14 New Orlando Vacation Experiences in 2025!
What’s New, What’s Next in Orlando
I'm excited to announce that Orlando, the theme park capital of the world and the top visited destination in the U.S., will debut several new experiences in 2025. This includes Orlando's first new theme park in over 25 years. ere’s what I’m looking forward to the most in 2025
#14
Here at EPCOT, Test Track will return after a major revamp, featuring new scenes that highlight technological advancements in the auto industry. The 3.0 version of this ride will celebrate automotive innovation through the ages. I hear the queue will be an experience in itself, with six exhibits showcasing vehicles and the people who make them. The ride itself will be amazing too, with new scenes highlighting the latest technology and paying tribute to the original ride of the 1980s, World of Motion. I can't wait to have an updated version of this ride, an update was needed, glad Disney noticed that too.
#13
This summer, Disney's Hollywood Studios guests can enjoy two brand-new stage shows: "The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure" and Unfairly Ever After. The Litte Mermaid will feature innovative new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design. The show is expected to debut around the same time that MuppetVision 3D and Muppet Courtyard closes on the other side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new show features all-new physical and digital sets, a cast of puppets, live performers, and stunning visuals. Expect to see digital puppets transform into real ones right before your eyes. I think we can expect that The Little Mermaid–A Musical Adventure will open in late spring 2025.
And Unfairly Ever After at Disey’s Hollywood Studios replaces the defunct Lightning McQueen Show. Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent will take the stage to show the audience why they are the most misunderstood villains. The audience will then decide who is the most misunderstood in a finale with dozens of famous evildoers. This new show is expected to open in late spring or early summer 2025.
#12
The Walt Disney World Swan rooms have been completely remodeled and the convention and meeting spaces here have also been refreshed. The updated guest rooms feature a modern design with new furnishings, fixtures, and artwork. Swans rooms still have 2 queen beds while the Dolphin rooms have 2 double beds.
The meeting spaces have also been upgraded with state-of-the-art event technology and a contemporary design. The resort now offers special rates for groups booking meetings and events in the newly renovated spaces. This is worth noting because Disney no longer offers group and meeting discounts on its hotel rooms. Whether you need 10 or 80 rooms, you pay the rack rate for Dinsey rooms. I think Disney is the only destination that doesn’t give volume discounts on hotel rooms. Let’s see how this works for them with the Swan, Dolphin, and uNiversal hotels making a play for Orlando’s convention business. r
#11
The Disney Treasure, a new ship from Disney Cruise Line, just started sailing from Port Canaveral. It joins the Disney Wish, another new Disney ship, as well as Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas (more about this coming up in a moment) and Utopia of the Seas, making Orlando the number one family cruise port in the world. The demand for family cruising has increased dramatically, and these new ships offer families even more options for cruising from Orlando.
The Disney Treasure does 7-night Caribbean itineraries. You’ll find 3 amazing lounges based on the Haunted Mansion, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, and Jungle Cruise from the Disney theme parks. There’s plenty of live entertainment like Beauty and the Beast, and exclusively on the Disney Treasure, The Tale of Moana, a Broadway-style musical that celebrates the courage to follow your dreams. There’s also a Coco-themed theatrical dining experience featuring the flavors of Mexico.
#10
The new Disney Vacation Club lounge at Magic Kingdom will offer comfortable seating, complimentary soft drinks with Coke Freestyle machines, Wi-Fi, and charging cords. There will be a children’s entertainment area and on-site Member Services. Located in Frontierland in the former Shootin' Arcade building, the lounge will require a valid DVC Membership Card and photo ID for access, and Members can bring up to four guests. As a DVC Member myself, I’m looking forward to this, but as a Disney Parks fan, my son and I miss the Shootin’ arcade.
#9
We can look forward to not 1 but 2 new lounges coming to the Disney theme parks this year.
This elegant lounge will be a tribute to the rich history of Spaceship Earth and EPCOT. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the World Celebration Gardens. As the sun sets and the park transforms for the evening, the lounge becomes the perfect setting to experience the nightly fireworks from an entirely new angle.
This space used to be the corporate lounge that was for the exclusive use of those who worked for the attraction’s sponsors like AT&T and Siemens. As a huge EPCOT fan, I’m very excited. I've always wanted to go up there and see what it’s like. Construction just started a few weeks ago, and no opening date has been revealed.
Construction on a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is already underway at Magic Kingdom Park. Set to open in Adventureland in late 2025, this lively lounge will cater to pirates of all ages, featuring a delightful assortment of drinks and food, along with some intriguing and enchanting surprises waiting to be discovered!
#8
Blue Man Group returns to Orlando after being booted from Universal. The new Orlando show has moved to ICON Park, on International Drive, just down the road from Universal and about 15 minutes away from Disney World. This new Blue Man Orlando show will feature a distinctive blend of art, high-energy live music, comedy, and non-verbal communication. There will be new scenes and classic crowd favorites. Starting April 2025, Blue Man Group performances will take place Tuesday through Sunday and will be dark on Mondays. Evening and matinee performances will take place one to two times daily. This is a win for ICON Park which is doing a great job at competing with three mega theme parks, in a small amount of space.
#7
Disney began replacing the popular Ft Wilderness Cabins at Disney’s Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort with new, modern luxury cabins - also part of the Disney Vacation Club. These new cabins are nice inside but some people feel they Disney didn’t fully understand what Fort Wilderness is all about. Is it about luxury cabins with modern comforts or rustic retreats in old-school Florida? Let me know what you think in the comments below. All of the cabins will be upgraded by spring of 2025.
#6
Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, an addition to the Disney Vacation Club, opened in December 2024. This new tower offers a range of accommodations, including villas equipped with kitchens and patios. There’s a new restaurant offering beautiful views of the Severn Seas Lagoon and Cinderella Castle. Island Tower is not just for DVC members, a set number of rooms are available for non-members too. Rooms come in tiny studios with a Murphy bed to up to 2-bedroom penthouse villas. I have more information in my Video on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, I’ll link to this video in the description.
#5
The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers opened in October at Disney's BoardWalk to mixed reviews. This restaurant and bakery, which opened in October 2022, offers cakes, cookies, pastries, and sandwiches. The shop also features an afternoon tea service, where guests can enjoy a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, and desserts. Aside from the astronomical prices, like the $12 I paid for a coffee, I do think there’s an elevated level of service here and it has a beautiful atmosphere.
#4
Magic Kingdom Park will debut the "Disney Starlight" nighttime parade this summer. It will feature illuminated floats inspired by classic Disney films like "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast," and "The Little Mermaid," Elaborately costumed performers will dance and interact with guests to catchy music. The grand finale, starring Mickey Mouse and other beloved characters, will create a magical ending to a day at the park. On one hand, I’m not looking forward to yet another event that makes it impossible to walk up or down Main Street USA, but it is kind of nice to have a nighttime parade back in Magic Kingdom.
#3
Not to be outdone by the theme parks, Royal Caribbean will homeport Star of the Seas in Orlando’s Port Canaveral. Star of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world, even larger than her sister ship, Icon of the Seas. Coming in August 2025, this mega-ship will offer 7-night Caribbean itineraries that include stops at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the brand’s private island.
Star is set to bring eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, The highlights include Thrill Island – with Category 6, the first waterpark at sea when
introduced on Icon, and its six record-breaking waterslides, Surfside – The neighborhood designed for young families is where they can stay and play all-day
Together The Hideaway – Hidden 135 feet above the ocean, is an adults-only spot that combines all the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world with a suspended infinity pool.
#2
Universal Orlando Resort is expanding its hotel options with the addition of three new hotels: Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel. These resorts will add a combined total of 1,500 guest rooms to the Universal Orlando Resort complex.
Stella Luna and Terra Nova are priced as Prime Value hotels so around $200 per night.
A standout feature of these new accommodations is the inclusion of 750 rooms equipped with two queen beds, catering to families and groups. Guests can also enjoy diverse dining options, resort-style pools, game rooms, and other amenities.
Universal’s Helios Grand Hotel, opening May 22, 2025, at Epic Universe, offers exclusive perks for guests. A dedicated park entrance provides direct access to Epic Universe, while early park admission lets guests enter select attractions an hour before the public. The hotel features luxurious dining options, including Bar Helios, a rooftop lounge with panoramic views, and a resort-style pool that includes underwater speakers, a terraced deck, cabanas, and a hot tub. Helios Grand Hotel is a Universal Signature Hotel, with rates starting around $500 per night.
#1
Universal Orlando Resort's Universal Epic Universe will open May 22, featuring over 50 attractions across five immersive worlds: Celestial Park immerses guests in living gardens and architecture inspired by astronomy and mythology. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic blends Wizarding Paris from Fantastic Beasts with the British Ministry of Magic.
Super Nintendo World features the iconic green pipes alongside beloved characters Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong. How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk offers a vibrant Viking realm inspired by the hit film franchise. Dark Universe reveals Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's experiments and a shadowy realm where monsters roam amid myth and mystery.
Is it just me or do you see fierce competition forming between Disney, Universal, and Royal Caribbean? Who has the best game plan for 2025? I’d love to know who you think will win out. Use the comments below to get the conversation started.
I recently made a video about Epic Universe and how it’s about to take over Orlando. Check that out now the link is coming up. And check out my website, OrlandoParksGuy.com for more vacation planning help, I’ll you there.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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What’s New, What’s Next for Orlando Vacations in 2025