International Drive
Encyclopedia
International Drive is the main tourist strip of Orlando, Florida
, located several miles southwest of proper Downtown Orlando
in the southernmost limits of the city. The International Drive area serves a similar purpose to that of the Las Vegas Strip
in Las Vegas
as the core of the tourism area.
The International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District was created in 1992 to provide growth management, transportation, and infastructure development for the area with collaboration between the local governments and I-Drive businesses. One of the most critical projects presented to the organization is to create an efficient transportation system for tourists on the I-Drive strip, this prompted the creation of the I-Ride bus trolley system.
I-Drive currently is four lanes, two in each direction, from its north end to Pointe Plaza Dr. (former Universal Blvd. south end; see below), and again between the northern and southern intersections with Westwood Blvd. It is six lanes, three in each direction, from Pointe Plaza Dr. to the Beachline Expressway (the eastbound ramps to the Beachline tie in to the northern intersection with Westwood Blvd.), and again from the southern intersection with Westwood Blvd. to its end at SR 536. The entirety of International Drive South, from SR 535 to US 192, is entirely six lanes. The section of I-Drive from Universal Blvd. to Sand Lake Road has no median or center turn lane, and frequently has heavy traffic and gridlock
in the evenings in the tourism corridor, affecting Carrier Dr. and Sand Lake Road.
and the remainder of the central and southern portion located in unincorporated Orange County
. An additional extension which does not directly intersect with the main section of International Drive is known as International Drive South partly located in the northern portion of Osceola County
. Surrounding cross-roads include Sand Lake Road, Kirkman Road, SR 536
, and Universal Boulevard which runs parallel to the mid-section of International Drive.
complex, the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, major hotels including the Peabody Orlando
, the Wet 'n Wild Orlando water park, themed restaurant
s, bars, outlet malls, and other tourism-related commercial properties and tourist attractions. The major theme parks of SeaWorld Orlando
and Universal Orlando are also located in the area.
system operated by the International Drive Master Transit & Improvement District provides bus
transportation along the I-Drive district primarily for tourists and convention attendees. Several LYNX
public bus routes also serve the I-Drive area with routes to Orlando International Airport
, Downtown Orlando
and other parts of the city.
and intersects Interstate 4
via overpass into the Universal Orlando Resort
. Originally built as Republic Drive, it originally stopped at International Drive and fed into ramps onto and off I-4 eastbound. In 1998, the extension north into Universal was opened (in preparation for the opening of Islands of Adventure in 1999), and the road was renamed to Universal Blvd. The intersection at I-4 still only has ramps onto and off I-4 eastbound; the ramps on westbound I-4 connect not to Universal Blvd., but to Hollywood Way, necessitating a right turn to get to Universal Blvd.
Southbound, it originally fed into I-Drive just north of the Orange County Convention Center
(the current West Building). The north corner of the intersection is now the Pointe Orlando shopping district. When the North Building (then Phase V) of the OCCC was planned, it was also planned to extend Universal Boulevard along its current alignment on the north side of the North Building. Plans were made in conjunction with the Williamsburg
subdivision to design the intersection at the Beachline Expressway so that traffic would not inadvertently clog Orangewood Blvd., which already met the Beachline at that point. the extension was opened in early 2003, and the old connector to I-Drive at Pointe Orlando was renamed. An electric sign system on the Beachline directs convention-goers to the proper road so as to avoid unnecessary traffic on I-Drive.
Universal Blvd. currently has fewer businesses; thus much less traffic serving as an overflow exit road for the Orange County Convention Center
during major events. Currently, several planned communities and extended-stay business apartments are planned for the corridor, including the Village of Imagine, across from the OCCC North Building. The University of Central Florida
opened the off-campus Rosen College of Hospitality Management
, funded by local hotelier Harris Rosen, in 2005 at Universal Blvd. and the Beachline. Universal Blvd. is currently six lanes from Vineland Rd. southbound to International Drive, then four lanes southbound to Pointe Plaza Blvd., then six lanes again to the Beachline. Only one lane in each direction pass under the Beachline to connect to Orangewood Blvd., which is four lanes on the other side.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, located several miles southwest of proper Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando is the historic core and central business district of Orlando, Florida, United States. It is bordered by East Marks St in the north, Mills Ave in the east, Orange Blossom Trail in the west, and Kaley Ave in the south...
in the southernmost limits of the city. The International Drive area serves a similar purpose to that of the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
as the core of the tourism area.
History
The first section of I-Drive was laid out in the 1960s by attorney Finley Hamilton to serve his Hilton Inn South, opened in May 1970. He imagined that once Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, tourists would spot the hotel when traveling to the park along I-4. "They called the hotel 'Finley's Folly'--everyone, all of my friends," Hamilton said. "They said it was in the boondocks. ...But it turned out to be highly successful. ...I came up with International Drive," he recalled, "because it sounded big and important." International Drive was eventually extended to its current north point (where Prime Outlets is now) and southward past the Beachline Expressway.The International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District was created in 1992 to provide growth management, transportation, and infastructure development for the area with collaboration between the local governments and I-Drive businesses. One of the most critical projects presented to the organization is to create an efficient transportation system for tourists on the I-Drive strip, this prompted the creation of the I-Ride bus trolley system.
I-Drive currently is four lanes, two in each direction, from its north end to Pointe Plaza Dr. (former Universal Blvd. south end; see below), and again between the northern and southern intersections with Westwood Blvd. It is six lanes, three in each direction, from Pointe Plaza Dr. to the Beachline Expressway (the eastbound ramps to the Beachline tie in to the northern intersection with Westwood Blvd.), and again from the southern intersection with Westwood Blvd. to its end at SR 536. The entirety of International Drive South, from SR 535 to US 192, is entirely six lanes. The section of I-Drive from Universal Blvd. to Sand Lake Road has no median or center turn lane, and frequently has heavy traffic and gridlock
Gridlock
The term gridlock is defined as "A state of severe road congestion arising when continuous queues of vehicles block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill; a traffic jam of this kind." The term originates from a situation possible in...
in the evenings in the tourism corridor, affecting Carrier Dr. and Sand Lake Road.
Location
International Drive stretches approximately 11.5 miles, with the northern part extending into the southernmost city limits of OrlandoOrlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and the remainder of the central and southern portion located in unincorporated Orange County
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
. An additional extension which does not directly intersect with the main section of International Drive is known as International Drive South partly located in the northern portion of Osceola County
Osceola County, Florida
Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
. Surrounding cross-roads include Sand Lake Road, Kirkman Road, SR 536
State Road 536 (Florida)
SR 536, named World Center Drive for most of its length, is an east-west road that extends from Interstate 4 near the Epcot theme park to The Central Florida GreeneWay.-Route description:...
, and Universal Boulevard which runs parallel to the mid-section of International Drive.
Attractions and Landmarks
The International Drive area is home to the Orange County Convention CenterOrange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is the primary public convention center for the Central Florida region. The center currently ranks as the second largest convention center in the United States . The OCCC offers of total space, of which is exhibit space...
complex, the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, major hotels including the Peabody Orlando
The Peabody Orlando
The Peabody Orlando is a hotel located next to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The 28-storey, 891-room hotel was originally constructed in 1986. Opened in late 2010, a $450 million renovation of the hotel added a 34 story building and resort amenities...
, the Wet 'n Wild Orlando water park, themed restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s, bars, outlet malls, and other tourism-related commercial properties and tourist attractions. The major theme parks of SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park, and marine-life based zoological park, near Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group...
and Universal Orlando are also located in the area.
Public Transportation
The I-Ride trolleyTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
system operated by the International Drive Master Transit & Improvement District provides bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
transportation along the I-Drive district primarily for tourists and convention attendees. Several LYNX
Lynx (transportation)
LYNX is a bus system run by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving the Orlando, Florida region. Bus routes are referred to as Links. Standard adult one-way fare is $2 with free single transfers valid for 90 minutes...
public bus routes also serve the I-Drive area with routes to Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport is a major international airport located southeast of the central business district of Orlando. It is the second busiest airport in Florida, after Miami International Airport...
, Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando is the historic core and central business district of Orlando, Florida, United States. It is bordered by East Marks St in the north, Mills Ave in the east, Orange Blossom Trail in the west, and Kaley Ave in the south...
and other parts of the city.
Universal Boulevard
Universal Boulevard runs roughly parallel to International Drive from the Beachline Expressway north, then crosses I-Drive at Wet 'n Wild - OrlandoWet 'n Wild - Orlando
Universal's Wet 'n Wild - Orlando is one of the parks within the Wet 'n Wild chain. It was founded by Sea World creator George Millay in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 1977...
and intersects Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
via overpass into the Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is wholly owned by NBCUniversal and its affiliates. The resort consists of two theme parks , Universal CityWalk , and three Loews Hotels...
. Originally built as Republic Drive, it originally stopped at International Drive and fed into ramps onto and off I-4 eastbound. In 1998, the extension north into Universal was opened (in preparation for the opening of Islands of Adventure in 1999), and the road was renamed to Universal Blvd. The intersection at I-4 still only has ramps onto and off I-4 eastbound; the ramps on westbound I-4 connect not to Universal Blvd., but to Hollywood Way, necessitating a right turn to get to Universal Blvd.
Southbound, it originally fed into I-Drive just north of the Orange County Convention Center
Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is the primary public convention center for the Central Florida region. The center currently ranks as the second largest convention center in the United States . The OCCC offers of total space, of which is exhibit space...
(the current West Building). The north corner of the intersection is now the Pointe Orlando shopping district. When the North Building (then Phase V) of the OCCC was planned, it was also planned to extend Universal Boulevard along its current alignment on the north side of the North Building. Plans were made in conjunction with the Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Florida
Williamsburg is a census-designated place in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,736 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
subdivision to design the intersection at the Beachline Expressway so that traffic would not inadvertently clog Orangewood Blvd., which already met the Beachline at that point. the extension was opened in early 2003, and the old connector to I-Drive at Pointe Orlando was renamed. An electric sign system on the Beachline directs convention-goers to the proper road so as to avoid unnecessary traffic on I-Drive.
Universal Blvd. currently has fewer businesses; thus much less traffic serving as an overflow exit road for the Orange County Convention Center
Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is the primary public convention center for the Central Florida region. The center currently ranks as the second largest convention center in the United States . The OCCC offers of total space, of which is exhibit space...
during major events. Currently, several planned communities and extended-stay business apartments are planned for the corridor, including the Village of Imagine, across from the OCCC North Building. The University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
opened the off-campus Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
The UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management is an academic college of the University of Central Florida located in Orlando, Florida, USA. The dean of the college is Abraham Pizam, Ph.D....
, funded by local hotelier Harris Rosen, in 2005 at Universal Blvd. and the Beachline. Universal Blvd. is currently six lanes from Vineland Rd. southbound to International Drive, then four lanes southbound to Pointe Plaza Blvd., then six lanes again to the Beachline. Only one lane in each direction pass under the Beachline to connect to Orangewood Blvd., which is four lanes on the other side.