Theme Parks
Universal Orlando Resort
The Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, the fifth on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, recently opened and features 1,000 rooms and suites and 115,000 square feet of meeting space, and is built around a 16,000-square-foot pool surrounded by waterfalls. The theme park is also offering several new attractions this year, including Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s Skull Island: Reign of Kong, which has thrill-seekers using off-road vehicles to explore ancient temples while avoiding hazards.
Walt Disney World Resort
The new Frozen Ever After attraction opened in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion, showcasing the icy kingdom from the hit movie Frozen. The parks launched four new shows: Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away; Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular; The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic; and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. Finally, famed Mexican cuisine chef and TV personality Rick Bayless opened his Frontera Cocina in June at Disney Springs.
Seaworld Orlando
The new 200-foot-tall Mako roller coaster, Orlando’s tallest, debuted in June and will be the centerpiece of the park’s two-acre shark-themed plaza.
Orlando Eye was rebranded to the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye July 28. The 400-foot-tall observation wheel in the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex is the sister wheel to the Coca-Cola London Eye. Groups of from 15 to 2,500 can utilize the wheel for special events, with a variety of catering options available.
Sports
Orlando City Soccer Club
Orlando welcomed its first Major League Soccer team in 2016, which will play at the newly renovated Camping World Stadium while a $110 million, 25,000-seat facility is being built downtown. Camping World Stadium offers a 20,000-square-foot deck overlooking its north end zone that can be used for events. Orlando will also soon become the home of the United States Tennis Association headquarters, which will offer a 100-court complex in Lake Nona, slated to open this fall.