Orlando invites visitors to enjoy a sun-filled holiday this coming spring. Not only offering year-round sunshine and clear-blue skies, the destination also offers new theme park thrills, outdoor festivals, noteworthy accommodations and breathtaking pools for visitors to plan their perfect spring escape.

“With average daytime highs of 28ºC in the spring, our destination is ready to welcome visitors dreaming about the Orlando sunshine,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “From brand new rides and foodie festivals to ziplining over alligators and lounging by an 8-acre Crystal Lagoon, visitors can enjoy new and unique outdoor experiences this spring.”

THEME PARK-EXCLUSIVE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

From thrilling new waterslides to international themed festivals, visitors can enjoy the Orlando sunshine while visiting the theme parks. Offerings include:

• Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval (through April 7) at Universal Studios Florida, inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world, features Cajun and Creole dishes and musical performances by some of the biggest names on select nights.
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival ( 28 – May 27) boasts impressive Disney-inspired topiaries and colourful gardens throughout the park, the Garden Rocks Concert Series and delicious fresh flavours at Outdoor Kitchens around the World Showcase.
• SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival (through May 19) features more than 50 exquisite global cuisine from Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, South America and more – not to mention an ocean of local craft beers – and diverse live entertainment.
• New theme park attractions are set to open this spring:
  • Aquatica Orlando will introduce Tassie's Underwater Twist, a new waterslide that will transform the guest ride experience into an awe-inspiring journey through Australia's Shark Bay seagrass meadow.
  • SeaWorld Orlando will debut Penguin Trek, an immersive indoor/outdoor family launch coaster reaching a maximum capacity of 43 mph, ending up in the park's penguin habitat.
  • LEGOLAND Florida Resort's LEGO Ferrari Build & Race will offer guests the experience of viewing a life-sized LEGO Ferrari car and building and testing it in one of three obstacle-laden test tracks.

MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS SPRING

Guests can immerse themselves in the colours of spring through art and enjoy world-class entertainment against the backdrop of Orlando's warm and sunny weather at various outdoor festivals including:

• The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (March 15-17) is one of the oldest and largest art festivals in the nation, drawing over 250,000 visitors each year. The annual event features hundreds of national artists displaying paintings, sculpture, glasswork, jewelry, woodworking and much more.
• The 35th Spring Fiesta in the Park (April 6-7) returns to Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando to celebrate the beauty of the season as hundreds of amazing artists and crafter booths surround the park to showcase unique locally made creations.
• The Florida Film Festival (April 12-21) at the Enzian Theater premieres the best in current, independent, and international cinema. During the 10-day gala, visitors can enjoy more than 160 films and events, including appearances by filmmakers and celebrities.

NEW PLACES TO RELAX IN ORLANDO

Visitors can enjoy their spring stay by taking a dip or enjoying the sun in some of Orlando's expansive resorts and newly renovated pools:

• Evermore Orlando Resort, which opened Jan. 1, is Orlando's first beach-like property with an 8-acre crystal lagoon and a 20-acre sandy beach with hammocks, cabanas and recreational activities, plus a range of 2- to 11-bedroom vacation homes. Guests can enjoy family paddleboarding, mixology classes, sandcastle-building lessons and more.
• Conrad Orlando, the destination's first Hilton luxury brand, opened in January with 433 rooms. Guests can relax at the property's luxe spa, dine at numerous onsite restaurants – including a signature rooftop experience – and take in the scenic view of Evermore Bay's crystal lagoon, sandy beaches, and golf course.
• Villatel Orlando Resort, situated within the iconic International Drive area, began a phased opening in late 2023, offering private villa rentals with hotel-style standards and amenities.
• The Alfond Inn offers a perfect stop for visitors seeking to top off a day of shopping, dining and museum-hopping in Winter Park with a relaxing soak. The newly expanded AAA Four Diamond property boasts two luxurious options, including a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop pool and a 6,000-square-foot Amenity Deck with private cabanas, a neo-classical fountain and lush landscaping.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES THROUGHOUT ORLANDO

Orlando's natural beauty serves as the perfect counterbalance to theme park fun and visitors can immerse themselves in the great outdoors through a multitude of adventure-fueled activities.

• Clear kayaking on the destination's most pristine waters with Get Up & Go Kayaking and Epic Paddle Adventures.
• Hang gliding 2,000 feet in the air through Central Florida's sunny skies with the crew at Wallaby Ranch.
• Airboating deep into the protected swamps, marshes and rivers that make up the Headwaters of the Everglades with Wild Florida, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures or Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides.
• Connect with Florida nature; scuba dive, snorkel, and swim at Florida at area parks and natural springs, like Kelly Park, Wekiwa Springs State Park, Blue Spring State Park and De Leon Springs State Park.
• Become immersed in the great outdoors by ascending the three-in-one rock wall, cable bridge and zipline experience at Gatorland on the Croc Rock

For more information about how Visit Orlando can help banish the winter woes, go to VisitOrlando.com.

About Visit Orlando 

Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World® and No. 1 meeting destination in the country. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, we represent more than 1,500 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida's tourism community.     

Visit Orlando connects consumers and business groups with all facets of Orlando's travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to seven of the world's top theme parks — as well as refreshing water parks, activities to connect with nature, vibrant neighborhoods, a dynamic dining scene with Michelin recognized restaurants, and a robust calendar of entertainment and sports events — Orlando is a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community for all travelers. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com or OrlandoMeeting.com.