Great video, I travelled to Orlando almost 10 years ago, so was keen to see what’s there now as we’re hoping to visit again soon with the kids , and you covered all the basics and it was sub 30mins, big thank you. Normal video for normal people.
Thanks for commenting. This was only the second video I recorded so still learning! Orlando is constantly changing so you’ll notice a difference. If you have any other questions feel free to add them here. Also love the ‘normal video for normal people’ comment! I’ve done a couple of others on SeaWorld and universal that are done in a similar style, still my first videos though, so not perfect (not fishing for views, you might find them useful)
Thanks for the positive comment, it makes it worth it. The strange thing with this video is that we recorded it for something to do and didn’t think much of it but it turns out to be my most popular. If you’re planning to go then checkout the universal video and feel free to ask any questions about anything Florida. Currently I’m filling with other videos but lots more travel to come this year!
@@michaeldoesstuffs. Yes Cafe Tu Tu Tango is not a chain. Great tapas style place and drinks. Mangoes and Howl at the Moon are night clubs, busy after 9pm and later. Mangoes is an Orlando version of Miami Beach nightclub, salsa, etc dancers in costumes.
There is another Buffalo Wild Wings further up opposite side near the Midway fair. Also you will find the tourist shops are a little more expensive around the Big Wheel area. Same items can be found a bit cheaper further up and down I Drive. This may be the same for the food and drink restaurants....i.e touch more expensive around Icon big wheel area.
There are about 7 mini golf complexes down I drive main area but that is including the 2 at Universal City Walk and another one inside shopping ctr called Putting edge. I think the Pirate one is the most expensive but better value if you pay for both 18 hole courses and ask if you can do one one night and the other another night....they might allow you to do this.
There are 2 tourist information ctrs. One is on the same side as Mc D's...opposite a Walgreens...tucked in a row of shops. The other one is up past the Midway fair...on that side near the Magical midway fair.
We visited Easter 24 and stayed in the hotel (Homewood suites by Hilton) behind you at the start of the video, in fact the room right behind you! I visited in 97 with my parents and remember Int Drive being a place to go and do things outside of the parks so when I took my own family I wanted to stay in the area so we could walk and do things. There's so much to do in the area and we felt safe day and night. We did the helicopter ride and found the cost to be decent considering what you're actually doing. They have different length flights at different costs. We did the 12 minute one which took us over Disney and back, well worth it. Shame you missed "The Pointe" complex just beyond the Walgreen's as there's a lot of restaurants down there and a cinema. Also lots more to do up the other way after the McDonalds. We will definately stay in Homewood suites again, great breakfast included and free parking if staying over 7 nights, one note though, even though clean and tidy it is a little dated but I Can overlook that due to location and breakfast etc.
Thanks for commenting. I considered adding The Pointe but it’s become quite a ghost town over the years, it has so much potential but many of the businesses left. I am going back in the summer and I’ll add some videos on other parts of Orlando that are less touristy, but still kind of cool things to do, especially on rest days between park visits.
@@michaeldoesstuffs We were there while it was spring break so probaly doesn't get much busier, found The Pointe to be busy but not until 8-9pm onwards. There's also Wonder works (the Upside down house) just past Walgreen's. We did an airboat ride At Wild Willy's on the east side shore Of Lake Tohopekaliga, St Cloud. Thoroughly recommend it, great guides who knew where to see the wildlife.
Wild Willy’s is great, especially if you visit at the right time of the year when the alligators are out. You’re right about Spring break being busy, as is May and June. I was hoping to visit in June next year but hotel prices are expensive, much cheaper towards the end of August so going then instead. Easter is great for the weather though, much less thunderstorms.
You never mentioned the I Trolley bus service that operates up and down I Drive. Bus every 20 minutes ...loads of stops up and down I drive....taking you to many touristy places and only $17 for a weeks pass. Operates 8am to 10pm. Plus public buses known as the Lynx buses....taking you further a field....including to Disney Springs and MCO airport. Only $2 each way from I drive to MCO airport....takes about 65-75 minutes..bus 42...one a hour.
I appreciate this walk through. Taking my family to clear beach and pirate boat ride and our hotel is on Int’l drive so this video is helpful. Learned about the helicopter tour in this video so I’m excited to book that.
Do you mean Clearwater beach? That’s not close to Int’l drive but it is beautiful. I’ve visited many times and it’s my favorite place in FL. The pirate boat tour is also cool especially if doing it at sunset
Thank you we've booked for florida 2025 so looking for tips loved the international drive tour. We staying sonesta es suites. They have had huge refurbishment. Our first time to florida 3 adults
Thanks, I stayed at the Sonesta a few years ago and it was fine then so will be even better now. It’s a great location. I will go back in 2025 as the new universal park is opening. This is a great location for that as well. Enjoy! Feel free to check out the other Florida videos I did, any more questions let me know.
You are right to say it has become less busy. The costs have increased and increased. Back early 2000's was much busier and attracted more Brits'...helped by $1.90 to a £1 pound exchange rate. Now it's only $1.20 to a £1. Also many South American countries residents used to vacation here....but i'm guessing that has dropped off too.
It’s still busy, the parks are rammed and plenty of Brits about, the iDrive area was less busy though. That piano bar was empty 10 years ago though, I must just miss when it gets busy!
@@michaeldoesstuffs yes, I can imagine it's quite busy in the parks for September / October....as you have the Halloween events. UHHN was extremely busy when I went in 2018. Other busy times are xmas and spring break. As for I Drive....in the early 2000's occasionally you had people outside queuing to get into some restaurants. I do think I Drive might be losing out due to the increasing of Hotels run by Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. They definitely didn't have so many back in early 2000's. E.g. I think Universal had 2 or 3....but now got at least 6. Thus, perhaps people are choosing to stay in those hotels closer to the parks...especially as you get extra hours and perks. Etc.
I think that's dropped off you are right. I am a Disney pass holder and noticed a lot of Europeans throughout the year last year around Disney- I'm not sure how things are going to go this year. Prices have gone way up especially with hotels. There's no easy way around it now. You have to be willing to spend a lot of money to go to these theme park now🙄.
There is a much smaller Mcd's up near your hotel. I.e on that side just past the convention centre road bends....plus another Walgreens there. 3 Walgreens in total.....one near the big Mcd's....one further up I drive close to the turning for Universal and close to a KFC . And the other one as previously said on the road bends near Convention ctr.
Yes, I’ve been there, it’s much quieter. The one I showed gave me the opportunity to walk the road to the end so it made sense for the video. There’s not much going around the other one. There’s a cvs as well which is pretty much the same as a Walgreens
I'm a Disney person and it's amazing and clean inside Disney property. They actually don't use plastic cups or straws anywhere there. International Drive is totally different and yes Americans use WAY too much plastic! As for the guy smoking marijuana in public that you saw, I am a Floridian and NO it's definitely not legal. People just don't care or respect others here. It's only for medicinal purposes only and I doubt that guy had a medical license for it.🙄 thank you for the great walking tour I will actually be in that area next week👍
Thanks for the positive insight. I’m a Universal fan myself but I wanted to show what international drive is like with this video, the area doesn’t have the best reputation (at least with brits) but I think they’ve spent money to improve it, and while it’s a little rough on the edges it provides a great location to stay and is clean and safe. I personally lived in East Orlando (Avalon Park area) and loved it. Florida has so much more to offer than just ‘theme parks’ and I regret not starting the channel earlier so I could have shown it. I will return next year when hopefully the new Universal Park is open. Let me know if you get any inside news on if this is going to plan, or will get delayed!
@@michaeldoesstuffs You're welcome also. I'm not sure if Icon park is newer but from your walking video it looks worth checking out. Like I said I am a Disney pass holder so I gravitate towards everything Disney but my sister wants to go to Universal at least once next year. I'm heading back to Disney next week yes I will keep you on the up and up if there are any other improvements I hear about.
The embassy suites is absolutely stunning inside and regularly gets voted best hotel breakfast buffet and 2 hour free drinks in the evening.....although more expensive than others and where you stayed
Mango's is a Nightlife tropical show dancing girls and night club. You can watch a show or just partake when it turns into a night club. It's for Adults. There is another show plus dinner meal for families...called the Pirate show, bit hard for me to explain where it is but it's close to that big Mc D's place on the opposite side and slightly off the main I Drive road.
Giant swing thing is the Star flyer. There used to be a drop tower next to it but it was only open a short time before closed due to a chap falling out to his death.
Many years ago I did (2007). It’s a bit further along the road so walking to the stuff in this video might be tricky. It had the motel type doors that I’m not a fan of personally. It’s basic and dated but probably the cheapest you’ll find, might be ok if you just want to get your head down but don’t expect luxury 😀. It’s right next to the motorway and probably not as nice as where the wheel area is, but it depends on your budget, I don’t think it has resort fees, compare it with the ones I mention in this video to check the prices as they are a better location.
Another cost that isn't helping UK tourists to visit....is the Esta Visa cost. Approx £15 per person. Never had to pay this in the early 2000's. Plus Uk tourists get caught out by the Resort tourist fee many hotels charge per night....back in 2002/3...it was $2 per night per room. 2017...saw it increased to $5 -$10 per night per room. Plus....if you eat in those mentioned restaurants....it's expected that you pay Gratuities of 18% of the total bill. I.e $100 for your bill...you pay or leave another $18 as a tip. Don't have to tip by law but it is "expected". Don't have to tip if you eat out of the takeaway food outlets...I.e. KFC, Subway, BK, Mcds, Cici's, Domino's....etc.
They are very different. There’s many places that are better to walk than I-drive, but some people like to go for a stroll after eating, especially if staying in one of the many hotels on I-drive.
Great video, I travelled to Orlando almost 10 years ago, so was keen to see what’s there now as we’re hoping to visit again soon with the kids , and you covered all the basics and it was sub 30mins, big thank you. Normal video for normal people.
Thanks for commenting. This was only the second video I recorded so still learning! Orlando is constantly changing so you’ll notice a difference. If you have any other questions feel free to add them here.
Also love the ‘normal video for normal people’ comment! I’ve done a couple of others on SeaWorld and universal that are done in a similar style, still my first videos though, so not perfect (not fishing for views, you might find them useful)
Absolutely cracking video, really well put together and informative, thanks for posting. Subscribed.
Thanks for the positive comment, it makes it worth it. The strange thing with this video is that we recorded it for something to do and didn’t think much of it but it turns out to be my most popular. If you’re planning to go then checkout the universal video and feel free to ask any questions about anything Florida. Currently I’m filling with other videos but lots more travel to come this year!
Ca!fe Tu Tu Tango is great!! Lots of great tapas style dishes and lots of cool artwork
As I said in the video, I have not been in there but it seems to be a lively place and a bit more unique compared to the other restaurants
@@michaeldoesstuffs. Yes Cafe Tu Tu Tango is not a chain. Great tapas style place and drinks. Mangoes and Howl at the Moon are night clubs, busy after 9pm and later. Mangoes is an Orlando version of Miami Beach nightclub, salsa, etc dancers in costumes.
Great video, love eating at the Olive garden, and yes go there when your hungry.
Glad you liked it, and thanks for being the first person I don’t know to comment on one of my videos! Ha!
There is another Buffalo Wild Wings further up opposite side near the Midway fair. Also you will find the tourist shops are a little more expensive around the Big Wheel area. Same items can be found a bit cheaper further up and down I Drive. This may be the same for the food and drink restaurants....i.e touch more expensive around Icon big wheel area.
There are about 7 mini golf complexes down I drive main area but that is including the 2 at Universal City Walk and another one inside shopping ctr called Putting edge. I think the Pirate one is the most expensive but better value if you pay for both 18 hole courses and ask if you can do one one night and the other another night....they might allow you to do this.
There are 2 tourist information ctrs. One is on the same side as Mc D's...opposite a Walgreens...tucked in a row of shops. The other one is up past the Midway fair...on that side near the Magical midway fair.
We visited Easter 24 and stayed in the hotel (Homewood suites by Hilton) behind you at the start of the video, in fact the room right behind you! I visited in 97 with my parents and remember Int Drive being a place to go and do things outside of the parks so when I took my own family I wanted to stay in the area so we could walk and do things. There's so much to do in the area and we felt safe day and night. We did the helicopter ride and found the cost to be decent considering what you're actually doing. They have different length flights at different costs. We did the 12 minute one which took us over Disney and back, well worth it. Shame you missed "The Pointe" complex just beyond the Walgreen's as there's a lot of restaurants down there and a cinema. Also lots more to do up the other way after the McDonalds. We will definately stay in Homewood suites again, great breakfast included and free parking if staying over 7 nights, one note though, even though clean and tidy it is a little dated but I Can overlook that due to location and breakfast etc.
Thanks for commenting. I considered adding The Pointe but it’s become quite a ghost town over the years, it has so much potential but many of the businesses left.
I am going back in the summer and I’ll add some videos on other parts of Orlando that are less touristy, but still kind of cool things to do, especially on rest days between park visits.
@@michaeldoesstuffs We were there while it was spring break so probaly doesn't get much busier, found The Pointe to be busy but not until 8-9pm onwards. There's also Wonder works (the Upside down house) just past Walgreen's. We did an airboat ride At Wild Willy's on the east side shore Of Lake Tohopekaliga, St Cloud. Thoroughly recommend it, great guides who knew where to see the wildlife.
Wild Willy’s is great, especially if you visit at the right time of the year when the alligators are out. You’re right about Spring break being busy, as is May and June. I was hoping to visit in June next year but hotel prices are expensive, much cheaper towards the end of August so going then instead. Easter is great for the weather though, much less thunderstorms.
You never mentioned the I Trolley bus service that operates up and down I Drive. Bus every 20 minutes ...loads of stops up and down I drive....taking you to many touristy places and only $17 for a weeks pass. Operates 8am to 10pm. Plus public buses known as the Lynx buses....taking you further a field....including to Disney Springs and MCO airport. Only $2 each way from I drive to MCO airport....takes about 65-75 minutes..bus 42...one a hour.
Brilliant! Thanks for the extra info
I appreciate this walk through. Taking my family to clear beach and pirate boat ride and our hotel is on Int’l drive so this video is helpful. Learned about the helicopter tour in this video so I’m excited to book that.
Do you mean Clearwater beach? That’s not close to Int’l drive but it is beautiful. I’ve visited many times and it’s my favorite place in FL. The pirate boat tour is also cool especially if doing it at sunset
Thank you we've booked for florida 2025 so looking for tips loved the international drive tour. We staying sonesta es suites. They have had huge refurbishment. Our first time to florida 3 adults
Thanks, I stayed at the Sonesta a few years ago and it was fine then so will be even better now. It’s a great location. I will go back in 2025 as the new universal park is opening. This is a great location for that as well. Enjoy! Feel free to check out the other Florida videos I did, any more questions let me know.
You are right to say it has become less busy. The costs have increased and increased. Back early 2000's was much busier and attracted more Brits'...helped by $1.90 to a £1 pound exchange rate. Now it's only $1.20 to a £1. Also many South American countries residents used to vacation here....but i'm guessing that has dropped off too.
It’s still busy, the parks are rammed and plenty of Brits about, the iDrive area was less busy though. That piano bar was empty 10 years ago though, I must just miss when it gets busy!
@@michaeldoesstuffs yes, I can imagine it's quite busy in the parks for September / October....as you have the Halloween events. UHHN was extremely busy when I went in 2018. Other busy times are xmas and spring break. As for I Drive....in the early 2000's occasionally you had people outside queuing to get into some restaurants. I do think I Drive might be losing out due to the increasing of Hotels run by Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. They definitely didn't have so many back in early 2000's. E.g. I think Universal had 2 or 3....but now got at least 6. Thus, perhaps people are choosing to stay in those hotels closer to the parks...especially as you get extra hours and perks. Etc.
I think that's dropped off you are right. I am a Disney pass holder and noticed a lot of Europeans throughout the year last year around Disney- I'm not sure how things are going to go this year. Prices have gone way up especially with hotels. There's no easy way around it now. You have to be willing to spend a lot of money to go to these theme park now🙄.
There is a much smaller Mcd's up near your hotel. I.e on that side just past the convention centre road bends....plus another Walgreens there. 3 Walgreens in total.....one near the big Mcd's....one further up I drive close to the turning for Universal and close to a KFC . And the other one as previously said on the road bends near Convention ctr.
Yes, I’ve been there, it’s much quieter. The one I showed gave me the opportunity to walk the road to the end so it made sense for the video. There’s not much going around the other one. There’s a cvs as well which is pretty much the same as a Walgreens
I'm a Disney person and it's amazing and clean inside Disney property. They actually don't use plastic cups or straws anywhere there. International Drive is totally different and yes Americans use WAY too much plastic! As for the guy smoking marijuana in public that you saw, I am a Floridian and NO it's definitely not legal. People just don't care or respect others here. It's only for medicinal purposes only and I doubt that guy had a medical license for it.🙄 thank you for the great walking tour I will actually be in that area next week👍
Thanks for the positive insight. I’m a Universal fan myself but I wanted to show what international drive is like with this video, the area doesn’t have the best reputation (at least with brits) but I think they’ve spent money to improve it, and while it’s a little rough on the edges it provides a great location to stay and is clean and safe.
I personally lived in East Orlando (Avalon Park area) and loved it. Florida has so much more to offer than just ‘theme parks’ and I regret not starting the channel earlier so I could have shown it. I will return next year when hopefully the new Universal Park is open. Let me know if you get any inside news on if this is going to plan, or will get delayed!
@@michaeldoesstuffs You're welcome also. I'm not sure if Icon park is newer but from your walking video it looks worth checking out. Like I said I am a Disney pass holder so I gravitate towards everything Disney but my sister wants to go to Universal at least once next year. I'm heading back to Disney next week yes I will keep you on the up and up if there are any other improvements I hear about.
The embassy suites is absolutely stunning inside and regularly gets voted best hotel breakfast buffet and 2 hour free drinks in the evening.....although more expensive than others and where you stayed
Thanks, interesting, I didn’t expect that. I’ll add this one to the shortlist list of ones to look at when I go back next year.
Mango's is a Nightlife tropical show dancing girls and night club. You can watch a show or just partake when it turns into a night club. It's for Adults. There is another show plus dinner meal for families...called the Pirate show, bit hard for me to explain where it is but it's close to that big Mc D's place on the opposite side and slightly off the main I Drive road.
Giant swing thing is the Star flyer. There used to be a drop tower next to it but it was only open a short time before closed due to a chap falling out to his death.
Hi, really enjoyed your video, new subscriber. 🙋♀
Thanks, any questions, let me know!
@@michaeldoesstuffs Hi Michael, have you stayed in the Rosen Inn Pointe, and is the area generally good? Thank you
Many years ago I did (2007). It’s a bit further along the road so walking to the stuff in this video might be tricky. It had the motel type doors that I’m not a fan of personally. It’s basic and dated but probably the cheapest you’ll find, might be ok if you just want to get your head down but don’t expect luxury 😀. It’s right next to the motorway and probably not as nice as where the wheel area is, but it depends on your budget, I don’t think it has resort fees, compare it with the ones I mention in this video to check the prices as they are a better location.
❤👍
WOW!! IT'S DEAD THEIR ?? GREAT JOB ON THE VEDIEO' !! THANKS FOR SHARING.
Yes, the quietest I’ve seen it, this was recorded on the weekend as well, it was even quieter on the weekdays
Another cost that isn't helping UK tourists to visit....is the Esta Visa cost. Approx £15 per person. Never had to pay this in the early 2000's. Plus Uk tourists get caught out by the Resort tourist fee many hotels charge per night....back in 2002/3...it was $2 per night per room. 2017...saw it increased to $5 -$10 per night per room. Plus....if you eat in those mentioned restaurants....it's expected that you pay Gratuities of 18% of the total bill. I.e $100 for your bill...you pay or leave another $18 as a tip. Don't have to tip by law but it is "expected". Don't have to tip if you eat out of the takeaway food outlets...I.e. KFC, Subway, BK, Mcds, Cici's, Domino's....etc.
Thanks, I suppose I kind of assumed that people know the US has a strong tipping culture but good advice if visiting for the first time.
him describing the turning lane at the intersection was funny. apparently it's an american thing lol
Maybe not just an American thing, but definitely not a British thing, as well as walking across an 8 lane intersection!
Music is to loud for video
Thanks for the feedback. It’s early days for me on RUclips so still learning, but useful to get this feedback
Need to be over 21 to buy and drink alcohol. Plus you are not allowed to drink it in public.
As for smelling drugs....you wanna come to the Midlands UK.....it's everywhere..walking driving...guarenteed to smell it on a 20 minute walk.
Compared to Las Vegas New Orleans or Key West I drive is boring. Most in cars because no reason to walk.
They are very different. There’s many places that are better to walk than I-drive, but some people like to go for a stroll after eating, especially if staying in one of the many hotels on I-drive.