Orlando attractions line-up for 2018

Toy Story Land, a VR LEGO coaster and the high-octane Fast & Furious – Supercharged are among the many Orlando attractions set to open in 2018.

The Theme Park Capital of the World will be home to new thrill rides, water attractions, movies, hotels and dining experiences.

“Every Orlando vacation is unique, with so many attractions and activities for visitors to mix and match, but 2018 will be an exceptional year for experiences that really stand out,” said George Aguel, President and CEO for Visit Orlando.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged takes action up a gear at Universal Studios Florida. The full-throttle, experience will immerse guests in the world of underground racing alongside Dom, Letty, Hobbs and the rest of the crew.

Toy Story Land is opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2018. It will feature two new themed attractions, the “Slinky Dog Dash” roller coaster and “Alien Swirling Saucers.”

Universal Studios Florida has announced a new nighttime show to replace Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular-100 Years of Movie Memories. This new lagoon show will feature animated characters, a new storyline, lighting and special effects.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Infinity Falls is a new rainforest river rapids ride featuring the world’s tallest river rapid drop.

Ray Rush is set to make a splash at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark. The family raft ride is scheduled to debut in spring 2018. It features wild water jets, a colossal water sphere and giant manta wings.

Younger visitors to LEGOLAND Florida Resort will have the chance to experience the first VR coaster aimed at children. The Great LEGO Race VR Coaster will be in place of the Project X roller coaster experience, re-imagined with a new story plus special effects.

Also at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, a new short 3D film with 4D real-world effects is set to debut at the LEGO Showplace Theatre. LEGO NINJAGO – Master of the 4th Dimension opens Jan. 12, 2018.

New to the Lake Nona area of Orlando will be the Nona Adventure Park. It is scheduled to open next summer. The water-sports park will include an inflatable, floating obstacle course, wakeboarders pulled along by cables and a 60-foot climbing tower with a ropes course.

A new waterfront resort, Margaritaville Resort Orlando is expected to open next year. It will feature hotels, holiday homes and an entertainment district.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is expanding, adding a further 500 rooms and a new rooftop restaurant.

New dining options are set to include everything from tapas to Japanese cuisine to an all-vegan restaurant. Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar will serve Prohibition-era cocktails along with a menu of Roman dishes. All of these are inspired by the true Florida history of rum-running.

“A great vacation lets you escape from the everyday and experience something new, and there is no shortage of that this coming year, ranging from being immersed in a high-speed car chase with the Fast & Furious to plunging down the world’s tallest river rapid drop,” added Aguel.

Images courtesy Univeral Orlando