There is so much to see and do in this area of Orlando. Currently, the International Drive (I-Drive) area is host to five parks, over 100 hotels, 200-plus restaurants, three entertainment complexes with three stadium-style movie cinemas, over 500 stores, and the home of the second-largest convention center, which will soon be the number one largest convention center. Future plans include adding more glitz to make this a strip like the one found in Las Vegas. I-Drive also has an I-Ride trolley service www.iridetrolley.com that operates from 8:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. You can buy a one-day to a fourteen-day pass ranging between $3 to $16 per person. Look on the Internet for more information about International Drive at www.internationaldriveorlando.com.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

The World's Leading Supplier of Premium Outdoor Gear, this fishing and hunting superstore is located at the Festival Bay Mall. (407) 563-5200, www.basspro.com.

Café Tu Tu Tango

This café offers a dining experience unlike any other. The décor makes you feel like you are in an artist's loft. Lots of spontaneous entertainment includes dancers, artists, and a restaurant full of artwork. The starving artist menu is filled with bite-sized appetizers from around the world. It's all about sharing here. (407) 248-2222, www.cafetututango.com.

Dottie's Orlando Comedy Theater

Dottie spent eighteen years as a cruise ship director and now brings an early comedy show suitable for families and a late-night comedy show suitable for adults. Popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, soft drinks, and beer and wine are available. There is not table service in the theater; however, you can bring your purchased snacks in with you. (407) 226-3680, www.dottiesorlando.com.

Festival Bay Mall

This unique shopping area on International Drive features over sixty specialty stores, eleven dining destinations, and exciting entertainment venues. This is where you'll find Bass Pro Shops, Ron Jon Surfpark, Sheplers Western Wear, indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, a skate park, and the Cinemark theater. (407) 351-7718, www.shopfestivalbaymall.com.

Florida Mall

Features more than 250 specialty stores and connected to an Adam's Mark Hotel. (407) 851-6255, www.shopsimon.com.

Hard Rock Café

This is the largest Hard Rock Café in the world. It's shaped like a guitar! It's located at Universal Studios Orlando in the CityWalk entertainment complex. (407) 351-ROCK, www.hardrock.com.

Holy Land Experience

Go 2,000 years back in time to the biblical world. This museum is filled with exhibits, venues, and entertainment. It is across I-4 from the Millenia Mall at Conroy Exit 78. (407) 367-2065, www.holylandex perience.com.

Magical Midway

Filled with go-carts, bumper cars, bumper boats, thrill rides, and classic midway rides, they also have the only StarFlyer ride of its kind in the nation. The StarFlyer is a chair that reaches heights of over 230 feet in the air at 54 mph. (407) 370-5353, www.magicalmidway.com.

Makahiki Luau at SeaWorld

SeaWorld's Seafire Inn celebrates with a Polynesian festival filled with exotic tastes and entertainment. 1-800-327-2424.

McDonald's

Okay, you're probably wondering why McDonald's is in this book. Well, this isn't just any old McDonald's. This is the World's Largest McDonald's! This huge three-story building has an elevator, over fifty arcade games, a puppet show, gift shop, 25,000 feet of twisty tubes to play in, a 60-foot slide, games, and prizes. Just take the Sand Lake/International Drive Exit off I-4 (75A) and you can't miss it!

Mall at Millenia

This is the newest and most prestigious indoor mall located in between downtown Orlando and International Drive. It features state-of-the-art technology with a focus on airy natural surroundings. Anchor stores are Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus. The mall is open Monday through Saturday, between 10:00 A.M. and 9:30 P.M., and on Sundays, between 11:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. It's located right off of Exit 78 of I-4 at 4200 Conroy Road in Orlando. (407) 363-3555, www.mallatmillenia.com.

Peabody Ducks

One of the things that the Peabody hotel is known for is its traditional and world-famous duck march on the red carpet. The duck march can be seen at 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. daily. Between 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. the ducks splash around in a marble fountain, then at 5:00 P.M. they march to their penthouse via the elevator. (407) 352-4000, www.peabodyorlando.com.

Pirate's Dinner Adventure

Pirate's Dinner Adventure dinner show puts you and your family right in the middle of all of the swashbuckling action. If you are attending with children, the absolute best way to experience the Pirate's Dinner Adventure is to purchase the $20 upgrade for each person in your group. With the prices being $55 per adult and $34 per child (ages three to eleven), the $20 upgrade can seem like the cost of a WDW park admission, but you and your group will have front-row seats. Your child or children will have guaranteed participation in the show and all will be given extra items like a pirate hat, flags, beads, and so much more. There is also a $10 upgrade that gives the possibility of show participation, but does not guarantee it. This upgrade gets you a seat in the second to third rows and headbands. As you enter the preshow area there are complimentary appetizer stations all around the room. There are many gift shops, face — painting stations, three bars, and a fortune-telling gypsy. If you decide not to purchase the upgrade, the best color tickets/seats to buy are orange or red; however, if you have children with you, you will still hear them complain and ask why do those kids “down there” (front row) have hats and get to be in the show? Reservations are recommended. (407) 248-0590, www.pirates dinneradventure.com.

Pointe Orlando

Pointe Orlando features an open-air unique mix of shops, eateries, and entertainment venues with a tropical flair. They offer a “Food and Flick” ticket that allows patrons to enjoy dinner at select restaurants and enjoy a movie at Muvico Pointe 21 Theaters all for $20. Visit them online to obtain a discount booklet. (407) 248-2838, www.pointeo rlandofl.com.

Putting Edge

Wow! This miniature golf course is glow-in-the-dark! Great fun for all ages. (407) 248-0700, www.putting-edge.com.

Race Rock

A full-service motor sports — themed restaurant packed with rare racing memorabilia from all forms of motor sports! Race Rock is a sight and sound experience with over thirty video monitors and interactive simulators depicting the world of racing while you dine on monster-size portions of fantastic food. You never know what racing legend might be making a pit stop at Race Rock! (407) 248-9876, www.racerock.com.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

See, hear, and experience a museum full of the strange, wacky, and totally outrageous. Make sure that you use the restroom before entering the maze or you will have to return to the beginning. Admission: $15.95 (adults) and $10.95 (kids). (407) 363-4418, www.ripleysorlando.com.

Ron Jon Surfpark

This is the first Surfpark in the world. There's a Pro Surf Pool, a Training Pool, and a Bodyboarding Pool. It also has many food, drink, shopping, and entertainment venues in a one-of-a-kind setting. Look for it at the Festival Bay Mall on International Drive. www.ronjonsurfpark.com.

Sheplers Western Wear

This store has the largest selection of Western wear in the world. This also happens to be the only Sheplers in the state of Florida. (407) 563-1063, www.sheplers.com.

Skull Kingdom

This “haunted family attraction” is a fun-filled haunted mansion, complete with live actors and special effects. A magic dinner show is presented nightly for an additional admission fee. They offer day and night shows as well. The night show offers “The Chamber of Magic Show” with complimentary pizza, soda, beer, and wine. The day show is $9 per person and the night magic dinner show is $20 per adult and $16 for children seven and under. (407) 354-1564, www.skullkingdom.com.

Skyventure

This is an awesome skydiving wind tunnel that allows non-experienced and experienced skydivers alike to experience the thrill of skydiving without jumping out of a plane. Instead, riders fly on a 120-mile-per-hour column of air. It is an experience that you will never forget! Appropriate for ages three and up. The cost is around $30 per person. The extra $20 purchase of a DVD of you in flight is worth the price! (407) 903-1150, (800) SKY-FUN1, uwww.skyventure.com.

Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Shows

You'll be kept on the edge of your seat as you enjoy a delicious dinner and dessert with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. All shows are two to two and a half hours of scripted mystery, improvisation, and audience participation. Watch for anything suspicious, interrogate the suspects, and help solve the crime! (407) 363-1985, www.sleuths.com.

Titanic: Ship of Dreams

This museum is designed primarily for teens and adults. Guests are given real Titanic passenger names and actors tour you through a replica of the ship. At the end you find out if you've survived or not. The exhibit features over 200 priceless artifacts from the Titanic as well as multimedia documentaries and interactive exhibits that retell the story of this ill-fated cruise ship. Highly recommended for Titanic lovers. (407) 248-1166 ext: 3103, www.titanicshipofdreams.com.

Wet 'n Wild

This water park features all sorts of water slides, pools, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. Filled with thrill rides, multiperson rides, kids rides, and relaxing water rides. Don't miss the Black Hole, Disco H2o, the Storm, or Bomb Bay. Wet 'n Wild also offers a huge video arcade. In the summer, this water park stays open until midnight and provides a band. Prices are around $30 per child and $35 per adult. Wet 'n Wild is in association with Universal Studios, so if you plan to visit Universal ask about special tickets that may include Wet 'n Wild and Universal Studios to save the most money. (407) 351-1800, www.wetnwild.com.

WonderWorks

This high-tech arcade and entertainment center offers a variety of cutting-edge arcade games, virtual reality attractions, and motionsimulator rides. Also featured is what WonderWorks calls the world's largest Laser Tag Arena and a virtual reality attraction that allows guests to “create” their own virtual roller coaster and then ride it. Look for the upside-down building on International Drive and you've found it! A magic dinner show is presented nightly (for an additional admission fee). (407) 351-8800, www.wonderworksonline.com.