4 New Experiences to Celebrate Summer at Walt Disney World
As seen on the Disney Parks Blog on March 20, 2024
Summertime at The Most Magical Place On Earth is going to be extra magical this year! Not only will you be able to join the party in The Big Easy when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Magic Kingdom, I’m also here to tell you that there will be four new, limited-time summer celebrations happening across the resort!
At Disney Springs, drones take to the skies above Lake Buena Vista with “Disney Dreams That Soar,” a summertime experience that will be a late-night perk for visitors. “You can fly” takes on a whole new meaning as we showcase Disney stories celebrating the joy of flight with state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs in the sky and paired with a “soaring” musical score (see what I did there?) and memorable movie quotes. After spending a day delighting in shopping, discovering fun activities and savoring diverse flavors at Disney Springs, turn your eyes to the skies above the West Side with a show amongst the stars. “Disney Dreams That Soar” will run nightly from May 24 through Sept. 2!
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, get into your feels with Joy herself! She’s headed to Pixar Plaza starting June 10, where she joins other Pixar stars. She’ll be in her new home just in time for Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” which premieres in theaters June 14.
While you’re visiting Pixar Plaza, make some other core memories with a cute new space to snap selfies. Of course, Pixar Plaza is home to all kinds of ways to celebrate the incredible stories of Pixar – from character greetings to delicious snacks and sips to merchandise.
And, speaking of merchandise, you can deck yourself out in new Pixar styles found at Beverly Sunset Boutique. I have a feeling Edna Mode would approve.
EPCOTians everywhere know that the park has been undergoing the largest transformation in its history, and each new element that we’ve unveiled has brought us closer and closer to a fully reimagined EPCOT. Remember that gorgeous new fountain and welcoming front entrance? Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Creations Shop? The lights on Spaceship Earth? Space 220 Restaurant? Connections Café & Eatery? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana? Walt the Dreamer? AND MORE?! Yes, EPCOT has seen a lot of cool changes … and starting June 10, we’re ready to debut the finishing touches of this grand transformation with extra summer fun.
Here for a limited time
Everyone will be talking about Bruno from June 10-Sept. 6 because a new summer sing-along featuring the beloved songs and story of “Encanto” is in development now. This new limited-time show, “¡Celebración Encanto!” runs several times throughout the day and will not only invite you and your family to sing along with some of your favorite songs, but you’ll also spot Mirabel and Bruno on the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza stage.
Celebrating the evolution of EPCOT
I mentioned that this adorable, limited time show will take place on CommuniCore Plaza stage, and that will be because the last walls in the center of the park are coming down – that’s right! Beginning June 10, you’ll be able to stroll through a fully transformed EPCOT. Let me tell you a little more about what to expect.
While CommuniCore Hall will be home to the iconic EPCOT festivals and other celebrations (and we’ll definitely share more on that later!), it’ll also be a perfect cool indoor space year-round for you and your family to recharge. And speaking of cool, CommuniCore Hall will be surrounded by serene views and exciting experiences. The coolest mouse around will be ready to give you a hug once new character greeting location Mickey & Friends debuts! With its beautiful mural of all things EPCOT past and present, a geometric exterior design inspired by Spaceship Earth, and of course, Mickey Mouse and his pals, you’re sure to have a smile on your face.
If you love what we’ve already revealed of the World Celebration Gardens, you’ll be delighted by even more luscious greenery and relaxing spaces to enjoy out in CommuniCore Plaza and Inspiration Gardens. And that’s not even mentioning the more food and beverages and more entertainment to come … but we’ll have more details for you soon.
There’s no better way to start this announcement than with … NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANTS INGONYAMA BGITHI BABA!!!
That’s right – get ready to roar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park where the celebration for the 30thanniversary of “The Lion King” animated film will prowl throughout the entire park from June 10 through Sept. 6. (How has it been 30 years?! I feel like I just went to see it in theaters yesterday… and begged my mom for Lion King-themed wallpaper in my room. She said no.) But even better than wallpaper, there is a whole new merchandise collection so you can see the iconic Disney’s Animal Kingdom stage show, Festival of The Lion King, in style.
Ready to rustle up some grubs? There will be special menu items to snack on … and this adorable Pumbaa popcorn bucket to add to your pride! Stay tuned, because our friends at Disney Eats will have more to share on delicious treats later.
To fully embrace that “Hakuna Matata” lifestyle, head on over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where you can once again meet Timon and Rafiki. Figuring out when these furry friends are available for hugs or advice on finding the most delicious bugs is as easy as checking out My Disney Experience. Now that’s a problem-free philosophy I can get behind!
And, while you’re at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you can visit Animation Experience and learn to draw characters from “The Lion King.”
It’s going to be an awesome summer at Walt Disney World – and in addition to this limited-time experience (and those others I haven’t told you about… yet!), you can cool down with H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and kick your feet up during a Disney Resort Hotel stay.
Like I said – it’s going to be an awesome summer. See you at Walt Disney World!
