The summer travel season is upon us, and Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions can expect the arrival of visitors who have not been around in months. It’s been a period of change with major additions and notable subtractions.
Whether you’re from out of town or playing host to returning friends and relatives, it’s difficult to keep up with what’s happening and when. Here’s our guide to what’s new, what’s gone, what to expect and, sorry, what’s just not happening in the summer of ’23.
What’s new
- Roller coasters: SeaWorld Orlando’s Pipeline, a surfing-inspired thrill ride, officially opens Saturday. Tron Lightcycle / Run debuted in April at Magic Kingdom. (The latter’s completion also allowed the Walt Disney World Railroad, which circles the park, to reopen.)
- Back in action: “Happily Ever After” again ends nights at Magic Kingdom, and “Epcot Forever” is back for another round – temporarily – at Epcot. Both of those nighttime spectaculars were part of Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, which has ended. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Fantasmic” is back and Pixar Place has reopened with character meet-ups.
- Animals: Two great hammerhead sharks – named Dutch and Dillon are now in the Shark Encounter attraction at SeaWorld.
- On or near International Drive: Ripley’s Mirror Maze has opened next door to the Believe It Or Not attraction, which has been remodeled and now includes a cosmos-oriented exhibit Space Gallery. The Wheel at Icon Park recently introduced the Great Florida Road Trip, an add-on game, and Max Action, which features ax throwing, an escape room and other activities, opened nearby. Pirate Dinner Adventure now offers a country-dance option. Lonely Dog Immersive Experience has opened on the northern end of I-Drive.
- Road trips: Quick trips away from metro Orlando can now include Pirate River Quest, a boat ride, and “Go Xtreme,” a summertime stunt show at Legoland Florida; “All Systems Are Go,” a stage show featuring “Peanuts” and puppetry at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; and Serengeti Flyer, a giant side-by-side swinging contraption at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel
Universal’s Great Movie Escape is basically on the footprint of the old Groove nightclub at Universal CityWalk. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)Enhancements and additions
- Turi’s Kid Cove, including Tamariki Twirl wave slide, is open at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park.
- Universal’s Great Movie Escape – featuring puzzling experiences themed to “Back to the Future” and “Jurassic World” – are in operation at Universal CityWalk.
- At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a restaurant named Roundup Rodeo BBQ is now serving in Toy Story Land.
- Gatorland has constructed Croc Rock, a wall-climbing, bridge-crossing, ziplining add-on venture and brought new elements into its Gator Gully Splash Park (plus a big new rescue alligator named Winchester).
- Selfie Spot Beach, a photo stop, has popped up this spring at Island H2O Water Park in Kissimmee.
Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel
Fliers, photos and a payphone help set the scene of ‘Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground’ at the history center in downtown Orlando. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)Downtown Orlando (and indoors)
- “Dogs: A Science Tail” exhibit begins a three-month stint at Orlando Science Center on Saturday.
- “Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground” continues at Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando.
In the works / coming soon?
- Universal Studios says Minion Land and its Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction will open this summer.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios is crafting a meet and greet for Ariel in conjunction with the theatrical release of the live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which debuts Friday.
- Kissimmee’s Fun Spot will reopen Mine Blower coaster once the track work is complete.
Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel
Madame Carlotta mingles with guests at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2017. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)Summer certainties
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival launches July 27.
- Red Hot & Boom Festivities are planned for Legoland Florida July 2-4.
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party events begin Aug. 11. (Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights begin Sept. 1. SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular launch Sept. 8 and Sept. 16, respectively.)
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
‘Harmonious’ is no longer on the schedule at Epcot. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)You missed it
- Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain closed in January.
- Universal Studios closed a handful of KidZone attractions, including Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, in January. Replacements have not been announced.
- Poseidon’s Fury closed at Islands of Adventure in April. A replacement has not been announced.
- Universal’s “Cinematic Celebration” show is not coming back. The resort said there will be another nighttime experience but has not shared details, including a timeline for it.
- Epcot’s “Harmonious” and its bulging barges are out of here.
Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Science Center president and CEO JoAnn Newman (left), Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings (center) and major donor Sarah Layton knock down a wall, a symbolic part of the building of the ‘Life’ exhibit, set to open next year at Orlando Science Center.Better luck next time
- “Life,” a nature-driven permanent exhibit, opens at Orlando Science Center in late 2023.
- Disney Dining Plan returns as an option with hotel stays that start Jan. 9.
- Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is set for a late 2023 opening at Epcot.
- A new nighttime spectacular is in the works for Epcot again for the end of 2023.
- Updates to the Star Tours attraction at Hollywood Studios are planned for 2024.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the replacement for Splash Mountain, is scheduled to open in late 2024.
- Epic Universe theme park is under construction and aimed at an opening by summer of 2025.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
