If you’ve ever driven toward Walt Disney World on I-4, you’ve probably spotted it: the crumbling, overgrown hotel at the U.S. 192 exit that looked like a set from a zombie movie. That was the old Orlando Sun Resort, and for more than a decade, it was one of the most infamous abandoned properties in Central Florida.
Well, that era is officially over.
Developers just dropped new renderings for Ovation Orlando, the massive entertainment district taking over the site, and we have to say, the before-and-after is pretty dramatic. Think waterfront dining, live music, glowing screens, and a hotel, all less than a mile from Disney property, per Orlando Weekly.
Here’s the full scoop.
Ovation Orlando, By the Numbers
The renderings, released by RSP Architects on Tuesday, November 10, came with some seriously big figures.
$2 billion: What the project is now described as, according to GrowthSpotter, as cited by Pirates & Princesses.
77: Acres covered by the site at Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.
650,000: Square feet of space in what RSP calls a “high-end, music-inspired concept.”
350: Rooms in the planned hotel, which Accesso has said will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
3: Districts, all connected by one L-shaped walkway.
1/3, 1/3, 1/3: The rough split developers expect between restaurants, entertainment, and retail.
450,000: Square feet covered by letters of intent as of October, according to The Orlando Real.
Less than 1: Miles between Ovation Orlando and Walt Disney World.
Which District Is Your Vibe?
Ovation Orlando is split into three districts. Here’s where you might end up, depending on your style.
If you want a relaxed dinner with a view, head to The Garden. It’s planned as a waterfront district with tropical landscaping and outdoor dining. Sounds like the perfect post-park wind-down to us.
If you love art and tech, you’ll want The Gallery. This district is all about art, technology, and immersive experiences, and it’s also where you’ll find the hotel and convention center.
If you’re here for the nightlife, The Vibe is calling. Restaurants, live performances, nightlife, and Times Square-style digital screens all live here. The Vibe even gets its own multi-story parking garage along I-4, built to be seen from the highway and to double as a giant billboard.
The Glow-Up, Step by Step
This property has had a wild ride. Here’s how it got from there to here.
- Back in the day: The site was the Hyatt Orlando, a 900-room resort with pools, tennis courts, and a 60,000-square-foot convention center.
- 2012: Later known as the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center, the property closed and was left abandoned, eventually drawing squatters, crime, and fires.
- 2024: An earlier concept for the site, presented to Osceola County, described more than 800,000 square feet of retail and a 500-room hotel.
- December 2025: South Florida real estate firm Accesso and joint venture partner Meyers Group buy the property. Orlando Weekly reported the price as $73.3 million.
- February 2026: Demolition of the old resort begins.
- Recently: Accesso picks up the neighboring Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration, adding about 20 acres to its holdings.
- November 10, 2026: RSP Architects releases new renderings of Ovation Orlando.
- Early 2027: Groundbreaking is targeted for the first quarter.
- 2028: Planned opening.
Still on Our Wish List of Answers
The renderings are exciting, but there’s still plenty we don’t know.
- The tenants: No restaurants, shops, or entertainment brands have been officially named yet.
- The sphere: Developers have floated a Las Vegas-style sphere venue as a future possibility, but that’s all it is for now.
- The final layout: Plans have already changed over time. GrowthSpotter reported that a select-service hotel once planned for the south end of the site has been dropped.
- The timeline: A 2028 opening is the target, but big developments don’t always stick to their original schedules.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on all of it.
Okay, Fill Us In
We never thought we’d get excited about a parking garage that doubles as a billboard, but here we are. If Ovation Orlando lives up to these renderings, that old eyesore at the I-4 and U.S. 192 interchange could become one of the most talked-about spots on the way to Disney.
Now we want your picks. Which district would you hit first, The Garden, The Gallery, or The Vibe? And if you could choose one restaurant or entertainment spot to open there, what would it be? Drop your dream lineup in the comments. Bonus points if you’ve got memories of the old Hyatt Orlando days to share!
