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Summer is just around the corner, and Walt Disney World has a jam-packed schedule with offerings, events, new attractions, and more. Take a look at everything to look forward to, ensuring you don’t miss a thing!
Summer 2026 at Walt Disney World
Cool Kids’ Summer
Arguably the most exciting thing coming to Walt Disney World this summer is Cool Kids’ Summer. As a whole, it will offer new and refreshed attractions, plus limited-time fun. Many of the offerings below are advertised as Cool Kids’ Summer offerings, but for the sake of organization, we listed them according to location. Cool Kids’ Summer officially runs from May 26 to September 8.
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is reopening in early May at Magic Kingdom with an updated opening scene, transformation of the Rainbow Caverns, refreshed Audio-Animatronics, and gold props. The ride’s entire track was replaced.
Join Jessie, Woody, and friends for some energetic fun at Jessie’s Roundup, where you’ll craft, dance, and yodel your hearts out in this western revue at The Diamond Horseshoe.
The 4th of July fireworks show “Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will play across all three nights of the holiday weekend, July 3 – 5, instead of the usual July 3 and 4.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will kick off in August, which is technically summer.
EPCOT
The 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom through June 1. Enjoy topiaries, lush gardens, mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and live music at the Garden Rocks Concert Series.
Guests can take flight on an all-new immersive journey with Soarin’ Across America, debuting May 26. This refreshed experience showcases breathtaking vistas across the United States and will be featured as part of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary and “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration commemorating this historic milestone.
Dance and play along with the Goof Troop, DJ Dance Pants, and Goofy himself during wacky activities at CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT. Goofy’s Game Machine brings silly, kid-approved games like Goofy Says, Balloon Bonanza, and Parachutes ‘n’ Pipsqueaks. See photos and a video from 2025 to get an idea of what to expect.
Hollywood Studios
On May 22, a new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The all-new adventure is centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” is packed with upbeat tunes and dancing as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto – for the party. The show will open on May 26.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is speeding into Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer. It’s rumored to open around Memorial Day. In the new version of the ride, guests still enter G-Force Records on a V.I.P. tour, this time encountering the Electric Mayhem.
The Magic of Disney Animation is inspired by the Once Upon A Studio short film, The Magic of Disney Animation. It will include a new Animation Academy experience hosted by Olaf (instead of live artists), six new meet and greets, and a playground inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland concept art. This is expected to open later in the summer.
Animal Kingdom
“Bluey’s Wild World” will open on May 26, 2026. The experience will be at Conservation Station, and you can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo. Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy-uppy. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to Jumping Junction to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia.
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
Guests staying at one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels can enjoy free Disney Water Park admission on their arrival day, included in their stay. The dates for this are May 26 through September 8, 2026. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open during this time.
Resorts
Guests staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will have even more experiences and amenities designed for families with young children, including scheduled visits from favorite Disney pals. While pool parties and campfires are common occurrences throughout the year at Disney World resorts, other activities include:
- Special Libraries: Little ones can celebrate Disney stories in libraries provided by Disney Publishing, where the magic of their imaginations can come alive with tales of princesses, heroes, and more.
- Pajama Party: Wind down with your family during story time! Participate in a “create your own bedtime story” activity, where the magic of a good book comes to life with the arrival of a favorite Disney Character.
Disney Springs
Guests visiting Disney World this summer can participate in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3 dance parties. When visiting the Marketplace at Disney Springs on select nights, guests can break out the dance moves in celebration of the new original movies coming to Disney+ this summer.
At this time, we do not know the dates these parties will be taking place.
V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days
V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days will be back from May 1 through July 31, 2026.
Disney teased new Passholder merchandise, exclusive food and beverage items, special discounts, and a new magnet.
After Hours Events
The after-park-close, separately ticketed event invites guests to experience the parks after closing. Select snacks and beverages are included with the purchase of a ticket. Here are the summer dates:
- Magic Kingdom: May 4, 11, 18, and 25; June 1, 22, and 29; July 13 and 27
- EPCOT: May 21; June 11 and 18; July 9 and 23
- Hollywood Studios: May 6, 14, 30; June 3, 10, 17, and 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
Disney also teased the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon, offering DJ dance parties, character meet and greets, watery attractions, and complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages. Dates and details for this are not available yet.
Banana Ball
On May 29-30, Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World. The teams taking part in the ESPN Wide World of Sports event include The Party Animals and a new team called the Loco Beach Coconuts. Hosted at the 220-acre ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, these two teams will face off inside The Stadium, featuring more than 9,500 seats.
Offers & Discounts
This summer, guests can get two free room nights and theme park days when purchasing a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package. That means guests have at least six days to experience Disney World. This deal is available for visits most nights May 26 through September 15, 2026, and can only be booked January 6 through February 15, 2026.
A hotel-only deal can save guests up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights May 1 through October 4, 2026. Florida Residents can save up to 35%, and Annual Passholders can save up to 40% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels this summer.
Disney+ subscribers can enjoy discounted hotel room rates at Walt Disney World this summer, with rates as low as $99/night.
All of these offers can be combined with the 2026 free dining plan promotion for kids ages 3 to 9. You must purchase a package for you and your children that includes a dining plan for guests ages 10 and up and a room at a Disney Resort hotel.
And, speaking of free dining, that offer is available again in 2026, and some of those dates overlap with the summer months.
If you’re looking for just a ticket deal, Walt Disney World has a specially priced ticket for visiting the theme parks after 2 p.m. this summer. Guests can choose from a 2-day or a 3-day ticket with a limit of one theme park per day. These are date-based tickets, so park reservations aren’t required.
Or, visit each of the 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort – starting at $109 per day, plus tax (total price starting at $436 plus tax). This ticket is valid May 26 – October 3, 2026.
Ready to get started planning your Disney World vacation? Reach out to our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations! They will book your vacation package, secure your dining reservations, and walk you through the planning process.
For more on everything new, updated, and closing at Disney Parks in 2026, read our article here.
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