New dining, accommodation options in Orlando

It is set to be a milestone year for the world’s theme park capital in 2025.

This landmark year sees the opening of Universal’s brand new theme park and a host of thrilling new rides and attractions at Orlando them parks.

For the latest updates on Orlando’s new attractions visit VisitOrlando.com. Visitors can sign up for a free, personalized Vacation Planning Service.

Still, there is much more to experience beyond the theme parks with new dining experiences and new and refurbished accommodation options. Here are the top picks:

New and reimagined places to stay 

Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, a new addition to the Disney Vacation Club, opened in December. The property offers villas for five to nine guests, with amenities like kitchens, dining areas and outdoor patios. The tower includes two-bedroom penthouses with lagoon and Magic Kingdom views.

Universal Stella Nova Resort, and Universal Terra Luna Resort, which opens Feb. 25, add 1,500 guest rooms to Universal Orlando Resort’s hotel portfolio. The new properties feature 750 double-queen guest rooms with spaceship-styled windows, a variety of dining options and amenities including resort-style pools, fitness centers, game rooms and recreation rooms.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, with a dedicated entrance into the new Universal Epic Universe, will open May 2025. The Loews hotel will have 500 rooms and 35 suites, and feature tablets for guests to digitally control elements of the room from lighting to room service. This regal hotel will have a rooftop bar, a three-meal restaurant, a pool bar and a grab-and-go station.

Villatel Orlando Resort, situated within the iconic International Drive area, began a phased opening in late 2023. Upon full completion early 2025, the private villa rental resort will have 526 units with apartment-style suites and single-family homes, as well as an adventure waterpark with multi-story slides and a lazy river, fitness center, full-service restaurant and children’s playgrounds.

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World Resort will unveil 365 newly renovated cabins, set to be fully completed this spring. Disney Vacation Club members currently have access to a select number of finished cabins.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s renovations are slated for completion this year. All guest rooms in the Walt Disney World Swan have undergone remodeling and have been available to guests since late 2024. The hotel’s existing meeting space at the Swan and Dolphin will be enhanced with a modern look and new event technology.

New dining and nightlife experiences

East End Market is welcoming a two-in-one concept to the food hall near downtown Orlando: Rion’s Ocean Room, which opened in fall 2024, and Gyukatsu Rose, set to open in early 2025. Rion’s is a walk-up, takeout-only operation, offering freshly prepared poke, while the new Gyukatsu Rose is offering gyukatsu – Japanese fried beef cutlets.

The Cake Bake Shop Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers opened this past October at Disney’s BoardWalk and features savory and sweet options, along with afternoon tea service in a whimsical atmosphere. 

Epilogue, a new adult-only speakeasy, opened at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort this past October. The new intimate lounge, open on select nights to guests 21 and older, features library-inspired decor and offers a variety of specialty, themed cocktails. 

Moso Nori, a concept by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin-recognised chef Henry Moso, opened in November in Winter Park. The new restaurant features a hand-roll bar, serving a variety of temaki, sake, beer, wine, and sake-based cocktails.

Alien Treats, an alien-themed dessert shop in downtown Orlando, specializes in out-of-this-world freeze-dried candies, milkshakes, and ice cream. Alien Treats also sells candies to go from its sundries section, all space-themed, like Astro rocks, Blue Raspberry Galactic Gummies and Candy Corn Galaxy Gems.

The Lake Nona Wave Hotel introduced Garni Café and Nectar Room as the newest offerings to the hotel’s food and beverage scene. Garni Café is an all-day French bistro serving breakfast, brunch seven days a week, light fare, and dinner. The Nectar Room is a cocktail lounge concept offering inventive mixology and creative takes on small plates.

Oza Izakaya is now open near SeaWorld Orlando, featuring a Japanese izakaya setting and omakase style of dining.

Lorelai Wine Bar opens in February in the Thornton Park neighborhood district in downtown Orlando, offering European wines by the bottle or by the glass along with shareable plates for snacking.

The Glass Knife opens a second location in Winter Park this spring on Park Avenue with pastries, cakes, baked goods, along with breakfast, lunch, and brunch offerings.

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