ORLANDO BOOM
THRILLS GALORE ON WAY IN FLORIDA’S HIGH-OCTANE RESORT
THINGS move fast in the theme park capital of the world – and that’s not just the fantastic rollercoasters.
Orlando never lets its high-octane holiday offering stand still, and for 2020 the thrills, more gentle family-friendly attractions and great hotels will keep on coming.
Here’s the pick of the best...
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Wednesday.
Riders find themselves on a runaway train in a world where the rules of physics don’t apply and the racing rodents are trying to save the day in their sports car.
• Epcot is getting one of the biggest makeovers of any Disney park in history, with standout new summer attractions including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, shrinking guests to the size of Chef Remy and racing them through Gusteau’s restaurant – inset right – and the colossal night-time spectacular HarmonioUS.
• The Bourne Stuntacular is a cutting-edge live-action stunt show based on Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Jason Bourne spy films.
It will debut in the spring at Universal Studios Florida. Expect it to “blur the lines between stage and cinema” in a mash-up of fights, chases and death-defying leaps.
• ICON Park, on International Drive, will welcome two major heart-pumping thrill rides and an interactive museum as I-Drive becomes a destination in itself.
The Orlando Slingshot will catapult guests 450ft into the air and is set to be the world’s tallest slingshot ride.
As if that’s not enough, the Orlando Gyro Drop Tower will reach 400ft, making it the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, with riders freefalling at up to 75mph.
Opening dates for both are to be announced, but when they do maybe don’t go on them straight after lunch!
Wind down at the Museum of Illusions Orlando, which is set to open this summer featuring optical, photographic, holographic and interactive trickery – perfect for selfies. • Two new hotels stand out. Universal Orlando’s 2,050-room Dockside Inn and Suites opens on March 17. Coastal-themed, it offers great value close to the action, with rooms from $79 a night. JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort opens the same day and offers 516 rooms, a spa and a rooftop terrace with nightly views of the theme park fireworks shows. Room rates to be announced. • Shoppers won’t miss out either – two malls will be upgraded in 2020. Pointe Orlando will get a $32million makeover by summer, while Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets gets a reimagined food hall, enhanced wi-fi and more by December.
For more information and inspiration on the destination, see visitorlando.com.