Summer in Orlando 2025: A Destination Reimagined with Epic Attractions, World-Class Dining, and Global Sports

Source: Visit Orlando

Reported By: Caroline Dalal

May 13th, 2025 – Orlando is entering a transformative moment. Already known for its immersive theme parks and sun-soaked appeal, the city is elevating its profile this summer with a sophisticated mix of world-class experiences. From the long-awaited debut of Universal Epic Universe to a growing list of MICHELIN-starred restaurants, global sporting events, and thoughtfully designed resorts, summer 2025 reveals a new side of Central Florida—where luxury meets imagination.

Recently named AAA’s No. 1 travel destination for 2025, Orlando is moving beyond expectations, offering curated experiences for families, foodies, design lovers, and adventure-seekers alike.

The first major theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years, Universal Epic Universe begins welcoming guests next week on May 22, marking a monumental expansion of the city’s entertainment legacy.

The park spans five distinct lands, each more immersive than the next:

• Celestial Park, a cosmic garden of light, water, and sculpture
  

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where 1920s Paris meets magical London
  

• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, featuring interactive encounters with Mario, Donkey Kong, and Princess Peach
  

• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where dragons soar and Viking adventures await
  

• Dark Universe, an homage to classic horror reimagined with cinematic storytelling

With 50 attractions in total, Epic Universe is poised to be the cornerstone of a new chapter in luxury entertainment.

Over at Walt Disney World, new storytelling experiences are making their debut. Beginning May 27, Hollywood Studios will unveil two new stage productions:

• The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, a refreshed theatrical interpretation of the animated classic
  

• Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, a stage show spotlighting Disney’s most iconic evildoers

Magic Kingdom’s newest nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, also marks the first parade of its kind since 2016—bringing cutting-edge technology and showmanship to the skies above the castle.

Later this summer, EPCOT’s Test Track will reopen with new scenes focused on the future of transportation, aligning with the park’s ongoing transformation.

LEGOLAND Florida continues to evolve, with two major developments already creating buzz:

• SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium, opening May 23, adds a vibrant marine dimension to the resort
  

• LEGOLAND Festival, running each weekend in May, offers large-scale LEGO builds,

In addition, LEGOLAND Hotel has launched 20 newly reimagined room concepts, including DUPLO, LEGO Friends, and NINJAGO themes—perfectly tailored for younger guests and multigenerational travelers.

Orlando’s international stature grows further this summer as the city plays host to six FIFA Club World Cup matches, beginning June 17 and concluding July 4 at Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium. Expect appearances by global soccer stars including Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica).

Local MLS and NWSL teams are also at the center of the action:

• Orlando City SC faces off against teams like Inter Miami CF (August 10) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (August 30)
  

• Orlando Pride, led by legend Marta, will host Houston Dash (June 7) and NJ/NY Gotham FC (August 29), among others

Whether you’re cheering from the stands or booking a luxury box, these events offer a rare opportunity to experience elite sport with Orlando as the backdrop.

Orlando's culinary rise continues to impress. With two new MICHELIN Stars awarded in 2025—including Sorekara, the city’s first-ever Two MICHELIN Starred restaurant—the city now features 59 recognized dining venues, solidifying its place among America’s most progressive food cities.

New and notable additions this summer include:

• Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, opening mid-summer at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
  

• Corazón by Baires, a speakeasy-style dining experience inside Mango’s Tropical Cafe
  

• Nabe, a wagyu hot pot destination hidden behind an ice cream shop in Dr. Phillips
  

• Gyukatsu Rose, now MICHELIN Recommended, offering an intimate Japanese dining counter experience
  

• Saigon Snow, serving Vietnamese-style shaved ice in the Mills 50 neighborhood
  

• Sparrow Wine Bar & Lounge, debuting downtown with Chef Wendy Lopez and the Good Salt Restaurant Group

At Live! at The Pointe Orlando, a newly opened dining and nightlife hub, guests can enjoy diverse concepts including Sports & Social, Shark Bar, and PBR Cowboy Bar, all within a social, open-air layout designed for discovery.

Hospitality in Orlando is experiencing its own transformation, with a focus on boutique design, integrated amenities, and family-scale accommodations.

• Universal Helios Grand Hotel, opening with direct entry into Epic Universe, features 500 rooms, a rooftop bar, and sleek interiors
  

• Universal Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts, now open, boast spaceship-inspired rooms and resort-style pools
  

• Fort Wilderness debuts 365 newly renovated Disney cabins, now available to all guests
  

• Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows offers penthouse villas with sweeping lagoon views
  

• Villatel Orlando Resort, the first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort, features themed villas that sleep up to 26 guests and access to a private water park and activity zone

The season is just getting started—but the tone has been set. Orlando in 2025 is no longer just the destination for family vacations. It’s a culinary capital, an entertainment epicenter, a sports arena, and an architectural showcase, all wrapped into one evolving city.