallest slingshot, where riders will experience total weightlessness. There’s some impressive views, if you dare open your eyes!

Break Out Of An Escape Room

Are you ready to make a great escape? There are over 2,500 escape room companies located around America, and International Drive is home to six incredible ones! Fun for the whole family, put your thinking cap on while you solve puzzles and get yourself out of a locked room within a time limit. Each location offers a range of different difficulties, so you are sure to find the perfect escape room for you!

America’s Escape Game Orlando – There are six rooms to choose from here; with the option of entering a tomb, a laboratory or an asylum to solve mysteries within 60 minutes!

Breakout Escape Rooms – Escape from becoming a zombie or solve a murder mystery at Breakout Escape Rooms. With four themed rooms, you’ll have an hour to make your escape.

Escapology Orlando – Be transported around the world and back in time at Escapology! Head to the Nevada Dessert, Budapest and even Scotland as you work in teams.

The Escape Room Orlando – Over 1.5 million people have experienced The Escape Room. Hunt for gold and uncover the truth in the six themed games where you’ll have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles!

Lockbusters Escape Game – Whether you’d like to try your hand at a bank heist or get away from The Collector, the five unique rooms at Lockbusters are a great way to keep you occupied for an hour!

The Escape Effect – Require some more time to escape? The Escape Effect is the only place in Orlando that has the option of longer games. With four themed rooms and the option of 60, 75, 90 or 120-minute games, race against the clock and set a new record!

Immerse Yourself in Chocolate!

Can you imagine a world without chocolate? Neither can we! If you love chocolate as much as we do, then you’re in luck on International Drive. Partake in a chocolate tour, where you can learn how it is made from bean to bar, or just simply enjoy feasting on some delicious food!

Chocolate Kingdom – While you’re in Orlando, why not learn something new? At the Chocolate Kingdom, undertake a 45-minute tour where you’ll learn how chocolate is created. For an additional cost, there is also the opportunity to craft your very own bar, which you can take back to enjoy in the comfort of your villa!

Chocolate Museum & Café – Did you ever think you’d see a chocolate sculpture of the Eiffel Tower? With 25 iconic landmarks sculpted out of solid chocolate and a trip through the tropical rainforest, the Chocolate Museum allows you to learn more about the cocoa bean. After discovering about the beloved food, head into the café to treat yourself to a chocolate fondue!

Get Crazy with Adventure Golf

Get ready to improve your hole in one with a spot of adventure golf! With six mini-golf courses to choose from, all with differing themes, mini-golf is a great bonding activity, whatever your age or ability.

Congo River Golf – Explore waterfalls and caves at this rainforest-themed course. It’s been voted as the best miniature golf course in Florida numerous times, so if you’re up for some healthy competition, it’s a course we’d highly recommend visiting!

Gator Golf & Adventure Park – Home to over 200 alligators, play the 18-hole course and come across animal exhibits along the route. Top tip: there are usually Groupon deals for Gator Golf & Adventure Park, so be sure to check it out if you’re planning on visiting!

Lost Caverns Adventure Golf – Join Cliff Cavern and his two nieces for a thrilling escapade through caves, mountains and waterfalls. There are two 18-hole courses at Lost Caverns Adventure Golf, and on your second course, you’ll receive the tickets half price!

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf – Known as the ‘original adventure golf’, climb aboard and immerse yourself in a pirate adventure. The course is inspired by the 18th century and has been around for thirty years!

Putting Edge – Adventure golf with a difference, Putting Edge is a unique, glow in the dark 18-hole course. Featuring jungle, space and ocean themes, you’ll be left mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic glow!

Where to Eat

There is a plethora of places to eat in and around International Drive, for all tastes and budgets. From fine dining options to American fast food, we’ve listed a few of our recommendations below!

If you sought after a buffet, then CiCi’s Pizza and Golden Corral are perfect, giving you the choice of a number of delicious dishes! Craving a steak or some lobster? Charley’s Steak House and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse are both rated highly on Trip Advisor for both. Enjoy a variety of international cuisine too, from Brazilian feasts to Mediterranean dishes. Fancy something sweet? Dairy Queen is known for its Blizzard Treats, soft-serve ice cream mixed with a choice of topping (similar to a McDonald’s McFlurry), as well as three Ben & Jerry’s stores on International Drive.

Wherever you decide to eat along International Drive, we’re sure you’ll leave feeling happy!

Experience A Dinner Show

Orlando has an incredible range of dinner shows for all ages, to keep you entertained for a few hours! International Drive is home to a number of them, covering action, magic and comedy.

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show – We covered WonderWorks earlier in this blog, but this weird and wonderful place is also home to The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. Guaranteed to leave you in stitches of laughter, the show takes place every day at 6pm, and 8pm on selected evenings. As well as the show, included in your ticket is access to unlimited pizza, salad, dessert and a selection of drinks!

Rock Dinner Show – Described as ‘Orlando’s best-kept secret’, the Rock Dinner Show celebrates a number of the best tribute acts. Rock out to Elvis, dance along to Stevie Wonder and sing your heart out to Adele in this 90-minute spectacular, while you enjoy a 3-course meal!

Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Climb aboard the 18th-century ship and feast on a three-course meal as you watch the drama unfold! This interactive show is a must-visit for all the family, where you’ll also have the opportunity to become part of the crew. There are usually two shows per day; times vary throughout the year, so do check the showtime calendar for exact times.

Cirque By Night – For guests over the age of thirteen, Cirque By Night is an enchanting performance! Enjoy a three-course meal while watching in awe as acrobatics and unbelievable magic takes place in front of your eyes! They’ve been in the industry for over a decade, so the show is bound to exceed expectations.

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show – Get your thinking cap on as you become the detective in this interactive show. Occurring over two-and-a-half hours, Sleuths takes you on an entertaining journey from the minute you walk through the door. Firstly, you’ll be guided into a theatre where you’ll be greeted by the characters of the 45-minute performance, while you enjoy your dinner. To finish the show, the detective will work their way around the tables, where you’ll be able to ask questions before guessing who committed the crime!

International Drive is a fantastic place to explore when in Orlando and is somewhere we’d recommend everyone visits on their trip as there really is so much to see and do. If you’re looking for Florida Villa Holidays, browse our range of quintessential villas which are the perfect place to call home while you explore what Orlando has to offer!

Image credits:

• Katy Perry Madame Tussauds: CC by Osseous
• Pirate's at Pirate's Dinner Adventure: CC by Experience Kissimmee