New Attractions at Walt Disney World Resort

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Orlando (Matt Stroshane, © Disney•Pixar)

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy: On March 31, the star of Disney•Pixar’s blockbuster Cars franchise roared into Disney’s Hollywood Studios for this fast-paced show. During the 10-minute experience, Lightning takes the stage to share knowledge from his racing career — until things go a little off track. Good thing that Mater, Cruz Ramirez and other fan-favorite characters from Radiator Springs are there to lend a helping hand!

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando (Matt Stroshane, © Disney•Pixar)

Toy Story Land: If it’s been a year or more since your last visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, keep in mind that the park is also home to this new area. Opened in June 2018, and based on the hit Disney•Pixar films, Toy Story Land will make you feel as if you’ve been shrunk to the size of a toy with themed attractions, dining, shopping and more.

Learn more: Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Wonderful World of Animation: Debuting May 1, this new, nighttime spectacular celebrates the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and pays homage to more than 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando (© Disney)

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Starting Aug. 29, you’ll have all-new ways to feel the Force at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Arguably Walt Disney World’s most ambitious project to date, this expansive land will launch with the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, plus themed shopping and dining. A second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, is scheduled to debut by year’s end. Best of all, you don’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to experience it!

New Attractions at SeaWorld Orlando

Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando (© SeaWorld)

Sesame Street: Straight from the long-running children’s television series, this 6-acre land is now open at SeaWorld Orlando. In addition to eight new attractions for all ages, Sesame Street is packed with themed dining and shopping, interactive fun, and character encounters. Also featuring SeaWorld’s first-ever parade, it’s a must-visit for families with kids, as well as anyone who grew up watching the iconic show.

Learn more: Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando

KareKare Kurl: Brand-new to Aquatica® Orlando, this high-adrenaline slide attraction challenges you and a partner to climb a curve-shaped, vertical wave wall — just be prepared for the ensuing feeling of weightlessness as you make your way up. Want to see it? Check out this blog’s cover image!

Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando (© SeaWorld)

Infinity Falls: At SeaWorld, you can blast through the remains of a lost jungle civilization courtesy of this white-water raft adventure, which debuted in late summer 2018. The attraction also offers an engaging lesson about the importance of fresh-water conservation.

Learn more: Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando

Ray Rush at Aquatica Orlando (© SeaWorld)

Ray Rush: Aquatica welcomed this new ride to its lineup in 2018, offering three ways to splash, slide and soar. Featuring an open-air halfpipe that resembles the wings of a manta ray, this exhilarating, four-person raft ride also boasts powerful water jets, several enclosed tube sections and a giant translucent sphere.

Learn more: Ray Rush at Aquatica Orlando

New Attractions at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

THE LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD: Based on THE LEGO MOVIE and THE LEGO MOVIE 2: The Second Part, this vibrant new land is now open at LEGOLAND Florida! On top of three fresh attractions — THE LEGO® MOVIE™ Masters of Flight, Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Battle of Bricksburg — it features interactive fun at Benny’s Play-Ship, plus themed shopping, dining, character meet-and-greets and more.

Learn more: THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

The Great LEGO® Race at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

The Great LEGO Race: The first virtual-reality (VR) roller coaster designed just for kids — but lots of fun for adults, too — this ride will send you blasting through a virtual world comprised entirely of LEGO® bricks with the help of an optional VR helmet. It arrived in spring 2018.

Learn more: The Great LEGO Race at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Written by Nate Shelton, consumer content writer at Visit Orlando. He's an experienced journalist and native Floridian who enjoys the entertainment, cultural and culinary aspects of Orlando and Orange County.

Cover image: KareKare Curl at Aquatica Orlando (© SeaWorld)

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