The Most Anticipated Orlando Theme Park Updates

Walt Disney himself stated, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.쳌 That statement rings true today more than ever, not just at Disney World but at many of the theme parks in Orlando and Central Florida. Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and LEGOLAND Florida theme parks are always evolving to provide guests new and exciting experiences.

Coming in 2018, Orlando’s most popular theme parks will broaden their horizons and add more thrilling adventures near your Metro Orlando new home. Here’s the scoop on new attractions and upcoming changes:

What’s New at Walt Disney World Parks?

Toy Story Land to Open at Disney World's Hollywood Studios in 2018

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Shrink to the size of a toy and switch roles with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and the gang as you walk through infinityand beyond! Scheduled to open in summer 2018, this new land will also feature themed dining options like Slinky Dog Dash and attractions such as Alien Swirling Saucers.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at Disney Springs: The galaxy needs undercover agents to recover imperial intelligence vital to the Rebellion’s survival! Opening on December 16, 2017, this cutting-edge, multi-sensory, hyper-reality experience sends teams of four into the universe undercover as Storm Troopers.

Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World Resort: This ride is quite the opposite of action-packed; it’s relaxing with beautiful views and allows guests to take a breath of fresh air — from the sky. A series of large gondolas, themed to different characters, will take passengers up into the air and allow them to easily travel back and forth between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Three on-site hotels are also on the path: Caribbean Beach, Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts.

Coming in Hot at Universal Orlando Resort

Fast & Furious Supercharged is coming to Universal Orlando in spring 2018

Fast & Furious — Supercharged: Scheduled to open in spring 2018, ride alongside Dom, Letty, Hobbs and the rest of the crew in a heart-pounding, high-octane chase. While you’re in line, check out 15 of the authentic cars from the Fast and Furious films!

Universal’s Aventura Hotel: This hotel will have guests feeling like royalty with an in-room tablet to control many of the room’s features, like the TV, temperature and more. Plus, the amenities are tech-savvy with a virtual reality game room and a dive-in movie experience with an underwater speaker system in the resort-style pool.

New Nighttime Lagoon Show: A popular five-year-old production known as the Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories will be replaced with new animation from favorite Universal characters, a new storyline, new music, lighting and special effects in summer 2018. Many details are still in the works for this magnificent show, so stay tuned for more news!

Ride Virtually Through LEGOLAND

The Great Lego Race will open at LEGOLAND Florida in 2018

The Great Lego Race: This wild ride will transform the theme park’s existing Project X roller coaster into a virtual reality experience that puts guests in the driver’s seat. A thrilling roller coaster experience, in a dazzling environment where everything is made of LEGO — Win win!

All of these mentioned expansions will be open for you to enjoy within the upcoming year. There are many additional attractions with dates announced for 2019 and beyond. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway are in development, and a new Harry Potter-themed coaster experience is coming to the site of the old Dragon Challenge at Universal Orlando. Plus, at the D23 Expo in July, exciting developments were announced to celebrate Disney’s 50^th anniversary in 2021. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the happiest place on Earth!

The Orlando area is the perfect place to live and keep entertained year-round! Highland Homes is pleased to build new homes designed for your life throughout Greater Orlando, Central Florida and beyond. Choose from more than 30 home plans priced from the mid-$100,000’s to the $300,000’s, with low down payment finance options available for qualified buyers. To find your new home in Orlando and browse all of our exciting Florida new home communities, visit the Highland Homes website.