Excerpt from the ebook "A Mom's Miserly Guide To Orlando & Disney" by Kelly Goode.
For a vacation that is going to include, Disney, Universal, Sea World, the beaches, etc. the most centrally located and ideal place to stay is on International Drive. This area has everything a tourist could want. You can find any type of hotel room possible, from a kid-oriented hotel to an exclusive and decadent (only in the good way) hotel like the Orlando Peabody Resort.
International Drive is actually a strip, like Las Vegas, packed with affordable eats, sights, shops, and hotels. At I-Drive’s north end is Universal Orlando ® Resort, which includes Universal Studios ® (the original, movie-themed park), Islands of Adventure ® (a theme park featuring five action-packed islands), several hotels, and City Walk ® (a shopping-dining-nightclub complex). Wet ’n Wild water park is nearby. (Only go to Wet ‘n Wild if you aren’t going to the Disney Water Parks. It is cheaper, so if you are saving money and doing the Universal parks, then you may want to consider this. All kids seem to love those water slides and wave pools!
International Drive has two different sections, one that is tropical with lush greens and medians, and the other is more like the Las Vegas strip. You will see giant colored buildings in various shapes and colors, huge outdoor mini-golf attractions with animal Second Choice to shapes and pirate ships, and even live alligators are all around. On one building you can see a full mock up of the space shuttle.
You can walk the entire length of International drive if you wish, but it is long, especially if you have little ones. There are plenty of sidewalks, restaurants, shops, and activities.
Getting Around International Drive
I-RIDE–I-RIDE Trolleys are the fun way to get around the International Drive Resort Area. The route stretches from Belz Factory Outlets on the north end to Orlando Premium Outlets on the south end. Fully enclosed and air-conditioned, the I-RIDE trolley operates year-round and includes stops at shops, restaurants, attractions and hotels. Fares: adults 75 cents; senior (65 +) 25 cents; children (12 and under) free. Area hotels sell passes: one-day pass $2, three-day $3, five-day $5 and week pass $7. 407-248-9590. Limousine Services–For business and personal needs, there are several limousine companies ready to serve you. Exotic Limousines, 407-240-6010; Luxury Rides, 407-493-9477, 1-800-581-8436;Superior Transportation, 407-816-8606.
International Drive Hotels We Suggest
With our experience in this area, we chose three hotels that offer you a lot of value for your money in this area. They are basic, with pools, and right in the I-Drive action.
Find over 200 pages of Orlando money saving tips in Kelly's book at: www.momsmiserlyguide.comCheck out this video on Orlando's International Drive
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