Florida Heats Up 2025 with Exciting New Openings and Experiences

From thrilling theme parks to luxurious resorts and cultural celebrations, the Sunshine State is ready to welcome travelers with unique new experiences

As 2025 approaches, the Sunshine State is gearing up for an unforgettable winter season, offering travelers new reasons to escape the cold and soak up the sun in Florida. From brand new attractions, luxury hotels, direct flight routes, and cultural experiences, Florida has an exciting line-up of openings and experiences for every type of traveler. From the highly anticipated debut of the new resort at Universal (and the limited-time Wicked Experience), to the newly launched “Floridian” Amtrak route with service from Chicago to Miami, here’s a roundup of Florida’s new and can’t-miss offerings for winter 2025:

Attractions:

•  Wicked: The Experience at Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando: Now Open
  • You can now experience Wicked in person! Located inside Universal Studios Florida just steps away from the front gate, guests can follow the yellow brick road into the fantastical Land of Oz for the unique opportunity to visit iconic Wicked locations from Shiz University to the Emerald City.
• Miami Children’s Museum x Peanuts, Miami: Opens January 2025
  • Opening in January, The Miami Children’s Museum is partnering with Peanuts Worldwide LLC to create a new hands-on exhibit to celebrate Peanuts 75th anniversary. The “Take Care with Peanuts” exhibit is inspired by Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic. The interactive space will promote themes of friendship, empathy, and self-care, inviting kids to engage with Peanuts values while learning to care for themselves, each other, and the Earth.
• Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Kissimmee: Open Now
  • Medieval Times unveiled its spectacular new show at the Kissimmee Florida Castle, the first and only Medieval Times location in Florida. The eagerly anticipated production presents a captivating storyline about a king and queen working to unite their kingdoms for peace; featuring dynamic characters, thrilling stunts, and unexpected plot twists.

Transportation:

• Direct Flights to Pensacola International Airport: Open Now
  • Travelers can now enjoy the addition of Breeze Airways to Pensacola International Airport’s airline offerings. The airline brings new non-stop flights from Pensacola to Tampa, Florida and one-stop/no change of plane service to Norfolk, Virginia. Additionally, Frontier Airlines now also offers nonstop flights to and from Pensacola, with service to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver and Philadelphia year-round.
• Direct Flights from Palm Beach with Breeze Airways: Open Now
  • Breeze Airways has added flights from Palm Beach International Airport to New Haven’s Tweed-New Haven Airport. Starting December 11, fliers have the opportunity to fly nonstop on their choice of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, Breeze Airways is offering flights from West Palm Beach to Norfolk on Thursdays and Sundays starting February 6.
• Non-Stop Service from Palm Beach International Airport with Avelo Airlines: Open Now
  • Avelo Airlines has returned to Palm Beach International Airport by offering nonstop service to and from the Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport beginning November 8. One-way fares from PBI start at $67 on Mondays and Fridays.
• The Floridian by Amtrak, Chicago to Miami: Open Now
  • Amtrak has introduced a new route called "The Floridian," which provides direct daily service between Chicago and Miami. The route merges two iconic trains, the Capitol Limited and the Silver Star, offering a scenic journey with stops in cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.

Hotels:

• Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel: Reopens Winter 2025
  • Sundial Beach Resort & Spa is now taking reservations for stays beginning Winter 2025 in the resort’s two and three-bedroom unit types. All resort amenities and activities will be available to resort guests upon the winter opening date. In addition to previously offered recreational activities, Sundial has added bocce ball and four new pickleball courts for a total of sixteen plexi-cushion courts. Voted the Best Full Service Resort on Sanibel and Captiva Islands for nine years running, Sundial has also added a new restaurant, Beach Bites, and will be expanding Shima Japanese Steakhouse which will feature additional seating and a sushi bar overlooking the pool area.
• La Concha Key West, Key West: Open Now
  • In Key West, the La Concha Key West hotel at 430 Duval St. has undergone renovations and a conversion to a Marriott property with 160 rooms and 14 suites. Undergoing transformation are the property’s lobby, bar and restaurant, pool and fitness center. In addition, the spa area is being converted into premium rooftop suites. New food and libation offerings include Tropicado with classic crafted cocktails, Cuban cuisine at Perla and the El Dom Coffee Shop. Design elements are coastal inspired with furniture of rattan, natural wood and stone, and a color palette theme of bluish pink with accents of green and blue. The property originally opened in 1926 as a luxury hotel with marble floors, private baths and ocean views.
• EVEN Hotel Sweetwater, Miami: Opens February 2025
  • With the goal of putting “wellness within reach,” EVEN Hotel Sweetwater – Doral is scheduled to open in February 2025. The hotel will allow travelers to restore, rejuvenate and maintain their personal routines while away from home, offering diverse fitness amenities – ranging from yoga mats to Peloton bikes to a state-of-the-art running studio – along with access to healthy meals, snacks and beverages from the new EVEN Kitchen & Bar and adjacent 24/Market 7.
• Opal Sol, Clearwater: Opens Early 2025
  • Situated on Clearwater’s Beach Walk promenade, the brand-new Opal Sol is an airy and inviting sanctuary that mixes calming ocean-inspired decor with modern luxury. So close to the gulf that it feels like you could reach out and touch it, the hotel has everything guests could ask for in a Florida beach resort, including four restaurant outlets, a full–service luxury Opal Spa, three pools, and direct access to the white sand beach that has been rated by USA Today as the “Best Beach in Florida.”
• Universal Stella Nova Resort, Orlando: Opens January 21, 2025
  • Inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, where galaxies spiral ever outward and unknown worlds revolve around unnamed stars, Universal Stella Nova Resort, opening January 21, 2025, is where you’ll take off for amazing adventures at Universal Orlando Resort. Universal Stella Nova Resort will be located adjacent to the future site of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park, which will open at a later date in 2025.
• Universal Terra Luna Resort, Orlando: Opens March 25, 2025
  • Inspired by the thrill of exploring the unknown and pushing the limits of discovery, this resort is much more than your launchpad into amazing adventures at the parks. It’s also your landing zone for relaxation and recharging between the fun. This resort is also located adjacent to the new Universal Epic Universe theme park.
• The Belgrove Resort & Spa, West Palm Beach: Open Now
  • The newly opened Belgrove in West Palm Beach is a one-of-a-kind modern oasis celebrating polished elegance and laid-back luxury. The resort is complete with 150 stylish accommodations, five distinct dining options, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, two pools, a spa, and over 25,000 square feet of event space

Experiences & Events:

• Naples Winter Wine Festival’s 25th Anniversary, Naples: January 24-26, 2025
  • One of the world’s top charity wine auctions is celebrating 25 years of helping at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County. The festival takes place at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. The exclusive three-day affair features amazing fine wines, impeccable cuisine and experiential events such as The Vintage Cellar,, Meet the Kids Day (where one can witness first-hand the life-changing impact of the Naples Winter Wine Festival), intimate dinners with award-winning chefs and celebrated vintners taking place at private homes and locales throughout Naples, a post-auction “wine down” celebration party (featuring Grammy winning musicians), and more.