According to ejiaxing, the new decade brings many additions to the World’s Theme Park Capital®: an unpredictable theme park expansion, the world’s tallest bungee attraction, an acoustically perfect theater, a new award-winning chef, and one of the largest hotel expansions in decades.
Walt Disney World Resort
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened in December, making it the second attraction in the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Land area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- The first Mickey Mouse-themed ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will open March 4, 2020 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Epcot is undergoing the largest transformation in Disney Parks history, bringing numerous new attractions and experiences in 2020:
- Three new shows are starting on January 17th: Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360and Awesome Planet.
- In Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, guests shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant. The opening is in summer 2020.
- Epcot’s new evening show is called “HarmonioUS” and is the largest and most spectacular show ever created for a Disney Park.
- A new restaurant, “La Crêperie de Paris”, will open in Epcot’s French pavilion in summer 2020.
Universal Orlando Resort
- In Spring 2020, The Bourne Stunt acular will open at Universal Studios Florida, a nerve-wracking live show based on the popular films from Universal Pictures’ Bourne series.
Sea World Parks & Entertainment
- From Spring 2020 SeaWorld Orlando Ice Breaker The launch coaster, which focuses on the arctic ice world, scores with four accelerations. The final reverse launch is followed by Florida’s steepest vertical drop.
- As Orlando’s first dueling waterslide, Riptide Race at Aquatica Orlando will see guests race almost 200 meters side by side and against each other.
New entertainment away from the theme parks
Outside of the famous theme parks, Orlando is also reaching new heights in the New Year, from some of the world’s tallest rides to one of the most acoustically perfect places on earth.
- Steinmetz Hall at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opens in September 2020 and will receive an N1 sound rating – the lowest level humans can hear. It is so quiet that a person sitting alone in the hall can hear their own heartbeat.
- ICON Park, located on International Drive and home to The Wheel and Starflyer attractions, will welcome more attractions in 2020, including two main attractions:
- The Orlando Slingshot will catapult guests 137 meters into the air, making it the tallest bungee attraction in the world.
- The Orlando Gyro Drop Tower will reach 121 meters and will be the tallest free-standing free fall tower in the world. Guests can reach speeds of up to 120km/h.
- The Orlando Science Center will be showing Pompeii: The Immortal City from June 6th to September 7th, 2020. It’s just one of four interactive exhibits in the US.
- In March 2020, guests at Disney Springs will be able to enjoy a new Cirque du Soleil show, Drawn to Life, which brings together the world of Disney and signature Cirque du Soleil acrobatics.
- Visitors to Wild Florida come face-to-face with wild animals on a 30-acre auto safari. In addition to giraffes, wild boars and other wild animals, a zip line awaits guests.
- Two shopping centers are undergoing a transformation in 2020. Pointe Orlando is undergoing a $32 million renovation through Summer 2020 and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets will have a new dining area, upgraded wireless Internet and many other amenities by the end of 2020.
New Resorts and Hotels
Orlando has the second largest selection of hotel rooms in the United States. Additionally, 2019 and 2020 will be the two years of the largest hotel expansions in the past two decades.
- The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa will open in February 2020 with 516 rooms, a Spa by JW® and a rooftop terrace with views of the theme parks’ nighttime fireworks.
- The Dockside Inn and Suites will open at Universal Orlando Resort in March 2020. It has 2,050 rooms and is themed around a coastal area. Prices start at $76 per night.
New restaurants
From fresh local concepts to celebrated celebrity chefs, the range of culinary adventures is impressive and growing.
- Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is a concept created by chef John Tesar, a James Beard Award semifinalist and winner of many culinary competitions. The opening is in spring 2020.
- Ole Red, a new restaurant from country superstar Blake Shelton, will open at ICON Park in 2020, merging southern hospitality, fine dining and country music. In 2020, OX Grill will also open in ICON Park, offering a wide range of meat dishes, pasta and international dishes.
- Camelo Pizzaria opening on International Drive in early 2020. Pizzas with a particularly thin crust are being served here for the first time outside of Brazil.
- Sixty Vines offers seasonal dishes inspired by Napa Valley. The opening is in Spring 2020 in Winter Park. There are also 60 different wines on the menu.
- Norman’s moves to Restaurant Row. The restaurant was created by top chef and James Beard award winner Norman van Aken. The opening is in spring 2020 at Dellagio Plaza.
- Kavas Tacos + Tequila is opening at Pointe Orlando in September 2020. The restaurant offers Mexican food, tequila and entertainment. The Hampton Social, which is themed on the coastal region of New York, will also open at Pointe Orlando.
- AG’s Market is a lake view area that will open in late 2020. It combines food vending, beverage and dining options on two levels and offers a view of the theme park fireworks.
