Those Saturday night car shows and music are worth the time and effort. And the open-air restaurant right in the middle of it all makes for a fun evening. I've made it a point to stop in on more than a few vacations to the area.
Yes, it is and when the old cars are there. My cousin took me and all our kids one year after Thanksgiving. It was nice, the kids had a good time. I liked it way better than Coney Island in Bklyn nyc
The sad thing is all those abandoned businesses. They will keep building new retail and restaurants while those buildings sit. What a waste of resources.
It is a tradition in our family to travel to Old Town. Old Town and Fun Spot really lights up on Friday and Saturday nights. Old Town has a vintage car show on those nights. I know back in the 90s and Early 2000s 192 used to be a jumping highway but since then, it has gone down. They have actually just recently started bringing it back to life.
Yes, I watched that movie one bored Friday night looking for something to watch and I made my husband drive away to find the hotel when we came to Disney for the first time back in October 😂 the movie borders dumb but funny lol
Dev - I am so glad you finally got over to Old Town. My family and I just love that place. It’s one place we definitely goto when we come to Orlando and we hangout with our family in Kissimmee area on a Saturday night. We just have a good time.
I’m glad you did this video We stayed in the Margaritaville Villa It was amazing everything about it. The villas are amazing decorated to a tea the services they provide in there with the pool and the amenities, the spa and the sunset walk that’s attached at night they do a nightly car show on the weekends, still walkers, fireworks all sorts of stuff. We really enjoyed our stay I highly recommend you stay in Margaritaville villas. It was amazing one of our best visits to Orlando .
Orange world is a must do whenever you go to Disney World or universal! So glad you gave them some love! Also, I am going to the medieval times in Chicago this summer, I can’t wait! I’m taking my baby I want to see if she’s mind blown by all the horses and the knights in the armor and what not. Either way it’s always a fun time. Glad to see that it’s still there in Orlando. I know the Dixie stampede wasn’t long lived out there, dinner shows like that are a dying breed for sure.
We stayed at Star Island on Hwy 192 back in 2017. It was a nice place to stay and would stay again if needed. We didn't do much exploring out on 192 and that started my love for going visiting Universal Orlando Resort. We took my nieces and nephews to Fun Spot one night since it was cheaper to take four kids there instead of Disney or Universal. They enjoyed it. I also couldn't not visit the Wizard gift shop 😅
You should check downtown Kissimmee . You can take the sunrail right into downtown and walk around. Some really nice places to eat, shop and enjoy strolling around lakefront park. If you want to drive there is plenty of free parking. You stopped too soon!
Well Dev, I spend quite a bit of time in that area and yes 192 east of highway 4 is sketchy at best. As you said not everywhere over there but I stay on my toes. Now 192 west of highway 4 seems to be a different world. Very busy and they’ve had money poured into the area over the past 10 years. I can only guess that money will eventually make it across the highway!!
lol your cover photo is so funny lol. But thank you for the Patreon member shout out. So on 192… I like the whole Sunset Walk area by Margaritaville area.. and they are a lot of places to eat in that area too. They are fixing up a lot of areas on that side of 192 because of a huge investment.. there soon will be a huge resort area on that side too. I like the Food truck world.. it’s two of them one across from Old Town and the other is behind the Orange World. I like about 20 mins from that area and at night time it’s not that bad. The motels etc definitely look sketchy on the old town side and toward Medieval times. I would never stay over there. But Celebration area is very nice of course. You could come back and do a food review of 192.. that would be different
Yes keep doing these videos. I have lived in Florida most of my life and I live about an hour south of Disney. I love seeing new content from places around central Florida so keep doing these. There's a lot more to Central Florida than just the parks. Thanks for all your hard work!
I just stayed at that Margaritaville Resort in late February 2024 on 192 and it was very nice. Love that shopping area just outside with the Ford's Garage. The pools in the resort are pretty awesome and situated to get the best of the daytime sun all day and evening. Thumbs up to the Tiki Bar staff out there. Nice that it's close to the toll road to take you out to I-4 quick and easy. I had not been to the Kissimmee area since 2015 and was pleasantly surprised how tidy it was, combined with a wide variety of shopping and restaurants. I walked the whole dining district near that Fins Up Rd and the Slingshot outside of Margaritaville a few nights I was not busy and I'd definitely come back. I think you did a super job with the video.
Thanks for the video. We have been staying on the Westside of 192 regularly for the past few years. We take 429 from that area to Universal to bypass I4 traffic. We also go straight into Disney Property when we stay around there. On the video you missed the Food Truck Plaza across from Old Town. Some of the trucks have real good food. At Margaritaville, Estefan's Kitchen is the former Disney Springs Bongos, renamed and relocated to Margaritaville. Great food, and live Music on weekends.
Thanks for the tour of 192. I haven’t driven down in that area in like at least 15 years or so! What a return to memory Lane. It is such a shame that so many businesses have closed up and the area has deteriorated on the east. Keep doing videos like this. It is fun to see some of the sites that I haven’t seen in ages!
Honestly 192 has never been great and I’ve worked in tourism since 1998 . The Sunset strip area though and water park is a huge improvement and it’s really busy on a night with a good safe fun atmosphere
Thanks for sharing. 192 HWY is still well maintained and beautiful roadway. I stay at the West Gate Resorts and love the area. Must better deal than staying in the parks.
I’ve always loved you for your honesty and candor, a lot of CZcamsrs make everything shiny and perfect but you really show things for what they are and tell us how it is. It’s what we want!’
So back in the mid 90's we would go to 192 and get a very inexpensive motel room for like $25-$30 bucks a night. We were 17 maybe 18 and we NEVER missed going to Old Town in the evening. IT WAS FREE AND SO MUCH FUN!!! I HAVE SOME WONDERFUL MEMORIES FROM 192 and the outlet, restaurants, mini golf, etc. It saddens me to know it that it's not like it used to be. Thanks for sharing! I don't EVER REMEMBER IT BEING SHADY OR DANGEROUS IN THAT AREA. YOU MIGHT BE FREAKING PPL OUT AND DETERRING PPL FROM GIVING BUSINESS TO THOSE MOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.
We moved to Florida in 2022 and stayed at an Air BNB right by Midieval Times for a couple of months. That area is terrible for traffic and you definitely see some things. Now we live in the Four Corners area and I drive 192 daily to take my daughter to school. I drive by some of these places but have never stopped so thanks for the tour!
Forgot the KeKe's over by Texas roadhouse on that side. I'm so glad it's closer to Disney now. Margaritaville side is trying to do better, and it shows. Was there just 2 weeks ago. Agree with you on the west side being better.
My wife and myself live about 45 min away south and we always stop or stay there if we are going to Disney. There are a lot of hidden gems and of course it will be dead on a Tuesday at 1pm lol. Once it starts getting after 4pm it starts to get more traffic. Ole town has a lot of events at night. If you continue to go further down irlo Bronson it does have more sketch hotels and it wasn’t like that 30 years ago but it will have a resurgence like anything else. As Long as you stay by old town if you goto Disney if you are not stating on property you are good. Keep up the content.
Being in the UK I love watching your videos because I get nostalgia for instance I've been in the giant wizard gift store I've completely forgotten about it I've not been to Florida since 2014 but in 2009 our 4-year-old had a rare cancer of the right eye and had his eye removed and we ended up being sent to give kids the world and it was absolutely amazing, for me the amazing thing was unlimited ice cream even though it was sad to actually be there because of our sun being ill it's an experience we all will never forget. Keep up with your brilliant videos I love them because it's not just in the theme parks it's around the area as well
I remember the first motel we stayed at in Orlando - on 192 somewhere close to Medieval Times, called 'Casa Rosa' First question to the ticket resellers in the lobby, 'What's that white sauce with bits in it they were serving at the breakfast buffet? ' 😆
As someone who has stayed at resorts off US192 (closer to FL429) since 2016, it has improved somewhat. There have definitely been more businesses opening up on that part of US192. I remember when Target & Dollar Tree at US192 & FL429 was brand new and the old water park next door in 2016. Margaritaville has definitely improved the area and attracted more development from restaurants to housing (especially post pandemic). On the flip side, it's sad how the parts east of the Wawa & Cheddars look kinda run down now. A lot of restaurants over there were casualties of the pandemic. There are a lot of decent resorts over there behind the main strip though. West of FL429, US192 is building up rapidly. I remember how there was pretty much nothing past the Orange Lake Resort entrance all the way down to US27. Now, that whole area is built up and growing rapidly. Not to mention that new resort/medical center next door to that Walgreens west of FL429.
We recently moved in the area where 27 and 192 meet and have explored the west side of 192 quite a bit. The Margaritaville area is great and we feel very safe while there at night on the weekends. Great places to eat and hang out and there has been a lot of live music. Would def recommend!
I don't live in Orlando but I have visited through the decades. And boy have things changed , more dramatic when you drop in every few years, more jarring. I usually stay at the amusement park hotels. But I am curious and visit the surrounding areas. It was so different in the late 90s to now. sheeesh
Hey Dev! My family and I have done the 192 strip pretty much all our lives for our family vacations. It definitely has changed sadly. I wanted too let you know if you bring your wife and kids keep an eye on them. The stores are not like they use too be, and the croud has changed. During the day your safe but at night it can be pretty scary, the bars are what brings in the money sadly too keep the place running. I have had a couple scary incidents happen there. Saturday nights are classic car night but they also have muscle cars and i belive motorcycle night. They also have entertainment on the stage too at night. Stay safe and have fun. 😁
When I was a kid we stayed at an off hotel for disney. Went to Old Town and Medievel times. Its sad that so many places are closed down. We haven't been to that area in years. I love the Orange world we always went there. I'm enjoying your different videos from the parks this is fun.
We stayed in Celebration Suites, right next to Old Town. Still a nice place with a full kitchen and space for a family of 5 for a pretty good price. It’s not the Ritz, but it was always a nice place to stay when we used to go to Disney.
Also, 192 was for Disney guests that were trying to save money, it’s cheaper food options and lodging. There aren’t really budget people going to Disney anymore. Seems like most of the Disney going people have money so they don’t need the cheap food and other options of 192
Been years since I've been to 192 area. Thanks for the tour. Will be visiting Florida again with family next year and need a different prospective other than main parks to enjoy and drive around and see. You are always so informative. Have actually stayed at the hotel right next to Old Towne. It actually used to have a gas station on hotel property that if you purchased a travel package, included gassing up your rental car for free. Those days are way long gone.
Just watched your video on my TV and decided to come over here and comment. It's ironic that you mention Rona and it's impact on 192 but also keep in mind that it actually got a double wammy being the great financial crisis of 2008 and the "lock down" of 2020. With 192 being so close to Disney, it's no surprise that it got hit hard however with its popularity I'm truly surprised at it's slow demise. Great video and thank you for bringing back memories of when my family and I lived there and enjoyed places like Olde Town. We loved that placed and frequented it every weekend.
The last time I was in that area was 2012 when I took my family of 4 to Disney. We drove 2 days to get there. We stayed in a Super 8 or something in Kissimmee. It was nicer than any hotel in that chain that we had ever encountered. We only stayed one night because we were going to stay most of our trip on Disney property. When we got there, they decreased our hotel cost to something like 39 dollars. I remember it raining after we got there and eating at a Denny's that was in front of the hotel. That was almost the cheapest room we ever had. The cheapest hotel stay I ever had was in Branson. We stayed in a privately owned hotel just right off the main strip but as close to the strip as we could be. They quoted us the price per night for our stay but when we got there and checked in, the price of our room was 29 bucks per night. I never knew about all these other places outside of Disney property really. This is probably because I have only been there 3 times and 2 out of those 3 times, we flew in and did not drive in.
I have so many memories on 192. Growing up as a kid in the late 80' early 90's..my family had timeshare at the Orange Lake Country club (now Holiday Inn, I think) . We came every summer and I remember 192 was so nice!! Even Old Town was nice!! I remember taking old time photos, the magic store, the haunted house, being able to record songs (I felt like a professional singer hahaha), and the one store that made salt water taffy and you could see the taffy being mixed in the window. The gift shops were always fun to walk around in, but I never was able to find my name on the keychains..haha!! I always loved the go karts at Old Town and I feel like there was this bumper car sort of thing but we were in a tube in the water. I don't think Fun Spot opened there until the late 90's though cause I don't remember it being there. Margaritaville is nice...it would be nice if the rest of 192 matched it...
Yeah Highway 192 isn’t what it used to be it’s sad. In the 90s and 2000s it’s was a thriving tourist area with mini golf courses and dinner shows. Also I’m surprised you’ve never been to Old Town. Yes definitely do Mortem Manor you are allowed to film. Check out the Saturday night cruise. It’s every week with a lot of classic cars and they do a parade of them.
I was born and raised in Orlando in the '70s and '80s and I had forgotten about Old Town! I used to have the best time over there, thank you for the memory!
We’ve stayed at the Holiday inn club twice that near there (I believe) it’s really nice It has a lot of amenities. If you can avoid the timeshare pitch it’s a great place to stay for the week.
Some friends and I stayed at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. It was nice. The Sunset Walk was amazing. Great night life, The shops, The bars and the restaurants were amazing. Only downside is the traffic.
I remember going to DW for a school orchestra trip many years ago and we did that mid evil dinner and show thing and remember loving it and the food was good.
The Cable Guy peaked my interest in Medieval Times. First visit was Dallas and then Orlando. We visited Old Town for the first time last October. Found some real cool full length raincoats/ponchos in the Sports memorabilia store. I agree on the Bourbon Street vibe.
I never have the time to venture over to 192 . I’m glad you showcased this but Margaritaville is still on my list to do. I don’t think I’ll head down the other way though.
A lot of good useful information , of where to stay and where not to stay. 192 in Clermont north of Even a couple of hospitals if needed. You did a good job
We like going to Kissimmee because it's cheaper than Orlando. We've stayed @ Seralago Resort numerous times that's next door. I enjoy it @ Old Town but Seralago Suites has gone downhill in the past few years. Just needs to be renovated. About the area, it is safe. I've never had a problem & it's just reasonable & good times! 😄
I love old Town. My grandparents used to take me there in the late 80's early 90's and I have taken my sone there sense he was just a little kid in the 2010's. Love it there. You need to try an evening there if you haven't yet.
There's a dinner theater called "Capones" on 192 that me and my husband went to many years ago. It's got a mobster speakeasy theme. Think "Bugsy Malone". Its really cute. I looked it up and it's still there. You should check it out.
First time I visited 192 was in 1990. Back then it was incredible. There use to be a disco/nite club with a 50’s retro feel in old town. Great memories. Sad to see the decline. Thanks for the video. I appreciate your content.
The low cost motels on 192 were a great option for poor or lower middle class families when Disney World was more affordable...but as Disney decided to focus on rich guests and middle class travelers who can't come often but save up for a dream Disney trip (who get deals at the lower priced Disney property hotels). That killed 192. In it's heyday there was only one entrance into Disney World (when Magic Kingdom was the only park on property) and 192 was the closest area off property with a convenient drive to the Disney entrance. I went to Disney World on my honeymoon in 1977 and we stayed at a Holiday Inn that was nice, reasonably priced, and very close to Disney ( it was near where Old Town is now, but OT didn't exist then). 192 is not a place where most families would want to stay anymore.
Back in 1983 I rented a room from a guy I worked with right behind Mid evil Tymes . It was just being constructed then and I heard the food was good.And eating with your hands has probably changed since then too.
192 has changed a lot in the last 10 years. My husband and I hang out on the West side of 192 for shopping and the restaurants around the Margaritaville area. When we want to escape the theme park traffic.
I lived in Orlando from 2005-2022 and I never went to Old Town or the 192 area. Traffic was terrible. As a local there are certain parts of the area you avoid at all costs unless you absolutely HAVE to go there. In fact the only times I went to Kissimmee was for a couple job interviews.
Hi! I’ve enjoyed having an annual pass for Disney for the past 10 years. I always stay on the west side of 192 because I only need a clean inexpensive place to sleep and shower before I hit the parks. I would rather spend my money on food and merchandise instead the park than on an expensive hotel room. However, I stay away from the east side of 192 because it’s down right scary!
I stayed right around the corner from that Medieval Times when I stayed in the BellaVida resort homes, the week of Halloween last year. It is nice but I can not imagine trying to navigate there without a car.
Dev awesome job on the video. I haven't been on 192 since 2014. I stayed on the west side in one of the hotels. Tourist stuff I went to was Titanic museum and CSI. It is sad about the business being gone.
As a visitor to Orlando, I have stayed on 192 near Disney a lot. I'm actually gonna be staying again in Davenport on Highway 27 in 3 weeks. The one thing that is extremely bad is the traffic, especially when I was last there in Feb 2023. I guess it was due to a lot of the snowbirds that stay in Florida during the Winter Months because the other times I visited Orlando, it was the late spring or summer months and the traffic was a little more tolerable.
Loved the video!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉. So glad the orange store is still there. I used to stay on 192 at a very nice Holiday Inn. Was a wonderful experience . I would like to see review video of International Drive . Used t be very good and nice. Keep the good work. I missed you. Meow meow 😻
Stayed at Orange Lake a few times and area round there has lots of restaurants etc. Margaritaville at night is lovely for a walk around often has bands playing
Old town is fun at night, especially classic car nights
Facts
I enjoy old town. I always stay at Celebration Suite
Those Saturday night car shows and music are worth the time and effort. And the open-air restaurant right in the middle of it all makes for a fun evening. I've made it a point to stop in on more than a few vacations to the area.
I need to check out the classic car nights for sure!
Yes, it is and when the old cars are there. My cousin took me and all our kids one year after Thanksgiving. It was nice, the kids had a good time. I liked it way better than Coney Island in Bklyn nyc
The sad thing is all those abandoned businesses. They will keep building new retail and restaurants while those buildings sit. What a waste of resources.
Medieval Times is a good time! The outward appearance belies the fun inside. It’s a well run show and a great experience for families.
Disney’s hotel building spree killed so many motels on 192. They rented for &19.95, then 29.95, then $39.95 for such a long time!
It is a tradition in our family to travel to Old Town. Old Town and Fun Spot really lights up on Friday and Saturday nights. Old Town has a vintage car show on those nights. I know back in the 90s and Early 2000s 192 used to be a jumping highway but since then, it has gone down. They have actually just recently started bringing it back to life.
Fun fact! For those who seen The Florida Project, the hotel they filmed is right by Highway 192
@harrietb3722
Yes...I think of that film every time someone shows a ride down 192. 😏
Moonie.....Scooty.... Love that movie !!!!
Yes, I watched that movie one bored Friday night looking for something to watch and I made my husband drive away to find the hotel when we came to Disney for the first time back in October 😂 the movie borders dumb but funny lol
We drove to it, even though it said no soliciting 😂🤣
I only watched that movie for William Dafoe and now I'm hooked on it. 😆
Hung out on 192 last year. No problems during the day or night..
Dev - I am so glad you finally got over to Old Town. My family and I just love that place. It’s one place we definitely goto when we come to Orlando and we hangout with our family in Kissimmee area on a Saturday night. We just have a good time.
I’m glad you did this video
We stayed in the Margaritaville Villa
It was amazing everything about it. The villas are amazing decorated to a tea the services they provide in there with the pool and the amenities, the spa and the sunset walk that’s attached at night they do a nightly car show on the weekends, still walkers, fireworks all sorts of stuff. We really enjoyed our stay I highly recommend you stay in Margaritaville villas. It was amazing one of our best visits to Orlando .
Great insight into how it's changed in 10 years. Cheers Dev.
Orange world is a must do whenever you go to Disney World or universal! So glad you gave them some love! Also, I am going to the medieval times in Chicago this summer, I can’t wait! I’m taking my baby I want to see if she’s mind blown by all the horses and the knights in the armor and what not. Either way it’s always a fun time. Glad to see that it’s still there in Orlando. I know the Dixie stampede wasn’t long lived out there, dinner shows like that are a dying breed for sure.
This brings back memories of my family staying on 192 when I was growing up.
We stayed at Star Island on Hwy 192 back in 2017. It was a nice place to stay and would stay again if needed. We didn't do much exploring out on 192 and that started my love for going visiting Universal Orlando Resort. We took my nieces and nephews to Fun Spot one night since it was cheaper to take four kids there instead of Disney or Universal. They enjoyed it. I also couldn't not visit the Wizard gift shop 😅
You should check downtown Kissimmee . You can take the sunrail right into downtown and walk around. Some really nice places to eat, shop and enjoy strolling around lakefront park. If you want to drive there is plenty of free parking. You stopped too soon!
I would like to see these exploring videos. It's interesting seeing them.
Hi Dev, enjoyed your video and hope you video Margeritaville soon. We loved Sunset walk.
We love when you explore the different areas around Orlando!
Telling people they might smell Mary Jane now days is like telling people you might see people sitting at a bar drinking.
Well Dev, I spend quite a bit of time in that area and yes 192 east of highway 4 is sketchy at best. As you said not everywhere over there but I stay on my toes. Now 192 west of highway 4 seems to be a different world. Very busy and they’ve had money poured into the area over the past 10 years. I can only guess that money will eventually make it across the highway!!
I didnt know Orange World was a thing! Thank you for showing that off! I will try to visit Orange World soon!
I am from KS and have only visited Universal so I find these types of vids very interesting.
I remember when I first moved to Kissimmee in 1983 there were motels along 192 that cost $11 a night. Those were the days!
The medieval times we’ve been there before not that location but for other states, and it’s actually really good.
lol your cover photo is so funny lol. But thank you for the Patreon member shout out.
So on 192… I like the whole Sunset Walk area by Margaritaville area.. and they are a lot of places to eat in that area too. They are fixing up a lot of areas on that side of 192 because of a huge investment.. there soon will be a huge resort area on that side too.
I like the Food truck world.. it’s two of them one across from Old Town and the other is behind the Orange World.
I like about 20 mins from that area and at night time it’s not that bad.
The motels etc definitely look sketchy on the old town side and toward Medieval times. I would never stay over there.
But Celebration area is very nice of course.
You could come back and do a food review of 192.. that would be different
Old Town Looks like a fun place. The Go Kart track reminds me of the one up at Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. 👍👍👍👍
Yes keep doing these videos. I have lived in Florida most of my life and I live about an hour south of Disney. I love seeing new content from places around central Florida so keep doing these. There's a lot more to Central Florida than just the parks. Thanks for all your hard work!
I'm surprised you didn't try the World Food Trucks on 192. That's the best part!!
I just stayed at that Margaritaville Resort in late February 2024 on 192 and it was very nice. Love that shopping area just outside with the Ford's Garage. The pools in the resort are pretty awesome and situated to get the best of the daytime sun all day and evening. Thumbs up to the Tiki Bar staff out there. Nice that it's close to the toll road to take you out to I-4 quick and easy. I had not been to the Kissimmee area since 2015 and was pleasantly surprised how tidy it was, combined with a wide variety of shopping and restaurants. I walked the whole dining district near that Fins Up Rd and the Slingshot outside of Margaritaville a few nights I was not busy and I'd definitely come back. I think you did a super job with the video.
Love the new exploring videos. I would love to see more. Thank you.
You should check out the Saturday Classic Car show at Old Town.
Thanks for the video. We have been staying on the Westside of 192 regularly for the past few years. We take 429 from that area to Universal to bypass I4 traffic. We also go straight into Disney Property when we stay around there. On the video you missed the Food Truck Plaza across from Old Town. Some of the trucks have real good food. At Margaritaville, Estefan's Kitchen is the former Disney Springs Bongos, renamed and relocated to Margaritaville. Great food, and live Music on weekends.
It was so awesome back in the 80s
Now it's a shadow of what it use to be
Thanks for the tour of 192. I haven’t driven down in that area in like at least 15 years or so! What a return to memory Lane. It is such a shame that so many businesses have closed up and the area has deteriorated on the east. Keep doing videos like this. It is fun to see some of the sites that I haven’t seen in ages!
Honestly 192 has never been great and I’ve worked in tourism since 1998 . The Sunset strip area though and water park is a huge improvement and it’s really busy on a night with a good safe fun atmosphere
Bro it’s been a dump for a while now…
Thanks for sharing. 192 HWY is still well maintained and beautiful roadway. I stay at the West Gate Resorts and love the area. Must better deal than staying in the parks.
This was awesome Dev sledgehammered that like button sharing out full watch Great video as always
That sake bar is really good and that haunted house is amazing!!
I was just in Disney and went over to 192. It has really gone downhill, I don't feel a need to go back.
Yes please explore and take us along . Thanks
Adam is going to run him out - this is his part of town 😂
I was thinking the same. Lol!!
3. Yes more videos of the area, This helps when making travel plans and where to stay. TY
I’ve always loved you for your honesty and candor, a lot of CZcamsrs make everything shiny and perfect but you really show things for what they are and tell us how it is. It’s what we want!’
So back in the mid 90's we would go to 192 and get a very inexpensive motel room for like $25-$30 bucks a night. We were 17 maybe 18 and we NEVER missed going to Old Town in the evening. IT WAS FREE AND SO MUCH FUN!!! I HAVE SOME WONDERFUL MEMORIES FROM 192 and the outlet, restaurants, mini golf, etc. It saddens me to know it that it's not like it used to be. Thanks for sharing!
I don't EVER REMEMBER IT BEING SHADY OR DANGEROUS IN THAT AREA. YOU MIGHT BE FREAKING PPL OUT AND DETERRING PPL FROM GIVING BUSINESS TO THOSE MOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.
Loved that you are exploring more areas of Florida.
We moved to Florida in 2022 and stayed at an Air BNB right by Midieval Times for a couple of months. That area is terrible for traffic and you definitely see some things. Now we live in the Four Corners area and I drive 192 daily to take my daughter to school. I drive by some of these places but have never stopped so thanks for the tour!
Forgot the KeKe's over by Texas roadhouse on that side. I'm so glad it's closer to Disney now. Margaritaville side is trying to do better, and it shows. Was there just 2 weeks ago. Agree with you on the west side being better.
My wife and myself live about 45 min away south and we always stop or stay there if we are going to Disney. There are a lot of hidden gems and of course it will be dead on a Tuesday at 1pm lol. Once it starts getting after 4pm it starts to get more traffic. Ole town has a lot of events at night. If you continue to go further down irlo Bronson it does have more sketch hotels and it wasn’t like that 30 years ago but it will have a resurgence like anything else. As
Long as you stay by old town if you goto Disney if you are not stating on property you are good. Keep up the content.
Being in the UK I love watching your videos because I get nostalgia for instance I've been in the giant wizard gift store I've completely forgotten about it I've not been to Florida since 2014 but in 2009 our 4-year-old had a rare cancer of the right eye and had his eye removed and we ended up being sent to give kids the world and it was absolutely amazing, for me the amazing thing was unlimited ice cream even though it was sad to actually be there because of our sun being ill it's an experience we all will never forget. Keep up with your brilliant videos I love them because it's not just in the theme parks it's around the area as well
I remember the first motel we stayed at in Orlando - on 192 somewhere close to Medieval Times, called 'Casa Rosa'
First question to the ticket resellers in the lobby, 'What's that white sauce with bits in it they were serving at the breakfast buffet? '
😆
Loved the exploration video! We would love it if you can do one of Sandlake and Dr. Phillips!
As someone who has stayed at resorts off US192 (closer to FL429) since 2016, it has improved somewhat. There have definitely been more businesses opening up on that part of US192. I remember when Target & Dollar Tree at US192 & FL429 was brand new and the old water park next door in 2016. Margaritaville has definitely improved the area and attracted more development from restaurants to housing (especially post pandemic). On the flip side, it's sad how the parts east of the Wawa & Cheddars look kinda run down now. A lot of restaurants over there were casualties of the pandemic. There are a lot of decent resorts over there behind the main strip though.
West of FL429, US192 is building up rapidly. I remember how there was pretty much nothing past the Orange Lake Resort entrance all the way down to US27. Now, that whole area is built up and growing rapidly. Not to mention that new resort/medical center next door to that Walgreens west of FL429.
We recently moved in the area where 27 and 192 meet and have explored the west side of 192 quite a bit. The Margaritaville area is great and we feel very safe while there at night on the weekends. Great places to eat and hang out and there has been a lot of live music. Would def recommend!
192 has many homeless people and I’m surprised that you didn’t see them at that bus stop across the motels you were by.
I don't live in Orlando but I have visited through the decades. And boy have things changed , more dramatic when you drop in every few years, more jarring. I usually stay at the amusement park hotels. But I am curious and visit the surrounding areas. It was so different in the late 90s to now. sheeesh
Hey Dev! My family and I have done the 192 strip pretty much all our lives for our family vacations. It definitely has changed sadly. I wanted too let you know if you bring your wife and kids keep an eye on them. The stores are not like they use too be, and the croud has changed. During the day your safe but at night it can be pretty scary, the bars are what brings in the money sadly too keep the place running. I have had a couple scary incidents happen there. Saturday nights are classic car night but they also have muscle cars and i belive motorcycle night. They also have entertainment on the stage too at night. Stay safe and have fun. 😁
I can't believe you've never been 🤣 Years ago it used to be good on Sunday nights.
When I was a kid we stayed at an off hotel for disney. Went to Old Town and Medievel times. Its sad that so many places are closed down. We haven't been to that area in years. I love the Orange world we always went there. I'm enjoying your different videos from the parks this is fun.
We stayed in Celebration Suites, right next to Old Town. Still a nice place with a full kitchen and space for a family of 5 for a pretty good price. It’s not the Ritz, but it was always a nice place to stay when we used to go to Disney.
Disney has helped bring down 192. As they add more accomodations, restaurants and shopping locations, there isn't as much of a need for 192.
Also, 192 was for Disney guests that were trying to save money, it’s cheaper food options and lodging. There aren’t really budget people going to Disney anymore. Seems like most of the Disney going people have money so they don’t need the cheap food and other options of 192
One of the most fun things in Orlando are Friday and Saturday classic car rallies. There's bands playing. Fun Spot is alive at night. So fun!
Been years since I've been to 192 area. Thanks for the tour. Will be visiting Florida again with family next year and need a different prospective other than main parks to enjoy and drive around and see. You are always so informative. Have actually stayed at the hotel right next to Old Towne. It actually used to have a gas station on hotel property that if you purchased a travel package, included gassing up your rental car for free. Those days are way long gone.
Just watched your video on my TV and decided to come over here and comment. It's ironic that you mention Rona and it's impact on 192 but also keep in mind that it actually got a double wammy being the great financial crisis of 2008 and the "lock down" of 2020. With 192 being so close to Disney, it's no surprise that it got hit hard however with its popularity I'm truly surprised at it's slow demise. Great video and thank you for bringing back memories of when my family and I lived there and enjoyed places like Olde Town. We loved that placed and frequented it every weekend.
The last time I was in that area was 2012 when I took my family of 4 to Disney. We drove 2 days to get there. We stayed in a Super 8 or something in Kissimmee. It was nicer than any hotel in that chain that we had ever encountered. We only stayed one night because we were going to stay most of our trip on Disney property. When we got there, they decreased our hotel cost to something like 39 dollars. I remember it raining after we got there and eating at a Denny's that was in front of the hotel. That was almost the cheapest room we ever had. The cheapest hotel stay I ever had was in Branson. We stayed in a privately owned hotel just right off the main strip but as close to the strip as we could be. They quoted us the price per night for our stay but when we got there and checked in, the price of our room was 29 bucks per night. I never knew about all these other places outside of Disney property really. This is probably because I have only been there 3 times and 2 out of those 3 times, we flew in and did not drive in.
I have so many memories on 192. Growing up as a kid in the late 80' early 90's..my family had timeshare at the Orange Lake Country club (now Holiday Inn, I think) . We came every summer and I remember 192 was so nice!! Even Old Town was nice!! I remember taking old time photos, the magic store, the haunted house, being able to record songs (I felt like a professional singer hahaha), and the one store that made salt water taffy and you could see the taffy being mixed in the window. The gift shops were always fun to walk around in, but I never was able to find my name on the keychains..haha!! I always loved the go karts at Old Town and I feel like there was this bumper car sort of thing but we were in a tube in the water. I don't think Fun Spot opened there until the late 90's though cause I don't remember it being there. Margaritaville is nice...it would be nice if the rest of 192 matched it...
Yeah Highway 192 isn’t what it used to be it’s sad. In the 90s and 2000s it’s was a thriving tourist area with mini golf courses and dinner shows. Also I’m surprised you’ve never been to Old Town. Yes definitely do Mortem Manor you are allowed to film. Check out the Saturday night cruise. It’s every week with a lot of classic cars and they do a parade of them.
I was born and raised in Orlando in the '70s and '80s and I had forgotten about Old Town! I used to have the best time over there, thank you for the memory!
We’ve stayed at the Holiday inn club twice that near there (I believe) it’s really nice It has a lot of amenities. If you can avoid the timeshare pitch it’s a great place to stay for the week.
Facts
Loving the exploring videos. We are visiting for a few weeks later in the year, and so will most likely make use of some off site areas.
Some friends and I stayed at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. It was nice. The Sunset Walk was amazing. Great night life, The shops, The bars and the restaurants were amazing. Only downside is the traffic.
I remember going to DW for a school orchestra trip many years ago and we did that mid evil dinner and show thing and remember loving it and the food was good.
You should watch the Florida Project with Willem Dafoe.
The Cable Guy peaked my interest in Medieval Times. First visit was Dallas and then Orlando. We visited Old Town for the first time last October. Found some real cool full length raincoats/ponchos in the Sports memorabilia store. I agree on the Bourbon Street vibe.
I never have the time to venture over to 192 . I’m glad you showcased this but Margaritaville is still on my list to do. I don’t think I’ll head down the other way though.
That movie The Florida Project makes me never want to go to that side of town.
It was nice to see something new.😊 Good video!
Hey Dev…. I really appreciate your honesty when having to call a spade a spade. Great work on what you do! Keep up the great and interesting content
A lot of good useful information , of where to stay and where not to stay. 192 in Clermont north of Even a couple of hospitals if needed. You did a good job
We stayed in Margaritaville in November loved it. Great hotel & Sunset Walks had plenty of restaurants, bars and live entertainment .
We like going to Kissimmee because it's cheaper than Orlando. We've stayed @ Seralago Resort numerous times that's next door. I enjoy it @ Old Town but Seralago Suites has gone downhill in the past few years. Just needs to be renovated. About the area, it is safe. I've never had a problem & it's just reasonable & good times! 😄
I really like your walking tour videos of Orlando. Please keep them coming.
I love old Town. My grandparents used to take me there in the late 80's early 90's and I have taken my sone there sense he was just a little kid in the 2010's. Love it there. You need to try an evening there if you haven't yet.
I love Old town. I love it at night. And that haunted house is the scariest thing I’ve ever been into it.
Great video Dev with good information! Really looking forward to seeing your video about Margaritaville
There's a dinner theater called "Capones" on 192 that me and my husband went to many years ago. It's got a mobster speakeasy theme. Think "Bugsy Malone". Its really cute. I looked it up and it's still there. You should check it out.
First time I visited 192 was in 1990. Back then it was incredible. There use to be a disco/nite club with a 50’s retro feel in old town. Great memories. Sad to see the decline. Thanks for the video. I appreciate your content.
Thank you for sharing your views of places to go in Orlando!😊
The low cost motels on 192 were a great option for poor or lower middle class families when Disney World was more affordable...but as Disney decided to focus on rich guests and middle class travelers who can't come often but save up for a dream Disney trip (who get deals at the lower priced Disney property hotels). That killed 192. In it's heyday there was only one entrance into Disney World (when Magic Kingdom was the only park on property) and 192 was the closest area off property with a convenient drive to the Disney entrance. I went to Disney World on my honeymoon in 1977 and we stayed at a Holiday Inn that was nice, reasonably priced, and very close to Disney ( it was near where Old Town is now, but OT didn't exist then). 192 is not a place where most families would want to stay anymore.
Back in 1983 I rented a room from a guy I worked with right behind Mid evil Tymes . It was just being constructed then and I heard the food was good.And eating with your hands has probably changed since then too.
192 has changed a lot in the last 10 years. My husband and I hang out on the West side of 192 for shopping and the restaurants around the Margaritaville area. When we want to escape the theme park traffic.
I lived in Orlando from 2005-2022 and I never went to Old Town or the 192 area. Traffic was terrible. As a local there are certain parts of the area you avoid at all costs unless you absolutely HAVE to go there. In fact the only times I went to Kissimmee was for a couple job interviews.
192 is rebounding in so many ways! So many great things happening. It is changing for the better.
Hi! I’ve enjoyed having an annual pass for Disney for the past 10 years. I always stay on the west side of 192 because I only need a clean inexpensive place to sleep and shower before I hit the parks. I would rather spend my money on food and merchandise instead the park than on an expensive hotel room. However, I stay away from the east side of 192 because it’s down right scary!
Me and the missus used love having daytime drinks at the Blue Max at Old Town. Really miss the place.
I stayed right around the corner from that Medieval Times when I stayed in the BellaVida resort homes, the week of Halloween last year. It is nice but I can not imagine trying to navigate there without a car.
Awesome B Roll & Cinematography Dev, keep it up 🔥
Dev awesome job on the video. I haven't been on 192 since 2014. I stayed on the west side in one of the hotels. Tourist stuff I went to was Titanic museum and CSI. It is sad about the business being gone.
As a visitor to Orlando, I have stayed on 192 near Disney a lot. I'm actually gonna be staying again in Davenport on Highway 27 in 3 weeks. The one thing that is extremely bad is the traffic, especially when I was last there in Feb 2023. I guess it was due to a lot of the snowbirds that stay in Florida during the Winter Months because the other times I visited Orlando, it was the late spring or summer months and the traffic was a little more tolerable.
You have the east side of 192 and you have the really east side of 192. Near the turnpike.
Loved the video!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉. So glad the orange store is still there. I used to stay on 192 at a very nice Holiday Inn. Was a wonderful experience . I would like to see review video of International Drive . Used t be very good and nice. Keep the good work. I missed you. Meow meow 😻
Is it the Holiday Inn with the lazy river? That place is NICE! But a bit too far from the parks for my taste. Great for a weekend stay though.
Stayed at Orange Lake a few times and area round there has lots of restaurants etc. Margaritaville at night is lovely for a walk around often has bands playing