March orders: What’s new to do in theme parks, attractions
Let’s not go so far as to call it March Madness, but there’s certainly momentum this month as Orlando’s theme parks and attractions move toward spring break, Easter and the traditionally busy summer vacation season.
Here is a sampling of the opportunities out there between now and when things get April foolish.
New crew
It’s not exactly like spotting the first robin, but new attractions are a signal of spring in these parts.
Legoland Florida is introducing its Ferrari Build & Race experience on Friday. It will feature the ability to create Lego cars, have them scanned and then (digitally) race them. This exercise is fronted by a full-scale Ferrari 296 GTS made of Lego bricks. (Bonus: Visitors can sit inside it.)
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, is introducing a slide named Tassie’s Underwater Twist. It is themed to be a journey through Australia’s Shark Bay seagrass meadow, a synchronized video display and an orchestral score. An official opening date is slated to be announced next week.
Tune town
Universal’s Mardi Gras concert series is revving up with back-to-back nights of performances on back-to-back weekends. This weekend features Ava Max (“Sweet but Psycho”) on Saturday and Queen Latifah on Sunday. On March 16, Luis Fonsi is on the Music Plaza Stage,
then it’s German record producer/DJ Zedd on March 17.
Upcoming Garden Rocks concerts during Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival include Berlin (Friday and Saturday), Rick Springfield (Sunday, Monday), followed by Modern English and the Commodores the following weekend.
SeaWorld Orlando plays host to the Righteous Brothers on Saturday and the Goo Goo Dolls on Sunday. (The park also goes into St. Patrick’s Day mode for the next two weekends at its Seven Seas Food Festival.)
Cheers
Old Town is celebrating the 34th anniversary of its weekly car show on March 16. The Kissimmee event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., will include live entertainment, giveaways and, at 8:30 p.m., the Car Cruise rolls through the shopping and entertainment complex. Its Saturday Nite Classic Car Show and Cruise is said to be the longest-running weekly car show in the U.S.
SeaWorld continues its celebration of the fifth birthday of its Sesame Street Land, and visitors can take advantage of photo ops with Honker and
Dinger near the Cookie Drop ride the next two weekends. The park is also giving away a celebration plate starting March 25, white supplies last, at Hooper’s Store.
Fun Spot’s locations in Orlando and Kissimmee are celebrating Mardi Gras with family-friendly parades, jazz music, photo spots and Gator Bites on Saturdays through March 30. The parades step off at 4 p.m.
Walt Disney World makes the Easter-egg hunting a breeze with displays at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts. Among the newbies at
the Contemporary: Eggs themed to “Elemental” and “Hercules.” These are arty, creative occasions, not rolling for prizes, but there are usually themed foods to peruse.
History on the menu
Orange County Regional History Center will host a breakfast tied to Women’s History Month on March 12. Its theme is “Daring Women of the Skies,” which looks at the Central Florida connections of Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman pilot in the
U.S.; “Grace the Ace,” who flew reconnaissance out of Orlando during World War II; Ruth Elder, first woman to attempt a transatlantic flight; and Betty Skelton, who was known as the “First Lady of Firsts.” Tickets are $35 with proceeds supporting the museum’s HERStory: Women in History Internship program. More information: thehistorycenter.org.
Elsewhere in the history center: “The City Beautiful: Scenes of Downtown Orlando” exhibit, paintings by Jim Quinlan of vintage postcards, remains in place through March 30.