What’s New for 2025 in Orlando

The promise of a New Year is always exciting. There is anticipation, hope and excitement aplenty, and that is especially true of Orlando, where there is always something new.
There is a LOT to look forward to, including Orlando’s first all-new theme park since 1999.

But, while Universal’s Epic Universe will be THE big headline item for 2025, there are plenty of other new developments in the offing, so we thought we would round everything up in one neat package and provide a full look ahead to what you can expect from The City Beautiful once we reach January.

Walt Disney World

While there is no major headline attraction coming to the House of Mouse next year, there will still be plenty of new entertainment – and some fabulous-looking new lounges – to enjoy, starting next summer.

As ever, the Magic Kingdom will lead the way, first with a completely new night-time parade, Disney Starlight, and then a highly anticipated Pirates of the Caribbean-themed Tavern that will add a haven for pirates of all kinds and provide a completely novel experience alongside the ride. The Starlight parade will add an evening spectacle, including characters from Moana, Encanto, Frozen and Peter Pan, all illuminated by the magic of starlight from the Blue Fairy. It promises to bring a whole new array of special effects to the traditional Disney nostalgia.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, look out for a completely revamped musical adventure with The Little Mermaid as the Animation Courtyard area gets a full makeover. The Little Mermaid show has been closed for the past few years, but it should return in dramatic style in summer 2025.

Epcot will also have a couple of innovations to look forward to, with the re-opening of the Test Track ride that will feature new scenes highlighting technological advances and inviting guests on a joy-ride focused on innovation, customising and personalization. Additionally, look out for the new Spaceship Earth Lounge, which will provide a unique way to celebrate this iconic ride as well as featuring breathtaking views of World Showcase and the evening fireworks.

LEGOLAND Florida

After the recent additions of the LEGO Ferrari Build And Race feature and Pirate River Quest ride, this truly family-friendly park in nearby Winter Haven (close to many of our villa communities) will have a really dramatic and entirely different expansion to offer next year.

The SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium will build on the success of its ICON Park exhibit with something that is bigger and bolder than its Orlando original. Opening in spring 2025, the new attraction will offer an oceanic adventure with more than 3,000 animals, representing about 150 species, plus interactive exhibits and a “Theme Park Under the Sea” finale.

Kennedy Space Center

It’s easy to overlook the real-life drama and entertainment of the home of One Small Step For Man on Florida’s Space Coast (just under an hour’s drive from the Champions Gate area), but this is always an exciting place to visit, and that will be doubly true in 2025.

The Gantry at LC-39 will be a dramatic new representation of the heart of the main launch sites at the KSC, offering a chance to experience this historic location in an immersive way, including a simulated static rocket-fire test and an exhibit that allows guests to design and virtually launch their own rockets. As a stop on the Center’s regular bus tours, it will also provide grandstand views of all the many launches at the Space Center these days and feature the surprising amount of local wildlife, as well as offering a self-service outdoor dining option.

Blue Man Group

When it comes to shows, Orlando’s versions are truly world class, and we are really excited to see the return of this well-known entertainment group in 2025, when they will take up residence once more in a purpose-built new home at ICON Park. Having provided their unique brand of comedy and fun at Universal Orlando from 2007 to 2020, it will be a treat to see them back on stage again, with the promise of new acts as well as their traditional wacky antics. In just a 578-seat theatre, it should also be a more intimate environment to see the Blue Men in, and add to the audience participation element.

Universal Orlando

Saving the best for last, we know this is THE big development for the whole of Florida in 2025, and it is sure to get everyone’s attention! Epic Universe is the first fully-fledged new theme park since Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened in 1999, only this will be bigger, more dramatic and packed with the kind of immersive genius that the company has specialised in since it opened the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010.

Bigger? Yes, at 750 acres, Epic Universe actually doubles the whole of Universal’s existing footprint in Orlando.

The basics are as follows: The five areas within the park are Celestial Park, the main entryway and the hub from which the other four lands radiate, featuring the sure-to-be-iconic Stardust Racers duelling coasters and two major dining locations, including the surf-and-turf specialities of Victorian-themed Atlantic; How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk features the Dragon film franchise in larger-than-life style, with an interactive boat ride, imaginative children’s playground, live show and swooping, dragon-themed coaster, as well as a glittering Valhalla-like dining venue; the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic provides two facets of the Potter-verse, starting with the 1920s Paris of the Fantastic Beasts movie series and then adding the Ministry of Magic of Harry’s day, including a breathtaking ride inside the Ministry; Super Nintendo World adds the video game magic of Super Mario and Donkey Kong, with multiple rides and interactive games along the way; and Dark Universe, a land dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters, such as the Wolf Man, Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster, is set in the mysterious village of Darkmoor, where the Monsters Unchained ride promises a real horror-fest!

As ever, the final details of exactly when the rest of these fab new additions to the Orlando scene will open has yet to be announced, so be sure to keep up to date with the Debbie’s Villas blog for the very latest info!

What are you most looking forward to in 2025? Give us your thoughts about it on our Facebook, X and Instagram pages.