What’s New In Orlando for 2022?

There’s a big year ahead for our favourite destination, so we thought we’d take some time to look into all the major attractions that are lined up to delight visitors in the next 12 months; in short, what’s new for ’22!

It’s no secret to Orlando’s long-running success as the UK’s top long-haul destination that it is always reinventing itself and adding the latest rides and shows to keep people coming back year after year.

And 2022 will definitely be no exception to this winning formula, with some absolute blockbusters due to open at Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and elsewhere.

New at Walt Disney World in 2022

New attractions don’t come much bigger than Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the headline ride that will make its debut (most likely in the summer) at Epcot. Not only is the building that will house this new-generation roller-coaster absolutely huge from the outside, it looks even BIGGER on the inside, where a dramatic all-black steel track hints at a true galaxy-wide experience!

The basic premise is that the Xandarians have built an intergalactic pavilion within Epcot to introduce Earth to the culture of Xandar, and the ride – which incorporates unique revolving cars and a reverse launch sequence – is part of the experience. Disney insist it will be totally family-friendly, as it incorporates story-telling scenes along the way, and it will include the Guardians of the Galaxy cast reprising their film roles at key moments.

We should also see another significant step in the transformation of Epcot’s Future World section into three new areas: World Discovery (including the Guardians ride), World Nature (featuring the Journey of Water inspired by Moana) and World Celebration, the new heart of the park.

Although nothing has been confirmed just yet, there is also speculation that late 2022 will see the opening of the Magic Kingdom’s next major ride, TRON Lightcycle/Run, a fast-launch coaster that is rapidly taking shape alongside Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.

New at SeaWorld in 2022

With SeaWorld fast becoming THE park for roller-coasters in Florida, this will get another boost in February 2022 with the opening of *Ice Breaker, *their first fast-launch ride. Not only will this high-adrenaline scream machine LOOK imposing, it will also go forwards AND backwards, feature a 93-foot-tall spike at an angle of 100 degrees and include a ‘top hat’ element. We were hoping to see Ice Breaker in 2021, but the combination of prolonged Covid restrictions and construction delays meant nearly a year’s postponement. However, we fully expect this to be one of THE highlights of the year.

New at Aquatica in 2022

Over at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, spring 2022 will see the unveiling of *Reef Plunge, *an exhilarating new water flume experience. The former Dolphin Plunge slide will be getting a complete refresh, with translucent cutouts and rings, a faster finish, redesigned exit and more animals to admire as you woosh through the clear tube!

New at Busch Gardens in 2022

Head down I-4 Highway to SeaWorld’s sister park and there will be yet another memorable roller-coaster to try in 2022. *Iron Gwazi *has been under construction as the replacement for the original Gwazi wooden coaster for almost three years and was also due to debut in 2021, only for events to again postpone its opening. However, it just means that visitors from March onwards will be able to test their nerve on this speed demon, which will be America’s highest hybrid (wooden-and-steel) coaster. Reaching 206ft tall, with a drop of 91 degrees and three inversions, it looks amazing.

New at LEGOLAND Florida in 2022

Set sail on a Pirate River Quest in 2022, bringing even more junior-sized fun to this super-friendly park in Winter Haven, approximately 20-25 miles from many of our villa communities including Solterra, Emerald Island and Highlands Reserve. Guests will be able to join a crew of LEGO pirates on Captain’s orders to explore the murky waters and retrieve a lost treasure, stolen by a group of mischievous monkeys. Travel through the uncharted waters of Cypress Gardens and discover the secrets that protect its canals on a family-friendly treasure hunt.

Peppa Pig Theme Park opens in 2022

The world’s first park dedicated to the popular kids’ story character will open next to LEGOLAND Florida on February 24th 2022. It will feature 12 rides and attractions based on Peppa and her friends, including live shows, themed playscapes and water play areas, as well as interactive elements for the youngest visitors.

There will still be more new stuff to look forward to and enjoy in the months ahead, and we will be bringing you all the best of it in our blogs here at Debbie’s Villas, and to keep up to date with all the latest announcements, advice and fun stories, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In the meantime, we’d like to wish all our customers – past, present AND future – a very Happy New Year, with heartfelt wishes for a return to normal in 2022.