Only in Orlando would the opening of one of the most significant additions to a theme park in years seem like yesterday’s news. But such is the entertainment whirlwind of the most visited city in the US that the much-anticipated opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World last August is already a memory as the Florida city looks ahead to a year that will resonate with new rides, rooms and restaurants.
Indeed, Visit Orlando, the city’s official tourism association, points to the evolution of the destination through “unprecedented theme park expansion,” one of the largest room booms in decades, and continued development of its international airport – not to mention a record 75 million visitors in 2018 (and more anticipated for 2019) – as evidence of the perpetual motion model of the self-described “theme park capital of the world.”
For example, in 2020, the city will add close to 6,000 more hotel rooms – the largest increase in two decades – bringing its room compliment to 132,000.
Meanwhile, MCO is building a new terminal with 19 new gates, which will allow the facility to welcome 70,000 more flights carrying 12 million passengers per year when it opens in 2021 – many of whom will undoubtedly stop in Visitor Orlando’s unique new visitor centre on International Drive.
Additionally, 2020 will see Orlando become home to the world’s tallest slingshot ride, an acoustically perfect theatre, and a new celebrity chef restaurant, amongst a host of other ribbon cuttings.
In conjunction with neighbouring Kissimmee, which bills itself as “Vacation Home Capital of the World,” providing 45,000 accommodation options that are just “a wave of the wand” away from the theme parks, here’s a snapshot of some of what’s new and notable in the central Florida mega-destination – a list that is continually being updated on the conjoined cities’ web sites:
THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World Resort:
• “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” is still fresh, having just opened in December and is the second attraction for the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway,” will also open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios March 4.
• Epcot is undergoing one of the biggest transformations of any Disney park in history, bringing a host of new attractions and experiences in 2020, including three new films debuting this week: Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 and Awesome Planet; Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, opening in summer, will “shrink” guests to the size of Chef Remy and racing them through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure; Epcot’s new nighttime spectacular, HarmonioUS, will be the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park; and, also this summer, La Crêperie de Paris, a new restaurant located in the France pavilion at Epcot, will have both table and quick-service crepe options.
Universal Orlando Resort:
• The Bourne Stuntacular, a cutting-edge live-action stunt show based on Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Bourne films, will debut in the Spring at Universal Studios Florida.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment:
• Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando, opening in Spring, dives through four launches that run both backwards and forwards and takes riders on the steepest vertical drop in Florida.
• Riptide Race at Aquatica Orlando will be Florida’s first-ever dueling water slide, featuring side-by-side racing lanes through nearly 200 metres of slide.
Legoland Florida Resort:
• 2020 is the “Year of the Pirate” at Legoland. During PirateFest Weekends, held select weekends in April and May, guests will learn to be a pirate and meet exclusive pirate characters. Also opening in April, the Pirate Water Ski Show Adventure will feature skiing acrobatics, water stunts, pirate humour, and more.
BEYOND THE PARKS
• ICON Park, located on International Drive and home to The Wheel and Starflyer attractions, will welcome more attractions in 2020, including two major thrill rides: The Orlando Slingshot will catapult guests 137 metres into the air and is set to the be the World’s Tallest Slingshot ride; and The Orlando Gyro Drop Tower will reach 120 metres, making it the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower. Riders freefall at up to 120 kph.
• Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, opening in September, will achieve an N1 sound rating – the lowest level at which humans can detect sound.
• The Orlando Science Center’s “Pompeii: The Immortal City,” runs June 6 – Sept. 7, and is one of only four US sites for the interactive exhibit.
• “Drawn to Life,” a new Cirque du Soleil show, transports guests into the world of Disney’s animation in Cirque’s signature style, opening at Disney Springs on April 17.
• Wild Florida’s recently opened 30-hectare drive-through safari park brings visitors nose-to-snout with giraffes, wild boars and other animals. The safari area will include a zipline over a grazing area.
• Old Town Kissimmee is completing its final expansion phase with the unveiling of a reimagined front plaza where visitors can dine and shop. The new area will feature Shoney’s, Bobby’s Garage Bar, Garra Spa, and four additional retail spaces.
• Pointe Orlando mall will get a $32-million makeover by summer and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets will gain a reimagined food hall, enhanced wi-fi and other amenities by the end of year.
• Revolution Off Road is introducing Archery Tag, a game of dodgeball with (modified) bows and arrows, where teams compete to steal arrows.
HOTELS & RESORTS
• JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa (photo) opens in February with 516 rooms, a Spa by JW and a rooftop terrace with nightly views of theme park fireworks.
• Universal Orlando Resort’s 2,050-room Dockside Inn and Suites opens March 17. This coastal-themed hotel is a value property, with rates starting at $76/night.
• Renovations are happening throughout Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, including all guest rooms and suites of the main resort, the lobby, and meeting and public spaces.
• StayBridge Suites-Orlando Royale Parc recently concluded a multi-million-dollar renovation which features spacious one- and two-bedroom suites, sleeping up to 10 guests. Each suite includes a fully equipped kitchen, as well as large workspace.
FOOD
• Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is a concept from Chef John Tesar, James Beard Award semi-finalist and Top Chef contestant, opening Spring.
• Ole Red, a new restaurant by country music superstar Blake Shelton, will open at ICON Park April 17 and merge southern hospitality, good food and live country music. Also coming to ICON Park later this year is Ox Grill, offering contemporary fare with steaks, pasta and a selection of international dishes.
• Camelo Pizzaria opens on International Drive in early 2020. The Brazilian thin-crust pizza place is the first location outside Brazil.
• Sixty Vines, a restaurant with Napa Valley-inspired seasonal cuisine, will open in Spring in Winter Park and offer guests 60 varieties of wine on tap.
• Norman’s will be moving to Restaurant Row. Created by celebrity chef and James Beard Award winner Norman Van Aken, the concept will open in the Dellagio Plaza this Spring.
• Kavas Tacos + Tequila at Pointe Orlando opens in September. The locally owned restaurant will feature Mexican comfort food, tequila flights and entertainment. Also opening at Pointe Orlando is The Hampton Social, themed after the New York coastal resort region.
• A.G.’s Market, a lakefront food hall opening late in the year, combines retail, beverage and food options with a second-floor seating area showcasing the theme park fireworks.
• Beatrix is opening soon at Disney Springs West Side. The neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse, and grab-and-go market features healthy food options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan along with fresh-squeezed juice cocktails.
• Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, is adding: Estefan Kitchen, a vibrant restaurant, supper club, and night club concept that will feature authentic, home-style Cuban cuisine and healthy alternatives; new Mexican concept El Jefe Tequilas and Cocinas will serve more than 200 varieties of tequila, along with south-of-the-border cuisine; Lafayette’s Fish House and Music Hall will offer fresh seafood, along with live music nightly; BB’s World Famous Barbeque will serve up delicious smoky, sweet, and everything-in-between barbeque dishes.