November offers Orlando residents and visitors delicious opportunities for thankfulness

The holiday season is upon us—and while 2020 hasn't given us too many reasons to celebrate, as cooler temperatures roll in and the smell of cinnamon fills the air, spirits can't help but be lifted. The holidays this year may look a bit different than they have in the past, but businesses throughout Orlando are finding ways to provide special seasonal experiences that are sure to provide comfort and cheer. 

Rosen Shingle Creek's Exquisite Thanksgiving Day Dining

11/20/2020-11/26/2020

Looking to break away from the monotony with a five-star experience for you and your co-celebrators? Rosen Shingle Creek's immersive and complete Thanksgiving Day dining and stay offerings are perfect for establishing new holiday traditions in the most luxurious of ways. 

The Thanksgiving Day menu has been created by Executive Chef Jorge Oliveira and his team—this year, with three equally safe and spectacular dining options to choose from. Guests who want endless options may opt for the buffet, while those who feel more comfortable dining at home can pre-order a feast to be picked up via the hotel's contactless takeout option. Those looking to find a happy medium can take advantage of the intimate family meal option that allows them to feast in one of the hotel's suites. The hotel is also offering a "Big-Four Pre-Thanksgiving Day" package, in which four guests can enjoy four days living the lap of luxury at a AAA Four Diamond hotel at a discounted rate. 

Rockin' Thanksgiving at Hard Rock

11/26/2020

Those who are craving a Thanksgiving experience that is a little more hardcore will enjoy Rockin' Thanksgiving, where classic holiday favorites will be served—alongside sweet and festive indulgences like pumpkin pie and espresso martinis. Be sure to reserve your spot for this popular one-day-only event before they fill up, so that you can fill up—your plate, that is. 

2020 Holiday Dining at Tapa Toro

Options available through 12/31/2020

The possibilities are endless with Tapa Toro's many Thanksgiving Day dining options. From 10:30AM to 3PM, guests can partake in bottomless brunch without ever leaving the safety of their table. As you dine on mouth-watering options ranging from Chicken & Churros to Vegetable Paella, you'll be entertained by the famous Tapa Toro Flamenco dancers. Spaces are limited, so pre-booking is required. 

 

Following brunch, a 4PM to 10PM Valencia family-style dinner service will be available at a special holiday rate, including appetizers, a main course, and—of course—first-class entertainment! Again, reservations are required as spaces are limited! 

While you may regret missing out on the complete dinner-and-a-show dining experience—opting for a to-go feast has its perks, too. Curl up on the couch and enjoy Tapa Toro's famous sangria without having to worry about a drive home after. The family take-home special serves 4-6, and while it may not be the traditional Thanksgiving meal, it is sure to please!

2020 Holiday Dining at Taverna Opa

Options available through 12/31/2020

 

We'd be remiss to neglect to include the unique Taverna Opa Thanksgiving experience on this list! If turkey is a little too on the nose for you, opt for lamb instead and enjoy a satisfying Greek feast, complete with belly dancing. Be sure to make a reservation to ensure you don't miss out on this amazing 3-course experience that finishes with delicious loukoumades (Greek donuts). Need we say more? 

Curbside catering pickup is also available from 12PM to 6PM, and if you need an incentive to celebrate at home, if you spend $200 or more, you'll receive a free bottle of wine with your to-go order! 

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate, even in the bizarre year that 2020 has turned out to be—take advantage of some of these incredible feast options throughout Orlando and raise a glass to good food and good people!

Universal Orlando Haunted Houses

In lieu of a full HHN30 this year, Universal Orlando has made the choice of opening a few daytime haunted houses... at no additional costs.

1) The Bride Of Frankenstein 

2) Revenge of the Tooth Fairy 

The wait times were, well there were no wait times. Not only did we walk straight into the houses, we were kept 6 feet apart the whole time... and we weren't rushed.

The extra time to take in all the details, and seeing no one in front of you, made the houses that much more enjoyable AND SCARY.

What's New on I-Drive: Halloween Activities

Traditional Orlando Hallween events that have been drawing crowds from all over for decades may be out of the picture this year, but Halloween itself is definitely not cancelled—and creative professionals are rallying together to create safe ways to get spooky in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights has been cancelled for the first time in its 30 years of existence, but fans can still get their fix through two new haunted houses that the park is debuting this year: Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy. Regular admission to the park will allow guests to experience the houses’ horrors, and for the first time, guest costumes are encouraged as trick-or-treating and scavenger hunts will be taking place throughout the park. 

If you’re a horror purist and all you’re looking for is scares—sans other theme park offerings—you may be interested in a unique new experience from the minds of two Orlando horror legends: Patrick Braillard and Kim Gromoll, who have been designing spooky experiences for Halloween Horror Nights attendees for years. Orlando Forum of Fear (located at 6362 International Dr, Orlando) debuts October 1 and hopes to deliver a terrifying socially-distant experience that is not for the faint of heart. 

Orlando Forum of Fear will offer two unique experiences—from a haunted pathway filled with frights around every corner to a haunted dinner that will leave you shaking. “Tunnel of the Damned” will feature nearly 500 feet of terror that will switch out twice throughout the month of October to encourage guests to return for new frights. Over twenty masked actors will be scattered throughout, ready and waiting to terrorize attendees from six feet away to guarantee the safety of all involved and adhere to CDC recommended social-distance guidelines. 

The Dark Séance offers guests a never-before-seen experience that will shock your senses while you feast on a five-star meal by two Orlando greats: Chef Chuck Cobb from Git-N-Messy (who appeared on Live with Kelly & Michael) and Se7en Bites’ Chef Trina Gregory-Propst.  

In a Victorian Séance Room, a medium—aptly named “Clair Voyant”—will open a gateway to the other side, welcoming lost souls to engage with guests in a truly unsettling and unforgettable experience. Guests will be seated at private tables and the room will maintain 50% capacity—to allow space for the departed guests who will join when the gateway is opened. 

While both of these experiences are only recommended for those aged 13 and up, the Forum of Fear will also offer select nights during which children can enjoy the spooks at a less intense level from 5 to 7 p.m. 

True horror fans can’t go wrong with any of these experiences that are sure to safely scratch the scary itch and get your heart pounding even in these weird times… You may even say they’ll scare the masks off of you!

International Drive In Orlando

International Drive

or I-Drive is a popular tourist destination in Orlando Florida. Filled with many hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, theme parks and other commercial complexes, this is an excellent place to spend quality time with your family as well as friends. The entire drive covers a distance of 14.5 miles and is partly in Orlando and partly in Orange County, with a recent addition to the drive extending it to Osceola County.

International Drive in Orlando is extremely popular amongst tourists as well as business travelers. Over the recent years, there is a marked increase in the number of British tourists visiting I-Drive, seeking places to stay as well as enjoying a visit to the popular tourist attractions. The main reason for this popularity is the huge array of hotels and resorts that are available on the Drive. These offer over 30,000 rooms, which can house several people. Each hotel or resort comes loaded with all kinds of amenities, including certain luxurious ones, guaranteed to transform your holiday into a dream come true

Apart from the wide range of hotels, I-Drive is home to several commercial establishments, including designer stores and outlets, spas, well known restaurants and pubs, entertainment areas and the like. So, whether you want a stint at the spa or just want to browse through the many designer outlets, you can do so without having to move farther than the Drive. Similarly, the Drive is high on restaurants that serve all kinds of cuisine, making it a truly delectable journey for the real foodie.

Moreover, the presence of six world renowned theme parks within the Drive makes it a great place for family vacations. Aquatica Sea World's Water Park, Sea World Discovery Cove, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Wet n Wild are some of the most important theme parks situated within the Drive. These theme parks are known for their fun, frolic and adventure, which can transform simple holidays into exciting and memorable ones.

For those who love outdoor sports or adventure oriented holidays, International Drive in Orlando offers several options. Whether it is swimming with the dolphins at the Discovery Cove or taking to the sky with Air Florida Helicopter Charters for an aerial view of the Drive, you can do all this and more at the Drive.

What's more, the various theme parks have several varieties of entertainment that cater to different age groups. This makes it really easy when going on a vacation with your family or friends. In simple words, you will definitely find something to catch your interest, irrespective of what they are. In fact, people believe that you can have a holiday of your lifetime.

So, if you are thinking of going on a holiday and are wondering about the destination, plan a visit to I-Drive and you will surely have a time full of fun and frolic.

Don't Forget: It's Mardi Gras At Universal Orlando

The sun is shining, the weather is hot, and the fun is underway at Universal Studios Orlando.

If you are on your way to Orlando, don't forget to check our Mardi Gras!

Here is a link to Universal Studios website for more info: https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Mardi-Gras

Orlando Continental Plaza Hotel: Good Value At Under $40/night.

I've stayed at many hotels, some far nicer than the Continental Plaza hotel, but there are a few reasons that I keep going back to this hotel:

1) The price. It is usually the least expensive hotel on I-drve

2) The location. It is directly across the street from Wet N' Wild, and a short walk to Universal Studios.

3) Though it is dated, it is kept relatively clean.

4) A Walgreens steps away. Get snacks, supplies, and everything you need...all in the same driveway.

5) Fridge included.

6) I-Ride trolley stops out front.

7) Free wifi.

8) Free theme park shuttles.

It's hard to argue with good-value, so if you can get past the fact that the hotel is dated, and that is not as 'classy' as some hotels, you just may have money left over to enhance your trip.

Check Out Our New Forum

Check out or new forum to leave reviews, or to read reviews on all things International Drive.

InternationalDriveInOrlando.com/Forum