Your guide to the freshest rides and can’t-miss experiences in Orlando, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Walt Disney World® Resort (pictured; Matt Stroshane / © Disney) and many others.


Orlando is the sort of destination that never rests on its laurels. In fact, we’ve added so many attractions over the past year that, even if you’ve visited recently, you probably haven’t experienced them all — and you’re really in for a thrill if it’s been a year or more. From the theme parks to beyond, here’s the inside scoop on the newest ways to play in Orlando!

New Attractions at Orlando’s Theme Parks

Orlando’s world-famous theme parks always have incredible new experiences that you won’t want to miss, including these fresh reasons to visit Walt Disney World® ResortUniversal Orlando ResortSeaWorld® Orlando and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

Walt Disney World® Resort

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Falcon overview at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Part of Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando (© Disney / © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a wealth of surprises in store, including a land based on the famous galaxy far, far away and much more.

Get discount tickets: Walt Disney World Resort

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Part of Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando (© Disney)

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: The wackiest, silliest train trip ever — and Mickey & Minnie Mouse’s first ride-through attraction in Disney Parks history — is ready to take you through the cartoon world. You ready? When Mouse Rules apply, anything can happen! So, pack your imagination, switch tracks and take a ride on the cartoon side like never before.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Cross this immersive new land’s threshold and you’ll find yourself in Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, packed with Resistance heroes, First Order villains, whimsical droids and other galactic characters, as well as themed dining, shopping and attractions. Speaking of which, you can fly the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, or join the Resistance for an epic mission aboard a First Order Star Destroyer at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — billed as the most ambitious attraction Disney’s ever done, and for good reason!

Discover: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

But at Black Spire Outpost, even stores and other venues can be described as attractions. Craft your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, build R-Series and BB-Series astromechs at Droid Depot, and enjoy the galaxy’s wildest beverages at Oga’s Cantina, among other options. There’s no wrong way to feel the Force at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Part of Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando (Matt Stroshane / © Disney/Pixar)

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy: Join the star of Disney/Pixar’s Cars franchise at this fast-paced show with Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz Ramirez and other fan-favorite Radiator Springs citizens.

Wonderful World of Animation: This nighttime spectacular transforms the Chinese Theatre with a stunning tribute to more than 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation, including The IncrediblesSleeping Beauty and more.

Epcot Forever fireworks show
Epcot Forever Fireworks Show at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (David Roark / © Disney)

Epcot®

Although this park is currently undergoing a massive, multiyear transformation in the leadup to the its 40th anniversary, Epcot still found time to roll out some new surprises over the past year.

Epcot Forever: Journey through the past, present and future of Epcot during this limited-time fireworks spectacular.

Awesome Planet: At The Land Pavilion, this film explores the spectacular beauty, diversity and dynamic story of Earth using in-theater effects such as wind, scents and water. Featuring narration by Ty Burrell, star of ABC’s Modern Family, and an original score from Academy Award-winning® composer Steven Price, the film is produced in collaboration with the Disney Conservation Fund.

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along: At the France pavilion’s Palais du Cinémais, this 15-minute entertainment event is directed and produced by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action Beauty and the Beast films. Narrated by Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Potts in the original movie, the sing-along invites you to participate in a twist on a tale as old as time.

Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360: In this updated edition of the classic Epcot Circle-Vision 360 presentation, explore Canada with a breathtaking look at the Great White North featuring new scenes, a new score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington, and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.

Disney Skyliner will begin carrying guests high above Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2019. The state-of-the-art transportation system will feature custom cabins that glide through the air, conveniently transporting guests between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort, scheduled to open in December 2019.
Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando (David Roark / © Disney)

Disney Skyliner

Although not technically an attraction, this high-flying gondola system provides plenty of thrills and incredible views, connecting Disney’s Hollywood Studios and International Gateway at Epcot to Disney’s Caribbean Beach ResortDisney’s Art of Animation ResortDisney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Discover: Orlando’s Unique Transportation

Universal Orlando Resort

In addition to fresh dining and accommodation options, Universal Orlando Resort has a new ride starring the Wizarding World’s most popular gentle giant.

Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure ride at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ at Universal Islands of Adventure, Part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Islands of Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: All aboard for the newest addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ — Hogsmeade™ at Universal Islands of Adventure. This epic “story coaster” invites you to soar through a forest filled with 1,200 real trees and ultra-realistic animated creatures pulled straight from the Harry Potter™ books and films. It also features Universal Orlando Resort’s most lifelike animated figure yet: Rubeus Hagrid™!

Discover: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™

SeaWorld® Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando is the place to go if you’re trying to get to Sesame Street. And not to be outdone, Aquatica® Orlando has a wild new raft adventure for you!

Get discount tickets: SeaWorld Orlando

Big Bird reading a book in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando
Sesame Street Land™ at SeaWorld® Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

Sesame Street Land: Laughter and learning live at Sesame Street, and now, the famous neighborhood has come to life at this park’s Sesame Street Land! Covering 6 acres, this immersive area is exactly as you imagined, complete with an award-winning parade, rides and a fully interactive neighborhood for you to explore and enjoy, including Hooper’s Store and the famous stoop at 123.

Discover: Sesame Street Land

KareKare Kurl at Aquatica, SeaWorld's Water Park
KareKare Curl at Aquatica® Orlando

Aquatica Orlando

KareKare Curl: This high-adrenaline slide attraction challenges you and a partner to climb a curve-shaped, vertical wave wall. Just be prepared for the feeling of weightlessness as you make your way up!

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

Straight from the silver screen, one of Hollywood’s biggest animated hits has arrived in the real world at LEGOLAND Florida!

Get discount tickets: LEGOLAND Florida Resort

The LEGO Movie World at LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Near Orlando

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Theme Park

THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD: Hit the streets of Bricksburg at this immersive new area! Based on the animated blockbuster THE LEGO MOVIE and its sequel, the land has three innovative attractions, themed dining and shopping, a spaceship-themed playground structure, character meet-and-greets, and other ways to play.

Discover: THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD

New Attractions Beyond Orlando’s Theme Parks

To really experience Orlando, you’ll want to make time for unforgettable attractions beyond our theme parks — including these new additions!

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BATL — Backyard Axe Throwing League in Orlando

BATL — Backyard Axe Throwing League

Part of downtown Orlando’s Church Street district, BATL — Backyard Axe Throwing League gives you the chance to enjoy the thrill of axe-throwing. Join the 2 million people who have already experienced the rush of throwing an axe at BATL’s locations in the U.S. and Canada!

Discover: Downtown Orlando

Island H20 Live! waterpark
Island H2O Live! Water Park at Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee

Island H2O Live! Water Park

Now open at Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee, minutes from Walt Disney World Resort, the 14-acre Island H2O Live! water park boasts water slides, a lazy river and live entertainment, including DJs, parties and amazing surprises. Plus, you don’t need to be a resort guest to gain admission!

Discover: Orlando Water Parks

Wild Florida Airboats, Gator Park & Drive-thru Safari giraffe
Drive-Thru Safari Adventure at Wild Florida in Kenansville Near Orlando

Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Adventure

Not content with its popular lineup of airboat tours, a gator park and other adventures in Central Florida’s great outdoors, Wild Florida has added a 2-mile, drive-thru safari where you can enjoy nose-to-snout encounters with giraffes, wild boars and other exotic creatures. You’ll find them in Kenansville, about 40 minutes southeast of Walt Disney World Resort.

Discover: Orlando Ecotourism

While you’re trying to catch up on everything we added over the past year, keep in mind that Orlando has plenty of other fresh experiences coming in 2020 and beyond. It all goes to show that no matter how many times you’ve visited, there’s always something new to do in Orlando!


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