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Today’s travel tip sheet includes information on Visit Orlando’s new visitor planning services, a spotlight on what’s new in dining, Black History Month events and ideas for a getaway with little ones. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com.  

In this Issue:  

  • Visit Orlando’s All-New Planning Tools  

  • What's New for 2022: Dining & Nightlife Spotlight 

  • Orlando Attractions for Little Ones 

  • Orlando’s Black History Month Events & Year-Round Activities 

  • What’s New This Month 

  • DYK? Walt Disney World will debut an all-new fleet of character-themed strollers 

Visit Orlando Offers New Complimentary Vacation Planning Services 

Visit Orlando makes it easier than ever for visitors to plan their vacations, offering new, complimentary vacation planning tools including:  

  • Visitors can now make an appointment for complimentary, personalized one-on-one Vacation Planning Services with one of Visit Orlando’s vacation planning experts for advice and guidance on building the perfect itinerary.   

  • The Plan Your Orlando Vacation Facebook Group, moderated by Visit Orlando, where vacationers can seek advice from someone who has recently been to Orlando. The group features daily topic posts, recommendations, special offers and encourages group members to share tips and vacation photos.   

Additional information on tips to plan your next Orlando vacation can be found here.  

What's New for 2022: Dining & Nightlife 

From a newly opened restaurant from a Top Chef All-Stars winner to a soon-to-be-open alcohol-free speakeasy cocktail lounge, Orlando offers a diverse dining scene that continue to expand, with new and creative dining spots. Additional information about what’s new in 2022 can be found here.  

Now Open 

  • Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen opened December 2021 at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The restaurant, from the Top Chef All-Stars winner, features cuisine inspired by tropical flavors and ingredients from Florida, including native fruits, vegetables, seafood and more. 

  • Sloppy Joe’s, the legendary Key West saloon, opened at ICON Park on Dec. 6, offering live music and island-inspired food and libations. 

  • The Milkhouse, located in the Milk District in downtown Orlando, opened in late-2021. The unique dining space houses some of the most notable Central Florida Food & Beverage brands like Bagel Bruno, Foxtail Coffee Co. and Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream. 

A Look Ahead  

  • AVA MediterrAegean, a new Mediterranean restaurant and lounge, opens in Feb.4 on Park Avenue in Winter Park. The Greek-inspired menu is anchored by chef Keith Bombaugh. 

  • Pointe Orlando will open two new restaurants including Kavas Tacos & Tequila in spring/summer 2022 and JoJo’s Shake Bar in fall/winter 2022. Kavas features a menu paying tribute to Mexico’s rich culinary history, featuring savory comfort food, fresh tableside experiences, and recipes hand-crafted from the freshest ingredients.  

  • The BANDBOX – Orlando, Central Florida’s first alcohol-free speakeasy cocktail tasting lounge and collectibles/vintage shop, will open in spring 2022 at Ivanhoe Village in Downtown Orlando.  

Orlando for Little Ones  

While Orlando is home to some of the most thrilling attractions in the world, families visiting the destination can also be sure to find plenty of family-friendly offerings for even the youngest members in the group.  

Theme Park Fun 

  • Opening Feb. 24, The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park  located at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, will feature sensory-rich and interactive attractions, themed playscapes, a water play area, live shows and more crafted with preschoolers in mind. The park will also be a Certified Autism Center.  

  • Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios puts little ones in the middle of the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.  

  • At Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando, families can meet beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster, enjoy themed attractions like Abby’s Flower Tower, and dance along with the Sesame Street Party Parade. Sesame Street Land is also a Certified Autism Center. 

  • Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure includes attractions like One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish aerial carousel ride, The Cat in the Hat indoor ride and Caro-Seuss-el, a classic carousel with a Seuss twist. 

Beyond the Parks 

  • Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall brings the magic of color to children while stimulating their creativity with dozens of hands-on attractions, including the newest, Meltdown, where guests can paint with melted wax.   

  • SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park features 5,000 creatures from oceans across the globe. Each Tuesday, SEA LIFE hosts Toddler Time, created specifically to connect little ones with the amazing world beneath our oceans.  

  • Fun Spot Orlando offers carnival-like rides for little ones, including the Sea Serpent, a coaster made with gentle turns and dips, and the Kiddie Swings, a classic ride made especially for kids.  

More ideas for experiencing Orlando with little ones can be found here.   

Orlando’s African American Heritage Recognized during Black History Month 

From live performances and special events to historic towns and cultural attractions, visitors and locals alike can learn about Orlando’s African American history and influence during the month of February and year-round.  

Festivals and Concerts  

Theater and the Arts 

  • The Orlando Repertory Theatre (Orlando REP), in partnership with UCF, will present Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (through Feb. 20), a musical highlighting the legendary reggae artist’s timeless message of peace and love, featuring the timeless music of Bob Marley and based on the children’s book by his daughter, Cedella Marley.  

  • The Winter Park Playhouse presents Trav'lin: A 1930s Harlem Musical Romance (now – Feb. 19). This funny, heartfelt musical looks at love during the 1930s Jazz Age with a tuneful score by Harlem Renaissance composer J.C. Johnson, whose songs were recorded by legends such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.   

Additional Black History Month information and events can be found here. 

What’s New in Orlando this Month? 

Stay up to date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings - from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and events - available here.  

Did You Know?  

Walt Disney World Resort will roll out a new fleet of themed strollers for families to rent while on their visit. The all-new look will be black, yellow and red featuring Minnie and Mickey designs on the side.