I-Drive Update: Ain't Standing Idly By

Had time on my hands earlier this afternoon so it was a good opportunity to check out what's happening along a very vibrant International Drive. As Disney remakes their downtown and Universal ups their offerings, I-Drive isn't standing idly by.  Starting at the top, the former Festival Bay indoor mall is now Artegon.  Full of artisans selling their wares in small booths, it's very unfleamarket-like and I think it will do well.

Located outside at Artegon in the space formerly occupied by the Caddyshack restaurant, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill opened a week or so ago and features Country music always but also live music at night!  Wear your cowboy boots and yell Yee-Haw!

Inside, famous Chicago restaurant and brewery Berghoff is coming soon!

Just south of Sand Lake Road, Mango's Tropical Cafe advances at a snail's pace towards completion.  Here's the sign posted last year and at this speed, look for a 2016 sign to be posted later this year!

Like the location in South Beach, Mango's will feature DJ's spinning Top 40, Oldies and Latin and this location will also have a rooftop patio.  Once they open.

iDrive360 already has a free parking garage and some restaurants open but the big draws will be the Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.

 

And of course the stunning Orlando Eye ferris wheel which is supposed to open before this summer!

Last stop of the day was the pool complex at Avanti Resort.

Where I spotted former Suite B Lounge bartendress Lisa working the pool bar.  She moved here about a year ago and says she loves working daytime hours. Stop by sometime and have her make you something frosty and cold!