02 JAN 2019: It’s not surprising that when visitors count reasons to visit Orlando, the list barely breaks three: Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. After all, even tourism types from the central Florida city call it “Theme Park Capital of the World.”
With this is mind, Visit Orlando has playfully come up with 19 reasons to visit the city in 2019. To be sure, some of them relate to the world-famous theme parks – how could they not? – but others aim to inspire visitors to discover other experiences in the area, including all-new places to stay, play and dine.
Here, then, are their 19 reasons to visit Orlando in 2019:
THEME PARKS
Orlando theme parks have experienced unprecedented growth within the past five years, with ground-breaking expansions including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Pandora – The World of AVATAR and brand-new waterpark Volcano Bay. The thrills continue in 2019 with brand-new immersive lands, rides and experiences to excite both first-time and return visitors.
1. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, opens late-fall 2019. Set on the remote planet Batuu, the area will feature two signature attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, putting guests in the cockpit of the famous space ship, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where an escape from The First Order turns into all-out battle.
2. A new Sesame Street-themed land at SeaWorld Orlando is scheduled to open in spring 2019. Guests can explore the iconic neighborhood, including the famous 123 stoop, exciting rides, the park’s first-ever 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 rotating theatre attraction with additional 4D elements such as smells and water sprays.
4. An all-new roller coaster thrill ride is coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Replacing what was once the “Dragon Challenge” double coaster, it is expected to be one of the most highly-themed coaster experiences that Universal Orlando has ever created.
5. New family thrill ride, KareKare Curl at SeaWorld’s Aquatica offers riders a high-adrenaline, weightless adventure as they “climb” a vertical wave wall.
6. The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway,” will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will enter the world of “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies to bring the flat cartoon world to life.
7. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a live show opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in early 2019, will feature beloved characters from the Cars movie series.
BEYOND THE PARKS
8. Dezerland Action Park, Orlando’s largest indoor entertainment, events museum complex, will offer 74,300 sq. m. of family entertainment. In 2019, the Orlando Auto Museum, one of the largest privately-owned collection of automobilia in the world, will open as part of phase one. The 23,225 sq. m. experience will boast over 100 TV and Movie Cars, including dynamic displays of Hollywood Cars, 007 James Bond, Batmobiles, Vespa Scooters, Military and Micro Cars.
9. Wild Florida is expanding by more than six times its size to add a zipline and drive-through safari, bringing visitors nose-to-snout with giraffes, wild boars 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 new attraction with a competitive “edge.” It opened in late 2018.
RESORTS & HOTELS
With record-setting visitation numbers and new attractions, Orlando accommodations continue to experience significant growth. By the end of 2019, Orlando is expected to add approximately 6,000 new rooms.
11. Disney Riviera Resort, the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, is expected to open fall 2019 complete with a rooftop restaurant with views of both Epcot’s and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ nighttime spectaculars. The resort will be part of the new Disney Skyliner gondola line, connecting the hotel along with three other properties to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
12. Surfside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort will open in summer 2019, the first of two new value hotels that will make up Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. The hotels, with rates starting at US$100 per night, offer guests a more affordable on-site experience while keeping the perks of Early Park Admission and resort-wide transportation.
13. Margaritaville Resort Orlando is expected to open early 2019. The waterfront destination resort will feature 175 rooms, 1,000 Margaritaville-themed vacation homes and 300 timeshare units. The resort will also include a dining and entertainment district, a 4.85-hectare water park, wellness centre, kilometres of fitness trails and a destination water taxi system.
FOOD
From international celebrity chefs to local culinary superstars, Orlando’s food scene continues to reinvent itself, catering to both distinguished palates and cash-conscious families.
14. Disney Springs welcomes The NBA Experience, a state-of-the-art restaurant, complete with interactive games, and City Works Eatery and Pour House, which will serve 80 beers on tap, shareable American favourites and live sporting events broadcasts on high-definition TVs.
15. Pointe Orlando, an outdoor dining and entertainment complex on International Drive, welcomes The Hampton Social, themed after the New York coastal resort region, and Lotus Asia House, serving Pan-Asian cuisine inspired by street food vendors.
16. The Orlando Forum’s ROCK Dinner Show is a one-of-a-kind, dining and entertainment experience that brings 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 in late-2018.
17. From the owners of local favourite and nationally recognized bakery Se7en Bites, comes Sette, a rustic Italian kitchen offering pastas 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 new upscale restaurant and bar, inspired by Orlando’s mid-20th century African-American music scene, will feature an open-air patio, beer garden, and a menu with Caribbean flare.