I-Drive 360

It's fair to say that the buzz surrounding I-Drive 360 has been feverish. Orlando's most popular corridor, International Drive, has long been chock-full of hotels, shopping and entertainment, but the unveiling of I-Drive 360 on May 4 will introduce a jaw-dropping trio of attractions. Most anticipated has been the 400-foot-tall Orlando Eye, an observation wheel that offers unparalleled views of central Florida from within fully enclosed glass capsules. This will be coupled with a Madame Tussauds wax museum, underwater adventures at Sea Life Orlando, and a wealth of restaurants and retail spaces.

Escapology Orlando

You may have read too many Nancy Drew books if you think you can outsmart Escapology. The real-life escape game has opened its doors for the first time in the United States, challenging teams of up to 5 players to find their way out of a locked, themed room in just 60 minutes by unearthing a combination of hidden objects and clues and solving tricky puzzles. Will you be the hero who finds the key to escape? Only the cool, calm and collected need apply.

Crayola Experience

Escape the wilds of Orlando's amusement parks and keep little hands busy with a universe of coloring tools at Orlando's Crayola Experience, set to open in summer 2015. Kids (and parents!) can explore the 70,000-square-foot space, which will feature more than 25 activities that let you see how crayons are made, design your own crayon label, star in your own coloring page, and even animate your coloring creations.

Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts

Orlando is making a mark as a cultural destination thanks in large part to the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. With its collection of venues, the center lined up an inaugural season that has brought the city Broadway musicals and plays, performances from household-name stars such as Idina Menzel and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as orchestra performances and the ballet.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley opened its gates in summer 2014 at Universal Studios Florida, leaving scores of Harry Potter fans breathless with anticipation to visit the Wizarding World's newest expansion. Aspiring wizards will arrive aboard the Hogwarts Express and can ride on the Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts roller coaster; stroll past shops filled with magical surprises, including Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes; dine at the Leaky Cauldron; and even encounter a fire-breathing dragon.

Orlando City Soccer Club

Major League Soccer's newest darlings, the Orlando City Soccer Club, are set to kick off their first season in 2015, bringing professional soccer to legions of central Florida fans. The inaugural season will be played in the Orlando Citrus Bowl stadium before the action shifts to a newly constructed downtown venue in 2016. The team will start the new season with global soccer phenom Kaká playing midfield.