The architects behind the $2 billion Ovation Orlando say its I-4 parking garage will double as a giant billboard. They've even talked about a smaller version of the Las Vegas Sphere.
The entertainment district replacing the abandoned Orlando Sun Resort near Disney World finally has a clearer look, and a much bigger price tag.
RSP Architects released new renderings of Ovation Orlando on Tuesday, Nov. 10, GrowthSpotter reported. The project is now described as a $2 billion development. When the land deal closed last December, the figure being reported was about $1 billion.
Construction is set to start in the first quarter of 2027, with an opening planned for 2028. The site covers about 77 acres at Interstate 4 and U.S. 192 in Kissimmee, less than a mile from Walt Disney World.
Plans call for 650,000 square feet of dining, entertainment, retail and hotel space. "The heart of the project is the Gallery," RSP associate principal David Herbert told GrowthSpotter.
What will Ovation Orlando look like?
RSP cut the original five zones down to three districts. An L-shaped promenade ties them together, so visitors walk through each one instead of wandering a long strip of storefronts.
The Garden: A quieter waterfront area with tropical landscaping, outdoor dining and shaded walking paths.
The Gallery: Art, technology and immersive experiences, anchored by a 350-room luxury hotel and a convention center. Accesso has said that hotel will be part of Hilton's Curio Collection.
The Vibe: The loud part. Restaurants, live performances, digital screens and nightlife.
Herbert said the Gallery's curved building was designed to be spotted from far away on I-4. Herbert also said the old Water's Edge and Promenade zones were so similar that RSP simply merged them.
Is Ovation Orlando really inspired by Times Square?
That's the idea for the Vibe. "Times Square was one place we looked at for inspiration," Herbert said.
The Vibe gets its own multi-story parking garage along I-4, and the garage will double as a gigantic billboard, GrowthSpotter reported. Guests can park on the third or fourth level and walk down into the district. Herbert said you get to see it from above, "which is kind of cool."
Shade structures, canopies and awnings are planned throughout. Anyone who has crossed a Florida parking lot in July will appreciate that part most.
Is a Sphere coming to Ovation Orlando?
Don't buy tickets yet. The north end of the site along I-4 could get a later phase with a large entertainment venue and possibly another hotel. Herbert said that section is "undefined at this point."
"We even talked about putting a Sphere," he said, describing a smaller version of the Las Vegas venue. Nothing has been announced, and that final phase had earlier been pictured as a concert venue.
How many hotel rooms will Ovation Orlando have?
Fewer on the site than first planned, but more overall. The district is approved for 740 hotel rooms. Accesso dropped a select-service hotel planned for the south end, GrowthSpotter reported.
Instead, Accesso bought the neighboring Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration in late October. That adds 718 rooms and more than 13,000 square feet of meeting space, The Orlando Real reported. Aimbridge Hospitality runs the hotel.
The Orlando Real also reported plans for a 35,000-square-foot convention center and a 1,000-seat theater at Ovation.
Who is building Ovation Orlando?
Accesso, a South Florida real estate firm, and its joint venture partner Meyers Group. They bought the property for $73.3 million in December 2025, according to GrowthSpotter. Demolition of the old resort started in February.
No tenants have been named yet. Accesso has said the mix will be roughly one-third restaurants, one-third entertainment and one-third retail. Letters of intent covered about 450,000 square feet as of October, The Orlando Real reported.
Osceola County offered incentives to get the eyesore cleared, including up to $6.5 million in demolition cost reimbursements, PNP reported in January.
When does Ovation Orlando open?
The target is 2028 for all three districts, with a phased build starting in early 2027. Accesso's own project page also lists a 2028 opening.
For Disney World visitors staying along U.S. 192, that would mean another night-out option besides Disney Springs. Locals have already started calling it "Disney Springs 2.0," The Orlando Real noted. Disney Springs has a big head start, so the new kid has some catching up to do.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
GrowthSpotter (Nov. 10, 2026), the new RSP renderings, the $2 billion figure, the timeline, district details, David Herbert's quotes and the hotel changes
Connect CRE (Nov. 10, 2026), RSP's role and the three districts
Orlando Business Journal (Nov. 10, 2026), the tip on the new renderings (paywalled)
The Orlando Real (Oct. 14, 2026), the tenant mix, letters of intent, demolition status and the "Disney Springs 2.0" nickname
The Orlando Real (Oct. 28, 2026), the Delta Hotels purchase, the Curio Collection hotel, convention center and theater
Accesso (Oct. 2026), the official project page, size and 2028 opening
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.