Guide to Disney World in the Summer

With Summer Deals and Discounts at Walt Disney World galore, summer can be one of the better times to visit the parks, if you can stand the heat! And this year you can look foward to a Cool Kids Summer, complete with ride openings, new experiences and more to make your Disney Summer Vacation trip extra special. So what can you expect at Disney World this summer? Without a seasonal festival at Epcot to lure you with new foods, the summer months at Disney World looks different at each park. From new shows to Disney After Hours events, and even the free dining plan, in this post we’re chatting about what you can do this summer at Disney World.

Florida summers can be unbearable.  Ask any local and they’ll say you can find them at home in the air conditioning like any other sensible Floridian. Then, of course, you can add in international tour groups, sports teams and summer conventions, and we stick by our personal truth that we’d rather visit Walt Disney World in any other season.

However, if you’re one of the bold and brave among us ready to head to the heated swamps of Florida during the summer months, you’re in for a treat! Because Disney World has quite a bit happening, all starting at the end of May. Here, we’ll share everything to know before you go. From a glimpse at the Disney World Summer Discounts, to a full lineup of events for Summer at Disney. Let’s dive in. 

Disney World Summer Discounts

If you’re traveling in the summer, be sure to check out all the Disney World Summer Deals and Discounts available. This year, Disney World has quite a few ways for to save money on your Disney Vacation Package, Hotel Stay and Dining. 

Get a Free Disney Dining Plan for Kids

One of the best Disney World Summer Deals is the Disney Free Dining Plan for kids. You can get free food throughout your stay when you purchase a dining plan with your package and add the kids on for free. Get the Deal.

4-Day 4-Park Magic Ticket

• Total ticket price starting at $436 plus tax
• Date-based ticket with start dates from May 26 to September 26, 2026
• Ticket must be used within 7 days of selected start date
• Get the Deal

Save up to 30% on Disney Resort Rooms

• At select Disney Resorts Collection hotels
• Most arrivals from May 1 to July 29, 2026 ( Early Summer) and Most arrivals from July 30 to October 3, 2026 ( Late Summer)
• For stays of 5 consecutive nights or longer; other savings available for shorter stays
• Get the Deal for Early Summer or Get the Deal for Late Summer

Disney+ Member Perks – Summer Room Offer

• At select Disney Resorts Collection hotels
• For 2-night stays or longer
• Most nights from June 21 to August 15, 2026
• Get the Deal

After 2 PM Ticket Offer

• Date-based ticket with start dates from May 26 to July 29, 2026
• Visit one theme park per day
• Get the Deal

Disney World Summer Events

What is there to do at Walt Disney World in the Summer?  What else can you look forward to besides the basic Disney experience? Here’s your roundup of festivals, events, and more happening throughout Disney’s COOL KIDS’ SUMMER running from May 26 to September 8, 2026.

Mandalorian and Grogu at Millennium Falcon | Hollywood Studios – May 22, 2026

A brand new story featuring Mando and Grogu is coming to Millennium Falcon Smugglers Ride at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. Just in time for the The Mandalorian and Grogu film to hit the big screens. Join this inseparable pair for the latest adventure in a galaxy far far away, featuring explosive scenes familiar as part of the Epic Games experiences.

Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT – May 26, 2026

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of America, Disney is sharing a whole new Soarin’ experience across the U.S.A. For a limited time only. At EPCOT Park, this immersive flight ride brings you across the landscape, cityscape and monuments of the USA.

Summer Activities at Disney Resorts | May 26- September 8, 2026

If you’re staying at select hotels this summer you can enjoy a variety of Cool Kids Summer Events. Special experiences at the following resorts include Scheduled Character Meet and Greets with Mickey and Minnie, Pop Up Special Libraries, Pajama Parties that include a Storytime and a visit from a special Disney character, as well as Pool Parties and Campfires too.

• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

GoofyCore at EPCOT – May 26, 2026

Experience the wacky works of Goofy’s Game Machine at GoofyCore in CommuniCore Hall this summer.

Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue! at Magic Kingdom Park – May 26, 2026

This summer, mosey over to the Diamond Horseshoe for a Toy Story-inspired hoedown full of family fun.

Bluey and Bingo at Disney Animal Kingdom – May 26, 2026

Over at the Conservation Station, via a train ride from the Africa area of the park, you can head to the wild outback of Australia with Bluey and friends. This conservation-focused attraction is only accessible via a train ride and offered character meet and greets and a children’s farm. Check out everything happening at the Conservation Station.

Zootopia Better Zoogether Show at Animal Kingdom

Now at the Tree of Life Theater, you can see a 4-D Zootopia show featuring Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Offered at Animal Kingdom Park during open hours, this 20 minute show is a great break from the weather, and offers a fun musical finale. Perfect for Zootopia fans.

Disney Jr. Clubhouse Live! – Hollywood Studios – May 26, 2026

Head to Hollywood Studios for a 20 minute show filled with song, dance, and Mickey and Minnie too! Debuting summer 2026, this show promises to bring all you know and love from Disney Jr. onstage. Perfect for little ones, and a chance to shake the sillies out. Starting May 26, 2026, sing and dance with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they gather with their pals for a party at the Clubhouse! 

Both Disney Water Parks are Open!

To kick off Cool Kids’ summer, you can count on both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach being open, starting May 26, 2026. Meaning you’ll have even more options when it comes to using your FREE Disney WATER PARK tickets on Arrival day. You can find Stitch over at the Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Goofy at Disney’s Blizzard Beach.

H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – June 2 to September 5, 2026

Splash into magic—and enjoy lower wait times for popular attractions—at this 3-hour nighttime event!Join the fun on select nights from June 2 to September 5, 2026! It’s returning with new additions—including Characters like Powerline Max and Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers. Complete with low waits, exclusive glow-themed snacks, and free popcorn, select ice-cream treats and beverages to enjoy! This is a ticketed event with limited availability. Grab your H20 Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon tickets here. 

July 4th at Disney World – July 3-5, 2026

If you’re in the parks through July 4th weekend at Disney World, then you can count on a special fireworks show, new July 4th snacks, covered in stars and stripes and the special Disney military families offerings. Check out all the events at Disney World for 4th of July this year.

Muppets Rock N Roller Coaster | Hollywood Studios – May 26, 2026

Replacing the Aerosmith Rock n Roller Coaster, the Muppets band, The Electric Mayhem, is all set up for a  Rock n Roller Coaster of their own. With the elimination of Muppets 3-D, and PizzaRizzo over in the Muppets Courtyard, to make way for Monsters Inc. Land, the Muppets are setting up shop, or studio, in the far corner of the park next to Tower of Terror. Here you can hop into the Muppets limo and buckle up for a crazy ride!

Magic of Disney Animation | Hollywood Studios – Late Summer

Head to Hollywood Studios for a sneak peak into the art of Disney Animation. Complete with special photo ops, classes, and interactive spaces, The Magic of Disney Animation combines play spaces with learning and characers too! Check out all the NEW Attractions coming to Disney World.

Disney Salutes Veterans at EPCOT Exhibit | Through Summer 2026

An exhibit honoring Americans veterans is showcased at the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT Park this summer. Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,  a special exhibit from the George W. Bush Institute, will be featured as part of Disney’s enduring admiration for those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans.  Offered at Disney World Through 2026. 

Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs

Honoring the flavors of Florida every summer, Disney Springs restaurants and snack kiosks pull together the best homegrown dishes, snacks, and desserts Florida has to offer. This year Flavors of Florida presented by CORKCICLE runs in July and August at Disney Springs. With over 30 locations participating you’re sure to find something that fits your summer mood. From orange-filled treats to mahi tacos, there is something for everyone. Here are all the snacks and dishes you can find at the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida Event this year. 

Disney Fireworks and Spectaculars

Fireworks and shows are part of every Walt Disney World vacation this summer! Each Park has something special to share. Hollywood Studios shares the Wonderful World of Animation on the Chinese Theater and Fantasmic. Magic Kingdom has welcomed back Happily Ever After and the Disney Starlight Parade. Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life Awakenings on days with longer park hours. And EPCOT finishes the night with a nighttime spectacular, Luminous.

Club Cool Hosted by Coca-Cola | EPCOT Park

If you have been missing the Beverly, take care in knowing that Club Cool is Back! And summer is the best time to head Club Cool for a refreshing break. This new space celebrates Coca-Cola in “a fresh new way,” while bringing the global Coca-Cola tasting experience to life! 

Vacation Fun-Mickey Shorts Theater | Hollywood Studios

Get out of the Summer heat with a show. The Mickey Shorts Theater features a 20-minute cartoon all about mickey! We love that this is a mash-up of our favorite Mickey Short episodes and gives us a reason to get out of the sun at Disney World. Check out our full review of the Mickey Shorts Theater at Hollywood Studios. 

Festival of the Lion King Show | Animal Kingdom

The Festival of the Lion King at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom offers another wonderful break from the crowds, and heat during the summer months. By far one of the BEST shows on Disney property, we are excited to see this show anytime it’s offered. 

Disney World Summer Snacks

If we’re sure to see anything new at Walt Disney World this summer it’s Disney Snacks! Because while we love the Best Disney Snacks in each park you can always count on, there are also seasonal and specialty snacks across the parks throughout the summer. Food at Disney World is always changing and this summer, you can find snacks featuring fun summery flavors. And if you want slushy drinks take a look at our favorite Kid-Friendly Drinks to beat the Heat at Walt Disney World. 

Disney World Summer Tips

While there are Disney World Tips for all times of year, summer comes with it’s own set of really important tips, mostly because of the weather and the crowds. Here are the most important Disney Summer Tips to know before you go. 

Take advantage of Discounts

Disney World always offers a lot of deals and discounts in the summers. From the Free Dining Plan, to discounted kid’s tickets, and room discounts you can save a lot of money on a summer Disney trip if you know where to look. Be sure to check the Disney World special offers.

Stay hydrated

Be sure to bring a water bottle and grab complimentary water at counter service restaurants. 

Plan for the Weather!

This means several things. Preparing for heat indexes over 100 degrees, sporadic rains, having a variety of clothes and shoe options, and also sunscreen! 

Summer Crowds

Travel groups, international travelers, summer vacationers, families, and lots of first time visitors fill the summer months. As a result, Disney World gets extra crowded in the summers. Plan more time for everything. 

Take Breaks from the Parks

Since the sun is hottest between 12-4PM, it’s important to get out of the sun and into somewhere cool. This could be at a nearby resort, or restaurant, or you can even plan a return to your hotel for pool time. Either way, taking a break during the hottest time of day is important, because the parks will be crowded anyway!   If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this summer, hopefully, this post has helped you see all that you can do!