The latest Orlando happenings updated weekly using information provided by partners and destination press releases. Stay up-to-date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and more.
ACCOMODATIONS:
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort announced the complete redesign of its 14 Park View Deluxe suites, located on the 6th through 12th floors of the resort. The updated suites have been fully refreshed in a modern design, with playful elements that pay homage to the resort’s location at Walt Disney World Resort.
ATTRACTIONS:
Pirates Dinner Adventure will host The Lost Ruby, a limited-time experience based on the classic show, this summer through Sept. 4. Children will have an opportunity to participate in a treasure search, located in Pirates Dinner Adventure’s marketplace, to receive a special prize. Ticket prices for The Lost Ruby are $72.95 for adults and $46.95 for children.
Fun Spot will launch a special birthday sale on June 9 in honor of its 25th anniversary, featuring Single Day Fun Passes for $25 and a buy 10, get two passes free promotion.
Ripley’s Mirror Maze has opened next to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando. The new attraction offers an adventure filled with mirrored rooms and winding hallways, challenging anyone's sense of direction and depth perception as they attempt to find their way out of a mirage. Tickets start at $12.99 per child and $16.99 per adult.
Five Star Orlando VIP Tours, a leading VIP concierge service specializing in organizing VIP tours in Orlando, will launch its VIP Assistant services. Services include tailored itineraries with local expert guidance and insider knowledge to assist navigating the theme parks and unlocking hidden secrets throughout Orlando.
Escapology Orlando opened a new location at the Promenade at Sunset Walk. The attraction features immersive escape games including Batman: The Dark Knight Challenge, Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure, A Pirate’s Curse and Who Stole Mona?
Verse Orlando, an all-new, immersive interactive and augmented reality experience, is now open in Lake Nona near Boxi Park. Guests are invited to explore a treasure hunt, take a magical journey, witness historical events and more exciting adventures as they walk around wearing fully transparent headsets while interacting with the story.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex launched a special summer offer. Now through Aug. 31, Florida residents can purchase a two-day admission ticket for the price of one. The offer must be purchased by Aug. 30 and redeemed by Aug. 31. Proof of Florida residency may be required upon arrival.
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida will debut new visiting exhibition, Venerated-Persecuted-Forgotten: Victims of Nazism at FC Bayern Munich, June 22 – Sept. 10. The exhibit highlights the stories of nine Jewish pioneer soccer players from the FC Bayern Munich soccer club during the development of modern soccer in Germany, displaying how the club won the national championship for the first time in 1932, and the religious and political persecution under the Nazis that led to a halt on its success story.
Fun Spot America Kissimmee has reopened Mind Blower, the only wooden coaster in Florida with a Zero-G Barrel Roll, with smoother thrills than ever before. The retracking project improved the six-year-old coaster, focusing on the most dynamic sections of the ride’s track.
ICON Park launched all-new entertainment package, “Summer Family Fun Pack,” designed to accommodate large families and groups with up to five guests in their own private capsule experience aboard The Wheel for $89.99 per group.
SeaWorld Orlando opened its all-new Coral Rescue Center to park guests. The center provides an important way to view living corals up close, learn more about conservation and understand the steps everyone can take to make a difference in ocean health.
The Orlando Repertory Theatre has changed its name to Orlando Family Stage. The organization, known for its work in developing new plays for children and family organizations, announced the rebranding on June 15, the now proclaimed, “Orlando Family Stage Day”.
Funtastic Depot, Orlando’s largest indoor amusement park, is set to open in July. The 30,000-square-foot family entertainment center will feature an inflatable concept park, climbing walls, ninja obstacle course, giant multi-level playground, toddler zone area, arcades and a karaoke booth, along with live entertainment on weekends. The venue will offer a full menu including pizza, sandwiches and more.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE:
The Titanic: Artifact Exhibition will introduce an all-new, immersive Tea Time experience beginning June 11. Tickets start at $54.95 per adult and $49.95 per child, ages (7-11) and (ages 12 and up).
Mongolorian BBQ, a quick-service Mongolian barbecue joint, soft-opened in the Mills 50 District this month. The new spot features customized bowls cooked on high-tech, tabletop stir-frying machines.
Milkhouse will host Brunch House on June 11 at 11:30 a.m. This one-time only brunch experiences features 10 diverse food vendors including Black Magic Pizza, Smoke Made Meats, Cholo Dogs, Phat Ash Bakes, Red Panda Noodle and more.
Camille, a French-Vietnamese pop-up, will open a new space in Baldwin Park on June 13. The restaurant will offer a 10-course tasting menu and bar area pouring a fine selection of wine, sake and beer curated by an in-house sommelier, along with an intimate eight-seat chef's counter.
City Works Eatery & Pour House will offer a special Rock N’ Roll brunch menu in honor of Father’s Day featuring items including the “Jon Bun Jovi” cinnamon roll; hand-pulled, hardwood-smoked pulled pork shoulder, “Johnny Hash;” and “The Boss,” an 8-ounce top sirloin steak with eggs and cheesy potato casserole.
Schmankerl Stub’n, a new German restaurant, will open in downtown Orlando. The German Scratch Kitchen, formerly on Bavarian Takeout, will feature German classics and modern dishes.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the Chicago-based sub chain, will open its first Central Florida restaurant near the Mills 50 district. The restaurant will feature its signature sub chains with toasted Italian bread.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS:
The Orlando Museum of Art debuted the 9th edition of the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition, which brings new recognition to the most progressive artists in the state. The exhibit will be available until Aug. 27, highlighting 10 Florida artists that work in a broad range of media and are engaged in exploring significant ideas of art and culture in original and visually exciting ways.
The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic announced the line-up of interactive food and beverage seminars for this year’s event held Nov. 10-11. Prior to the outdoor festival, guests will have the opportunity to educate themselves on wine, cocktails, pasta, and more, through hands-on learning at the separately ticketed event led by the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team. Seminar tickets are $75 per person, excluding tax. Base to Bubbles, Wine Blending, and Craft Cocktails seminars are $85 per person, excluding tax. Pasta Making seminar tickets are $110 per person, excluding tax. All seminars require separate tickets and space is limited.
The Forbidden Kingdom Music Festival will return to the Central Florida Fairgrounds June 9-10. The event will feature 50 dubstep and EDM artists, along with immersive art installations, food vendors and more.
Amway Center will host the Orlando Salsa Festival on Friday, Sept. 22. The vibrant, four-hour event will honor some of the most iconic salsa artists including Willie Colón, El Gran Combo, Victor Manuelle, Jerry Rivera, La India, Rey Ruiz, Fruko y sus Teso and Los Adolescentes.
Orlando Ballet announced its 2023-2024 season, featuring classical, contemporary and imaginative storytelling through artistry and the spirit of dance. The season includes: Reflections: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Sept. 21-24, featuring Paul Taylor’s “Company B” and Balanchine Ballet: Serenade; The Nutcracker, Dec. 8-24; The Sleeping Beauty, Feb. 15-18, 2024; Director’s Choice featuring World Premiere by Heath Gill and Stephanie Martinez’s “Dos Lados” and Jorden Morris’ “Deverell”, March 28-31, 2024; Casanova, including live music by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, May 16-19, 2024, and the return of the Uncorked series, offering audiences up-close interactions with the Orlando Ballet dancers and a not-so sneak peek behind the curtain, Oct. 5, Jan. 25 and May 2, 2024.
Ole Red Orlando will host bilingual recording artist, Frank Ray, during its Main Stage Series on June 20. Having shared stages with Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes and more, the Texas chart-topper has opened the doors for a modern Latino Country movement. A small food menu will be available to purchase and ticketholders will also be entered in a sweepstakes for a chance to see Blake Shelton later this year.
The 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Remembering Rosewood, will take place at the Winter Park Community Center in historic Hannibal Square on June 17. The event commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., when nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers landed in Texas with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were free. The celebration and observance will feature events and presentations from distinguished guest speakers, along with community conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion, including a Remembering Rosewood discussion, Collective Body & Breath Release exercise, poetry honoring Hannibal Square and a Black Music Month & Juneteenth tribute.
Walt Disney World Resort unveiled new details and events for the holiday season including a new nighttime holiday party, Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a separately ticketed event available on select nights Nov. 11 - Dec. 20. The event features sparkling décor, modern beats derived from holiday classics, craft cocktails, decadent dishes and the return of the nighttime fireworks spectacular, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!. At Magic Kingdom Park, guests can join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle for “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” a new “Frozen”-inspired entertainment experience that will illuminate the castle in a new way. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed event available on select nights Nov. 9 – Dec. 22, features the return of festive favorites like the Christmas extravaganza stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” EPCOT will celebrate with the return of “Candlelight Processional” during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Nov. 24 - Dec. 30, and more.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will present the summer Pre-Professional Production: A Chorus Line, featuring five performances by college-aged students and aspiring actors, Aug. 4-6. The full-scale presentation will be open to the public at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater.
Orlando Brunchfest, the festival celebrating some of the best local brunch spots, will be held on June 24 at Orlando Festival Park. The event will feature tasting-size portions of brunch items as well as bottomless drinks including mimosas, brunch punch, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. beer and more.
