Exciting Happenings at Orlando Theme Parks and Attractions, Spring 2023

Navigate the canals of the historic Cypress Gardens on the Pirate River Quest at Legoland Florida. Photo courtesy of Legoland Florida
Navigate the canals of the historic Cypress Gardens on the Pirate River Quest at Legoland Florida. Photo courtesy of Legoland Florida
3/10/23 - By Charlotte B

There are several exciting additions that recently opened or are coming soon to Orlando theme parks and other attractions around Central Florida just in time for spring break! Get ready for new thrills, twists, and turns, with new coasters debuting at Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld. Step into an immersive movie-themed escape room experience at Universal Orlando, soar high above the Serengeti Plains at Busch Gardens, and set sail on a river quest through Legoland's Cypress Gardens. Read on for information on what's new or coming soon to Orlando theme parks and attractions in spring 2023.

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New Theme Park Rides and Attractions, Spring 2023

Pirate River Quest – Legoland Florida

Now Open
Led by a crew of LEGO pirates, navigate the canals of the historic Cypress Gardens on a 20-minute ride to help find Captain Redbeard’s lost treasure, with entertaining mishaps along the way. This ride was designed for guests of all ages, and no, you won’t get wet on this ride. This is a trackless ride driven by experienced boat captain, but kids under the age of 6 must wear life vests (provided at the ride entrance). Fun fact: This ride pays homage to the popular electric boat tour offered in these same canals at the original Cypress Gardens, Florida’s first theme park!

RELATED: Florida's Legoland Pirate Island Hotel: An Arrr-some Vacation

Serengeti River swing Exciting Happenings at Orlando Theme Parks And Attractions This Spring
The world's tallest and fastest swing, Serengeti River, opened at Busch Gardens this year. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens

Serengeti Flyer – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Now Open
Soar above Busch Gardens on the world’s tallest and fastest swing ride of its kind. Guests board twin dueling gondolas, which transcend higher and higher, reaching speeds up to 68 MPH and heights of 135 feet. Guests must be at least 48 inches to ride, and the ride is rated extreme.

Universal's Great Movie Escape Exciting Happenings at Orlando Theme Parks And Attractions This Spring
Escape into the movies like never before at Universal's Great Movie Escape. Photo courtesy of Universal

Universal's Great Movie Escape – Universal Orlando

Now Open
Located at Universal’s CityWalk, this new attraction features two escape adventure options. In Back to the Future: OUTATIME, Biff Tannen has stolen Doc Brown’s new time travel device. Guests must follow clues to find it before running “outatime.” In Jurassic World: Escape, guests find themselves inside a secret genetics lab on Isla Nublar, and must escape an apex predator before it finds them. Games are public, but private group packages are also available.

TRON Lightcycle / Run – Magic Kingdom

Opening April 4, 2023
Based on the sci-fi TRON films, TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney park. Located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, guests board a lightcycle motorbike and launch on a high speed adventure through the Grid. Guests must be 48 inches or taller to ride. This coaster is rated as a thrill ride, with moments of darkness and big drops. No standby wait lines will be available for this attraction —guests can use the MyDisney Experience app to enter a virtual queue once per day or purchase Lightning Lane entry.

SWO Pipeline Exciting Happenings at Orlando Theme Parks And Attractions This Spring
Feel the awesome power of the ocean in a whole new way on Pipeline, the first-of-its-kind surf coaster. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld

Pipeline – SeaWorld

Opening Spring 2023
Hang ten on SeaWorld’s Pipeline surf coaster! Launch 110 feet in the air at speeds up to 60 MPH. The unique harness system allows guests to sense every twist and turn as though they are riding the waves. This coaster is rated extreme and minimum height to ride is 54 inches.

New Exhibits at Central Florida Attractions, Spring 2023

Earth Matters – Orlando Science Center

Open through April 30, 2023
The newest traveling exhibit at the Orlando Science Center, this attraction explores the science behind our changing planet. The exhibit features more than a dozen hands-on STEM activities, including how to calculate your carbon footprint, experiments on how different types of water interact, and more. Learn how small changes can make a big impact on our planet.

RELATED: Climate Change: How One Kid (You) Can Take Action

All Systems Are Go – Kennedy Space Center

Opening March 24, 2023
Little space explorers can launch into space with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts crew during “All Systems Are Go.” This new, interactive experience at the Kennedy Space Center’s Universe Theater features puppetry, lights, and sounds with the beloved Peanuts characters.

Leu Gardens Dinosaurs Exciting Happenings at Orlando Theme Parks And Attractions This Spring"
Dinosaurs, the amazing outdoor exhibit of prehistoric creatures, inhabits the gardens April 8-July 9, 2023. Photo courtesy of Leu Gardens

Dinosaurs – Leu Gardens

Opening April 8-July 9, 2023
Dinosaurs are invading Leu Gardens once again! Stroll the 50-acre property to find over 20 lifesize, meticulously crafted dinosaurs, including a 33-foot Daspletosaurus (relative to the T Rex). Allow roughly 1.5 hours to explore the gardens and find all of the dinosaurs. Exhibit is included with daytime garden admission. On April 14, guests can search for the dinos in the dark at a special Dino-Night event.

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