I Ride Trolley Press Releases

ORLANDO, FL. (July 2008)–Visitors to the International Drive Resort Area discover an endless list of leisure activities during July. New attractions at the major theme parks, expanded accommodations, special events, new dining, shopping and family entertainment give guests a reason to visit I-Drive again and again. Most are accessible onboard the convenient and fun I-Ride Trolley Service. With more than 30,000 accommodations from budget to luxury, vacationers soon discover why I-Drive is Orlando’s Most Dynamic Destination! For vacation planning information and reservations go to: www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

Park the car and take the I-Ride Trolley!!! Save money on gas! Catch a fun, stress-free ride to major Orlando attractions, accommodations, shopping and dining for only $1. That's right...$1!!! Seniors ride for .25 cents (age 65 and over) and kids under 12 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. Unlimited ride passes are available. Trolleys operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and serve the major destinations within the International Drive Resort Area. Downloadable maps are available at www.iridetrolley.com.

It’s official. The $200 million observation wheel will be located on 20 acres of land on Westwood Blvd. next to the Orange County Convention Center. Scheduled to open in 2010, it is less than five minutes from I-4 and SR 528. The attraction will give riders a 360-degree view that on a clear day is expected to span 25 miles. Orlando's Wheel is the first the company has planned in North America.

Passengers will ride in 24 enclosed, glass capsules that measure approximately 38 feet by 16 feet. Each capsule will carry 40 passengers. During each 30- minute ride, the Wheel will ascend slowly to 400 feet where riders will enjoy unrivaled 360-degree views. Surrounding the attraction, a terminal housing restaurants, shops and a bar are planned for visitors waiting for liftoff. For more information, visit wwwgreatwheel.com.

SeaWorld Orlando announces a series of new entertainment features for summer. A lunch-time safari at Seafire Inn’s Wild Things offers an on-stage global collection of animals and multimedia presentation, while enjoying a meal. The interactive experience takes place daily between noon and 4 p.m. This year’s SeaWorld AfterDark, a rock ‘n’ roll-soaked nighttime adventure runs through Sept. 21. Guests experience SeaWorld like never before with Shamu Rocks, a music-driven whale show; Bayside Ski Jam, a sound-and-vision ski show; and park-wide DJs and fireworks. www.seaworld.com. 800-327-2424.

Enjoy spectacular fireworks exploding simultaneously over Universal’s Islands of Adventure®, Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk! Preferred viewing area is available at CityWalk for $10. Children 3 and under are FREE! Enjoy live music, entertainment and games from 6pm - 10pm.

Call 407-224-2691 for tickets or visit CityWalk Guest Services. Free parking after 10pm. Valet parking not available. Blankets permitted. No lawn chairs or coolers allowed. Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® 4th of July Party from 9 pm – midnight. Reserve your spot for the ultimate Parrothead 4th of July party! Watch the CityWalk, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure fireworks from Margaritaville’s 2nd floor balcony while you enjoy a premium open bar, cocktail buffet, and signature desserts. $100 plus tax and 18% gratuity per person. Call 407-224-2155 for tickets.

Plan to stop by the Pampered Pet Expo August 8 through 10 at the Orange County Convention Center’s West Building, Hall WC. This family-oriented event is geared toward a very special family member, your pet! So come join over 5,000 attendees that are pampering their pets, enjoying great entertainment and having tons of fun! The Pampered Pet Expo is wide-ranging and will include many exhibitions; such as animal care, first aid, flea products, apparel, jewelry, collars, costumes, tags, strain removers, grooming, boarding, pet training, nutrition, cookies, organics, food, snacks, pet sitter, kennels, toys, strollers, spa products, books, music, videos, gifts, insurance, day cares, health products, beds, houses, pet websites, and much, much more! For more information, visit www.pamperedpetexpo.com.

The No. 1 syndicated series in the U.S., Wheel of Fortune, will tape 20 episodes at SeaWorld before live audiences Dec. 11-15. Airing will take place in early 2009. For ticket information and contestant searches, visit www.wftv.com.

The I-Ride Trolley System, one of the most popular attractions among visitors to the I-Drive Resort Area, is expanding its service to include Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, the new Point Orlando Resort as well as the newly renovated Westgate Palace Resort near Wet 'n Wild.

The I-Ride Main Line route travels primarily along International Drive north and south, beginning at Prime Outlets International and traveling southbound on a circular route to Orlando Premium Outlets. In addition to the many dining and accommodation stops along the route, it also stops at Pointe Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando and Aquatica.

The Green Line begins service in the Major Blvd. area and encompasses Kirkman Road and Universal Blvd., then shadows the Main Line route as it continues service down to Orlando Premium Outlets with stops that include Wet ‘n Wild, Pointe Orlando, the new Point Orlando Resort and the newly renovated Westgate Palace Resort, the Orange County Convention Center and SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando.

The I-Ride Trolley Service operates 15 trolleys with service from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. daily. Costs: Single fare, $1.00 per ride; senior fare 65 and over, .25 cents per ride. Children under 12 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. Unlimited ride passes are available: (one-day pass, $3.00 per person); (three-day pass, $5.00 per person); (five-day pass, $7.00 per person); (seven-day pass, $9.00 per person) (fourteen-day pass, $16.00 per person). Each I-Ride Trolley seats 54 riders plus two wheelchair positions and an ADA-specified hydraulic lift system.

With up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches, Aquatica is the first new water park to open in Orlando in 12 years. It features 36 water slides; six rivers and lagoons and more than 80,000-square-feet of beach area. Guests are immersed with live animals in the park, including Commerson’s dolphins, brilliant macaws and colorful fish. www.aquaticabyseaworld.com. 407-351-3600.

Shingle Creek Golf Club was one of five central Florida golf stores to receive the designation as one of the Top 100 Golf Shops in the United States from Golf World magazine. The Rosen Plaza Hotel has been selected as a 2008 pick for The Knot Best of Weddings magazine, a coast-to-coast, by brides-for-brides guide to the top wedding sites, photographers, florists and more in over 40 key cities across the United States. Rosen Plaza was the only hotel wedding venue to earn a Three Star rating in the Central Florida area.

Launched in March 2004, the Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. After receiving the designation, hotels are recommended to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging facilities. www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

More Green… The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is the first in the country to receive certification for its recycling efforts. Recognized for recycling 40 percent of its waste, the center also uses reclaimed water for all of its landscape irrigation, has energy-efficient motors to power fountain pumps and has a control system to regulate air-conditioning and lighting levels. Hosting 300 events, shows and meetings a year, the OCCC is the second largest convention center in the U.S. www.occc.net.

The Point Orlando Resort, a new luxury condo-hotel, has opened with 144 suites. The contemporary European-designed property is located on International Drive near the Orange County Convention Center. Amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, Internet and local calls, a business center, fitness room and poolside Jacuzzi. www.thepoint-orlando.com. 407-956-2000 (public)

Westin Imagine is the area’s newest Florida art-deco style hotel and includes 315 guest rooms and one and two bedroom suites. All guest rooms and one bedroom suites are furnished with kitchenettes while all two bedroom suites have full kitchens. With over 7,100- square-feet of state-of the-art conference and meeting space facilities, meeting attendees will enjoy professionally planned banquet and catering events. WestinWORKOUT® helps guests maintain individual wellness while away on business or pleasure. The Westin Imagine Orlando is located directly across from the North/South Concourse of the Orlando Orange Convention Center on Universal Boulevard. www.westinimagineorlando.com. 1-800-327-2424.

The Rosen Plaza Hotel has just completed a multi million dollar renovation of its 60,000 sq. ft. meeting/event space and has also replaced all of the beds and linens throughout its 800 rooms. Custom carpeting, decorative lighting, luxurious wall treatments and plush, comfortable seating are the highlights of the renovation. 407-996-9700.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando has opened Jurassic Park-themed kid’s suites and completed a $10 million room renovation. The new Jurassic Park suites include raptor’s cage headboards, custom wall murals, artwork from the making of the movies and Jurassic Park-themed furniture. The hotel has also completed renovations on all guest rooms and suites in a design motif that reflects the charm of the South Pacific. Technology upgrades include the addition of iHome clock radios with iPod docking stations and the installation of 32-inch (81-centimeter) flat-panel televisions. www.loewshotels.com. 407-503-3000.

Fun Spot USA has opened "Hot Seat," a new ride formerly located at Wild Adventure theme park in Valdosta, Ga. The extreme ride swings riders 120 feet in the air until they are at a 90-degree angle to the ground an then swings down while flames shoot out of the top of the ride. www.fun-spot.com 407-363-3867.

Pirate's Dinner Adventure opened a 3,000-square-foot Governor’s VIP Lounge. The private reception area allows guests to view the pre-show through one-way mirrors and on closed-circuit TV; enjoy upgraded pre-show appetizers and a private full-service bar; gain early entrance into the main show area; and have an opportunity for one-on-one photos with a cast member. Pricing for the upgrade is $25 per person. The lounge can accommodate groups up to 100 for a standing reception and is available to individual guests when private events are not in session. www.piratesdinneradventure.com/florida. 407-248-0590.

Tharoo & Company has opened with Rado watches, Swarovski crystal, MontBlanc merchandise and elegant figurines. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. www.tharooco.com. 407-264-0200.

B.B. King’s Blues Club, a 16,000-square-foot supper club-style restaurant and live music venue features cuisine that ranges from ribs to Carolina glazed salmon. Live music will be performed nightly by the B.B. King All Star Band, an 11-piece house band with a full horn section that plays R&B, Blues, Motown and Classic Rock. www.orlando.bbkingclubs.com. 407-370-4550.

Pizzeria Valdiano includes authentic Italian favorites such as pizza by the slice, stromboli, submarine sandwiches, salads, pastries and espresso. The restaurant is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. www.pizzeriavaldiano.com. 407-903-5855.

Artsy Abode carries the entire selection of Vera Bradley handbags and luggage, plus their complete line of jewelry, home decor, unique art and gifts. This boutique-style shop is located adjacent to the new Chico's location at Pointe Orlando off the Central Courtyard. This is the first Artsy Abode location in Orlando. 407-903-0660.

Brighton Collectibles offers accessories including small leather goods, watches, jewelry, home accessories and eye wear as well as men's belts, wallets and watches. Located off the Pond Courtyard between The Capital Grille and Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe & Emporium, this is the second Orlando location. www.brighton.com. 407-363-1681.

Kiehl's, a seller of high-end beauty products, is set to open its first store in the Orlando. The new store feature Kiehl's signature hair-care, skin- and body-care products. It will be the second free-standing Kiehl's in Florida and is the third store to feature the retailer's "greener" redesigned interior, including features such as reclaimed wood flooring and energy-efficient lighting. www.kiehls.com. 407-355-3599.

Coming to Pointe Orlando this fall… Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum will transport guests to Havana, Cuba, circa the 1950s, to experience Cuban cuisine influenced by Spanish, African, Creole and Asian immigrants. More than 70 rums from South America and the Caribbean will be combined with fresh fruit to create a variety of signature cocktails, sangrias and drinks. www.cubalibrerestaurant.com. 407-248-0666.

Ron Jon Surfpark is in future development. Plan to catch a wave and lots of excitement when the world’s first wave pool facility built specifically for surfing and bodyboarding and will include three innovative surf pools to accommodate all levels of wave-riding enthusiasts. The center stage is the Pro Surf Pool, an American-football-field sized pool that will create up to six saltwater waves per minute, up to 8 feet high, with ride lengths from 60-100 yards. www.ronjonsurfpark.com. 1-866-596-SURF.

Prime Outlets International Orlando (formerly Belz Factory Outlet Mall) has completed its $300 million expansion and renovation. Thirty-six new stores opened including: Victoria’s Secret Outlet, Kate Spade, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Michael Kors, J. Crew Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Betsey Johnson and Dooney & Bourke Outlet. The outlet center has a total of 175 stores, many showcasing luxury designers; food court with eight restaurants and a full-service restaurant, Kafe Kalik. www.primeoutlets.com. 407-352-9600

Orlando Premium Outlets opens new stores including Gymboree Outlet, Joe’s Jeans, Michael Kors and Wolford on November 13, 2008 and undergo a major expansion that will bring new designer outlets to the center. www.premiumoutlets.com/orlando. 407-238-7787.

SeaWorld Orlando brings back its Sesame Street characters this summer for character meet-and-greets, Breakfast with Elmo and Friends and an all-new “Elmo and Abby’s Treasure Hunt” musical production. The breakfast buffet event will take place daily at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The cost is $16.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 3-9. The new musical show features Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita and Grover, and will run through Sept. 1. www.seaworldorlando.com. 800-327-2424.

Universal Studios Florida opened its new ride based on FOX’s hit series, “The Simpsons.” Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson ride along with guests in the new attraction, which takes them on a hysterical adventure. www.universalorlando.com 407-363-8000.

Wet ‘n Wild Orlando has opened its mind-blowing “Brain Wash.” The multimillion-dollar attraction showcasing the latest advances in ride technology. The new funnel ride includes a 53-foot (16-meter) drop for two- and four-passenger tubes, with dark areas for video projection and special lighting effects. www.wetnwildorlando.com. 407-351-1800.

Magical Midway on International Drive introduces a new tower thrill ride known as the StarFlyer. The only tower ride of its kind in the United States, this almost $2 million dollar unique attraction stands 256 feet tall and illuminates in the evening. Visitors board the StarFlyer on an 18-foot high platform and are seated in a chair like swing. The ride accommodates 18 passengers with 6 single seats and 6 double seats. The chair seats are attached vertically by chains to the star shaped center car, which revolves up the tower on its own axis making the seats fly through the air at 54mph reaching heights of over 230 feet. The StarFlyer provides visitors a phenomenal view of Orlando and exhilarating experience for the entire family. 407-370-5353. www.magicalmidway.com.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has opened The Shuttle Launch Experience, a space shuttle simulation attraction. The 44,000-square-foot (4,088-square-meter), $60 million attraction is the most technologically advanced exhibit ever created at the complex. Using a custom-designed motion platform as well as multiple video screens, advanced audio effects and special effect seats, the attraction promises to re-create the sensations of blasting into earth’s orbit. The complex also introduced a new Internet ticketing program that allows visitors to purchase tickets online and print them on their home printers. Visitors using these tickets can bypass the ticket booths at the visitor complex. Coming Nov. 8-9: Kennedy Space Center will feature the precision and power of the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the second annual Space & Air Show. Aerospace, aviation and astronauts come together as the dark blue and yellow-striped F/A-18 Hornet jets blaze across the skies over the shuttle launch and landing headquarters. Tickets begin at $17. www.kennedyspacecenter.com 321-449-4444.

Great Wheel Corp. plans to build a 400-foot rotating observation wheel as part of a new International Drive resort complex. The wheel will be able to take up to 960 visitors at a time on a half-hour ride in air-conditioned pods. The attraction is scheduled to open in late 2009 on land connected to the Orange County Convention Center. www.greatwheel.com.

SeaWorld Orlando announces the development of Manta, a new roller coaster attraction that transitions riders from air to sea. Guests will experience underwater animal habitats, soar face-down in a horizontal position to nearly 60 mph and come within inches of the ocean. Visitors may choose not to ride and instead experience the attraction itself, which provides floor-to-ceiling window views of more than 300 rays, including shark rays, spotted eagle rays and leopard rays. Opening summer 2009, www.seaworld.com. 800-327-2424.

Universal Orlando Resort will partner with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. to create a Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films. Titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new 20-acre (8-hectare) area will become part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Expected to open in late 2009, it will feature immersive rides and interactive attractions as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizard world’s best-known establishments. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life. www.universalorlando.com. 407-363-8000.

Lufthansa announced plans to increase its nonstop service from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) this fall. Beginning Oct. 26, 2008, the service will begin offering daily flights. www.lufthansa.com. 800-399-5838.

Whats Making News on International Drive...July 2008