Hotels on International Drive... Safe? (Orlando, Midway: crime, outlet mall, suites)

[christine243]

It's been over 15 years since I vacationed in the Orlando area and remember staying at hotels with my family on International Drive. That area was starting to get crowded, crime ridden and unsafe in general the last time I was there. I am about to embark on another vacation and am finding some really nice hotels on/near International Drive that are economical, but I wanted to know has the area gotten better, worse or stayed the same? I'm a city person, grew up in the city and would never just "hang out" all over the street in the middle of the night anywhere (lol), however I will be with my mother, husband, and 1 year old infant and we may be coming back to the hotel late at night (coming from Disney).

What is your opinion of staying on/near International Drive and would you stay at say a Hilton on or near this major street with your family? Thanks!!

[brinkofsunshine]

For me, it would depend on what side of I-Drive. One end (south of Sand Lake Road, towards the convention center) is decidedly nicer and doesn't seem to attract the seediness of the other end (towards Wet N'Wild and the outlet mall). Also, I would look for hotels in which someone has to enter the lobby as opposed to being able to climb up stairs from the parking lot to enter the room. It also may depend on the hotel- I would feel totally safe staying at the Peabody, for instance.

[SteveChiller]

I've stayed at International Palms "Resort" (across from Magical Midway, kinda) and at Econo Lodge south of Sand Lake, I felt safe at both of those places. You needed a key to go up the elevator at International Palms. At Econo Lodge the rooms had outside access. I guess I prefer the outside access places so I can come and go without having to wait on an elevator or whatever.

[doom1001]

I have probably stayed in 2/3 of the hotels on International Drive in the last 20 years,many of them multiple times,never had a problem but I would agree that south of Sand lake rd towards the convention center is better than the north end.If you want to know about the new Hilton that opened up next to the convention center I stayed there last January and I can't see how there would be any problems in that area,if I remember that hotel had a guarded parking garage,totally safe!!

[annerk]

You'll be much safer south of sand Lake and in a hotel with interior corridors over a motel. In fact I've never heard of a room invasion at a hotel, but there have been plenty of them at the motels.

[skyygal]

Originally Posted by annerk

You'll be much safer south of sand Lake and in a hotel with interior corridors over a motel. In fact I've never heard of a room invasion at a hotel, but there have been plenty of them at the motels.

i'm staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites across from seaworld Orlando, and the adv. says "entrance from exterior corridors". But they do have 24 hr. security, does that sound like a good place? i already booked it so.... i hope so.

[doom1001]

Originally Posted by skyygal

i'm staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites across from seaworld Orlando, and the adv. says "entrance from exterior corridors". But they do have 24 hr. security, does that sound like a good place? i already booked it so.... i hope so.

You're good!!I don't think any part of International Drive is that bad,but the worst area is north of Sand Lake rd,south of Sand Lake towards the convention center to Sea World and all the way to 536 is good with the areas between Sea World and 536 less built up.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by skyygal

i'm staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites across from seaworld Orlando, and the adv. says "entrance from exterior corridors". But they do have 24 hr. security, does that sound like a good place? i already booked it so.... i hope so.

It's a very safe location. You'll be fine.

[skyygal]

thanks all!

[MAniacTHW]

The only problem I ever had at a hotel was when I stayed at Motel 6 on American. I booked a NON-SMOKING room, the lady hands me my key, I take the elevator up, smell smoke protruding from the room, slide my key in, open the door, and walk in on about 15 guys going through a drug deal. The humor kicked in when I told the lady at the counter and she tells me, "They're not supposed to be here... Can you go kick them out?" She was serious.

Outside of that, I've never had a problem with the (cheap) Orlando hotels. Even the real seedy ones.