New theme park attractions
Orlando's theme parks have experienced unprecedented growth over the past five years, with groundbreaking expansions including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, Pandora - The World of AVATAR and the new Volcano Bay water park. The thrills continue in 2019, with new lands, rides and immersive experiences to excite first-time and return visitors alike.
New Immersive Lands
1. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a new area at Disney's Hollywood Studios, due to open at the end of 2019. Set on the remote planet Batuu, the area will feature two exclusive attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, putting guests in the cockpit of the famous spaceship, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where an escape from the First Order turns into an all-out battle.
2. A new Sesame Street-themed area at SeaWorld Orlando is scheduled to open in spring 2019. Guests will be able to explore the iconic neighborhood, including the famous 123 stoop, thrill rides, the park's first parade, beloved characters and interactive experiences.
3. The Lego Movie World debuts at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in spring 2019, with three new attractions based on the 2014 film: Unikitty's Disco Drop, Battle of Bricksburg and The Lego Movie Masters of Flight, a unique 180-degree attraction with more 4D Elements such as smells and water sprays.
Thrilling rides and attractions for the whole family
4. A brand new roller coaster ride is coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Replacing what was previously the "Dragon Challenge" roller coaster, it is expected to be one of the most themed roller coaster experiences Universal Orlando has ever created.
5. New family thrill ride, KareKare Curl at SeaWorld's Aquatica offers the public a high adrenaline, light-hearted adventure as they "climb" a vertical wave wall.
6. The first Mickey-themed attraction, "Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway", will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Visitors will enter the world of the "Mickey Mouse" cartoon shorts using new technologies to bring the cartoon world to life.
7. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, a live show that will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in early 2019, will feature the beloved characters from the Cars film series.
New adventures beyond the parks
8. Dezerland Action Park, Orlando's largest indoor entertainment, events and museum complex, will offer 800,000 square feet of family entertainment. In 2019, the Orlando Auto Museum, one of the largest private car collections in the world, will open [where Artegon was located on International Dr.] as part of the first phase. The 250,000-square-foot experience will feature more than 100 cars from TV and Film, including dynamic displays of Hollywood cars, James Bond 007, Batmobiles, Vespa Scooters, Military and Micro Cars.
9. Wild Florida is expanding by more than six times its size to add a zip line and safari drive-through, bringing visitors up close to giraffes, warthogs and other exotic animals.
10. Epic Axe Throwing is the first of its kind in Orlando, a rustic "sport" open to anyone over the age of 13. Guests will have coaches on hand to teach them the art in a safe environment, for a unique experience in a new competitive attraction. It opened at the end of 2018.
New resorts and hotels
With record visitation numbers and newly added attractions, Orlando's accommodation continues to experience significant growth. By the end of 2019, Orlando is expected to add approximately 6,000 new rooms.
11. The Disney Riviera Resort, the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, is due to open in the fall of 2019, with a rooftop restaurant overlooking the nightly shows at Disney's Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The resort will be part of the new Disney Skyliner gondola line, connecting the hotel to three other properties at Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
12. The Surfside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort will open in the summer of 2019, the first of two new hotels that will make up Universal's Endless Summer Resort. The hotels, with rates starting at $100 per night, will offer guests a more affordable on-site experience while maintaining the advantages of Early Park Admission and transportation throughout the resort.
13. Margaritaville Resort Orlando is due to open in early 2019. The waterfront resort will have 175 rooms, 1,000 Margaritaville-themed vacation homes and 300 timeshare units. The resort will also include a dining and entertainment district, a 12-acre water park, wellness center, miles of fitness trails and a water cab system.
New gastronomic entertainment
From international celebrity chefs to local culinary superstars, Orlando's dining scene continues to reinvent itself, pleasing different palates and financially conscious families. That's why Orlando is among the 10 best food cities in America, according to Wallethub.com.
Tourism District
14. Disney Springs welcomes The NBA Experience, a state-of-the-art restaurant filled with interactive games, and the City Works Eatery and Pour House, which will serve 80 types of beers straight from the kegs, favorite American appetizers and live sporting event broadcasts on high-definition TVs.
15. Pointe Orlando, an outdoor dining and entertainment complex on International Drive, hosts The Hampton Social, themed around New York's coastal resort region, and Lotus Asia House, which serves pan-Asian cuisine inspired by street vendors.
16. The Orlando Forum's ROCK Dinner Show is a unique dining and entertainment experience that takes audiences of all ages through a high-energy musical journey of the kings of Rock and Pop - from Prince to Elvis to Katy Perry. It opened at the end of 2018.
Downtown Orlando and Winter Park
17. From the owners of the local favorite and nationally recognized bakery, Se7en Bites, comes Sette, a rustic Italian kitchen offering pasta made from scratch.
18. The operators of one of Orlando's most popular vegetarian restaurants, Sanctum Café, are bringing this new concept to Winter Park, Proper & Wild, serving plant-based dishes that focus on modern food trends.
19. The District GastroBar, a sophisticated new restaurant and bar inspired by Orlando's African-American music scene of the mid-20th century, will feature an outdoor patio, a beer garden and a menu with a Caribbean twist.