Exciting rollercoasters, entertainment venues and a new hotel are among the new attractions coming to Orlando in the next few years. Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Epcot Theme Park, Busch Gardens Tampa and Walt Disney World Resort are adding brand new rides to their world-class theme parks in 2016. However, the new attractions don’t stop there. Orlando will also welcome new shopping and sports facilities in the next year.
Universal Orlando Resort announced the opening “Skull Island: Reign of Kong” next summer. The new ride, inspired by the 2005 remake of the original 1933 King Kong film, will take adventure-seekers through ancient-looking temple structures while encountering hostile natives and other terrors. In 2017, the resort will also introduce an immersive water park called “Volcano Bay.” Inspired by tropical islands, the new park will be situated south of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Together with Universal Orlando, Lowes Hotels & Resorts is building Loews Sapphire Falls Resort—the fifth onsite hotel. The new property will offer 1,000 Caribbean-themed guest rooms, also expected to open next summer.
Epcot Theme Park will offer a new Frozen ride early next year called “Frozen Ever After” in the Norway pavilion of the World Showcase. Designed after the popular animated Disney film, the ride will take visitors to the Kingdom of Arendelle’s winter festival. Fans will see their favorite characters come to life and hear music from the film, thanks to cutting-edge technology.
SeaWorld Orlando is building a shark-themed rollercoaster called “Mako,” named after one of the fastest-swimming sharks. Opening next summer, the 200-foot-tall ride will be SeaWorld’s tallest, fastest and longest ride, traveling up to 73 miles per hour along 4,760 feet. Termed a “hypercoaster,” it will be the main attraction of the two-acre theme park. After the ride, visitors will have the chance to learn about sharks and impacts to their environment.
Walt Disney World Resort is in the process of a multi-year renovation and rebranding of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. The new center, expected to be complete next year, will offer more than 150 eateries and stores, including APEX by Sunglass Hut, Art of Shaving, Chapel Hats, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Havainas, Sanuk and Sound Lion.
For sports fans, a multipurpose soccer stadium is expected to open next summer in downtown Orlando, as part of a developing entertainment center. Just a block away from the Amway Center, the new stadium will seat up to 28,000 and serve the Orlando City Lions soccer team.
