2017 will bring fresh fun for Orlando couples!
As the New Year kicks off, Orlando Date Night Guide is excited to test out the newest hot spots, happenings and more to best provide you with awesome date night ideas. We’re looking forward to dating adventures in 2017 and the following new possibilities are on our radar.
New Dining…
Disney Springs will expand with five new delicious date night spots: The Edison – A lavish “industrial gothic” style restaurant & bar with exceptional classic American food, artisanal craft cocktails and live entertainment; Paddlefish – The former Fulton’s Crab House is back with a new seafood menu (including a build-your-own boil) and new rooftop lounge serving up spectacular views; Planet Hollywood Observatory – Colorful three-floor-up-to-the-ceiling eat-arena with famous movie memorabilia and the likes with a new flavor-packed menu created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri; The Polite Pig ─ A sister restaurant to the Ravenous Pig (YESSSS!!!) will deliver the same focus on genuine Florida cuisine! Lunch and dinner menus will feature wood-fired smoked and grilled items as well as innovative beverages; Wine Bar George – Orlando master sommelier George Miliotes uncorks his first Disney wine bar in a space reminiscent of a winemaker’s estate, warmed by oak wood and cozy lighting. Small plates dominate the food menu paired with more than 100 selections of vino.
Circo Orlando will open this year next to Mango’s Tropical Café as International Drive’s highest restaurant with a retractable glass roof for breathtaking sunset views. Circo will serve upscale Italian fare built upon a foundation of signature Tuscan recipes.
Permission to pig out on date night because the Mills 50 barbecue taco favorite Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa is opening a new location in Lake Nona.
After a stroll down Park Avenue, cool off with your hottie at the new Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop to open in Winter Park. Lucky for us, it will be the company’s first local parlor to open outside of the tourism corridor.
Also opening are Luke's Bar & Grill in Maitland, Mesa21 in the Ivanhoe Village area, Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen & Bar (taking over the old Ravenous Pig spot) and a second location for Teak Neighborhood Grill opening in Maitland mid spring.
New Themed Stuff…
Top Golf Orlando, opening fall 2017, is set to become a premier golf entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout. It will offer more than 100 climate-controlled hitting bays with advanced technology to track accuracy and distance of shots. Now that’s a date night on par!
You loved sci-fi movie date night so challenge that same driving ‘force’ at the 2016 Star Wars Celebration from April 13-16, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center. With this event coming just months after the release of Rogue One, we can likely expect announcements about Star Wars: Episode VIII and plenty of exclusives to reflect the 40th anniversary of the original film’s release.
New Staycations…
The Grove Resort & Spa will open in February as an expansive 106-acre hotel set on Lake Austin and conservation grounds. It will have four swimming pools and the Surfari Water Park with multiple slides, a lazy river and the first surf simulator at any Orlando hotel. You will also enjoy a selection of watersports at the resort’s lakeside dock, an intimate spa and various dining options.
SODO’s new 54-room boutique property, The Delaney Hotel, opens May 2017 and will include Delaney’s Tavern, featuring plush seating and firewalls and serving shareables, craft cocktails and microbrews.
Margaritaville Resort Orlando, opening in late 2017, will be a waterfront destination resort with 187 rooms, 1,000 Margaritaville-themed vacation homes and 300 timeshare units, along with a new dining and entertainment district and 12-acre water park. It will not be located near the Margaritaville restaurant at CityWalk but closer to the Disney parks.
New Thrills…
I-Drive 360: Skyfall, the world's largest drop ride, will stand at more than 460 feet and join the 570-foot-tall Skyscraper coaster (reaching speeds of 90 mph) at the $300 million Skyplex development. There will be a restaurant and lounge atop of an observation deck to provide the ultimate date night with rides, food and superior views.
Universal Orlando Resort: You’ve seen the construction of this new water park off Sand Lake Rd. and I-4 and, soon, Volcano Bay will open this summer. With the power of the TapuTap wearable, there’s no standing in long lines or wrestling with tubes, so take the plunge with a playful date.
Plus, inspired by the popular Tonight Show segment, Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, opening this spring at Universal Studios, will put you against the comic in a wild race through the Big Apple.
SeaWorld: Kraken roller coaster will be Orlando’s only floorless roller coaster and themed after a massive, mythological underwater beast unleashed from the depths of the sea. Your feet will dangle to heights of more than 150 feet.
New Concerts…
Billy Joel
Friday, January 27, 2017 at 8 pm
Amway Center
Florida Georgia Line
Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Amway Center
Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8 pm
The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 8 pm
Amway Center
New Live Shows…
SELFIE starring Mateus Solano & Miguel Thire
Friday, January 13, 2017 at 9 pm
Bob Carr Theater
Impractical Jokers
Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 7 pm
Hard Rock Live
Brain Candy Live!
Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 8 pm
The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
Orlando Ballet: Masterworks
Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2017
The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
The Price is Right Live!
Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
Jay Leno
Friday, April 7, 2017 at 9 pm
Hard Rock Live
New Sports…
Touchdown! The City Beautiful will host the NFL Pro Bowl game at the Camping World Stadium on January 29, 2017. The new Pro Bowl Week includes accessible team practices and fun activities throughout the city.
Soccer scores! Orlando’s 25,500-seat Multipurpose Soccer Stadium, to be the new home of the Orlando City and Orlando Pride teams, is scheduled to open prior to the 2017 MLS season. We promise this state-of-the-art space will provide you with winning date nights! Plus, Orlando’s Camping World Stadium will host the International Champions Cup, an international tournament features championship teams including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Match point! Orlando will welcome the United States Tennis Association with a new state-of-the-art facility featuring over 100 courts. Expect to watch some fierce matches with top ranked players.
New Shopping…
Outdoor retailer REI will open a new store in the Winter Park Village. REI is a membership “co-op” store featuring high-end camping, biking and other outdoor and recreation gear and, thus, an ideal new shopping venue for those who love wild, outdoorsy date adventures.