Theme parks 2023: Fresh rides coming, but it’s end of the road for a few

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel
·4 min read
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We have the makings of a busy theme park calendar in 2023, with long-awaited projects (hopefully) reaching completion, new events debuting and a few favorites bowing out.

Of course, we don’t know what we don’t know about ‘23 yet, as some parks opt to announce their intentions closer to their launch dates. But here, at least, is a jumping-off point, a list that’s arranged vaguely chronologically.

Sure, January

Legoland Florida introduces Pirate River Quest on Jan. 12. The boat ride will feature navigators on the waters of Lake Eloise and Cypress Gardens, flanked by booty, monkeys and Lego creatures.

Jan. 15 is the last day to experience select attractions at KidZone at Universal Studios. Going away are Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, Fievel’s Playland, DreamWorks Destination and the meet-and-greet area for Shrek and Donkey. Universal Orlando says “new family entertainment” will go in that space, but specifics have not been shared. Note that E.T. Adventure, “Animal Actors on Location,” SpongeBob StorePants and KidZone Pizza Company will remain in place.

In other goodbye news, Splash Mountain will bow out with its final riders at Magic Kingdom on Jan. 22. The attraction will be rethemed and renamed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with a targeted opening time frame of late 2024.

Also set for January debuts: Epcot International Festival of the Arts starts Jan. 13 and the Rock the Universe concert event runs Jan. 27-29 at Universal Studios.

The Disney After Hours events, a limited-capacity nighttime occasion, return after nearly a three-year absence at Magic Kingdom. But the first one, set for Jan. 9, is sold out. There were 12 event nights planned, running through March 27.

Orlando Science Center’s Science on Tap Beer Festival is set for Jan. 21. (Its Science of Wine event is April 22.) Its “Earth Matters” exhibit opens Jan. 22. In February, the museum introduces Spark STEM Fest, a sort of expansion of its former Otronicon event.

Other early arrivals

Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration runs from Feb. 4 through April 16. Concerts and parade theme have not been announced, although Universal is introducing a Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience that guarantees a bead-tossing role and a meal at select restaurants at the park or Universal CityWalk.

The Orlando Brick Convention, a sort of Lego-com, makes its first Florida stop at Kissimmee’s Osceola Heritage Park on March 18 and 19.

The Great Florida Road Trip, a laser-driven scavenger hunt, is scheduled to be operating at the Wheel at Icon Park in what was described as “early” in 2023.

Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration wraps up March 31 after 18 months. But now Walt Disney Co. is marking its 100th anniversary.

Spring flings

Three big attractions are expected to hit the scene sometime in spring, according to the parks.

In addition, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a “Toy Story”-themed table-service restaurant, is set to open this spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Summer days

Villain-Con Minion Blast will arrive in the former Shrek 4-D space at Universal Studios. It eventually will be part of the park’s Minion Land.

Although dates haven’t been announced for Halloween Horror Nights, a haunted house based on the “Chucky” TV series has been revealed. (HHN began in late August in 2022.)

Destination D23, a gathering of the official Disney fan club, is set for a celebration of 100 years of Walt Disney Co. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Sept. 8-10.

At later, unknown dates

Disney has said that the “Happily Ever After” nighttime spectacular will return to Magic Kingdom, and, later, a new unnamed show will replace “Harmonious” at Epcot.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana — “a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play and interact with water,” Disney World’s website says — is expected to open in the World Nature area of Epcot in late 2023.

Orlando Science Center plans to open its “Life” exhibit, a nature and conservation experience, in late ‘23.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-podcast.