New Orlando Theme Park Happenings for 2025

Universal Orlando Resort 

Epic Universe

Scheduled to open on May 22, 2025, Epic Universe will be Universal’s third theme park, and its first since Islands of Adventure opened back in 2000. Epic Universe will invite visitors to explore five fully immersive, and unique, worlds of wonder. Here then is an overview of the exciting experiences waiting for visitors:

Celestial Park: This beautifully landscaped area, complete with fountains and waterfalls, will serve as the entranceway to the park, with portals to the four other lands of Epic Universe.

• Constellation Carousel: Not your typical merry-go-round, these animals glide forward and backward, and even make 360-degree rotations. 
• Stardust Racers: This dual-track racing coaster will reach speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet, crisscrossing while speeding through the air. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Universal Orlando will introduce its third Harry Potter land, where guests discover a different era of the wizarding world, based on 1920s Paris, as seen in the "Fantastic Beasts" films. 

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: The massive attraction blends immersive environments, powerful storytelling, groundbreaking ride technology and more. Embark on an action-packed adventure to bring the infamous Dolores Umbridge to justice. Guests then join Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione on a thrilling chase through the Ministry, while dodging attacks from Death Eaters and other creatures. 
• Le Cirque Arcanus: The first live, full-scale theater experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this spectacular show will feature amazing live performers, puppetry, special effects, and more!

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment will unleash more than a dozen legendary monsters. Photo courtesy Universal

Dark Universe: Universal Studios’ classic monsters finally get a well-deserved land of their own. Wander through Darkmoor, a spooky old village straight out of a 1930s horror movie, complete with foreboding castle, graveyard, and a windmill that bursts into flames several times a day. 

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: This groundbreaking thrill ride take guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where they encounter the most ambitious and life-like animated figures ever created, each representing a classic Universal monster, including Dracula, Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. This technically sophisticated attraction will use the same type of ride system as Island of Adventure’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. 
• Curse of the Werewolf: Board a wagon-shaped vehicle on this family-friendly attraction and race to escape the werewolves.

Super Nintendo World: Jump into the action of your favorite video games, and meet all of their iconic characters.

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: This groundbreaking theme park attraction combines elaborate environments, augmented reality, and projection mapping. Navigate Mario Kart courses to collect coins, toss shells at Team Bowser, dodge obstacles, and more.
• Mine-Cart Madness: On this unique family coaster, guests board a mine cart and careen through the jungle on a thrilling adventure, experiencing the crazy stunts from the video games.
• Yoshi’s Adventure: This family-friendly ride offers breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they travel through Mushroom Kingdom and encounter many familiar characters along the way. 

How to Train Your Dragon - Isle Of Berk: The exciting world of this animated franchise comes to life at Epic Universe.

• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: This family coaster takes guests on a ride in Hiccup’s latest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that reaches speeds up to 45 mph.
• Fyre Drill: Perfect for a hot Florida day, this ride allows guests to blast water cannons at flame-like targets and each other, as they sail onboard colorful dragon-headed boats.
• Dragon Racer’s Rally: Enjoy the adventure of high-speed barrel rolls in dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet. Guests also control how “wild” or “mild” their experience will be.
• The Untrainable Dragon: Isle of Berk features a live spectacular with musical numbers, breathtaking sets, and life-sized dragons soaring overhead.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a Mediterranean-inspired escape rising above the Celestial Park at Epic Universe. Artist conceptual rendering courtesy of Universal

New Hotels

• Helios Grand Hotel: Opening the same day as Epic Universe (May 22, 2025) and with its own dedicated entrance into the park, Helios Grand Hotel will be this area’s flagship hotel. Beautiful details of celestial patterns and constellations adorn the hotel with a casual yet elegant Mediterranean ambiance. Guests enjoy a wide range of rooms and suites (including How to Train Your Dragon kids’ suites), exceptional dining, a rooftop bar with 360-degree views, resort-style pools, fitness centers, and more amenities.
• Stella Nova Resort (opened January 21, 2025) and Terra Luna Resort (opening March 25, 2025): These two resorts, similarly themed to adventures in the vast universe, offer guests a more moderately priced option than Helios Grand. These resorts feature a wide range of amenities, including double-queen guest rooms with spaceship-styled windows.

Walt Disney World’s attraction-themed lounge, located behind Spaceship Earth, offers guests an elegant setting, inspired by the legacy of this theme park icon. Photo courtesy of WDW

Walt Disney World Resort

Attractions

All sorts of cool things are scheduled to open in Disney for 2025, including a new show, the reimagining of two attractions, a new parade, and more.

• Test Track 3.0 (Epcot): While the third version of Test Track will maintain the same ride system, the exciting part of this reimagination is that Disney draws inspiration from World of Motion, the opening-day attraction that Test Track replaced in 1999. Specifically, this version will explore transportation through the ages. (Late summer)
• Spaceship Earth Lounge (Epcot): This attraction-themed lounge, located behind Spaceship Earth, offers guests an elegant setting, inspired by the legacy of this theme park icon. Savor culinary creations and cocktails while enjoying breathtaking views of World Celebration Gardens and nightly fireworks. (Late spring)
• Disney Starlight - Dream the Night Away (Magic Kingdom): This dazzling new spectacle will be the Magic Kingdom’s first evening parade since the Main Street Electrical Parade closed in 2016. Featuring beloved characters from films such as Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Frozen, and Moana, the parade invites guests to dream the night away with a celebration of Disney magic. (Summer)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern (Magic Kingdom): This playful and immersive experience welcomes pirates of all ages, offering a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub. More than a few magical surprises are in store in this swashbuckling world. (Late 2025)
• Disney Villains - Unfairly Ever After (Hollywood Studios): This villain-themed show invites guests into the Magic Mirror’s mysterious realm, where fiendish foes like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent take over the stage. (Summer)
• The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure (Hollywood Studios): This reimagined version of Voyage of the Little Mermaid debuts in the refreshed Animation Courtyard section. This production will feature additional songs from the film, stunning set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design. (Late 2025)

Free Water Park Passes

Throughout 2025, guests who stay at any Disney-owned hotel will get a FREE, one-day pass to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach for their entire party. Note: The pass is only valid on the day you check in, so arrive to your hotel early, check your bags with bell services, and head out for splashy fun.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld's new Immersive Experience will invite you to step into an indoor theater where the Arctic comes to life. Once inside, soar through the skies, glide over snow-capped mountains, weave through glaciers, dive into icy waters, and even witness the Aurora Borealis across the night sky. With a minimum height requirement of 39 inches, this attraction is a thrilling adventure that’s perfect for the whole family. (Spring 2025)

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Discover the amazing wonders of the underwater world at SEA LIFE, a new, family-friendly aquarium. Marvel at a diverse range of spectacular marine life, interact with challenging exhibits, and embark on a voyage of oceanic exploration, culminating in the ultimate finale: The Theme Park Under the Sea! (2025)