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.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs Area completed a multimillion-dollar renovation on Jan. 30. The property’s revitalization project includes updates to all aspects of the hotel from its meeting space, accommodations, Evergreen Café, lounge, pool bar, DoubleTree’s signature Made Market, pool, splash pad, tennis court and fitness center.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes will feature new experiences and events for guests to enjoy in 2024, including Brunch at Birdie's, a dog-friendly event at Highball & Harvest on Feb. 25 that features unique cocktails, live entertainment and more; New interactive classes hosted at PRIMO, including the Art of Pizza Class and Primo Mixology Class; and the new Fifth Avenue Club at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, featuring food and beverage presentations, access to special occasions and first-look opportunities during the Club Lounge's "Thursdays with Saks" events.
Walt Disney World Resort will offer resort guests visiting in 2025 free admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park on their check-in day. The new benefit will be exclusive to registered guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date of Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025.
ATTRACTIONS
Universal Orlando Resort’s limited-time pop-up store, “House of MinoLima”, opened at Universal CityWalk. The shop brings to life the magical creations of Studio MinoLima, the artists behind the graphic props of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, featuring a variety of authentic designed keepsakes such as prints, home decor, stationery and more.
Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, will debut in 2025, transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences. Celestial Park, the first world guests will encounter and the gateway to explore the four additional worlds, will take guests on a journey of discovery and thrills as they wander through living gardens surrounded by architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements. Here, guests can take in the sights and sounds, board a shooting comet for a roller coaster adventure, dine, shop and more. Additional worlds include:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, where guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise.
- Dark Universe, where guests encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.
Walt Disney World Resort announced a summer 2024 opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can explore a musical adventure inspired by the fan-favorite film showcasing the beloved characters as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.
The Canopy, a new 10-acre park planned to be built under I-4 in downtown Orlando, will begin construction in 2025. The project will serve as a connection between the east and west sides of downtown, featuring parking, walking trails, lush landscaping, immersive art installations and event spaces.
Universal Orlando Resort’s new Dreamworks Land will open this summer at Universal Studios Florida. The new family-friendly area, inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s characters including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Trolls, will feature family-friendly roller coaster, Trolls Trollercoaster; multiple interactive play areas, including Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres, Poppy’s Playground and Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp; character meet and greet zones; and live entertainment.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Jojo’s ShakeBAR, will offer a Valentine’s Day specialty menu, themed cocktails and celebratory events, including the “Fondu Of U Experience”, “Galentine’s Day Soiree” and the “Love On The Rocks Mixology Class,” throughout the month of February.
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar opened its first Central Florida location in the Winter Park Village shopping center. Located next to the brand’s store, the new restaurant serves signature cocktails and menu items including tacos, quesadillas, sliders, flatbreads and salads.
Parlor Doughnuts will open Central Florida’s first location in College Park this year. The Indiana-based chain, famous for its layered cronut-style doughnuts, will offer handcrafted beverages and 23 different flavors of doughnuts, ranging from strawberry shortcake to decadent bourbon caramel, with specialty options for gluten-free, vegan and keto dietary preferences.
Pinstripes, the Midwest-based venue, will open its doors near International Drive this month. The new space will feature made-from-scratch dining, offering full-service Italian/American bistro food, bowling, bocce and more.
The Alfond Inn has opened The Café as part of the hotel’s the new wing. Located adjacent to the lobby, The Café offers coffee, house-made breakfast pastries, warm crepes, desserts and wine in the evening.
Birria1983, a new L.A.-style Mexican restaurant serving all things birria, has opened in downtown Orlando. The menu features items from quesabirria to birria ramen and more.
Five additional Orlando restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide for a total of 51 Orlando-area restaurants. Japanese cuisine has been highlighted with Natsu, Sushi Saint and Zaru; serving Chinese and Sichuan flavors is Chuan Fu; and Camille brings Vietnamese and French fusion to the Orlando dining scene.
Drake Kitchen & Bar, a new concept by the food truck operators of College Park’s Duck and Drake, has opened in downtown Orlando. The restaurant features a seasonal menu of unique international dishes made with local ingredients.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
The Winter Garden Music Festival, a free multi-stage concert hosted in downtown Winter Garden, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24. The outdoor festival will feature a variety of live entertainment and music genres including over 30 musical acts performing on six stages; onsite beer and wine vendors; outdoor dining and more.
Downtown Orlando will host a series of events throughout February in honor of Black History Month, including the Opening Reception at the Terrance Gallery in City Hall on Feb. 5, celebrating the creativity, inspiration and cultural heritage of African American visual artists; The Parramore Historic Bus Tour on Feb. 8, offering complimentary admission to the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture; and the City of Orlando’s Black History Month Community Celebration free event on Feb. 20, featuring live entertainment and celebrating the remarkable contributions and positive influence of Black Americans in the Central Florida community.
MEGACON Orlando, the Southeast’s largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event, will be held at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 1-4. The event will feature meet-and-greet opportunities, “How To” workshops, photo-ops and more.
The Orange County Regional History Center will host a series of events throughout the month in honor of Black History Month, including Hint of History: Galactic Trailblazers on Feb. 13, as part of its monthly drop-in sessions, in recognition of Black Americans who have contributed to America’s space journey. The museum will also host the second annual Honoring Black Heritage and Culture family day event on Feb. 17, featuring live performances, speakers, activities and an artist showcase featuring Florida craft artists.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host the award-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical in the Walt Disney Theater Feb. 20 - March 3 as part of the AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando 23/24 season.
Mister Rogers’ Week of Kindness will take place in Orlando the first week of April. Events range from the Mister Rogers’ Prayer Breakfast to a special piano concert at the John M. Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College and more.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced an 11-show lineup as part of the AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando 2024/2025 season. Disney’s The Lion King will be one of three shows returning to the Walt Disney Theater, with the debut of Girl From The North Country, Some Like it Hot, A Beautiful Noise, Shucked, MJ The Musical and STOMP.
SeaWorld Orlando unveiled new details for its Seven Seas Food Festival, including new performers and festivities. Hanson, The Goo Goo Dolls, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, The Righteous Brothers, Boyce Avenue and Natalie Grant will be among the new additions to the concert lineup with scheduled performances every weekend at Bayside Stadium. Additionally, the park will transform into the Emerald Isle to host a special event featuring all the sights, sounds and flavors of the Irish tradition in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, with celebrations from March 7-17.
Orlando Science Center will host Kids Night at the Museum, inviting youth ages 5 to 12 to explore exhibits, experience enhanced programming including an interactive live science show, films, hands-on activities and a pizza dinner on Feb. 24.
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) will debut a new Wild Florida exhibit at Gallery at MCO, offering visual interpretations of natural Florida through photographs, paintings, etchings and mixed media created by Florida artists from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s permanent collection of art. The exhibit will be on display through March 14.
The 33rd Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival will return to Loch Haven Park May 11 – 27. The 14-day immersive cultural experience will feature over 1,000 ticketed performances spanning a wide array of genres, including dance, spoken word, comedy and more. Free festival highlights will include an outdoor music festival, Visual Fringe (pieces of art on display and for sale throughout festival grounds), Kids Fringe (weekend plays and entertainment for children) and more.
TRANSPORTATION
Canada Jetlines, a low-cost airline, launched a new route from Halifax (YHZ) to Orlando (MCO). The new service will begin June 2, offering two direct weekly flights through Oct. 23.
RedCoach, a luxury motorcoach company, announced the launch of its newest route connecting Atlanta to Orlando. Debuting from Orlando on Feb. 22, the 7.5-hour service will operate twice daily out of each city.
