As Orlando continues to bounce back from the lag in tourism, the city has a crop of new and revamped restaurants and event spaces in the works. Here’s a look at five venues opening this summer.
1. After nearly two years of construction, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Orlando will open in mid-June. The $200 million venture includes re-creations of signature locations in the Harry Potter movies, like Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade Village, and a Three Broomsticks restaurant, the latter of which will be able to host private events. There is also a pavilion in Hogsmeade that can host parties, or the entire themed area can be rented for groups. An extension of the Islands of Adventure park, the Wizarding World also has the Dragon Challenge dueling roller coaster, which runs simultaneously on adjacent but unique inverted tracks, and virtual ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure.
2. The Peabody Orlando is scheduled to open an additional 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space in July. In the property’s three-story convention center, the new space includes two large ballrooms for groups of 3,000 to 6,210 people. There will also be 12 meeting rooms for groups of 20 to 185, plus an additional 35 breakout rooms—many of which can be combined. Currently the 891-room hotel has 57,000 square feet of meeting space and four bars and restaurants for entertaining. Additional event space including a 20,000-square-foot garden, two pools, and a restaurant and bar will open in September.
3. Pirates Dinner Adventure is expanding its operation with the June opening of Treasure Tavern, a new adults-only theater and show just off International Drive near many convention center and hotel facilities. The new 5,000-square-foot theater will seat 240 people and feature a Caribbean pirate-themed two-hour show of comedians, dancers, and other entertainers—including Pirate’s signature Rum Girls—for guests 18 and older. The show will run five nights a week with two performances on Friday and Saturday nights and can be booked for private events.
4. Owners of the Funky Monkey Wine Company are planning to open Bananas Diner downtown in mid-July. The 1,500-square-foot dining room will seat 75 and be available for all-day dining. Patio seating is also in the works. The menu will consist of classic American diner fare like burgers and sandwiches as well as tapas and desserts.
5. The Black Olive, which opened in March 2009, has been remade as the Blue Smoke Burger Bar, opening today. The 4,470-square-foot eatery has been redesigned with twice as many seats, a total of 30, in its bar. The main dining room can seat 130 or host 150 for receptions. The restaurant will feature traditional burgers along with specialty items like bison, Kobe, lamb, and lobster burgers.