ORLANDO, Fla. – This summer, Orlando is building up to a historic span of new openings with some of the largest expansions in theme park history, from the enchanting alien world of Pandora to the island paradise of Volcano Bay. But those who haven't been since last summer have even more to explore, including phenomenal dining options and brand new resorts. It's the most exciting time to be in Orlando, where all-new adventure, mystery, thrills and family fun await visitors looking for an unforgettable summer vacation.

NEW ATTRACTIONS

• Universal Orlando Resort: Volcano Bay, a brand new tropical island water park, will open May 25, 2017. The park will offer innovative, thrilling attractions and TapuTapu wearable technology for virtual queuing. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will also open two new towers by late May, featuring 400 additional guest rooms and suites. The new ride “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon,” opened April 6 as well.

• Walt Disney World Resort: Pandora -The World of AVATAR will open as a new land at Animal Kingdom on May 27, 2017, as the largest expansion in the park's history. “Happily Ever After,” a new nighttime spectacular, will debut at Magic Kingdom Park on May 12. Miss Adventure Falls, a family-style raft attraction, opened at Typhoon Lagoon on March 12. “Rivers of Light” is an innovative experience combining live performances, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery that opened Feb. 17.

• SeaWorld Orlando: SeaWorld's first digitally enhanced ride experience will open this summer in 2017 as the legendary Kraken roller coaster is transformed into a virtual reality (VR) roller coaster experience.  Electric Ocean, a new end-of-day spectacle event, will debut in summer 2017 as well. An all-new stadium show called Dolphin Days is now open, immersing guests into the world of the ocean's most playful ambassadors.

• Andretti Karting is a brand new $30 million indoor go-kart facility on Universal Boulevard near the convention center, opening June 2017. The new facility will feature electronic go-karting, zip lines, bowling, racing simulators, a 'sky bar,' rock climbing, laser tag and a full-service restaurant.

• Fun Spot America will debut a new wooden coaster this summer, dubbed the Mine Blower. The $6 million new ride will be 82-foot-tall, and run nearly 50-mph.The lead car will be adorned with large sticks of dynamite, and the train will enter darkened tunnels themed as mine shafts. Mine Blower will include a barrel roll inversion, a rare element for a wooden coaster.

• A Multipurpose Soccer Stadium is now open in downtown Orlando, in a developing entertainment center a block away from the Amway Center. The stadium seats 25,500 and serves as home to the Orlando City Lions soccer team.

• Main Event Entertainment at Pointe Orlando is a new dining and entertainment complex with everything from America fare and handcrafted cocktails, to more than 100 virtual and interactive games, state-of-the-art bowling and the first free roam multi-player virtual reality game in the U.S.

NEW DINING & NIGHTLIFE

• Disney Springs: Three James Beard Foundation winners have joined the line-up of dining options at this newly-renovated entertainment complex: Chef Art Smith a Homecomin'—Florida Kitchen and Shouthern Shine; Chef Rick Bayless at Frontera Cocina, and Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto Asia. Superstar steakhouse STK also opened an outpost at Disney Springs. The new Planet Hollywood Observatory features fare from Guy Fieri, while Paddlefish, formerly Fulton's Crab House, offers contemporary, seafood-centric cuisine. The Polite Pig, opened in April, boasts a variety of wood-fired, smoked and grilled items as well as drinks on tap.

• Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is a new full-service restaurant at Universal CityWalk that offers unique takes on classic steak, seafood, pasta and more, plus an array of gourmet chocolates and desserts.

NEW ACCOMMODATIONS

• The Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is the fifth onsite hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, featuring 1,000 rooms and suites with a casual Caribbean theme, built around a lagoon and towering waterfall.

• LEGOLAND Florida Resort opened a new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat on April 7. The new accommodations include 83 single-story duplexes, a themed pool, sandy play area and new restaurant, all conveniently located adjacent to the theme park.

• The Grove Resort & Spa - Just five minutes from Walt Disney World Resort, the Grove Resort & Spa opened in March 2017. The hotel offers 878 two- and three-bedroom residential-style suites with full kitchens, washers & dryers and multiple bathrooms to provide all the comforts of home.

TRAVEL PACKAGES

• Save on a Walt Disney World tickets through 20 May

TravelBrands offers a $359 Canadian resident special price for a 4-day Magic Your Way Ticket to Walt Disney World Resort. The offer is valid on new bookings made through 20 May 2017 for arrival between now and 31 December 2017.

• Seven nights in Orlando from $669pp

Air Canada Vacations offers a 7-night stay at Comfort Inn Maingate in Orlando for $669 per person – a savings of 20 percent – with taxes and fees included. Stay includes daily breakfast and transportation to local theme parks, shopping and entertainment. For bookings, visit www.aircanadavacations.com. Offer ends May 15.

• Special Walt Disney World Resort pricing through WestJet Vacations

WestJet offers a 4-Day Magic Way Your Way Adult Base Ticket to Walt Disney World in Orlando for $360 – a savings of over 30 percent – with a WestJet Vacations package. Savings is also available on up to 10-Day Magic Your Way ticket products. Offer expires May 20. For bookings, visit www.westjet.com or call 1-877-737-7001.

• Free Walt Disney World dining plan through 31 August

TravelBrands offers guests a free Disney Quick Service Dining Plan with the purchase of a 3- to 14-night stay at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel in select room categories in combination with a minimum 2-Day Magic Your Way ticket with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus option. To receive this offer, guests must book by 31 August 2017 and travel by 23 December 2017. Conditions and blackout dates apply.

• Seven nights at Universal Orlando Resort on-site hotel from $149

TravelBrands offers a 7-night stay at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort inside Universal Orlando Resort from $149 per night; taxes included. The offer is for a poolside room with two queen beds. Prices vary per departure with no booking window. Restrictions and blackout dates apply.

• Seven nights in Orlando from $769pp

Transat offers a 7-night stay at Monumental Hotel Orlando on International Drive, located near SeaWorld and Walt Disney World, for $769 per person. Offer includes taxes and fees. A limited amount of rooms are available at this price. For bookings, visit www.transat.com or call 1-866-322-6649.

Find more information, including exclusive insider tips, opening dates as they are released and the latest news on Orlando's summer happenings at VisitOrlando.com/blog.

The Orlando Destination

Home to seven of the world's top theme parks, Orlando - Theme Park Capital of the WorldSM is the No. 1 family vacation destination and the most visited destination in the United States.  An unparalleled mix of unique experiences create cherished memories for visitors, including legendary theme parks from Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, an array of world-class water parks, entertainment venues, an award-winning food scene, shopping, sports and nightlife. And, with 450 hotels, Orlando offers more lodging options than nearly any other destination in the world, from expansive resorts to uniquely themed hotels. 

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