Florida gains high-speed train and new attractions – 09/28/2023 – Tourism

Year in and year out, and Florida continues to be the favorite destination for Brazilians in the USA. According to estimates from the local tourism body, in the second quarter of this year alone the state received 224 thousand Brazilians. To keep everyone engaged, many new features are launched all the time. See the main ones.

Brightline

Tourists who take advantage of their trip to Florida to do a double trip between Orlando and Miami — or who simply couldn’t get air tickets at good prices to their final destination — now have a new transportation option. It is Brightline’s high-speed train, which began operating on the 2nd. The train connects the center of Miami to the brand new terminal C at Orlando airport, on a journey that lasts three hours and 30 minutes and includes stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.

One way, fares start at US$79 (R$399) for adults. Groups of more than four people have a 25% discount. In the future, the line should be extended to Tampa, where Busch Gardens is located.

Universal

While Epic Universe is not ready, the complex is adding new features to its other parks. The most recent, opened in August, is Minion Land, the Minions neighborhood at Universal Studios. The park has new attractions in addition to the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem simulator, such as Villain-Con Minion Blast, which immerses children in an interactive course, as if they were playing a video game. There is also Illumination’s Minion Cafe, a restaurant with fun dishes and two franchise-themed candy stores.

In the next park, Island of Adventure, two more roller coasters challenge the courage — and willingness to queue — of visitors. At Velocicoaster, in the area inspired by the “Jurassic Park” franchise, sudden accelerations exceed 100 km/h, leading to a 47-meter-high peak, followed by an 80-degree drop and 360-degree spirals.

Anyone who rides Hagrid’s “motorcycle”, a character who got a roller coaster just before the pandemic, realizes that the attraction is much more radical than it seems. It reaches 80 km/h on a 1.5 km route — the longest in Florida.

Disney

Disney parks have two big year-end celebrations. One of them, at Hollywood Studios, is Disney JollywoodNights, a night party that takes place over ten nights, between 11/11 and 20/12, which includes the famous music show, fireworks and special effects. The event, which requires an additional ticket, also provides reduced wait times for popular attractions such as the Aerosmith roller coaster, the Tower of Terror and the popular “Star Wars” area.

At the Magic Kingdom, where Cinderella’s castle is located, Mickey’s Christmas party takes place on 25 selected nights from 11/9 to 12/22, also with music shows, fireworks and the traditional Christmas parade.

SeaWorld

The park with the most roller coasters in Orlando has just gained another one. At Pipeline, inspired by surfing, visitors stand upright, as if they were on a board. Simulating giant waves, the 880 meters of the route are covered in almost two minutes, reaching 96 km/h and 33 meters high. In the park, the Christmas celebration takes place between 11/10 and 12/31, but details have not yet been released.