Find Your Slice of Florida In 2018

The glorious sunshine, spectacular beaches and family fun are some of the things that attract holidaymakers to Florida each year. It’s an incredibly diverse place to visit, offering unparalleled variety that no other state could match.  Orlando is known for its unbelievable attractions, but once you head out to the swamplands of the Everglades or the glistening coast, you’ll see a whole new side of the Sunshine State.

There’s so much happening throughout Florida this upcoming year, new attractions, museums and restaurants are on the horizon. We’ve found the best of what’s to come to help you choose your new Slice of Florida for 2018.

Walt Disney World Resort

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Toy Story Land: coming summer 2018!

Step into Toy Story Land where kids and grown-ups alike can get together and discover the exhilarating joy of being a toy — all in the so-much-larger-than-life setting of Andy’s backyard. Join Slinky Dog, Rex, the Aliens, Army Men and more Toy Story Characters on new adventures you’ll only find at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

NEW: Slinky Dog Dash

The new Slinky Dog Dash takes you on a crazily-constructed coaster track that whooshes around curves, up hills and down drops. It’s a chaotic kick families can experience together.

NEW: Alien Swirling Saucers

Hang on for a toy rocket ride while aliens fly around in toy saucers and The Claw looms ominously overhead. You can’t help but go ‘Ooooooo!’

Toy Story Mania!

Hop indoors into Andy’s bedroom, to take aim and ride on the fan favourite Toy Story Mania! You’ll blast your way through a 4D arcade featuring much-loved Toy Story pals. Fire at targets with everything from baseballs to cream pies — and go for the high scores.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Infinity Falls – Opening Summer 2018

SeaWorld’s newest water ride, Infinity Falls, will leave you soaked.  Grab your family and friends and climb aboard a river raft journeying towards the world’s tallest river rapid drop! The back story is centred around the discovery of a lost rainforest river. You’ll find yourself ducking and diving to avoid fountains and waterfalls as you pass through lush green foliage and towering trees.

We’ve found a video which gives you a little taster of what’s in store.

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Ray Rush – Opening Spring 2018

Perfect for all ages, Ray Rush at Aquatica is a three-part water adventure that will be the only ride like it in all of Florida. Grab your raft as powerful water jets launch your whole family into an enclosed tube, before swirling you into an enormous see-through sphere. There you’ll spin and splash up the walls until you drop into the final section: an open-air slide shaped like the curved wings of a manta ray. You’ll glide back and forth on the ray’s wings as you make your way towards an epic splashdown finale.

Daytona Beach

Event weekend - 11^th February 2018

Daytona is not only known for it’s family-friendly beach, it’s also home to the world-famous International Speedway. Each year the stadium hosts the DAYTONA 500 event and 2018 marks its 60^th year. Witness speed, skill and determination as drivers battle the renowned 2.5-mile tri-oval and it’s 31-degree banking to become the DAYTONA 500 champion. This celebrated race has an exciting Fanzone to match, see the drivers on stage, dance to music acts at the Pre-Race Show and watch the drivers as they prepare in the garages before the race, plus loads more.

DAYTONA 500 is a popular event and sells out pretty quickly. Be sure to book your tickets in advance by visiting the website. DAYTONA 500 Fanzone is at an extra cost.

Greater Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale has an exciting array of new and renovated restaurants opening throughout the area joining its already world class selection of eateries.

Sample a delicious fusion of Florida and the Caribbean with Floribbean cuisine at Coconuts; embark on the Greater Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail of craft beers and ales at Red Bar Beard; or dock (your yacht) and dine at Boatyard on the glittering waterways of the Venice of America!

Don’t forget to check out Raw Poke Bar on the stylish Las Olas Boulevard for fast food Hawai’ian style, straight from the sea! Or visit Steak 954 in the newly renovated W for a moonlit dinner for two just steps from the beach in this luxury boutique steakhouse.

With the new BA flight into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Brightline train connecting the city to Miami and West Palm Beach, Greater Fort Lauderdale is now more than ever a gateway to the rest of the Florida beach destinations!

St. Pete/Clearwater

One of the Florida’s premier areas for craft beer is St. Pete/Clearwater; it’s the Sunshine State’s answer to the grape fields of Napa Valley in California. The region spans from Tarpon Springs in the north down to the St. Petersburg in the south. An hour’s drive overall, you could spend days taking the time to sample tipples and brews in the small independent breweries. Buff up your beer knowledge and speak with other boozy enthusiasts along your journey. Before you embark on a tour of the ‘Gulp Coast’, make sure you check out the 30+ craft breweries in the area on their website.

 

Sarasota

Warhol: Flowers In The Factory – 11^th February – 30^th June 2018

Soup cans and celebrity portraits are what Andy Warhol is known for, but little know about his vivid flower paintings.  Paying homage to Warhol’s pop art floral work, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are showcasing the exhibition called Warhol: Flowers in the Factory from February to June 2018. In addition to the stunning art, Selby Gardens will be delivering lectures and holding special events to celebrate the images.  With over 15 acres of exotic gardens situated along Sarasota Bay, visitors will find it is the perfect setting for such vibrant artwork.

See events, lectures and more in coordination with the exhibition on the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens website.