Canadians planning a summer getaway will find more than 20 new offerings in Orlando this summer, offering visitors experiences ranging from a new theme park and attractions to over a dozen new dining experiences and unique hotel openings.
“We know Canadians are prioritizing vacation plans to reconnect with family and friends through new experiences that create unforgettable memories, and Orlando is the perfect destination to do that,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Unique adventures await summer travellers, with the (recently opened) Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot… Peppa Pig theme park, and new acoustically remarkable performance hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.”
Continuous updates on what’s new in Orlando can be found at VisitOrlando.ca, the official visitor information source for the destination. But for now, here’s 22 new experiences for the summer of 2022:
THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration is underway, with new experiences coming to all four theme parks and beyond. Major openings include:
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion opened May 27, featuring a new storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster; and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue debuted at Animal Kingdom on June 13
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot lets guests shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure.
SeaWorld Orlando Parks & Entertainment
• Ice Breaker, SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster features four launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch with a 28-m.-tall spike with 100-degree angle, the steepest vertical drop in Florida.
• Aquatica Orlando’s newest water slide, Reef Plunge, offers eye-catching translucent cutouts and rings with twists and turn though 100 m. of fiberglass. A vibrant array of marine life, Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks and a variety of other cold-water fish are also part of the new dynamic habitat.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
• The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened at LEGOLAND Florida Resort with six charming rides, six themed playscapes, and the ultimate splash pad for “little piggies” to practice their puddle jumping. The park is also a Certified Autism Center, with enhanced ride and play accessibility features and a detailed Sensory Guide to make it easier for parents and families to plan activities safely and comfortably.
Universal Orlando Resort
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The ride features intense maneuvers sending riders catapulting up to 113 kph and over 45 m. in the air with the swiftest of prehistoric predators.
BEYOND THE PARKS
• Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opened in the heart of downtown Orlando. The facility achieves an N1 sound rating – the lowest level at which humans can detect sound.
• Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life premiered at Disney Springs. The show is a combination of Disney animation and awe-inspiring performances including 10 unique acrobatic acts.
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex opened at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The 15,000-sq.-m., multi-level attraction features a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a “journey” through space, unique launch viewing opportunities and more.
NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
• Walt Disney World‘s immersive Star Wars-themed hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser allows guests to “board” the starship Halcyon for an all-inclusive experience that puts them into the immersive world of Star Wars.
• The Tuscan-inspired, 126-room ette Hotel Orlando opened in May near Disney World. Focusing on wellness as an alcohol-free property, the hotel offers culinary experiences in partnership with Michelin Star Chef Akira Back, along with The Spa at ette, with services for everyone from the modern minimalist to the unruly naturalist.
• Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a leading-edge hotel featuring 216 guest rooms, 16 one-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites. Guests can enjoy three restaurants and bars; tech-forward amenities such as voice-automated in-room controls; a focus on holistic wellbeing including access to the world’s first Chopra Mind-Body Zone located at the nearby Lake Nona Performance Club; over 400 pieces of art and an expansive Sculpture Garden.
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort opened a 14-storey, 349-room hotel tower, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. The property – just a short walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot – features a restaurant, full-service health club, 27-m.-long pool and more.
NEW ON THE MENU
Tourist corridor
• Four Flamingos: Richard Blais Florida Kitchen opened at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The restaurant, from the Top Chef All-Stars winner, features cuisine inspired by tropical flavors and ingredients from Florida, including native fruits, vegetables, seafood and more.
• Immersion at London House by Chef Rikku Ó’Donnchü, a new boutique restaurant open to the public but located in a members-only club, features a tasting menu-only concept with a sensorial dining experience focused on science, climate change, sustainable farming and zero waste, where texture, scents and sounds are as important as taste.
• Kavas Tacos & Tequila opens at Pointe Orlando this summer with a menu paying tribute to Mexico’s rich culinary history, featuring savoury comfort food, fresh tableside experiences, and recipes hand-crafted from the freshest ingredients.
• Sloppy Joe’s, the legendary Key West saloon, opened at ICON Park, offering live music and island-inspired food and libations.
Local neighbourhoods
• The BANDBOX – Orlando’s first alcohol-free speakeasy cocktail tasting lounge and vintage shop, is now open at Ivanhoe Village in Downtown Orlando.
• AVA MediterrAegean, a new Mediterranean restaurant, and lounge, opened on Winter Park’s Park Avenue. The Greek-inspired menu features Mediterranean and Cycladic Islands cuisine and is anchored by chef Keith Bombaugh.
• The Hall on the Yard, located in downtown Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village, is a new full-service food hall delivering nine diverse culinary offerings, five curated event spaces, and three premium cocktail bars in an eclectic environment.
• The Milkhouse, located in the Milk District in downtown Orlando, is a unique dining space housing some of the most notable Central Florida Food & Beverage brands like Bagel Bruno, Foxtail Coffee Co., and Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream.