International Drive, Orlando...help!!

[alwayssmile]

I have booked a holiday to Orlando with Dp, Dd aged 5 and my parents. My parents and I have been 5 times, each time staying along I-drive, and we have booked to stay there again. I have been reading online about crime along the drive (whilst innocently checking out what's new) and need some reaasurance if possible! The last time we visited was in 2005 and so maybe a lot has changed. After reading certain articles however, it has left me very concerned and dubious about our upcoming trip. Has anyone been recently that could shed some light?

Thank you in advance...

I Drive is a very long road indeed.

I stayed in I Drive last Christmas (stayed south of Sandlake Road) and saw no trouble along there at all. Have stayed in that same area several times over the years without any mishap.

Use the same precautions as you would do in your own home area. If you are in a hotel use the in room safe or a safety deposit box to store your valuables.

As long as you are aware of your surroundings and do not leave your common sense at home you should be okay.

First time I went to Florida we decided to walk home from Universal Studios to I-Drive at about 9pm. We walked right into a situation of armed police surrounding a car, and searching for some people who had fled into the bushes and were believed armed too. Suddenly, a helicopter appeared overhead and got us in its searchlight. At this point police started screaming at us and we had to run across a highway away from them.

But that was in 2001 and I have been several times since with zero problems. Advice would be: if walking - don't stray off the main tourist roads at night, ditto in a car if you don't know where the rough areas are. Never seen anything remotely dodgy during the day or near/in the parks.