Things are beginning to re-open in Orlando. We drove up International Drive and took note of some of the businesses re-opening. While the Orange County Convention Center is closed for now, as its parking lot is being used as a virus testing location, the rest of International Drive is coming back to life. Let’s take a look at what’s open, what’s not, and what looks like it could open soon.
Walt Disney World
Before we get to our tour of I-Drive, let’s address the really big Orlando news… Walt Disney World reopening plans. Don’t get too excited, the parks remain firmly closed for now… but there’s good news for shoppers as Disney Springs prepares to reopen on May 20th. At Shanghai Disneyland, the shopping district and hotel was opened approximately one month before the park resumed operation. If Disney follows the same procedures in Orlando, we could see some parks reopen by the end of June or early July. We’ll keep our eyes on this one:
UPDATED! Disney Springs Begins Phased Reopening May 20th at Walt Disney World
Video Tour
Now for the fun… I strapped my phone to the roof of my car and took a little drive. Enjoy the journey. We discuss the key points below, along with a few things not on the trip:
Hyatt Regency
Driving North from the convention center, we first encounter the Hyatt Regency Hotel, which is still not in operation as far as we could tell. Long-timers will remember this property formerly as “The Peabody Orlando”, known for its ducks that would walk up the carpet to the fountain every day. The hotel is completely closed. According to the property’s website, they are accepting reservations for June 1st and beyond.
Pointe Orlando
As we continue, we pass by the Pointe Orlando Shopping and Dining Complex. Orlando locals will know this complex well, as it contains the only full size (think old-school six stories tall) IMAX screen in the region at its Regal Cinemas. Overall, Pointe Orlando seems to mostly be closed except for restaurants, including Darden’s The Capital Grille and Maggiano’s Little Italy, though the complex, in general, does seem to be under heavy construction as part of an effort to increase the curb appeal of the massive complex.
Continuing up International Drive, we pass multiple Denny’s restaurants, almost all of which are doing take-out and delivery only. Pirates Cove Miniature Golf is still closed up, with even the waterfalls turned off, but it’s not likely to stay that way for long.
ICON Park
The large ICON Park Complex is open, but without the attractions running. Multiple restaurants are open (25% capacity caps), including Yard House, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Tapa Torro, The Sugar Factory, and iCafe De Paris. At night, The Wheel at ICON Park, although not operating, has been lit in red, white, and blue, as a tribute to first responders, a nice gesture.
The Escape Game Orlando – Now with No Traffic!
Continuing down International Drive, we notice that The Escape Game – Orlando, which we talked about last weekend, is open for business. At the intersection of Sand Lake Road and International Drive, much construction is happening for the widening and re-alignment of Sand Lake Road. We normally experience a ridiculous amount of traffic at this intersection, but today only about 30 vehicles were around in total. So, if you want to go do an escape game, it’s easier to get to and find a parking spot right now!
Skyplex 360
Construction continues on road improvements north of Sand Lake on International Drive, though still no sign of the demolition of the Perkin’s for the planned Skyplex 360 mega-complex and giant rollercoaster tower that is attached to the project. The project, announced back in 2012 and approved in 2015, has seen little progress, save for the acquisition of land and the closure of the Dowdy Pavilion Bowling Alley. Fans of Perkin’s shouldn’t worry though, as even if the project moves forward, the Perkin’s would be re-built as a 10,000 square foot store, the largest Perkin’s in the world. But, with Universal using their legal might to try and block this project, we may never see it open as originally planned and approved.
Congo River Mini Golf Open
As we turn the corner of International Drive (it turns east for a moment) we notice that Universal has security stationed at the entrances of its Surfside and Dockside Inn hotels, and that construction seemed to be continuing to get the later open eventually. Nearby, we notice that Congo River Mini Golf was open. This is only the second open attraction we see to be operating on International Drive, so that’s a big deal to us.
International Drive Premium Outlets Open
Moving around the final bend and heading north again, we arrive at the Premium Outlets. Simon Malls manages these outlets, and one store of note that MiceChatters may have visited is “Disney’s Character Warehouse” Store, one of the Disney Parks Outlet Stores in Florida. (They also run a store at the other Premium Outlets on Vineland in Lake Buena Vista, and another store at the Sawgrass Mills mall near Ft. Lauderdale.) As expected though, the store was closed. In fact, almost every store was closed.
We counted about 12 stores that were open for business in the massive outdoor outlet mall, along with about 15 kiosks.
Most stores that were open were shoe stores, but we did find the occasional clothing store open, most amusingly a store known as “Psycho Bunny”. We got a chuckle from their name, but the clothes seemed nice.
In terms of crowds, there were none. We counted a total of 36 potential customers in the entire complex. However, we did notice a plethora of stores that were getting ready to open, and that is promising.
There was plenty of signage and information about safety information, but it wasn’t consistent from store to store. Each store was posting their own version of what they expected customers to do.
Maybe the shoppers will come back in the weeks ahead after more stores open. As far as food went, we noticed that “Planet Smoothie” and “Five Guys Burgers and Fries” were open, along with a mango juice stand. We passed. We give credit to Simon Property Group though, as they put up one-way pathway signs in some areas… though they served no purpose without any crowds.
Simon Malls made the decision to open their outlet malls in the Orlando region, along with The Florida Mall. Expect an update from us from The Florida Mall this weekend.
Universal Orlando Resort
There are rumblings that the Universal Orlando Resort may begin reopening CityWalk as soon as next week. We’re awaiting confirmation, but we do expect they’ll follow the same rules that Disney Springs announced: capacity limitations, masks, increased sanitation procedures, social distancing, etc.
But it’s the survey that Universal sent to pass holders regarding expectations about the parks after they reopen that is most interesting. The Survey was focused on how soon after a potential August 1st reopening the guest might be comfortable visiting. It also wanted to know how likely the guest was to wear a mask and under what conditions:
Let’s see how you all would answer these questions:
Island H2O NOT Opening as Speculated
Finally, an update from south of Walt Disney World. It’s not quite Orlando or Kissimmee, but down on the west side of 192, next to the Sunset Walk in front of the Margaritaville Resort is Island H2O Live, a water park “themed” to social media. (no, we’re not kidding, look it up.) The complex posted a sign on their digital billboard at the entrance, stating “we can’t wait to welcome you back Friday, May 15th”. Logically, folks picked up on that and assumed the park would be the first in Orlando. The issue here is that the sign also included logos for Sunset Walk, Margaritaville Resort, and Island H2O Live. . .
We spoke to a member of their social media team, and they confirmed the sign was only referring to the Resort and the Sunset Walk, not H2O Live. So, it looks like someone just got wasted away at Margaritaville on Cinco de Mayo and had control of the digital sign and included the Island H2O Live logo by mistake. Whoops! I guess that just goes to show, when you see digital signs with questionable messages, take them with a grain of salt, salt, salt.
Opportunity Knocks!
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Well, that’s all for today. If you’re a Florida local, have you seen more businesses in the Orlando Region that are re-opening? We’d love to check them out. Do you think that businesses are rushing towards a hasty opening or that the measures in place will be enough to keep guests and employees safe? Let us know what you think in the comments below!