If you’re thinking about visiting Mickey and all of his friends this summer, you’re coming at the perfect time. Starting at the end of May, all four Disney parks will be seeing some additions, upgrades and changes, and your family will be one of the first to check it out first hand!
Animal Kingdom
May 27th is the kickoff of a spectacular nighttime experience at Animal Kingdom. The infamous Tree of Life will light up with breathtaking animation! Keep an eye out for dancing fireflies and animal spirits, and watch the Tree of Live come alive! There will be new “after the sun goes down” experiences on some of Animal Kingdom’s most popular rides, like Expedition Everest and the Kali River Rapids. Many families leave Animal Kingdom when it gets dark, but with these upgrades, you’ll want to stay and see what happens after dark!
Then on May 28th, the classic tale of Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera and their Jungle Book friends will star in a nighttime showing of The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic, which takes place along the Discovery River in Animal Kingdom.
And if you’re coming this summer, make sure to be one of the first to check out the brand new restaurant, Tiffins, which offers African, Asian and South American flavors, located on Discovery Island. (Try the Roasted Market Vegetable Curry or the Berbere-spiced Lamb Chop!)
Epcot
And if you’re a fan of Elsa, Ana and their frozen pals, you’ll be delighted to see what magical adventures are in store for you at Epcot. Starting July 21st, the Frozen Ever After attraction and the Royal Sommerhus will allow guests to meet and greet their favorite Frozen characters!
If you are a fan of Soarin’, the simulated flight ride at Epcot, you’ll be happy to hear that it is also seeing some upgrades this summer. A third screening room and new digital screens brings the ride to life, even better than before!
Kids who love talking to Crush in the interactive show, “Turtle Talk with Crush” will be excited to see that Crush is now joined by some very special friends who join in on the interaction.
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire is a brand new show featuring classic and contemporary Disney characters, and takes place right in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Mickey Mouse and his close group of friends band together with ten different characters from other Disney movies, and together they amaze the audience with new music, dance and fireworks!
Elena of Avalor, Disney’s first Latin inspired princess, will also be making her debut at Disney World this summer!
Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Nerds: This is your park! A new fireworks show will premiere June 17th and include lasers, special effects, video projections of characters, all set to the music you love so much. Jedi Training, a new live stage show and so much more has been added to Hollywood Studios, and Star Wars fans will not leave disappointed.
Disney Springs and Water Parks
There are two things we can be absolutely sure of this summer: it’s going to be hot and it’s going to rain. That’s just how it is. Fortunately, it’s easy to beat the heat in Disney’s family water parks. At Blizzard Beach, Olaf will be basking in the summer sun and hosting the “Frozen Games,” a series of fun, friendly competitions that run through the middle of August.
When the clouds roll in, Disney Springs (formally known as Downtown Disney) is a great place to stay dry. New stores such as Anthropologie, Lucky Brand, Pandora and Kate Spade New York will debut, giving guests plenty of options and places to show while it rains. Shopping can work up an appetite, and Disney Springs is home to many culinary hot spots. Treat your family to Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza (think: Chipotle but with pizza. Go crazy picking toppings, sauces, cheeses and extras and design the pizza of your dreams!) Or check out STK Orlando, a modern steakhouse and lounge. From Pan Asian street fare to pizza, Disney Springs has a lot of new places to dine!
If you’re on the fence about coming to Florida this year, hesitate no more! There are so many new and wonderful things to experie