Orlando Experiences for 2024

Orlando is officially the No.1 Travel Destination in the US, and it continues to embrace new and returning visitors in 2024 with almost two dozen new experiences.

We have already highlighted some of the headline new attractions coming to our favourite holiday place in 2024 in our final blog of last year, but Visit Orlando has just released a whole raft of other forthcoming experiences that are well worth highlighting.

They include new concepts from Michelin-recognised chefs and celebrity chefs, alongside champagne bars, sober speakeasies, omakases and arcade bars, as the city’s culinary and nightlife scene continues to grow to reflect the diversity of the destination.

“Year after year, Orlando sets itself apart as a travel destination with new experiences and unforgettable adventures to spark the imagination,” says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Whether visitors are seeking new thrills, immersive entertainment or foodie-focused exploration, a whole new Orlando is ready to welcome you in 2024.”

Theme Park Attractions

It’s worth giving these another mention as there was a welter of new attractions that either arrived late in 2023 or were announced recently, too.

Journey of Water, inspired by Moana opened in October at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT park. Through a self-guided exploration trail, guests are fully immersed in the animated film while playing, dancing and interacting with water that travels through its lifecycle, from rain falling to vapor rising to the clouds.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, a fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid, will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ newly refreshed Animation Courtyard theatre in the autumn.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom in late 2024. Guests will explore a musical adventure inspired by the Princess and the Frog showcasing the beloved characters as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.

DreamWorks Land will debut at Universal Studios in late 2024. Guests will be able to interact with their favourite DreamWorks characters in themed, interactive play spaces and attractions that bring characters from popular movies like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda to life.

Aquatica Orlando will introduce Tassie’s Underwater Twist, a new waterslide that will transform the guest ride experience into an awe-inspiring journey through Australia’s Shark Bay seagrass meadow in the spring.

SeaWorld will debut Penguin Trek, an immersive indoor/outdoor launch coaster families can ride together this spring. Guests get ride snowmobile-inspired cars going at a maximum speed of 43mph and ending up in the park’s penguin habitat.

LEGOLAND Florida is set to unveil LEGO Ferrari Build & Race this spring, offering the experience of viewing a life-sized LEGO Ferrari car, and building and testing it in one of three obstacle-laden test tracks. Younger drivers can enjoy the LEGO DUPLO Build Zone to design their own custom creations with larger bricks.

Venue Expansions and Openings

In downtown Orlando, Judson’s Live debuts on February 6, bringing a low-key, 150-seat, cabaret-style music space to the spectacular Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Guests will discover new music with scheduled 50-minute performances while enjoying speciality cocktails and a seasonal scratch-kitchen menu of shareable bites.

AREA15 Orlando, the second location of Las Vegas’ highly themed entertainment district, is coming to Orlando’s I-Drive tourism corridor. AREA15 will offer a robust, ever-changing roster of concert events, art exhibitions, nightlife and boundary-pushing shows, featuring an impressive indoor/outdoor event space.

Orlando Science Center opens its newest exhibit, “Life,” this spring. Featuring three distinctive habitats – swamp, ocean and tropical rainforest – with 300 animals from around the world, the new exhibit explores the impact of humans on the environment and is designed to amaze, entertain and educate.

Dining and Nightlife

This is arguably where there is the most to look forward to this year, with an impressive cast of newcomers waiting to entertain and tantalise our tastebuds.

EET, the only Indian-inspired restaurant in Disney Springs, is now open. Created by Food Network’s Maneet Chauhan, most recently known for her role as a permanent judge on TV show Chopped, the new eatery offers traditional Indian flavours with a modern flair.

Summer House on the Lake, a lakeside eatery with California-inspired cuisine, has also just opened at Disney Springs and features local and sustainable ingredients, water views, a signature Rosé cart with rotating bottles and a dedicated Cookie Bar with 15 varieties of oversized cookies.

Arcade Monsters unveiled its fifth location of the video-game bar and restaurant in the International Drive area offering a menu of classic bar food. With the purchase of wristbands, visitors of all ages can play unlimited classic arcade games.

Flûtes Champagne Bar, a 40-seat French-inspired champagne bar, celebrates the timeless art of champagne-making and brings the elegance, culture, and flavours of France to Winter Park.

Bar Kada, a new concept by Michael Collantes, chef and owner of Michelin-starred Soseki, will open in February. It will be an intimate 30-seat sake and wine lounge with a focus on small plates, ancient sakes and low-intervention wines overseen by Michelin ‘Sommelier of the Year’ Benjamin Coutts and offer experiences like classes and pairing dinners.

A third Winter Park venue, Moso Nori – a new concept by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin-recognized chef Henry Moso – is expecting a summer opening. The new restaurant will feature a hand-roll bar, serving a variety of temaki, sake, beer, wine and sake-based cocktails.

BANDBOX Orlando, the spirit-free speakeasy in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village district, will expand in the new year. The 1920s-inspired venue is partnering with a local coffee company to offer a variety of coffee and tea options by day, and a sober speakeasy by night. The expansion will also feature a larger bottle shop and retail selection.

I-Drive’s Pointe Orlando complex will debut a trio of new indoor/outdoor entertainment spaces, including Sports & Social, a place to watch and play games such as Skee-Ball and Foosball; a PBR Cowboy Bar, featuring a mechanical bull and multiple bars; and Live! Plaza, a space for special events, live music, viewing sporting events, festivals and more.

The Cake Bake Shop Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk and will feature savoury and sweet options, along with afternoon tea service in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the area’s idyllic charm.

Crush Yard Pickleball Club & Restaurant, a new entertainment complex backed by NFL stars such as Rob Gronkowski, is expected to open in Kissimmee later in 2024. Pickleball is a sport that is fast becoming a phenomenon in America, and this new complex will feature multiple indoor/outdoor courts, a food menu that services different dietary preferences and an active calendar of events, including tournaments, clinics and lessons.

So, what most grabs your attention in this New For 2024 list? Give us your thoughts on our Facebook, X and Instagram pages… and don’t forget to interact with us on Pinterest and now TikTok too!