The Winter Escape Your Kids Will Talk About Forever

When Canadian winter starts to feel endless, families begin craving more than just a change of scenery. They’re looking for warmth, ease and quality time together—without the stress that often comes with planning a family getaway. Between school schedules, packed calendars and the desire to make a trip memorable and worth it for everyone in the family, choosing the right destination really matters.

Many Canadian families already know that Orlando, the region’s top international market, is a reliable go-to destination for theme parks and family fun, but what keeps them coming back is how many new experiences are added year after year.

And this season brings even more reasons to visit. The recent opening of Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort—Orlando’s first new theme park in 25 years—has added an exciting new chapter to Orlando’s theme park lineup, while new attractions, reimagined resorts and expanded dining continue to roll out across the destination.

Looking ahead, more than two dozen new experiences are set to debut in 2026—from immersive attractions, family-friendly al fresco dining, outdoor adventures to the world’s first slotharium and plenty of places to unwind in the sunshine.

Orlando is a destination designed for all ages, stages and interests—where big attractions are balanced with all the moments in between. The guide below explores what’s new in Orlando this season to help you plan a winter escape your family will talk about long after you’re home (even if you forget to print the hundreds of photos).

Big Thrills, New Magic and All-Ages Wow Moments

Orlando is known for its theme parks, so deciding which ones to visit can be a good place to start when planning a trip.

Magic Kingdom Park’s  new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, features fan favourite characters from Frozen, Encanto, Moana and more. The high-quality production and magical lights create an exciting all-ages experience that shouldn’t be skipped.

All of the shows at Disney are innovative and imaginative. New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a 4-D production of Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, which is great for the whole family. Beginning in summer 2026, Walt Disney World guests can visit Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to meet Bluey and Bingo, play themed games, snap photos and explore an Australian wildlife experience inspired by the beloved series.

SeaWorld Orlando recently launched a first-of-its-kind fully immersive experience, Expedition Odyssey. More than a ride, it’s an Arctic-themed “flying theatre” where seated guests feel like they’re soaring over sweeping landscapes and getting up close with polar bears, thanks to cutting-edge technology and real footage of Arctic wildlife.

One of the largest additions to Orlando is a new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Epic Universe. With over 50 attractions and experiences, including dining and shopping, it’s a welcome option for families with kids of all ages, especially older kids and teens. You’ll find the 1920s-themed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, fully immersive gaming experiences at Super Nintendo World, Viking adventures in How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, and spooky fun at Dark Universe featuring Dracula and the Wolf Man.

Other new attractions outside of the parks includes Sloth World, the world’s first and only Slotharium, opening in February on International Drive. It will offer guided, small-group experiences inside a rainforest-style habitat where sloths roam freely among lush trees, vines and natural climbing structures  Build-A-Bear Workshop will debut a multi-level flagship store at ICON Park, offering classic “make-your-own” experiences along with interactive and personalized elements for all ages.

Beyond the Parks: Easy Outdoor Fun Families Love

Orlando’s perennial sunshine, warm weather and variety of landscapes make it a nature lover’s playground, with plenty to do on land, water and even in the air. Take a hike (or a leisurely stroll; you’re on vacation, after all) through the picturesque natural beauty on offer, from tree-lined trails to freshwater marshlands. Pack a lunch and visit the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve with its butterfly garden and picnic area or walk the Florida National Scenic Trail at Crosby Island Marsh Preserve, Moss Park or the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area.

There’s no shortage of boat tours and water adventures to be had. Hop on an airboat cruise to spot gators, bald eagles and more wildlife in the Everglades with Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides, Wild Florida or Boggy Creek Airboat Rides. Rent a personal catamaran with Catboat Escapes or glide through Venetian-style canals on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. Want to get up close with the underwater world? Get Up and Go Kayaking offers clear-kayaking tours, an unforgettable trip over crystal-clear waters teeming with aquatic life.

Stick to dry ground and ramp up the adrenaline by soaring 65 feet up in the air while 130 live alligators hang out below at the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line at Gatorland. Or tear up the off-road trails on ATVs, dune buggies or Mucky Ducks (they look like mini open-air tanks) at Revolution Adventures.

Resort Pools That Feel Like Mini Water Parks

Every parent knows that the hotel pool is a big part of vacation, and Orlando’s resorts don’t disappoint. Explorer Island at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a full-scale water park with a lazy river, splash zone, waterslides and a luxurious adults-only pool. If you’re travelling as a multi-generational group, a quiet space to unwind away from the under-18 set is a welcome perk.

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes share the new Grande Lakes Water Park which includes three waterslides, Splash Cove, an inflatable AquaVenture Course and more.

Perfect for multigenerational family trips, Evermore Orlando Resort offers 4- to 11-bedroom villas and boasts the area’s only private beach property, with 20 acres of sand surrounding an eight-acre crystal blue lagoon. Guests can lounge in private cabanas or hammocks or try recreational activities like family paddleboard rentals and sandcastle-building lessons.

Family-Friendly Al Fresco All Year

One of the best perks about travelling south to Orlando is the mild winter weather, allowing you to eat outdoors your entire trip if you so desire. If you’re a food truck fanatic, don’t miss A La Cart in the Milk District, a picnic-style outdoor food hall where a rotating collection of trucks serve up delicious cuisine for kid and adult palates alike. A La Cart recently opened Art² downtown, an urban pocket park featuring food, craft beverages and murals celebrating local art.

Venture down to Park Avenue in Winter Park to enjoy dozens of outdoor cafes where you can people-watch while enjoying some of Orlando’s best local cuisine—including family-friendly Michelin-rated spots like Prato and The Ravenous Pig.

Entertaining Sports and Festivals

We’ve done the theme parks, the nature trails, the outdoor thrills, the pools and the food—what’s left? Orlando never runs out of ways to entertain. Get tickets to sports events and root for such hometown teams as the NBA Orlando Magic, the MLS Orlando City FC, the NWSL Orlando Pride, and the new United Football League team, the Orlando Storm, coming in 2026.

Visit one of several outdoor winter festivals, like Aquatica Orlando’s all-new ILLUMINATE: A Nighttime Lantern Festival (until January 31). Enter a world of light, colour and imagination where walkways glow, animals are made from lanterns, and interactive experiences are around every corner. Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval running from February 7 to April 4) features a lively nightly parade, musical performances, street performers and incredible cuisine from New Orleans and around the world. And The Epcot International Festival of the Arts running every weekend from January 16 to February 23) is a showcase of visual, culinary and performing arts, including the Disney on Broadway concert series.

Ready to plan an unforgettable family adventure in Orlando? Head over to visitorlando.com to begin the trip of a lifetime.