Welcome to the latest edition of the Orlando Media Newsletter – filled with the destination’s trending topics and latest news. Orlando is an ever-growing destination constantly surprising even the locals with new attractions, dining and entertainment to experience.  

Crafted to inspire fresh story angles, this travel tip sheet includes information on what’s new and upcoming in Orlando. For additional information or interview requests, contact: media@visitorlando.com. Media images can be found here

Trending Orlando Topics 

  • “What’s Galentine’s Day? Only the best day of the year!” Made popular by a 2010 episode of Parks & Recreation, the Feb. 13th holiday encourages women to embrace their friendships.  From fun DIY-centered activities to delicious food-focused outings, Orlando offers plenty of ways to celebrate.  

    • Tea-time besties will love The Tea Room Experience’s Valentine’s Day-themed afternoon tea sitting – happening Feb. 9-12 in Downtown Orlando – complete with finger sandwiches, savory bites and petite desserts, a selection of loose-leaf teas and complimentary Valentine’s mimosas. Savor dairy and vegan ice cream next door at The Greenery Creamery – an artisanal ice cream boutique – and stroll to area shops or take a walk nearby Lake Eola Park. 
    • Create custom lipsticks, lip glosses, foundation and concealer – using clean, cruelty-free ingredients – at the Rouge Beauty Lab in Ocoee. Girlfriends can continue their DIY outing at the Artifact Candle Foundry – Orlando’s do-it-yourself candle-making experience. With help from fragrance and candle experts, visitors can choose from over 60 premium fragrance oils to design custom-scented soy candles. 

    • Foodie BFFs will love the delicious dishes at Orlando’s MICHELIN-recognized restaurants. The lively Four Flamingos will offer a four-course Valentine’s-themed experience, while JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek’s Sear + Sea Woodfire Grill will extend an exclusive dining experience that includes a glass of Tattinger Champagne, a series of culinary delights and live jazz music and Lovers Cocktail Specials in the Lobby Bar. 

  • Orlando was ranked the top domestic city for Valentine’s Day travel, according to Allianz Partners USA's Top Valentine’s Day Destinations report. In fact, searches for Valentine’s Day travel plans jumped by 45% compared to 2022 – with 71% of the itineraries being for domestic travel. In Orlando, Valentine’s Day celebrations range from heart-stirring live performing arts and romantic al-fresco activities to exclusive Valentine’s Day dining offers (and more!) throughout Orlando. 

    • Experience passion, betrayal and love with Orlando Ballet’s Moulin Rouge (Feb. 9-12) at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. For comic relief, couples can laugh out loud during SAK Comedy Lab’s Valentine’s Day Show (Feb. 14) as the club’s top billed pros perform favorited improvised challenges (sprinkled with a little extra love). 

    • For scenic outdoor adventures, clear kayaking tours with Get Up and Go Kayaking offer a romantic opportunity to paddle through the mangrove tunnels, discover hidden coves and observe the abundant marine life below. Couples who enjoy more of the city views can ride aboard a two-person swan-shaped paddleboat around the iconic Lake Eola before savoring a romantic meal at a nearby restaurant in Downtown Orlando. 

  • Orlando’s year-round sunny, warmer weather makes for the perfect setting to enjoy pools 365 days a year. Boasting lazy rivers, waterslides, gorgeous scenery, secluded grottos and kid-friendly fun, Visit Orlando gathered a list of over 20 of the coolest pools in Orlando – from rockin’ pools with booming underwater music systems to water park pools with beach-like sandy bottoms. 
     

What’s New and Upcoming Around Orlando 

Roboland, a new exhibit and interactive robot attraction, opened on International Drive last month. Country Nights Live – a new and interactive family dinner experience debuting March 2 – will feature live music, dancing and country cooking. With its original location in East End Market, Farm & Haus soft-opened its second location in Winter Park’s Park Avenue. 

For more of the latest Orlando news, visit our media site
 

What’s Happening at the Theme Parks  

The Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando – featuring global cuisine, diverse live entertainment and extraordinary animal encounters – runs Thursdays through Sundays through May 7. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land, a one-of-a-kind dining experience – Roundup Rodeo BBQ – will open on March 23. Those who love lightning speed will be able to experience TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park when it opens April 4. The new attraction will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world. Meanwhile at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval – happening through April 16 – will feature a dazzling Mardi Gras parade, mouthwatering cuisine inspired by global Carnaval celebrations and, on select nights, live concerts by top names in music like Goo Goo Dolls, Maren Morris and Sean Paul. 
 

Did You Know? 

Orlando was named 2023’s Best Place to Get Married by finance website WalletHub, which compared more than 180 of the biggest U.S. cities across 26 key indicators of cost-effectiveness, convenience and enjoyment.