At this time a year ago, we were neck-deep in anticipation of the debut of Epic Universe theme park, the $8-billion expansion project of Universal Orlando.
This May, it’s quieter on the Central Florida front, but attractions still have plenty of plans to tempt tourists and locals heading into Memorial Day and the busy summer-vacation season. Here’s a roundup of May madness.
Getting things rolling
Walt Disney World is reviving two roller coasters, starting May 3 with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. The thrill ride, closed since early 2025, now has new golden gold mine features and a congested colony of bats, Imagineers say. Disney also is prepping the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, where Muppets have taken over where Aerosmith used to rock and roller. Expect Electric Mayhem and more when the revised ride opens May 26 — the day after Memorial Day.
The Electric Mayhem will crank out tunes in the recording studio inside of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. (Walt Disney Co.)
At Islands of Adventure, the temporary closure of Pteranodon Flyers is scheduled to conclude May 14.
Millennium Falcon makeover
Disney’s Hollywood Studios shifts gears May 22 on its Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run with a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu, which some riders — those in the “engineer” slot — will be able to communicate with Grogu, Disney says.
The attraction, operating in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, will include a choice of four rider-determined destinations. One option is the wreckage of the second Death Star.
These changes coincide with the theatrical release of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” film, starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White.
Cool — it’s May 26
Disney World has brought back its Cool Kids’ Summer campaign, and several theme park developments dovetail with its May 26 arrival, in addition to the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
• GoofyCore, a limited-time, character-driven experience (and part-time dance party) returns to Epcot’s CommuniCore Hall.
• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Bluey”-based activities debut at Conservation Station.
• Hollywood Studios welcomes a new version of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” with original songs and “interactive fun,” Disney says, alongside the reimagined and renamed Animation Courtyard — now called the Walt Disney Studios area.
An new production of “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” is set to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on May 26. (Walt Disney Co.)
Meanwhile, “Soaring Across America” takes off at Epcot as part of the USA 250th birthday celebration. (And the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs daily through June 1.)
The new Blue Man Theater sits next to the Orlando Eye at Icon Park. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Back in blue
The Blue Man Group is back in business as of May 1 with a new show in its new theater near the base of the Orlando Eye observation wheel at Icon Park.
Its previous Orlando production was based at Universal Orlando, but it shut down in 2020 for pandemic purposes and never reopened.
SeaWorthy
SeaWorld Orlando has a wide swath of activities this monty, including two weekends of Viva La Musica featuring Grupo Mania on May 9, Proyecto Uno on May 16 and Elvis Crespo on May 17, which is also the finale of the park’s Seven Seas Food Festival.
• Guy Harvey, the artist/conservationist, returns to SeaWorld for meet-and-greets on May 16.
• The park is offering a day of free admission to U.S. military veterans and up to three guests as part of Military Appreciation Month. Vets must register online by May 10 (go to wavesofhonor.com) and visit by June 30.
• SeaWorld’s free beer promotion continues at the park’s Waterway Grill Patio. There are, of course, limits and restrictions, but the hours are from noon until one hour before closing time. The park has not announced an end date for this deal.
• One more to watch: The debut of Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice, its re-imagined flying-theater attraction, is anticipated this spring — but an exact date has not been announced.
Lights, camera, Universal
Universal Orlando has summer blockbuster-related add-ons planned, including a “Jaws” area, a Steven Spielberg exhibit tied to his upcoming “Disclosure Day” film and activities related to “Minions & Monsters,” a Universal Pictures release. They will be in place at Universal Studios Florida theme park May 23.
Universal Studios Florida will help promote ‘Minions & Monsters’ this summer. (Universal Pictures)
USF also is bringing back “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,” a lagoon show, on May 3 and the Mega Movie Parade as of May 23.
At Islands of Adventure, “Hogwarts Always,” a projection show, returns May 30. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s landmark castle, which acts as a screen for the production, has been in refurbishment — with scaffolding and tarp obscuring the view.
Universal Orlando has bonus benefits for its annual passholders through May 21. Among the pluses are discounts on photo packages and Hollywood Drive-In Golf, hidden menu items in resort eateries and an Autobots-inspired passholder specialty magnet.
Volcano Bay water park visitors float along a lazy river during the Volcano Bay Nights event. (Universal Orlando)
All wet, all the time
Central Florida attractions’ trend of the year: After-hours events at water parks.
• Volcano Bay Nights is running on select nights at Universal Orlando through Aug. 21 with a live DJ and meet-and-greets with “Shrek” and “Madagascar” characters.
• Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon is set for dates between June 2 and Sept. 5. Among the unusual characters that H2O Glowers can encounter are Powerline Max and Launchpad McDuck. Also, on the dayside, Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 12, so it and sister attraction Blizzard Beach will be open all summer, Disney says.
• At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, hosts AquaGlow between May 15 and Sept. 26. The evenings feature dance parties, laser-light shows, glow installations and all-ages foam parties.
• Discovery Cove, SeaWorld’s day resort, is introducing Paradise Nights, which will include a buffet dinner, a live dinner show performance and animal interactions amid the lush surroundings of the attraction. Dates are between June 5 and Aug. 8.
• Island H2O Live Water Park in Kissimmee offers Island Nights Live for ages 21 and up. Some nights come with live entertainment, such as Rick Ross on May 16 and Fat Joe on Aug. 16. On May 22, there will be a DJ club set with country star Dustin Lynch.
Making history
The Orange County Regional History Center has multiple May events.
On May 1, the Lunch & Learn gathering topic is Lue Gim Gong, the Chinese-American horticulturist and pioneer who developed a cold-resistant orange, shaping the Florida citrus industry. Wenxian Zhang of Rollins College will talk about the “Wizard of Citrus” at noon.
On May 2, it’s Free Access Day to the downtown Orlando museum, part of the American 250 Celebration. On the ticket: an outdoor concert of classic American hits from CFCArts, mock trials in the courtroom, a panel discussion “Historical Roots of Civil Discourse,” museum tours and more.
On May 17, the Brechner Speaker Series explores “The Fun and Quirky Side of Centennial Celebrations” as fashion historian Bonnie Hansen talks about the milestone occasions of the USA. Among the threads: home furnishings, sesquicentennial-era clothing, fire hydrants and locomotives.
Last call: The final day to see the center’s “Animationland” exhibit is May 3.
Explosions (well, outdoor ones) are part of Mess Fest, a hands-on exploration of physics and other sciences. (Orlando Science Center)
Quick hits
• Orlando Science Center hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more. The Loch Haven Park museum will get sloppy on May 9 and 10.
Note: The final day to see OSC’s “Mission: Astronaut” exhibit is May 3.
• Gatorland again presents Gatorpalooza, which includes music, vendors, giveaways, the Gator Gully Splash Park, appearances by the Gatorland Vlog Team and the dreaded Florida Man Challenge with park employees. Gatorpalooza dates are May 30-31.
• Sea Life Orlando Aquarium again will present “Meet a Mermaid” with live underwater dive show and “Tails of the Ocean” education stations. They’ll be in the swim of things May 9-25.
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