News in Orlando in 2023

In recent years, Disney has released attractions like Star Wars, Avatar, and more. Never one to be outdone, Universal even announced an entirely new park, Epic Universe, before the pandemic. So expect lots of exciting and different things to do in Florida next year. Find out what’s coming!

Tron Lightcycle / Run

Tron Lightcycle/Run, scheduled to open at Magic Kingdom theme park in the second quarter of 2023, will be one of the fastest roller coasters at any Disney park in the world. Based on Disney’s sci-fi film “TRON: Legacy,” guests will speed through a world without horizons in a thrilling race aboard their own Lightcycle, the amazing motorcycle from the franchise’s universe. The attraction already exists at Shanghai Disneyland, in China.

Happily Ever After

Also at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World announced the return of the traditional “Happily Ever After” show, which will light up the sky during the nights in the park.

A Journey of Water

A Journey of Water, inspired by the movie Moana, will open in late 2023 in World Nature, the area of Epcot dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, wonder and balance of the natural world. The all-ages attraction will allow visitors to explore and interact with the fascinating waters that flow from the sky to the oceans and back again during an incredible journey.

Universal’s Great Movie Escape

Universal’s Great Movie Escape, located at Universal CityWalks, is the first escape room to combine two state-of-the-art rooms with interactive missions, engaging narrative and intricately detailed sets inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s hit films, Jurassic World and Back to the Future. The attraction opened on December 9.

Illumination’s Villain-with Minion Blast

Illumination’s Villain-con Minion Blast will open in summer 2023 at Universal Studios Florida and will combine screens with innovative technology, next-generation interactivity and elaborate physical sets, providing a unique adventure in which guests will find themselves immersed in immersive environments, evil villains and thousands of mischievous Minions.

Pipeline – The Surf Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando’s Seventh Roller Coaster

The new attraction, The Surf Coaster, is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023 and will be the first in the world to offer immersive design elements. The attraction will transform guests’ experience into a thrilling ocean adventure, turning the roller coaster “train” into a large surfboard and allowing for several radical maneuvers.

Pirate River Quest

Legoland Florida will launch its newest attraction, Pirate River Quest, in early 2023. The family-friendly treasure-hunting adventure will be led by a pirate who will take guests through the uncharted waters of Cypress Gardens to discover the secrets that protect the channels.

Conrad Orlando at Evermore

Scheduled to open in the second half of 2023, the Conrad Orlando at Evermore will debut with 433 rooms, including 51 regular suites and 10 spacious family suites. Other features include more than 3,700 square meters of indoor meeting space, a relaxing spa, multiple dining options and an exclusive terrace experience.

New Disney Hotel

The Drury Plaza Orlando, located in the Disney Springs area, is the new official hotel of Walt Disney. It is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2023, with 604 rooms and more than 1000 square feet of meeting space. Guests will enjoy a resort-style pool, poolside dining and beverages, as well as extensive shopping, inviting dining experiences, free breakfast, transportation to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, and evening snacks and beverages. .

Cambria Hotel Orlando Universal Blvd

The Cambria Hotel Orlando Universal Blvd will be ready to welcome guests early in the year. It is located in the International Drive Resort area, close to some of Orlando’s top attractions, as well as several local shops and restaurants. The property has 118 rooms and offers amenities such as rooftop pool and lounge, state-of-the-art fitness center, sophisticated restaurant Veer Kitchen & Bar, a rooftop bar and much more.

Aloft Lake Nona

Scheduled to open in the second half of 2023, Aloft Lake Nona will be a six-story, 205-room property with music as its main theme. The eclectic decor and design reference the hotel’s musical and technological roots, giving each room its own style. The Aloft Lake Nona also features an approximately 10,000-square-foot convention center and a full restaurant.

JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes

The JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes completed several multimillion-dollar renovations just in time for 2023 travel. The property’s new amenities and offerings include an expansive water park, renovated guest rooms and suites, executive suites for families, and a lobby lounge that has been redesigned.

New Rooftop

Visitors staying at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando in 2023 will experience new features such as the sophisticated Altura Rooftop Pool Lounge, where guests can enjoy seasonal dishes and specialty cocktails, and multiple renovated spaces, including the property’s signature restaurant, The Boheme, the Bösendorfer Lounge and the guest rooms.

Renovation at The Alfond Inn at Rollins

The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel located in the heart of historic Winter Park, will renovate 112 existing rooms and suites and add 71 additional luxury rooms and suites, meeting space and a lobby café. Additionally, a new spa will feature seven treatment rooms, a new fitness area and more meeting space. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023, between June and August.

New The Cake Bake Shop

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, an original Indiana table-service restaurant and bakery, will open a new store at Disney’s BoardWalk at Walt Disney World Resort in 2023. The restaurant will offer savory and sweet options, along with tea service. afternoon, in a unique and fun atmosphere.

Brew Theory Marketplace

Brew Theory Marketplace will be a new food space that will arrive in Apopka, a region near Orlando, to refresh tourists starting in the summer of 2023 in the northern hemisphere. The location will feature well-known Florida restaurants, a cocktail bar, a Brew Theory beer taproom, a beer garden and several brands with stores in the new center.

Rosa Mexican Restaurant

Rosa Mexicano restaurant will be established for the first time in Orlando at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in early 2023. The venue’s menu features a contemporary interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine, including beloved classics and innovative dishes that pay homage to the rich and varied culinary regions of Mexico.

Kavas Tacos + Tequila

Pointe Orlando, an entertainment center in the heart of International Drive, welcomes Kavas Tacos + Tequila. The new venture pays tribute to the rich history of Mexican cuisine, offering delicious comfort food, tabletop experiences and artisanal recipes with fresh ingredients.

JoJo’s ShakeBAR

Also new to Pointe Orlando, JoJo’s ShakeBAR offers a modern, family-friendly dining experience with desserts, shakes and smash burgers.

Dizzy Donuts

Dizzy Donuts is scheduled to open in early 2023 in the prestigious College Park neighborhood, near Bruno Zacchini’s other acclaimed restaurant, Pizza Bruno’s. Taking advantage of the chef’s love of cake donuts, Dizzy Donuts will serve hot, made-to-order donuts with a variety of toppings.

ArtSpace Fringe

The nonprofit Orlando Fringe, responsible for the successful annual festival of independent or small-scale plays, will launch Fringe ArtSpace, a year-round performing arts venue beginning January 11, 2023. Located in downtown Orlando in a space of almost one thousand square meters, the center will include two areas: a main stage with 166 seats and a black box-style room with capacity for 40 to 60 people. Fringe ArtSpace will offer a regular program of plays and concerts, as well as residency and artistic studio programs with weekly, monthly and pop-up events, such as workshops, classes, readings, performances and artistic explorations.

New Area at the Dr. Phillips Center

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando will open a new space called Judson’s in the second half of 2023. The dynamic live music performance venue will host 150 people in an intimate cabaret-style setting. Judson’s will join Steinmetz Hall, Walt Disney Theater and Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater as the fourth dedicated performance space in the $613 million, approximately 36,500-square-foot state-of-the-art arts center.

New Train between Miami and Orlando

Brightline Orlando Station will connect travelers between Orlando and Miami via a high-speed line with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The convenient location of the station will be in the modern Terminal C of Orlando International Airport (MCO), opening in September 2022, which is home to Brazilian airlines Azul and Gol. Passengers will have onboard amenities like free Wi-Fi and top-notch bars and restaurants at all Brightline stations, plus the ease and security of contactless check-in. Premium passengers will also have access to exclusive lounges within the stations.

With information from Visit Orlando.