Summer is a popular time to visit Disney World with the kids out of school, and many adults can take time off from work more easily. Disney World also makes it easy for anyone to want to visit during the summer season, with new offerings typically launching this time of year.
This summer is no different, with multiple new attractions, new entertainment, and returning seasonal favorites coming to Disney World. If you’re thinking of booking a summer vacation to Disney World, keep reading to see what’s on deck for the upcoming season.
NEW: Test Track 3.0
One of Disney World’s hallmark events of this summer, at least in terms of brand-new offerings, is Test Track. Yes, you heard me, Test Track – the ride that opened in 1999. After its first reimagining that debuted in 2012, Test Track is being revamped yet again. This time, the ride is returning to its roots, at least in some capacity. This new reimagining will call back to World of Motion, which was the original inhabitant of where Test Track is currently located.
According to Disney, “Test Track 3.0” as the fans have called it, features “technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” The ride will include new scenes depicting “a trip through a scenic outdoor route reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family.”
As of this writing, an exact opening date for Test Track has not been announced. The closest we’ve heard from Disney is “late summer,” which likely means August or September.
READ MORE: TIMELINE OF MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY WORLD AND BEYOND
NEW: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
If you’re all about the parade at Disney World, then you’ll definitely want to carve out time in Magic Kingdom this summer. That’s because the park is getting its first brand-new nighttime parade in YEARS called Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. Disney Starlight is a celebration of Disney animated films in a stunning new way.
The first float will depict the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio with her wand representing “first star you’ll see tonight.”
From there, a dazzling display of floats comes alive, celebrating films like Encanto…
…Coco…
…and Moana…
…as well as beloved characters like the Disney Princesses! Be on the lookout for appearances by characters from other films like Peter Pan and Frozen.
An opening date for Disney Starlight has yet to be announced. We know it’s coming this summer, so keep your eyes peeled as this space will be updated once a date is announced!
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NEW: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Disney World will debut multiple new entertainment offerings this summer. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can check out “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” a brand-new stage show opening in the former location of The Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” brings a tapestry of theatrical technologies front and center. This includes everything from puppetry to projection mapping in the scenery.
Guests will enjoy hit songs from the original animated film The Little Mermaid, including “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World,” and, for the first time at this particular theater, “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss the Girl.”
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will officially debut at Hollywood Studios on May 27, 2025.
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NEW: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
Not too far away from “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is another brand-new stage show debuting this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” brings everyone’s favorite Disney villains center stage as they make a case for who is the most misunderstood. Honestly, I can relate.
Everyone from Cruella de Vil to Captain Hook to Maleficent will make appearances in this live action show. It sounds like this show will have plenty of audience participation, too. According to Disney, “it will be on you to make the final call in a delightfully wicked finale.”
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will debut “deep in the shadows” of Sunset Boulevard in the former location of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will debut at Hollywood Studios on May 27, 2025 — the same day as “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.”
READ MORE: START PLANNING YOUR 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION
NEW: GEO-82, a.k.a. Spaceship Earth Lounge
We should have a brand-new EPCOT lounge location open and available to guests once summer kicks off. Disney’s previously-announced Spaceship Earth Lounge was given a late spring 2025 opening timeline, and in the months leading up to its opening, we’re learning a lot more about this brand-new space.
The lounge will officially be named GEO-82, with a not-so-subtle nod to 1982, the year EPCOT opened. The biggest revelation of GEO-82 is that it will be exclusively available to guests ages 21 and older. There aren’t that many adult-exclusive spaces in Disney World (and, in fact, Disney World will be with one fewer location with the closing of Jellyrolls).
According to Disney, GEO-82 “will be the ultimate spot to toast to a trip around EPCOT with innovative cocktails and globally influenced small plates while you take in spectacular park views.”
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NEW: Limited-Time Experiences For Kids
Traveling with kids this summer? From May 27 through September 1, 2025, be on the lookout for limited-time experiences tailored specifically to Walt Disney World’s youngest guests. This includes new character interactions, play spaces, and more!
Over in Magic Kingdom, new kid zones can be enjoyed in Storybook Circus and in Tomorrowland with Stitch. At EPCOT, following the conclusion of the Flower and Garden Festival on June 2, Goofy will take over CommuniCore Hall for “an ultimate game party and play space.”
Throughout the four theme parks, Disney characters will be “out in the park earlier than normal” for Disney World Resort hotel guests during the daily early theme park entry period.
Speaking of hotels, the fun continues on to select Walt Disney World resorts. Guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will see more activities designed for families including posted character appearances at the resorts.
RETURNING: Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities
Whether you visit Disney World this summer, next summer, or any other future summer, there are some returning favorites you’ll want to have marked on your calendar. The big summer holiday event, of course, is the Fourth of July. Disney World historically goes all-out on Independence Day with special fireworks at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
If you can’t make it on the Fourth, these fireworks are typically available on July 3rd as well. Also be on the lookout for limited-time food items, merchandise, and photo ops around the parks. Also be on the lookout for crowds, as the Fourth of July fireworks are always popular among families.
READ MORE: HOW TO SURVIVE SUMMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
RETURNING: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
It wouldn’t be summer at Disney World without talking about Halloween! That’s right, the pumpkins arrive extra early at Magic Kingdom, typically around August 1. Just a week or so after that, the first evening of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off.
As of this writing, dates for 2025 have not been announced. Last year’s dates ran from August 8 through October 31, so we can expect this year’s dates to be roughly the same. The dates are usually announced during the “Halfway to Halloween” online event around late April, with tickets going on sale soon after.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a hard-ticketed after-hours event with exclusive snacks and entertainment that includes Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Fireworks Spectacular, and more. This is a popular offering among guests who make annual visits to Disney World in August to be among the first to experience that year’s Halloween festivities.
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RETURNING: EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
The flagship event at EPCOT each year is the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. For a few recent years the festival started in July, but as of last year it returned to its “diet” schedule with the festival beginning in late August (2024’s festival ran from August 28 through November 22). We can expect 2025 dates to be similar, though official dates have yet to be announced.
While the Food and Wine Festival is now primarily a fall-related happening, I wanted to make sure I included it in the event you were considering a late summer tip before the kids head back to school. FYI – late summer around Labor Day is usually a great time to visit as many schools have already started their school year, so the crowds are a little lighter.
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RETURNING: Disney H2O Glow After Hours
All signs point to Disney H2O Glow After Hours returning to Typhoon Lagoon in 2025. Last year, the event took place on select Fridays and Saturdays (along with a couple of random Tuesdays thrown in for good measure) from May 25 to August 31.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours is a hard-ticketed after-hours event at Typhoon Lagoon, bringing lower wait times, complimentary snacks, a live DJ, and more to ticket holders. Keep an eye on this space, as I will update you as soon as we hear about this year’s return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours.
Don’t forget that Disney World offers complimentary water park admission to its resort hotel guests on their check-in and arrival day in 2025. So, if you map your trip out correctly, you could make your entire arrival day and evening centered around Typhoon Lagoon this summer with complimentary daytime admission and purchased tickets to the Disney H2O Glow After Hours that night.
READ MORE: WHAT TO DO AT DISNEY WORLD ON YOUR ARRIVAL DAY
Ways To Save at Walt Disney World This Summer
With everything that’s new and returning this summer, you might be considering a trip! To be honest, I’m considering one as well. I’m excited to see that Disney has also announced a lineup of new promotions to help us all save on our summer vacations, especially those traveling with young families. Here are the current promotions that may be applied to your summer Disney World trip. The following are available for booking as of March 27, 2025:
- 50% Off on Kids Tickets: You can purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025.
- 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom).
- Free Dining Plan Deal Returns: Back by popular demand, you can get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is for visits on select dates from June 29 through December 22, 2025.
- Disney Resort Room Deals: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION
