Busch Gardens
In August of this year fans of Scorpion took one last nostalgic ride on the oldest coaster at Busch Gardens, as it closed after 44 years. For 2025, the Tampa theme park is remaking its Jungala play zone that could have been nicknamed tweenerville for its four-acre play zone aimed at kids too old for the toddler splash pad but too young for SheiKra. But it has been closed off for some time.The park has been setting records and making headlines for its many roller coasters, like in 2022 when the newly opened Iron Gwazi was called “America’s most terrifying new roller coaster” by the New York Post.
While this is great for adrenaline junkies, some guests with younger children are looking for tamer attractions for their kids.This rainforest-themed realm Wild Oasis will feature a reimagined drop tower with state-of-the-art digital and sound effects, a multi-level climbing canopy, as well as a new, multi-species animal habitat.
Museum of Science and Industry
Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry is opening the second-largest planetarium in the nation this spring. The museum is transforming its former IMAX dome theater into the new digital dome theater and planetarium in a multimillion-dollar project.
In addition, the former IMAX’s entire 10,000-square-foot screen has been replaced.
The current Saunders Planetarium can seat 46 guests and has a diameter of 30 feet. The new space can seat more than 300 people and has a diameter of 82 feet.
Universal’s Epic Universe
The first new Florida theme park in more than 25 years is a multibillion-dollar undertaking. Epic Universe, which opens in May next to the Orange County Convention Center, will be the largest expansion of the resort in Universal Orlando’s history.Situated on 750 acres, Epic Universe includes a theme park and three hotels. It will have more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences and retail outlets. The new lands are Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, a land of classic monsters, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Florida Aquarium
Downtown Tampa’s Florida Aquarium is in the midst of a $45 million expansion project. It has already recently opened its MORPH’D exhibition, an immersive experience with interactive exhibits and animals that have adapted to survive.Coming next is a redesigned second floor mezzanine with an expansive touch experience that triples the size of the current exhibit, a new tide pool water feature and an aquatic lounge for guests to relax with food and drinks.
And by 2026 the aquarium will have the only Pacific Puffin exhibit in Florida. The habitat, complete with a kelp forest and other fish species, will transport guests to a rugged coast with multiple viewing windows to enjoy these fun-to-watch birds.
Disney Water Parks
It’s rare to have the words “free” and “Disney World” in the same sentence, but starting Jan. 1, all registered Walt Disney World resort guests will get free admission on check-in day to one of the resort’s two water parks. A regular one-day ticket to Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is $74 for adults and $68 for children ages 3 to 9.For comparison, a room that sleeps four adults at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort on a random day in January costs Florida residents $106.24, including fees and taxes.
The free pass must be used on the day of check-in. Resort check-in is not until 3 p.m., but guests will have access to their water park passes all day, making this a good arrival-day plan to let families relax before hitting the theme parks.
