Florida theme parks are preparing a slate of new attractions and reimagined experiences for 2026 that aim to draw families, thrill-seekers and repeat visitors to the region’s world-famous parks.
SeaWorld Orlando will introduce SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, a ride the park is calling the world’s first suspended dark ride. Legoland Florida Resort is launching Galacticoaster, a customizable space adventure roller coaster, on Feb. 27, 2026. Meanwhile, Walt Disney World’s Epcot will refresh the iconic hang-gliding simulator with Soarin’ Across America, scheduled to debut by Memorial Day weekend as part of celebrations tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary.
These additions and updates are part of a broader push by Central Florida parks to refresh guest experiences with new technologies, storytelling and programming that appeals to multiple generations.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Underwater Expedition
At SeaWorld Orlando, the 2026 season will be defined by the arrival of SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, an indoor family attraction designed to transport riders into an immersive undersea world. Instead of traditional coaster rails, guests will board submarine-style vehicles that suspend beneath the track and move dynamically through a series of scenes depicting ocean ecosystems, legendary sea creatures and shipwrecked discoveries.
Park officials describe the ride vehicles as capable of swinging and rotating, catching light and sound cues that change with each themed environment. Riders will feel as if they are gliding through deep sea trenches, coral gardens and bioluminescent expanses as part of an overarching narrative.
Unlike outdoor coasters and rides, SEAQuest will be fully indoors, which SeaWorld says will make it an all-weather experience for families who want to avoid afternoon storms during peak travel seasons.
Inside the new ride space, designers have integrated audio-visual effects aimed at creating tension and wonder without intense thrills. That positions SEAQuest as a family-oriented attraction, suitable for younger riders while still engaging adults with its storytelling and sensory experience.
SeaWorld has been expanding its mix of rides and exhibits to balance animal encounters, shows and thrill rides. SEAQuest is part of that strategy, offering a novel way to blend technology and themed environments that are less reliant on speed and height.
For visitors planning their 2026 itineraries, SeaWorld’s announcement of SEAQuest adds another reason to consider Orlando beyond its marquee roller coasters and live entertainment lineups.
Legoland Florida’s Custom Space Coaster
In Winter Haven, Legoland Florida Resort will open Galacticoaster on Feb. 27, marking the park’s first new roller coaster inside the main theme park in more than a decade.
Galacticoaster blends a space exploration theme with LEGO-style creativity, allowing riders to customize their own spacecraft before boarding. The experience begins in a themed briefing room where a LEGO character leads guests through their mission. Interactive screens let families design unique ship configurations that link to riders’ wristbands and influence elements of the ride’s visuals.
Once riders depart the station, the coaster launches into a carefully choreographed sequence featuring lighting effects and narrative elements that simulate a journey through a whimsical LEGO galaxy. The ride’s indoor layout emphasizes accessible thrills, making it a coaster that children and adults can enjoy together.
Surrounding the coaster are new amenities aimed at families with younger children, including a Duplo-themed play area and retail spaces that showcase LEGO space sets. Park leaders have pointed to Galacticoaster as a key component of a multi-year investment to expand interactive attractions and storytelling across Legoland properties.
The indoor nature of the ride means it will operate year-round regardless of weather, and designers have tailored the coaster’s pacing to be both exciting and family-friendly, with unexpected turns and playful theming that reflect the creativity inherent in LEGO building experiences.
Legoland’s introduction of Galacticoaster also underscores a broader industry trend of combining personalization and technology with traditional ride formats, giving repeat visitors something new each time they ride.
Epcot’s Patriotic Flight
Walt Disney World’s Epcot park is planning to update its classic aerial adventure with a new film titled Soarin’ Across America.
The current version, known to parkgoers as Soarin’ Around the World, has taken guests above famous international landmarks in a simulated hang-gliding experience that includes panoramic visuals, coordinated scents and a sweeping score.
For 2026, Disney is repositioning the attraction to highlight destinations across the United States. The updated film will feature aerial footage of natural landscapes, national parks and metropolitan skylines from coast to coast. Disney executives have said the new version is designed to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary, giving guests a chance to “see America from above” in a way that honors its diverse scenery and cultural touchstones.
The updated ride is scheduled to open by Memorial Day, aligning with peak travel season and the broader calendar of anniversary celebrations both within the parks and nationwide.
While Disney has not released the full list of scenes that will appear in the new film, early previews shared with media outlets show sweeping visuals over deserts, forests and coastal regions, with musical arrangements that emphasize familiar American themes.
Soarin’ Across America will retain its signature elements — including the giant projection dome and multi-sensory effects — while focusing the narrative more tightly on domestic landscapes. Fans of the original have expressed excitement about seeing familiar places from new perspectives, and the update is expected to draw both first-time riders and longtime Disney visitors.
What This Means for Florida Tourism
For Central Florida’s tourism industry, the announcements signal another year of investment and creativity. SeaWorld’s emphasis on immersive dark rides, Legoland’s integration of interactive personalization and Disney’s patriotic reimagining of a classic attraction reflect broader trends in theme park design.
Tour operators and travel planners are already factoring these Florida theme park additions into vacation packages for 2026, and Florida’s shoulder seasons may benefit as families plan visits around new openings like Galacticoaster’s Feb. 27 debut and the Memorial Day launch of Soarin’ Across America.
With these attractions spread across Orlando and Winter Haven, visitors will find fresh reasons to extend park stays, combine theme park visits with other Florida experiences, and return to favorites with new perspectives and stories to discover.
