What’s New in Orlando?

NEW ATTRACTION EXPERIENCES

Theme Parks

Universal Orlando Resort

 returns select evenings from May to August, offering families shorter wait times for all rides and slides, a live DJ, themed island treats and DreamWorks character meet-and-greets.

• Volcano Bay Nights returns on select evenings from May to August with shorter wait times for all rides and slides, a live DJ, and themed island treats.

• Universal CityWalk welcomed the return of the Universal Legacy Store in late April with retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by classic Universal attractions and films. 
• Universal Epic Universe is Orlando’s newest theme park, with over 50 attractions across five worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

Walt Disney World Resort

• Cool Kids Summer returns to Walt Disney World Resort from May to September:
• Bluey’s Wild World opens in May at Conservation Station, where guests can take the Wildlife Express Train to play games, snap photos with Bluey and Bingo.  

• At Magic Kingdom Park, guests can experience the reimagined Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with a series of enhancements, including handheld blasters for more freedom of movement, additional interactive targets and more.  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens in May with new magic including a journey through the spectacular natural phenomena of the Rainbow Caverns, full track replacement, new opening scene designs and updated queue.

• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a new Millennium Falcon mission at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where guests can choose what planet the ship visits and engineers can communicate with Grogu during gameplay. The Magic of Disney Animation opens in late summer, transforming the former Star Wars: Launch Bay into an interactive experience where Disney characters come to life inside the iconic animator’s studio. 

• Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon on select nights from June to September , inviting guests to experience the water park after dark. New additions for 2026 include character appearances from Powerline Max and Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers.

United Parks & Resorts 

• Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice, opening this spring just in time for summer at SeaWorld Orlando, will transform guests into Arctic researchers on a cutting-edge scientific mission with a breathtaking drone craft journey through dynamic environments and wildlife encounters before transitioning to real-world encounters with live beluga whales and walruses.

• Bands, Brew & BBQ runs from July to August at SeaWorld Orlando with live country and rock music, BBQ favourites and craft beer, with sampling lanyards available to try a variety of smoked and grilled selections.

• AquaGlow, a family friendly nighttime swim party running May to September at Aquatica, transforms Aquatica into a neon paradise with enhanced attractions, foam party and low wait times.

Beyond the Theme Parks

• The Great Big Game Show opened its first Florida location in Orlando, offering a TV-style experience with nearly 20 rotating mini-games including Trivia Temple, Drawing in the Dark and Split Decision. Featuring stage lighting, music, buzzers and a live host, the interactive attraction transports contestants into their favourite game shows.

• Blue Man Group returns in May with a new custom-built home at ICON Park, featuring the show’s signature mix of art, high-energy live music, comedy, non-verbal storytelling and audience participation for a multi-sensory experience.

SUMMER EVENTS

• Harry P. Leu Gardens celebrates its 65th anniversary with Legacy in Bloom through May, a seasonal experience featuring immersive garden zones that transform the gardens into a living storybook showcasing Florida’s natural beauty, heritage and future through curated landscapes, floral installations and themed environments.

• Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, the longest-running fringe theatre festival in the United States, returns for its 35th year May 12-25 at Orlando Fringe in Loch Haven Park with more than 1,000 ticketed performances spanning comedy, dance, plays and more. 

• Kia Center will have many notable artists visiting this summer including Rosalía,  Noah Kahan, A$AP Rocky, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire and others.

SUMMER SPORTS HAPPENINGS

• Inter&Co Stadium will host a friendly match between England’s national team and Costa Rica on June 10, as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions finalise preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

• Orlando Pride (NWSL) will take on various teams this summer at Inter&Co Stadium, including North Carolina Courage (May 8), Bay FC (May 29), Kansas City Current (July 10), Boston Legacy FC (July 15), Chiago Stars FC (July 24), Racing Louisville (Aug 8), Utah Royals (Aug 29).

• Orlando City SC (MLS) will welcome several teams to Inter&Co Stadium, including Philadelphia Union (May 13), Atlanta United FC (May 16), Nashville SC (July 25), FC Cincinnati (Aug 15), Chicago Fire FC (Aug 19), Real Salt Lake (Aug 22).