International Drive in Orlando offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including the world’s largest McDonald’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not® museum, Wonder Works interactive exhibits, Wet N Wild water park, and Pirate’s Dinner Theater. There are also hotels and other entertainment options available.
While many people head to Orlando, Florida for the purpose of visiting Disney World or Universal Studios, the fact is, you can book a hotel on International Drive and spend an entire week exploring this avenue. Here are some examples of the family fun that can be enjoyed on International Drive by just walking a few blocks.
As any parent knows, many kids consider McDonald’s a five-star restaurant. It just so happens that one of the more interesting McDonald’s restaurants is located at one end of International Drive. Located on the corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive, this particular restaurant is advertised as the world’s largest McDonald’s and perhaps the world’s largest fast food restaurant.
The combination of food and fun for the kids can’t be topped. In addition to a full-size video game arcade on the second floor, the facility boasts a twenty-five thousand foot tubular maze filled with twists, turns, and other amusements. While the kids play, adults can use the high-tech electronic consoles to book hotels, order tickets for other city entertainment, arrange for car rentals and other transportation, and enjoy a gourmet lunch. Yes, you can still get a Big Mac and some fries if you want.
Just down the street at 8201 International Drive is the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not® museum. Billed as Orlando’s original “odditorium,” Ripley’s has over ten thousand square feet of exhibits that range from the funny to the bizarre. The more than four hundred exhibits include a matchstick Rolls Royce made from over a million matchsticks and a Cameroon Fertility Statue with an interesting story.
For those who prefer the more esoteric, there’s a headless chicken that lived for eighteen months and the petrified corpse of a man that can be up to twenty thousand years old. Hardly a high tech phenomenon, Ripley’s still has the knack of grabbing the attention of the most jaded child with its range of exhibits and puzzles. One caveat: Ripley’s is not the kind of place you can see in an hour or so. Set aside a morning or afternoon to enjoy all the exhibits.
If interactive exhibits are more your speed, there’s always Wonder Works, located at 9067 International Drive. A unique structure that appears to be an upside-down building, Wonder Works contains over a hundred exhibits that invite guests to become a part of the fun. Visitors can experience the sensation of an earthquake that would register 5.3 on the Richter scale and settle into a bed of nails for a quick nap. There’s virtual basketball that will pit you against a seven-foot competitor. For anyone who has ever wondered what it feels like to be in a NASA space suit, here’s your chance. There is also a magic show at Wonder Works which is great for all ages. Dubbed the “Outta Control Magic Show,” the production is available twice a night during the summer months. You can enjoy the mysteries of magic while enjoying unlimited amounts of pizza, washed down with your choice of beer, wine or soda.
Things can get a little hot in Orlando, especially during the summer. Cool off with a visit to Wet N Wild located at 6200 International Drive. There are thirty acres of all kinds of water sports, tube rides, waterslides and more. Try the Flyer and Bubba Tub for some fun but low-key water rides. For those wanting more adventure, check out Mach 5 and Black Hole. The ultimate delight for true thrill-seekers might be a cyclone-based experience called Storm. When everyone is ready for something a little quieter, grab a tube and enjoy a relaxing glide down the Lazy River. With something for everyone, Wet N Wild can easily be an all-day stop.
The Pirate’s Dinner Theater, located at the corner of Carrier Drive and International Boulevard, offers fine dining with typical swashbuckling pirates as entertainment for the evening. Before the show, families can enjoy a trip to the King’s Festival, where there’s a chance to see medieval festival displays, including face painting. There are also occasions for family photos and a few quick aperitifs before arriving at the main meal. The show itself has a full range of sets including pirate ship decks, lots of beautiful music and lots of action. The menu is sophisticated enough for adults but simplistic enough for most children as well.
International Drive in Orlando has plenty to keep everyone entertained. With several excellent hotels and tons of entertainment, this is an ideal part of Orlando for the whole family.
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