ORLANDO, Fla. — Theme park fans were treated to several new attractions at Florida’s theme parks in 2023: Disney opened TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom in the spring, SeaWorld debuted its stand-up surf coaster Pipeline at the end of May and Universal went full minions with a new land and a new attraction, Villain-Con Minion Blast.
But as the year comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to the new year.
Each of the major parks will be offering something new. From revamps of older attractions and roller coasters to themed lands, here’s what’s on tap for 2024.
ADVENTURE ISLAND
Castaway Falls - Spring 2024
Adventure Island's next attraction will be a new play area called Castaway Falls, which will feature more than 100 play elements, including two giant tipping buckets. The area, which replaces the park's former Splash Attack, will also feature four water slides, water shooters and more.
AQUATICA ORLANDO
Tassie’s Underwater Twist - Spring 2024
Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, will get a new "immersive" water slide in 2024. Tassie's Underwater Twist will take riders through Australia's Shark Bay seagrass meadow. The 129-foot long slide will feature a bowl element, synchronized video displays and an orchestral score.
BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY
Phoenix Rising - Spring 2024
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's next big attraction will be a family-friendly suspended roller coaster called Phoenix Rising. Located in the park's Pantopia area, the coaster will take riders along 1,831 feet of track and reach a top speed of 44 mph.
LEGOLAND FLORIDA
Lego Ferrari Build & Race - Spring 2024
Legoland’s new Ferrari-themed experience will give visitors a chance to build and test their own race cars in interactive play areas. There will also be a life-sized Ferrari model made of Legos on display.
Sea Life Florida - Fall 2024
A standalone SeaLife aquarium is set to open at Legoland Florida in the fall. Sea Life Florida will be located near the entrance of the Winter Haven park and feature interactive exhibits center on marine life and oceanic exploration.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
Penguin Trek - Spring 2024
SeaWorld will launch its roller coaster Penguin Trek, a family-friendly attraction that will take riders on a research mission through the Antarctica wilderness. The coaster, with its snowmobile-inspired vehicles, will travel indoors and outdoors, reaching a top speed of 43 mph. And when it's all over, visitors will find themselves among real penguins at the park's penguin habitat.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
DreamWorks land (Universal Studios Florida) - TBA
The characters of DreamWorks Animation will come to life in a new way at the themed land set to open at Universal Studios Florida. The area, which replaces Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone, will feature play areas and attractions inspired by franchises such as "Shrek," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Trolls."
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom) - TBA
Disney is transforming the former Splash Mountain attraction at Magic Kingdom into one inspired by the 2009 animated film, "The Princess and the Frog." Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be set after the events of the movie, with Tiana as a successful entrepreneur. Riders will join her and her friends on a trip through the bayou as Tiana prepares for a Mardi Gras celebration.
The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) - Fall 2024
A new stage show inspired by Disney’s animated file “The Little Mermaid” is coming is in the works for Hollywood Studios. The show, “The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure,” will feature new set pieces and effects, as well as musical numbers from the film such as “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.” It replaces Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which has been closed since 2020. Disney said it will also refresh the Animation Courtyard theater for the new show.