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Today’s travel tip sheet includes information on what’s new in Orlando this summer, up-close animal experiences, an innovative concert series and Easter celebrations. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com. 

In this Issue: 

  • What’s New for Summer (and sooner!) 
  • Up-Close Animal Experience 
  • Unique Concert Venues (NEW vertical concert concept) 
  • Easter Festivities in Orlando 
  • DYK? Tiffany glass Morse Museum offers free admission in April

Looking forward to NEW thrills this summer  

With summer approaching and new research showing that 81% of Americans have travel plans in the next six months, Orlando’s theme parks are offering a blockbuster summer with plenty of NEW groundbreaking thrills for visitors, including Florida’s first dueling waterslide opening at Aquatica this weekend. And, with more than 150 deals available at VisitOrlando.com, this is also a prime time for an affordable escape. 

  • NOW OPEN
    • In The Game ICON Park, a family entertainment center and arcade featuring 70 games, virtual reality experiences, themed escape rooms and more.
    • Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, featuring a new female LEGO® pirate, original music and stunts from wakeboarding to ski pyramids. An all-new 4-D movie will also premiere spring 2021.
  • OPENING APRIL 3
    • Aquatica Orlando unveils Florida’s first dueling waterslide, Riptide Race. Guests will race side-by-side at top speeds, navigating tight loops and accelerations through nearly 650 feet of splashing slides.
  • OPENING SUMMER
    • Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure will be Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, featuring an original story with intense maneuvers sending riders catapulting up to 70 mph and over 150 feet in the air with the swiftest of prehistoric predators.  

Up-close animal experiences 

Orlando’s theme parks and attractions have unveiled several new personalized experiences for visitors looking to interact with animals in an intimate setting: 

  • Discovery Cove’s new Flamingo Mingle is an exclusive experience allowing guests to feed, learn and get photographs with flamingos in an outdoor setting. Afterward, enjoy Discovery Cove’s other highlights from swimming with bottlenose dolphins and snorkeling among thousands of tropical fish and rays to hand-feeding exotic birds while exploring rocky lagoons, tropical reefs, and white, sandy beaches. Florida Residents enjoy 20% savings through Dec. 31, 2021.  

  • Orlando Science Center - In the NatureWorks exhibit, guests can discover native Florida animals and plants that inhabit coral reefs, mangrove forests and cypress swamps. Learn the ropes to Become a Keeper for a Day by participating in a behind-the-scenes guided experience that includes animal touches and feedings while learning about the day-to-day care that goes into keeping the animals happy and healthy. 

  • Aquatica’s Dolphin Plunge - Get up close to Commerson’s dolphins as they play and swim around this unique water slide as you plunge into total darkness through a brilliant underwater world. Check out the subsurface viewing windows to learn about these playful creatures, including why they like to swim upside-down, what they eat and more. 

Orlando’s innovative concert series put safety first 

Orlando World Center Marriott introduced a NEW vertical concert series taking place April 2 - May 30, 2021, where guests can safely view live musical concerts from the comfort of their own balcony.  The series will feature a different band every weekend that will perform on Friday and Saturday nights and culminate with a nightly laser show. A special two-night weekend package is available, which includes accommodations for up to four people and complimentary parking.    

Now through May, visitors can enjoy the first socially distanced music festival in the United States - an innovative new series keeping safety top-of-mind while providing world class entertainment from music to comedy and big-name concerts. During the Dr. Phillip Center’s outdoor Frontyard Festival™, presented by AdventHealth, patrons can book a private, elevated box for up five people, spaced 6 feet apart, where they can order food and drinks from local restaurants while watching the show.  

Easter Dining & Festivities in Orlando 

Visitors planning an Easter weekend getaway to Orlando can enjoy gourmet Easter brunches and dinners as well as visits from the Easter Bunny himself: 

  • The Grove Resort will host Brunch with the Easter Bunny April 3-4 and also offer a variety of fun activities including in-room egg hunts and Easter basket deliveries.  

  • JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, is serving Easter Sunday Brunch at its onsite Unreserved Food Bazaar, featuring a lamb carving station, fresh raw bar and a buffet. Each table will also receive an Easter egg filled with a variety of sweet treats and special hotel surprises. Other resort activities include an egg hunt and Easter bunny visits on the lawn.  

  • Tapa Toro Tapas Bar & Paella Pit at ICON Park will serve an Endless Easter Brunch, following by a Special Pig Roast Prix-Fixe Easter Dinner from 4-10 p.m. 

For things to do in Orlando this spring, check out this roundup of Easter and springtime events.  

Did You Know?  

Every Friday in April, visitors can enjoy FREE admission to The Morse Museum, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Tiffany glass. Appointments must be made in advance and are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.