Exploring The New I-Drive 360 Entertainment Complex

July 10, 2015

By Laura Knight

Recently the State27.com team spent a day at the brand new I-Drive 360 entertainment complex. 

Check out their reviews, tips and photos in this 2-post series.

There is a lot of local buzz lately about big changes for Orlando’s I-Drive, especially I-Drive 360, the new entertainment complex that opened in May.  

The complex is anchored by three Merlin Entertainment attractions: 

The Orlando Eye 

Madame Tussauds Orlando 

Sea Life Orlando 

There are also restaurants, nightlife options and an arcade.

Keep reading for our tips and photos to help you get a feel for the new place and plan your visit.

Tips & pics to help plan your visit

On the plus side …

I-Drive 360 has a lot going for it, like free parking in a garage, which is a nice perk in the summertime, it’s affordable (about $40 for all three Merlin attractions, and other places are priced well, too), it’s not too big.

I didn’t feel like a needed a map to get around or a foot soak by the end of the day. 

Another plus, all of the attractions are indoors in the crisp air conditioning.

Admittedly, The Orlando Eye is still working out some kinks and not all of the restaurants and nightlife spots are open yet, but you can definitely fill an entire day there now and have a good time whether you’re with kids, on a date, or hanging out with friends.

Locals, it’s for you, too.

I don’t dislike our theme parks and tourist attractions, but on most weekends I’m more likely to be picnicking at a park, watching movies or visiting a winery. If you’re a local and you haven’t been to I-Drive in ages, I completely understand, but give I-Drive 360 a try. It has a more local vibe.

Bottom line: I-Drive 360 is fun and it isn’t overwhelming in price or size, which is nice.

Attractions

My favorite: Sea Life Aquarium.

The Orlando Eye may be the focal point of I-Drive 360, but the Sea Life Aquarium is my favorite attraction. I like their focus on conservation, sustainability and education. Sea Life Orlando is open until 10 p.m. (last admission at 9 p.m.), so if you would like more quiet time with the sea creatures try going later at night. Another tip: for an extra $5 you can go on a behind the scenes tour with staff to see how they take care of the animals. Checkout a few highlights from my visit.

The Orlando Eye

We visited I-Drive 360 during the day, and saved The Orlando Eye for last. It was a nice ride, but Orlando isn’t known for its skyline, especially where I-Drive is located, so it felt somewhat uninspired to me. I’ll ride it again, but next time at sunset or nighttime when it’s all lit up.

Photo: Amy Santiago via Orlando Eye's Facebook page

Skeletons: Animals Unveiled!

Skeleton’s displays more than 400 animal skeletons in a museum-quality setting, and they have received raving reviews on TripAdvisor. We didn’t have time to visit this attraction, but we did stop into their gift shop. I definitely plan to go back and check this out … maybe on Halloween for a little extra spook factor.

The most interesting ginger bread cookies ever ...

Oh, hi, Ryan Reynolds, you look shiny and gorgeous.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Stay tuned for Natashia's full review of her favorite attraction, Madame Tussauds Orlando, next week!

Dining 

I-Drive 360 will offer 10 full service restaurants and numerous snack places.

Some are not open yet, so check the dining page on the website before you go. Naru Sushi, Sugar Factory and Tapa Toro are on my must-try list.

On our visit we ate at Paramount Fine Foods, a Mediterranean eatery. The grilled meat plate was delicious, but the pita didn’t win me over. They use meat from their own local halal butcher shopin Waterford Lakes, which I think is a big plus.

 The type of cocktail you can get at the Sugar Factory.

Photo via Sugar Factory's Facebook page.

Our spread at Paramount Fine Foods

More fun stuff

There’s a lot to do at I-Drive 360, and we didn’t see it all on our first visit, and some of it isn’t open yet. Be sure to check their website for complete details. Here are more fun options that are open right now:

Arcade City - They have an air hockey table, so they are already winning in my book.

Tin Roof - I do enjoy live music, so I’m looking forward to seeing a show at Tin Roof. 

Honorable mention: Kings Orlando

This retro bowling alley also has Ping-Pong tables, pool tables and other games. It turns into a 21+ venue after 8 p.m. Kings is not officially part of I-Drive 360, but it’s right next-door and easy to walk to (I factored in the heat and safety of walking there).

Stay Tuned

Next week, Natashia will share her full review of Madame Tussauds Orlando along with her impressions of I-Drive 360 with more tips & pics.

Original Blog