Get a look at the unforgettable new experiences that helped Orlando attract a record-breaking 72 million visitors in 2017.

 

Visit Orlando has announced a historic milestone in the travel industry, with Orlando becoming the first U.S. destination to surpass 70 million annual visitors. We welcomed a record-shattering 72 million travelers in 2017, once again making us America’s most visited destination!

Speaking at the official announcement, Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel credited the unforgettable new experiences we’ve added in recent years for the increased visitation numbers. Keep reading for a look at how much we’ve grown since 2013, and a peek at what’s still to come this year.

How Long Has It Been Since You Visited Orlando?

In the past five years, Orlando has added more than 100 rides, resorts, restaurants and retailers, and even more are coming soon. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, here’s a rundown of what you’ve missed.

You’ll be amazed at how much we’ve grown in such a short time! At Walt Disney World Resort, you’ve missed Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Miss Adventure Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Earlier this year, Animal Kingdom also premiered Up! A Great Bird Adventure.

Universal Orlando Resort just rolled out Fast & Furious — Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida, which gained Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2017. That year also marked the debut of Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, providing all-new ways to get wet and wild in Orlando.

At SeaWorld Orlando‘s main theme park, you can look forward to the revamped Kraken Unleashed virtual-reality (VR) roller coaster. And LEGOLAND Florida Resort has two new thrills for kids and their families: The Great LEGO Race VR coaster and LEGO NINJAGO World.

Other new or updated attractions include Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Drive Shack, Extreme Dinosaurs, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Orlando Watersports Complex‘s Aquapark and Topgolf Orlando. We’ve also gained new dining options, including The Edison and other inventive eateries at Disney Springs, with more on the way.

And sports-lovers, take note: Orlando nabbed the hosting rights to the NFL Pro Bowl in 2017, which is the same year that the new United States Tennis Association National Campus and Orlando City Soccer Club’s state-of-the-art Orlando City Stadium debuted.

Learn more: Orlando Sports, Recreation & Outdoors

More new attractions are coming this year, including Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Infinity Falls at SeaWorld, Ray Rush at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, the Orlando StarFlyer and Nona Adventure Park. Stay tuned to our blog for updates on these and other new reasons to visit Orlando as they become available!