Orlando's International Drive is growing yet again.
News of the world’s tallest roller coaster came first, followed by the world’s tallest drop ride.
Hungry for more?
The developers of Orlando's Skyplex announced they are now creating SkyPlaza, a new pedestrian plaza that will be home to the world's largest Perkins Restaurant & Bakery.
“As a mainstay in the market for more than 40 years, it is both fitting and exciting that this site will serve as the future home of the world’s largest Perkins Restaurant & Bakery,” remarked Jeff Warne, CEO for Perkins & Marie Callenders, in a statement.
Wallack Holdings recently purchased the land the current Perkins sits on, straddling the busy corner of International Drive and Sand Lake Road. Joshua Wallack plans to eventually bulldoze the current diner, and replace it with the world's largest Perkins in the new SkyPlaza. The SkyPlaza will sit on land where the existing Perkins rests, along with its rear parking lot.
“Now more than ever, Skyplex will offer an immersive, thrilling entertainment experience for Orlando visitors, and we have so much more in the pipeline,” Wallack said in a statement.
Along with Tuesday’s announcement, a new crop of renderings provides a hint of what the busy corner will look like in two years.
The refreshed renderings now include an elevated outdoor veranda connected to I-Drive’s sidewalk by Las Vegas-style escalators, something Wallack hopes to see more of over Sand Lake Road.
"We're looking to work with the county on some sort of pedestrian bridge strategy to allow people to walk this district safely," Wallack told News 13.
Towering above SkyPlaza will be the 570-foot Skyplex tower that will be home to the Skyscraper roller coaster and Skyfall, the world's tallest drop ride at 450 feet tall. An observation deck will sit at the very top and be accessible by the region’s tallest glass elevators, another new addition.
The complex has grown to 14 acres and is envisioned to be an indoor theme park encompassing 1.5 million square feet. Rides under cover, upscale arcades, simulators, bars and retail stores will be served by a 2,400-car parking garage. A valet parking option is planned.
The cost is also evolving for the complex. First announced in June 2014, the complex had a price tag of $200 million. During the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) annual Expo in November, Wallack revealed to News 13 the price had rose to $250 million. The cost now sits at $300 million.
“I-Drive has a brilliant future,” Wallack concluded.
Well before Wallack and his father David open the Skyplex complex in 2017, they will first inject a bit of Miami into Orlando nightlife. The pair will open a Mango’s Tropical Café in the former location of Friday’s Front Row. Mango’s will serve as a link between the new I-Drive 360 complex, home to the Orlando Eye and the Skyplex development. All three attractions will be in walking distance.