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June 2014
 

On behalf of the International Drive Improvement District, we would like to present our compilation of all the new and exciting development taking place within our Resort Area.

Sincerely,

Luann Brooks

Executive Director

Top$1/2 Billion in Area Economic Development

All eyes on I-Drive Resort Area in 2014-2015 with new attractions, dining, shopping, entertainment and nightlife

"I-Drive 360" featuring The Orlando Eye is scheduled to open in spring 2015

The 400-foot observation wheel is part of the Unicorp National Development Inc. massive shopping/dining/entertainment complex on International Drive. Read more 

Skyscraper at the SkyPlex

SKYPLEX indoor entertainment complex that will include the tallest pole - roller coaster in the world, the Skyscaper which is planned to be 570 feet tall.   This new entertainment complex is being built at the northeast corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive. Read more 

I-Shops on I-Drive

LongHorn Steakhouse, Chuy's Tex-Mex Restaurant and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse are now open at the new I-Shops complex. Read more 

Ihu's Breakaway Falls Opens at SeaWorld's Aquatica Waterpark 

SeaWorld� Orlando has officially opened its newest water ride, Ihu's Breakaway Falls, at Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark. The new attraction drops guests 80 feet beginning with a dramatic, vertical plunge. Click here for the full story or visit www.aquaticabyseaworld.com 

Exciting venue opens and more to come at Pointe Orlando
Minus5 � Ice Bar, the premium ice attraction in the United States has opened at Pointe Orlando. Everything inside Minus 5� Ice Bar is made of 100% ice; the walls, the bar, the seats and even the glasses to drink your cocktails. Patrons are provided outerwear and gloves so that they can enjoy an LED light show and upbeat music in the pristine surroundings.

RA Sushi is currently under construction and scheduled to open late June 2014 in 6,395 square feet. Offering popular music and distinctive Japanese fusion cuisine this is not your typical sushi restaurant! Part of the Benihana company portfolio, the restaurant is consistently awarded for its fresh sushi, creative cocktails, happy hour, and musically inspired nightlife. www.RAsushi.com

Blue Martini, relocating to Pointe Orlando in December 2014, features a modern design including an expansive outdoor patio overlooking International Drive. Known for offering 42 signature Martini's specialty cocktails, fine wines & spirits and appetizers, the premier martini bar is popular for after-work cocktails, happy hour and nightlife. www.bluemartinilounge.com 

Orange County Convention Center Begins Five Year Capital Improvement Plan

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has been recognized as the number one convention center in the United States* and has expanded five times in its 30-year history. Read more 

A big splash scheduled this summer at Wet 'n Wild

A new waterslide, "Aqua Drag Racer" is planned for Wet 'n Wild this summer "Aqua Drag Racer" will stand about 60 feet tall and give park guests the chance to race each other through interlocking tunnels and down steep hills, while riding face-first on their stomachs atop a foam mat. Read more

Mango's Tropical Caf� & Nightclub Complex

Planned to open Spring 2015, the $30 million, 55,000-square-foot Mango's Tropical Caf� restaurant and nightclub at the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road. Mango's is slated to give conventioneers and tourists another entertainment venue in the I-Drive corridor. Read more 

Artegon Orlando (fka Festival Bay)

Festival Bay's transformation into the new Artegon Orlando has added new tenants to its lineup for the market's anticipated October 2014 opening. According to Orlando Business Journal, Paragon Outlet Partners has added a 46,000-square-foot bowling lounge and entertainment concept called...Read more 

I-Drive Indoor Go Kart Racing plans to open this summer

Featuring feature an exciting adrenaline and fun experience with futuristic electric race karts, this new I-Drive attraction will get anyone's heart racing. In addition to fast electric race karts (speeds of up to 45 MPH)...Read more 

New Hyatt Hotel on tap for I-Drive

Located at 5374 International Drive, this Hyatt will be an 8 story 175 room hotel. This will be the first "Hyatt House" in Orlando. Hyatt House is a limited service, extended stay brand of Hyatt Hotels. www.house.hyatt.com 

 

 Total investment $12 million

Harry Potter's Diagon Alley Coming to Universal Summer 2014

Universal Orlando Resort expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both of its theme parks with the addition of Diagon Alley. Read more 

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort Opens

This new value and moderately-priced property is the fourth on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort...Read more 

Coming to CityWalk

Universal Orlando Resort announces plans to add eight new eateries to CityWalk. Some of the more well-known venues including Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery and Menchie's frozen yogurt. Read more 


  North I-Drive Improvement Project

The $9.2 million North I-Drive improvement project will be completed at the end of 2014. The project will enhance pedestrian safety and reduce congestion and includes major widening of North I-Drive, dedicated lanes for Trolleys, buses and right-hand lane turns, new bike lanes and landscaping, Intelligent Transportation System Improvements.

 

I-Drive Improvement District
updates@idrivedistrict.com
7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 105
Orlando, FL 32819
P: 407-248-9590   F: 407-248-9594
Full Articles Below

IDrive360

"I-Drive 360" featuring The Orlando Eye is scheduled to open in spring 2015

The 400-foot observation wheel is part of the Unicorp National Development Inc. massive shopping/dining/entertainment complex on International Drive. The complex is slated to include two other attractions by Merlin Entertainments, a Orlando Sea Life Aquarium and a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Details: www.unicorpusa.com www.i-drive360.com 

 

Just opened as part of the complex: Yard House Orlando with an American fusion menu and a laid-back atmosphere, the 14,000-square-foot eatery's has a list of 140 beers and a seating capacity of 350, between the expansive dining area and patio seating. The location's bare concrete wall treatment is also unusual for the Yard House brand. That, plus the visible metal pipes from the keg room highlighting the dining room and bar area ceiling, give the whole interior a hip, industrial feel. Some of the most popular dishes: Mac and cheese and the eatery's burgers. Details: www.yardhouse.com/FL/orlando-restaurant/ or 407-351-8220.

 

Future tenants for the complex include Carrabba's Italian Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Seafood Republic and a country western bar, Cowgirls. Other new tenants include Dick's Last Resort, Ben & Jerry's, Pretzelmaker, Cafe de Paris, Tin Roof: Live Music Joint, Shake Shake, Sugar Factory & Cowgirls Inc American Saloon, according to Unicorp. www.unicorpusa.com.  

  

Total investment for the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex is $200 million.

 

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SkyPlex
Skyscraper at the SkyPlex

SKYPLEX indoor entertainment complex that will include the tallest pole - roller coaster in the world, the Skyscaper which is planned to be 570 feet tall.   This new entertainment complex is being built at the northeast corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive. The SKYPLEX will also include 495,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Ground breaking is expecting sometime in 2015 with completion of the project with opening in 2016. At the top of the Skyscraper will be an observation deck and guests will experience the region's tallest glass elevators while traveling to the observation deck. There will also be a restaurant and lounge atop the observation deck that will provide breathtaking views of Orlando and the surrounding area. Included with this project will be a 1,500 space parking garage. www.skyplex.com 

  

Total Investment - $200 million

 
IShops
I-Shops on I-Drive

LongHorn Steakhouse, Chuy's Tex-Mex Restaurant and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse are now open at the new I-Shops complex.

 

Anchored by an 18,000-square-foot, tourist-centered Walgreens, other tenants of this retail and dining complex are expected to include Cooper Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Wawa, Cold Stone Creamery/Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Resort Partners, O'Neill's surf shop, Starbucks, and a UPS Store. www.unicorpusa.com 

 

Total Investment is $100 million

 

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OCCC
Orange County Convention Center Begins Five Year Capital Improvement Plan

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has been recognized as the number one convention center in the United States* and has expanded five times in its 30-year history.  In 2013, the convention center will begin to reinvest and update some of the spaces that are in need with a major capital-improvements project expected to last for the next five years, and is estimated at approximately $187 million.

 

The West Building will get a major renovation, which will include both aesthetics as well as life safety.  Examples of some of the improvements include curtain walls, lighting and utility upgrades, restroom renovations, fire alarm systems and an existing exhibit hall will be retrofitted to become flexible ballroom space.  
 
New furniture groupings will also be added to all concourses to make for a more relaxed and less industrial-feel.  The convention center has also upgraded the wireless system in both buildings, to handle more attendees on cell phones, tablets, and portable devices at one time for more reliable coverage.

 

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WetnWild

A big splash scheduled this summer at Wet 'n Wild

A new waterslide, "Aqua Drag Racer" is planned for Wet 'n Wild this summer "Aqua Drag Racer" will stand about 60 feet tall and give park guests the chance to race each other through interlocking tunnels and down steep hills, while riding face-first on their stomachs atop a foam mat. The experience can be compared to the Olympic sport of skeleton, minus the ice. The new multi-colored ride will send four passengers through dark tunnels while traveling at 15 feet per second before re-emerging in the sunshine and crossing a finish line. The racer will have a clock at the bottom of the slide's run out, keeping track of riders race times. www.wetnwildorlando.com
 

Mangos

Mango's Tropical Caf� & Nightclub Complex

Planned to open Spring 2015, the $30 million, 55,000-square-foot Mango's Tropical Caf� restaurant and nightclub at the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road. Mango's is slated to give conventioneers and tourists another entertainment venue in the I-Drive corridor. www.orlando.mangos.com 

 

Wallack Holdings LLC - Developer / owner of Mango's is replacing an existing Walgreens with a new multistory parking garage next to Mango's and is looking to add a 12,000- to 15,000-square-foot glass-enclosed restaurant with outdoor patio atop that seven-story public parking garage.  The garage also is slated to have about 12,000 square feet of ground-level retail space.

 

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Artegon

Artegon Orlando (fka Festival Bay)

Festival Bay's transformation into the new Artegon Orlando has added new tenants to its lineup for the market's anticipated October 2014 opening. According to Orlando Business Journal, Paragon Outlet Partners has added a 46,000-square-foot bowling lounge and entertainment concept called Revolutions Eat Drink Rock and Bowl. Revolutions will join the new 20,000-sqaure-foot Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, the 50,000-square-foot Radbourne Skatepark and the 20,000 square-foot Berghoff German Beer Hall as well as the mall's current tenants Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theaters, Book Warehouse, Ron Jon Surf Shop and Shepler's Western Wear. For more details, visit www.artegonorlando.com or 407-351-7718.

 

Total investment is $70 Million

GoKart 

I-Drive Indoor Go Kart Racing plans to open this summer

Featuring feature an exciting adrenaline and fun experience with futuristic electric race karts, this new I-Drive attraction will get anyone's heart racing. In addition to fast electric race karts (speeds of up to 45 MPH), an arcade entertainment section will be offered alongside a bowling alley with four lanes, as well as multiple private rooms, which will include a dance area with state of the art lighting and sound for up to 900 guests. The "Grandstand" restaurant will offer racing driven themed meals and will be located at the center of the race track so the excitement is never missed. www.idriveracing.com.

 

Total investment $5 million

HarryPotter

Harry Potter's Diagon Alley Coming to Universal Summer 2014

Universal Orlando Resort expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both of its theme parks with the addition of Diagon Alley. Guests are invited to hop aboard the Hogwarts Express to journey between Hogsmead and Kings Cross Station and experience a brand-new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Click here for an insider's guide to all the fun! And here for the most up to date information from Universal. Hopefully, a date will be announced soon!

 

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Cabana

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort Opens

This new value and moderately-priced property is the fourth on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort and evokes the classic, retro-feel of iconic beach resorts from the 1950s and 60's. The 1800-room hotel features 900 family suites and 900 standard guest rooms along with a 10-lane bowling alley, fitness center and two massive pool areas. www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Cabana-Bay-Beach-Resort.aspx.

 

Total investment $45 million

 

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CityWalk

Coming to CityWalk

Universal Orlando Resort announces plans to add eight new eateries to CityWalk. Some of the more well-known venues including Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery and Menchie's frozen yogurt.

 

The theme park also will be bringing several new concepts to its dining and entertainment district including a sandwich shop called Bread Box, Pranzo Italian Kitchen, Hot Dog Hall of Fame and a Mexican restaurant called Antojitos. The new venues are expected to be completed this month.
I-Drive Improvement District
updates@idrivedistrict.com
7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 105
Orlando, FL 32819
P: 407-248-9590   F: 407-248-9594

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