The latest Orlando happenings updated weekly using information provided by partners and destination press releases. Stay up-to-date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and more.
ACCOMODATIONS:
EVEN Hotel Orlando International Airport officially opened in July, offering wellness-focused accommodations located minutes from MCO. The new property features in-room fitness zones, a 24/7 athletic studio and health-conscious dining at EVEN Kitchen & Bar.
ATTRACTIONS:
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will offer guests 20% off tickets as part of the zoo’s 50th anniversary celebration, July 4-6. Visitors can also explore the new, limited-time historical gallery in the Wayne Densch building featuring photos, milestones, memories and behind-the-scenes moments that trace the zoo’s journey from humble beginnings to Seminole County’s largest attraction.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights announced details for its fifth original haunted house. “Galkn: Monsters of the North” will take visitors through a remote northern village where an evil being rises from the dead, prompting monsters to attack local townspeople.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights announced details for a new haunted house based on the Terrifier slasher series. Guests will enter Art the Clown’s twisted Funhouse, filled with gruesome scenes, iconic kills and terrifying characters from the films.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit opened Titanic Kids Adventure Tour – The Cat, The Bear & The Boat on July 5. The unique tour, designed for children ages 5-11, takes visitors on an interactive scavenger hunt with stories of the Titanic’s design, real artifacts and a guided adventure map. Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Sandbox VR, an immersive virtual reality experience, will open July 25 with nine interactive adventures. Guests can use full-body motion capture to explore, battle and solve challenges in virtual worlds with adult and kid-friendly options.
Magic Kingdom Park debuted “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” on July 20. This new nighttime parade features glowing floats, synchronized music and appearances from over 30 beloved Disney characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen” and more.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights revealed details for five new scare zones and two street experiences joining the event this year. Guests will face twisted creatures in “Mutations: Toxic Twenties,” where a radioactive truck crash unleashes chaos in a 1920s mob town; encounter cursed trick-or-treaters in “The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane”; dance among the undead in “Masquerade: Dance with Death”; and explore “The Origins of Horror,” a gothic garden teeming with crows and gargoyles. Beyond the scare zones, the streets will pulse with the beats of “Club Horror,” an undead rave and “Mel’s Die-In Zombies,” where carhops have returned in flesh-craving form.
Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney at Disney Springs will offer Florida residents up to 25% off adult tickets through Sept. 7.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will unveil “The Magic of Disney Animation” in 2026, a new family friendly experience inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Emmy-winning short film, “Once Upon a Studio.” Taking over the current Star Wars: Launch Bay space, the reimagined area will feature interactive exhibits, character meet-and-greets and a whimsical indoor playground. Outside, the Animation Courtyard will be transformed into “The Walt Disney Studios,” a shaded, play-friendly space modeled after Disney’s Burbank campus.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE:
The EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns as part of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, offering live entertainment Sept. 5 – Nov. 17. Included with park admission, this fan-favorite concert series features performances from a dynamic mix of artists across various genres including Joey Fatone & Friends, Hanson, Boyz II Men and more.
The Florida Blue Florida Classic returns to Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m., featuring the longtime HBCU rivalry between Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University. The game includes the world-famous halftime show, presented by Disney on the Yard, with performances by the Marching Wildcats and FAMU’s Marching “100.”
Orlando Science Center will host Astro Fest July 19-20. The two-day event will feature hands-on experiments, NASA expert talks, virtual space flights and surprise guests. Activities include rocket launches, solar system building, live science shows and giant screen films like Apollo 11: First Steps Edition. Admission includes access to all exhibits.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host visitors for an upcoming SpaceX Crew-11 launch July 31 at 12:09 p.m. The Feel the Heat package will be available for purchase, offering exclusive access to launch viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, two-day admission, a meal, commemorative souvenirs and expert commentary.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream returns for its fifth year on select nights Sept. 5 – Nov. 1. This year’s event will include five haunted houses, with three making their debut, along with six scare zones featuring four new themes, five themed bars and two live shows. Among the new highlights is “The Collector’s Curse,” a haunted house set inside a lavish estate. Through July 27, the limited-time Sinister Sale offers tickets starting at $33.99, with savings up to 70%.
Orlando’s Main Street districts will host Sip & Savor Weeks, July 25 – Aug. 10, a citywide culinary celebration highlighting the diverse food and beverage spots that make Orlando’s neighborhoods unique. More than 65 locally owned restaurants, bars, cafés and vendors from the 12 districts will offer limited-time menus, curated bundles and special pricing designed to showcase neighborhood flavor and culinary creativity.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ festival returns July 6 – Aug. 24, bringing sizzling summer vibes to weekends at the park. Guests can enjoy live concerts from top country and rock artists in the air-conditioned Nautilus Theater, plus indulge in over 130 craft brews, cocktails and BBQ favorites from regional styles like Memphis, Carolina and Texas.
TRANSPORTATION
Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced several new updates. U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the Enhanced Passenger Processing program for international arrivals., using biometric facial comparison technology to verify U.S. citizens for entry. Annie’s Space Sensory Room opened in Terminal A, offering a soothing space for families and travelers with sensory sensitivities. This summer, a phased renovation will begin on 61 post-security restrooms, with 12 new ones to be added.