DTD vs. "I-Drive Live"

[jt04]

Ohhhkaaay,

It seems as though the new project for I-Drive is going ahead at full speed. I had not understood the scope of this project until today. I think it is possible that "HW" and possibly larger sections of DTD could be being reimagined to compete with this new MAJOR attraction as much if not more than CityWalk. I have to say that the possibility that Disney may be about to compete with the ressurgence of International Drive (see also the new D&B) is the best possible scenario by my estimation. This new project will be a success. I think Disney's reboot of HW is a response. Just my opinion.

The beauty of competition.

 

[devoy1701]

Ohhhkaaay,

It seems as though the new project for I-Drive is going ahead at full speed. I had not understood the scope of this project until today. I think it is possible that "HW" and possibly larger sections of DTD could be being reimagined to compete with this new MAJOR attraction as much if not more than CityWalk. I have to say that the possibility that Disney may be about to compete with the ressurgence of International Drive (see also the new D&B) is the best possible scenario by my estimation. This new project will be a success. I think Disney's reboot of HW is a response. Just my opinion.

The beauty of competition.

As a local I absolutely hate I-Drive and nothing that is put in there could ever make me want to visit that traffic nightmare...albeit a few parking garages and pedestrian skybridges.

Anyway...do you have a link to some of the aspects of what's coming to I-Drive besides the giant wheel and D&B?

 

[talonstruck]

City walk seemed like a bust to me. We hurried through to get to the parks and then tried to go shopping there on the way out. I feel that the only restaurants worth it are Bubba Gumps and The hard rock cafe, if you look at the menus for the other restaurants besides emerils, they all serve the same pasta or burgers in the NBA place and NASCAR place etc.
In DTD we enjoyed the variety of shops which city walk really lacks and the different restaurants that were available oddly enough we opted for the earl of sandwich because we weren't very hungry. The balloon ride is the only thing that I will think compete with the I-Live project, but I don't know how an air conditioned ferries wheel cab that has not admission price can compete with an un air-condition short balloon ride that has closer look at Disney? We did the sky tower at Sea world and yes you can see Disney in the distance but that is about it. The sky tower goes up about 300 feet, adding another 150 feet to the ferries wheel wont improve your view especially at the distance from Disney.
One thing I wonder is how quickly they can get one down from the Ferris wheel in one of the spring/summer thunderstorms that can pop up quickly down there?

 

[jt04]

As a local I absolutely hate I-Drive and nothing that is put in there could ever make me want to visit that traffic nightmare...albeit a few parking garages and pedestrian skybridges.

Anyway...do you have a link to some of the aspects of what's coming to I-Drive besides the giant wheel and D&B?

Just google I-Drive Live. Evidently there is much more to this than the attractions you mentioned including themed hotels. The last time I visited I-Drive it appeared to have no future. And I did not really understand D&B going in there but now it makes perfect sense. This is a huge deal and if you research the players involved I think you will conclude that while the mouse has had priorities elsewhere, the competition is setting up to take away a big chunk of his cheese in Orlando.

I went from discouraged yesterday to highly encouraged today as this perfectly explains Staggs' statement from yesterday. It all makes sense. In my opinion of course.

 

[devoy1701]

Just google I-Drive Live. Evidently there is much more to this than the attractions you mentioned including themed hotels. The last time I visited I-Drive it appeared to have no future. And I did not really understand D&B going in there but now it makes perfect sense. This is a huge deal and if you research the players involved I think you will conclude that while the mouse has had priorities elsewhere, the competition is setting up to take away a big chunk of his cheese in Orlando.

I went from discouraged yesterday to highly encouraged today as this perfectly explains Staggs' statement from yesterday. It all makes sense. In my opinion of course.

It sounds like fluff. Madame Toussaud, Guiness World Records and a new Aquarium and some restaurants?? Please...there are nothing unique about any of those future offerings that would make me want to visit I-Drive. As I said the traffic issue is a BIG issue for I-Drive and the BIGGEST reason I stay away from the place.

The article from Monday mentions that FUTURE phases will include a parking garage and hotels...well that parking garage should definitely be part of the first phase if you're going to be adding new offerings in addition to the mess that's already there.

 

[juan]

This is neither news or rumor. More of Armchair Imagineering again.

There is no big competition conspiracy between DTD and I Drive. The current developments at each are only to refresh stale offerings. It's all a business and in this economy some businesses weren't able to operate and new ones came in (ex. D&B).


Why is everything a competition conspiracy with you? First, you thought FLE was in response to Legoland (which was disproved). Now this.

:hammer::brick::hammer:


Oh the Stagg's stuff is mainly in response to poor reception from the public and giving better thought to the plans. Some folks that had worked on the original HW had the majority of their time devoted to Shanghai. By devoting more and different thought to HW, the project will most likely be developed better.

 

[juan]

Oh and one of the biggest things that was supposed to come to the I-Drive area -- The Orlando Thrill Park (rollercoaster park) --- project got shut down and discarded.

 

[jt04]

It sounds like fluff. Madame Toussaud, Guiness World Records and a new Aquarium and some restaurants?? Please...there are nothing unique about any of those future offerings that would make me want to visit I-Drive. As I said the traffic issue is a BIG issue for I-Drive and the BIGGEST reason I stay away from the place.

The article from Monday mentions that FUTURE phases will include a parking garage and hotels...well that parking garage should definitely be part of the first phase if you're going to be adding new offerings in addition to the mess that's already there.

That "fluff" is between Sea World/Orlando Convention Center and Universal. It will create a domino effect and you will see it spur other big investors to come in. This is merely a first step that the D&B folks seem also to be aware of or they would never have built there. If it was the nightmare you claim it is they would not have so many potential tenants trying to get in. Something DTD has had trouble duplicting until now possibly.

You, Disney and anybody else can remain oblivious to the growing threat from competitors in Orlando but that is probably not sound business. And from the Disney statement of yesterday, I would say Disney is waking up.

 

[devoy1701]

This is neither news or rumor. More of Armchair Imagineering again.

There is no big competition conspiracy between DTD and I Drive. The current developments at each are only to refresh stale offerings. It's all a business and in this economy some businesses weren't able to operate and new ones came in (ex. D&B).


Why is everything a competition conspiracy with you? First, you thought FLE was in response to Legoland (which was disproved. Now this.

:hammer::brick::hammer:


Oh the Stagg's stuff is mainly in response to poor reception from the public and giving better thought to the plans. Some folks that had worked on the original HW had the majority of their time devoted to Shanghai. By devoting more and different thought to HW, the project will most likely be developed better.

You know it isn't a HORRIBLE trend though...announce something for WDW that is ok at best and see how people react...if they like it enough then you get by doing the minimum. If they don't, then revise the plans in a year and release the updated vision. Now you've gotten more people interested and you've won over some of those people who think that Disney doesn't listen in the first place.

 

[Master Yoda]

It sounds like fluff. Madame Toussaud, Guiness World Records and a new Aquarium and some restaurants?? Please...there are nothing unique about any of those future offerings that would make me want to visit I-Drive. As I said the traffic issue is a BIG issue for I-Drive and the BIGGEST reason I stay away from the place.

The article from Monday mentions that FUTURE phases will include a parking garage and hotels...well that parking garage should definitely be part of the first phase if you're going to be adding new offerings in addition to the mess that's already there.

I have to agree. This is a step in the right direction but until they solve the traffic problem it will take a hell of a lot to get be to brave I-drive. A huge parking garage with as close to direct access to I-4 and or the Bee-line that is linked into the I-drive trolley should be project 1. While parking is no picnic at DTD, I have never not found a space and the parking lot status signs have been a big plus.

 

[jt04]

Oh the Stagg's stuff is mainly in response to poor reception from the public and giving better thought to the plans. Some folks that had worked on the original HW had the majority of their time devoted to Shanghai. By devoting more and different thought to HW, the project will most likely be developed better.

Yes it will be better. Competition does that.

 

[devoy1701]

That "fluff" is between Sea World/Orlando Convention Center and Universal. It will create a domino effect and you will see it spur other big investors to come in. This is merely a first step that the D&B folks seem also to be aware of or they would never have built there. If it was the nightmare you claim it is they would not have so many potential tenants trying to get in. Something DTD has had trouble duplicting until now possibly.

You, Disney and anybody else can remain oblivious to the growing threat from competitors in Orlando but that is probably not sound business. And from the Disney statement of yesterday, I would say Disney is waking up.

The new tenants are coming in because they're probably being offered incredible deals, especially since the original tenant that was there went under and the property remaind empty, and the plans that came prior to this I-Drive Live concept never got so much as a shovel in the ground.

As Juan said, it's to bring interest back to an area gone stale, it's not some bold groundbreaking new complex that is going to shift the entertainment scales of Orlando.

 

[Master Yoda]

Here is a link to the project in question since the OP has refused to provide it.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-08-21/business/os-orlando-eye-i-drive-live-20110821_1_observation-wheel-circle-entertainment-wax-museum

 

[SleepingMonk]

City walk seemed like a bust to me. We hurried through to get to the parks and then tried to go shopping there on the way out. I feel that the only restaurants worth it are Bubba Gumps and The hard rock cafe, if you look at the menus for the other restaurants besides emerils, they all serve the same pasta or burgers in the NBA place and NASCAR place etc.

Margaritaville, Latin Quarter, Bob Marley, Pastamore, Pat O'Brien's, etc...?

I don't think you spent much time at CityWalk.

 

[wdwmagic]

Ohhhkaaay,

It seems as though the new project for I-Drive is going ahead at full speed. I had not understood the scope of this project until today. I think it is possible that "HW" and possibly larger sections of DTD could be being reimagined to compete with this new MAJOR attraction as much if not more than CityWalk. I have to say that the possibility that Disney may be about to compete with the ressurgence of International Drive (see also the new D&B) is the best possible scenario by my estimation. This new project will be a success. I think Disney's reboot of HW is a response. Just my opinion.

The beauty of competition.

JT, don't start this competing thing again. We've heard all your theories about Lego Land and FL etc - not sure we need another one. Disney have been looking at sorting out DTD for YEARS. Long before this I-Drive thing got off the ground.

 

[talonstruck]

Margaritaville, Latin Quarter, Bob Marley, Pastamore, Pat O'Brien's, etc...?

I don't think you spent much time at CityWalk.

6 days going through city walk was enough, Margarita ville...burgers and margaritas, good for adults not for a family of mixed aged children, Latin Quoter again not good for a family of mixed aged children, Bob Marley's same as above, pastamore ... have you ever heard of Frazollis? ...fast food blah pasta? Pat o Brien's not good for a family of mixed aged child.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

6 days going through city walk was enough, Margarita ville...burgers and margaritas, good for adults not for a family of mixed aged children, Latin Quoter again not good for a family of mixed aged children, Bob Marley's same as above, pastamore ... have you ever heard of Frazollis? ...fast food blah pasta? Pat o Brien's not good for a family of mixed aged child.

I disagree completely about Margaritaville. I think you're stereotyping it horribly. And Hard Rock and the NASCAR places, while not my cup of tea, are fine for families as well.

 

[SleepingMonk]

6 days going through city walk was enough, Margarita ville...burgers and margaritas, good for adults not for a family of mixed aged children, Latin Quoter again not good for a family of mixed aged children, Bob Marley's same as above, pastamore ... have you ever heard of Frazollis? ...fast food blah pasta? Pat o Brien's not good for a family of mixed aged child.

You didn't say anything earlier about children with stunted palates, you said all the restaurants served the same items.

They clearly do not.

 

[71jason]

6 days going through city walk was enough, Margarita ville...burgers and margaritas, good for adults not for a family of mixed aged children, Latin Quoter again not good for a family of mixed aged children, Bob Marley's same as above, pastamore ... have you ever heard of Frazollis? ...fast food blah pasta? Pat o Brien's not good for a family of mixed aged child.

Clearly you've never visited any of these restaurants. Or maybe the costumed stiltwalkers in Margaritaville and the Little Leprachuan menu in Pat O's are for adults?

After 9 these venues all become more adult, but before then, there's nowhere in CityWalk inappropriate for children.

 

[SleepingMonk]

I agree, sounds like the guy ran by the restaurants on his way to the park and never actually went inside.

Margaritaville alone has 51 food items on the menu, only 7 of those are burgers.