Today’s travel tip sheet includes information on what’s new on International Drive, Black History Month celebrations, new ways to attend socially distanced events, and deals for Florida Residents. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com.

In this Issue:

  • What’s New Spotlight: ICON Park
  • New Outdoor Entertainment Festival in Downtown Orlando
  • Black History Month: Theme Parks, Dining, Museums & More
  • New Savings for Florida Residents
  • Innovative Socially Distanced Event: “Down the Rabbit Hole”
  • U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves Cup
  • DYK? World’s largest collection of Tiffany glass is in Orlando!

Looking for even MORE thrills in 2021?

ICON Park, the 20-acre, walkable entertainment destination on International Drive is planning a major expansion for 2021 with four new attractions:

  • NOW OPEN - The Museum of Illusions Orlando, a mind-bending experience with 50 mentally deceptive, interactive exhibits using math, science, and psychology.
  • OPENING SOON - In The Game ICON Park, a 7,000-square-foot family entertainment center featuring 70 arcade games, an interactive mirror maze, interactive virtual reality experiences and escape rooms.
  • OPENING SUMMER
    • The world’s tallest slingshot ride - ICON Park Slingshot™, launching riders out of an “exploding volcano” 450 feet up into the sky at speeds of up to 100 mph.
    • North America’s tallest free-standing drop tower - ICON Park Drop Tower - towering 430 feet and tilting riders forward to face the ground before free falling at speeds up to 75 mph.

Country’s First Socially Distanced Music Festival Debuts in Orlando

Now through May, visitors can enjoy the first socially distanced music festival in the United States - an innovative new series keeping safety top-of-mind while providing world class entertainment from music to comedy and big-name concerts. During the Dr. Phillip Center’s outdoor Frontyard Festival™, presented by AdventHealth, patrons can book a private, elevated box for up five people, spaced 6 feet apart, where they can order food and drinks from local restaurants while watching the show. The festival’s design is reminiscent of people's own backyards, where outdoor areas have become safe spaces for friends and family members to gather during the pandemic. Upcoming performances include:

  • The Wailers Featuring Julian Marley: February 19
  • Jamey Johnson & Randy Houser: A Special Acoustic Performance Together – Cadillac Country Tour: February 25
  • Young Star Musical Theatre presents Hairspray: March 27

Orlando Celebrates Black History Month

Visitors can explore Orlando’s African-American influences and culture during Black History Month with special theme park exhibitions, award-winning dining and a visit to the first all-Black communities in the U.S. More Black History Month events can be found here.

  • Theme Parks - The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure  is a new exhibit running through February at EPCOT that celebrates the distinctly American musical art form, originated by African Americans and fusing the influences of many different cultures. Fans of Disney and Pixar’s new film “Soul” will recognize Joe Gardner – the musician, mentor and teacher from the film as the exhibit “host”.
  • History - Just 15 minutes north of downtown Orlando, the historic town of Eatonville is one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the U.S. — and the oldest still in existence today. Visitors can experience a museum dedicated to their most famous resident, the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Black-Owned Restaurants - Two local Black-owned restaurants that just made Yelp’s national list for Black-owned restaurants to watch include Chicken Fire and StreetWise Urban Food.

NEW Florida Resident Deals: For those looking to travel soon, unprecedented savings abound in Orlando, such as:

Theme Parks & Attractions Deals

  • Universal Orlando Resort: Buy a day, get three days free with a 2-Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Promo Ticket valid through April 30, starting at $181 per person (no blackout dates).
  • Walt Disney World Resort: Exclusive Florida Resident Deal starts at $49 per person for 2 days at any Walt Disney World Resort park for visits through March 11 (blackout dates apply).  
  • ICON Park Play Pass - Residents save 40 percent with entry to eight attractions for just $69 – including the NEW Museum of Optical Illusions, a private capsule on The Wheel at ICON Park, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando and more. 

Hotel Deals

  • Crowne Plaza Orlando – Universal Blvd: Save up to 30% per night; includes free parking, and free cancellation until 6pm the day before arrival.
  • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek’s Winter Staycation package includes late checkout; welcome drinks for two; family night with in-room movie; a goodie bag, complete with popcorn, candy, sodas, card game and a bottle of wine; and waived resort fee. Available for stays through March 10 with nightly rates starting at just $149. 

“Down the Rabbit Hole” Presents a Theatrical Journey Through the Looking Glass

“Down the Rabbit Hole,” a theatrical journey where small groups of 10-15 guests follow Alice through the botanical gardens, encountering all their favorite characters like the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar, the Queen of Hearts while being delighted by circus arts, dance, music and theater, takes place at Mead Botanical Garden now through March 14. 

SheBelieves Cup Soccer Tournament in Orlando

Orlando’s Exploria Stadium will host U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves Cup Feb. 18-24. Three of the top teams in the world – Brazil, Canada and Japan -- join the USA for the most elite four-team international tournament in women’s soccer, which is an initiative to inspire and empower women and girls to achieve their goals in sport and beyond. Tickets are available here.

Did You Know?

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art - located in Orlando’s quaint Winter Park neighborhood -- houses the most comprehensive collection of Tiffany glass in the world.