Orlando packs 2013 with new theme park offerings

Visit Orlando.com has announced a jam-packed 2013 of new theme park attractions as well as the opening of a boutique inn and a new Aloft Hotel.

Theme parks

1)   Antarctica – Empire of the Penguins opens at SeaWorld Orlando in spring 2013.  More than just a new ride, the new "realm" will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world and include a variety of new experiences for guests.

The state-of-the-art interactive ride mimics a journey through the dangers and natural beauty of the Antarctic as guests trail a young penguin’s adventures. There will also be a new penguin habitat which will bring guests face-to-flipper with a colony of penguins

2)   Transformers: The Ride – 3D opens in summer 2013.  The ride blends HD CGI media and special effects to put riders in the middle of a battle between Autobots and Decepticons.

3)    Walt Disney World Resort’s Fantasyland gets the largest expansion in its history in 2013.  Featured additions include Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid (a musical showcase) and the Be Our Guest Restaurant, the first restaurant in the "kingdom" to serve alcohol.

4)    Walt Disney World Resort launches MyMagic+ later this spring (see our review here). Through MyMagic+, a new Web site and app will give guests, prior to leaving their homes, the opportunity to lock in seating for parades, fireworks and character interactions or even coveted FastPasses.

Once in Orlando, guests will wear wristbands called MagicBands, serving as room keys, tickets and FastPasses. The optional system also allows for changes through the app and customization so that characters may even be able to provide personalized greetings.

Other attractions

6)    Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will unveil the 90,000-square-foot (8,100-meter) home for the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which retired in 2011. Opening July 2013, the $100 million exhibit will provide views of the vehicle up close, along with interactive features reflecting major accomplishments of the Space Shuttle Program, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.

Inns and hotels

12)    The town of Winter Park, just north of downtown Orlando is the site of the Alfond Inn at Rollins Opening in 2013, the boutique inn on the property of nationally ranked liberal arts school, Rollins College, offers 110-rooms that feature a swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, lounge and 9,000 square feet (836 square meters) of meeting space. All profits will go into an endowment to provide full scholarships for top Rollins College students.

13)    Agents and MICE planners will have a chic new property to book for style-conscious adults in Orlando with the August 22, 2013 opening of the Aloft Orlando Downtown Hotel.   The 118 guest-room property will feature a bar with cocktails and music, a lounge, free Wi-Fi and more than 5,000 square feet (464 square meters) of meeting and banquet space.