Visit Orlando Blog -  Attractions

Summer Openings in Orlando

Orlando is the perfect place to spend your summer vacation visiting the largest expansions in theme park history. Here's the exciting list of the new additions that await you in Central Florida this summer:

• Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, the coldest theme park attraction in the world, opens at SeaWorld Orlando on May 24.
• Monstrous Summer begins at Walt Disney World Resort, where Magic Kingdom Park will stay open for 24 hours from 6 a.m., May 24 all the way through 6 a.m., May 25, 2013. Aside from New Fantasyland, which opened in December as the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, guests also will find new offerings such as an interactive "Pirates Adventure" game at Magic Kingdom, the newly re-imagined Test Track at Epcot, the new Disney Junior - Live on Stage! Show at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Wilderness Explorers at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
• Fun Spot America opens its 10-acre expansion on June 8^th.
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D opens at Universal Orlando Resort on June 20^th.
• Space Shuttle Atlantis opens at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on June 29^th.
• World of Chima opens at LEGOLAND Florida on July 3^rd.

With new attractions opening at every theme park, Orlando is truly the top choice for a summer vacation. Don't miss out, plan your Orlando summer vacation today!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley Coming to Universal Orlando

Get excited, muggles!

The Harry Potter phenomenon is expanding at Universal Orlando Resort with the announcement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley coming in 2014. This new expansion will allow guests to enjoy a multi-park experience as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter entertains guests both at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Diagon Alley and ‘London' will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area, which guests can travel to from Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express, will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

When complete, the new area will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank - all directly inspired by the fiction and films.

Fun Spot America Opens More Fun Space

Fun Spot America, will open phase one of its biggest expansion ever on June 8^th. The family fun amusement park, already a popular hit for their go-kart tracks, will now feature a new White Lighting wooden coaster, the second biggest SkyCoaster in the world (now Orlando's 10^th largest structure) and a new suspended rollercoaster called Freedom Flyer (pictured below). The new area will also have a casual dining establishment, family friendly rides, prizes and more. Both admission and parking are free.

Phase two will open by 2015 with the addition of a water park, dinner show and food court.

Construction Begins for All-New I-Drive Live

Construction has already begun, and by early 2014, visitors will have an exciting new dining, entertainment and shopping area to explore, as Phase I of the I-Drive Live project is set to open.  Occupying 95,000 square feet of space, the $200 million project will ultimately boast more than 75 shops, restaurants and attractions, including a 25,000-square-foot Madam Tussauds wax museum, 25,000-square-foot Sea Life Aquarium and a central building with national tenants, yet to be named. 

Kings Bowl, which provides good food, great music and a memorable bowling experience, is already open.  The focal point of the project, and probably one of the coolest parts too, will be the 425-feet Orlando Eye observation wheel, which will reward visitors with a nearly 30 minute journey into the air to enjoy Orlando's unique skyline.  Shops and restaurants will continue to open with the final stage to be complete within 24 months.

New Transformers Attraction Opens June 20 at Universal Orlando Resort

Following the unexpected arrival of Megatron to Downtown Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort invites all guests to prepare for battle as their new ride, Transformers: The Ride - 3D, opens on June 20^th, 2013. The new addition, one of many exciting new things in Orlando this year, will bring the intergalactic battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons to Universal Studios Florida.

Kings Bowl Orlando Now Open on International Drive

KINGS Bowl Orlando has opened in the "I-Drive Live" project on International Drive.  The newest addition to International Drive's entertainment options offers 22 ten pin bowling lanes, four full size billiard tables, more than 60 giant HDTV's and HD projectors and amazing award-winning food. Families with children are welcome by day; at 6 p.m., general public admission moves to age 21 and older.

To know more about Kings Bowl Orlando visit kingsorlando.com

New Trapeze Attraction Opens in Orlando

You won't have to go to the circus to see amazing air acrobatics! In Orlando, you can swing, fly and be part of one of the most thrilling experiences of your life with Trapeze Federation.

A standard class extends for 2 hours for a maximum of 10 students. Each has 4-6 turns to jump off the platform and the opportunity to get "caught" by another trapeze instructor.

A standard class (per person) is $60 but class packages are also available. 

Here's the current class schedule:        

• Monday & Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday & Thursday: 4:15 p.m.
• Friday: 2:00 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.

More information: trapezefederation.com

Angry Birds Space Encounter Opens at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Angry Birds Space Encounter, the first interactive Angry Birds attraction in the United States opened March 22^nd at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Visitors encounter six interactive stations designed to engage and immerse guests in a new dimension of Angry Birds Space:

• Create Your Own Angry Bird
• Eggsteroids Slingshot
• Cold Cuts Tile Puzzle
• Danger Zone
• Red Planet Lazer Challenge
• Angry Birds Game Zone

Angry Birds Space Encounter is included in regular admission to the Visitor Complex. Photo opportunities and merchandise are also available. For more information about Angry Birds Space Encounter visit kennedyspacecenter.com/angrybirds.

Top Five Things To Do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for Spring Break

Families can have an out-of-this-world Spring Break experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They recently announced the top five things for kids to do during spring break.

Play Angry Birds Space - Angry BirdsTM Space Encounter

Opening March 22, is the first interactive Angry Birds attraction in the U.S. Angry Birds Space Encounter brings to life the space adventures of the Angry Birds as they follow their kidnapped eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole. Along the way, the birds gear up with heroic superpowers as they come face-to-face with Space Pigs. Definitely a can't miss for the fans of this popular game.

A Week Of Space

Spring Camp Kennedy Space Center (KSC) provides young people ages 8 to 14 with an inspiring week of fun and enriching space activities. The camp, themed "Out of This World Science," will be held March 25-29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Go Behind The Scenes

KSC Up-Close Tours allow visitors to share mankind's greatest achievements and future of the space program with the entire family and receive rare behind-the-scenes access to areas of Kennedy Space Center that have been off limits to the public for decades.

Launch Like An Astronaut

Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an incredible journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle. The five minute experience in the one-of-a-kind, custom-designed crew cabin culminates with a breath-taking view of Earth from space. 

Meet An Astronaut

Astronaut Encounter provides guests with the rare opportunity to meet veteran astronauts from NASA's famous Astronaut Corps. During spring break, Astronaut Encounter participants are space shuttle astronaut Winston Scott, March 23-24; space shuttle astronaut Bob Springer, March 25; and space shuttle astronaut Jerry Ross, March 26-31.

The Visitor Complex will also celebrate the grand opening of the new $100 million home of Space Shuttle Atlantis June 29. This is only one of the many exciting new things coming to Orlando this 2013.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin Set To Open on May 24

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, the largest single expansion project in the history of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, is set to open on May 24^th. The coldest theme park attraction in the world will be a state-of-the-art interactive ride that will take guests on an exciting journey through the dangers and wondrous beauty of the Antarctic as they follow and mimic a young penguin's adventures.

Here's a sneak peek of the new addition at SeaWorld Orlando:

See Everything New in Orlando for 2013