Are you ready for some new Disney shows, fireworks and attractions? This summer will bring sun and a whole lot more fun to each of our four parks at Walt Disney World Resort. A series of openings will begin Memorial Day Weekend, so let the countdown to Memorial Day Weekend begin!
Here’s what’s on tap for each location.
 |
 |
Guests can enjoy a plethora of new experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting Memorial Day Weekend. The Tree of Life will begin its nighttime awakenings after the sun goes down – check out a sneak peek video of what to expect here. The park will also host two new parties, Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale, as well as the new “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” water show, which will bring the tale of Baloo and Mowgli to Discovery River each night.
Also beginning Memorial Day Weekend, guests will be able to enjoy many of the park’s existing attractions in the evening hours for the very first time. Kilimanjaro Safaris will be open for guests to get a glimpse of the savanna’s animal occupants as the sun goes down, and of course guests can rediscover favorites like Expedition Everest and Primeval Whirl in the dark. The park hours have already been extended, which means FastPass+ plans can be made now in the MyDisneyExperience App.
Two new F&B locations, Tiffins restaurant and Nomad Lounge, will also open their doors on Memorial Day Weekend. (Reservations and dining packages haven’t been released yet, but as soon as they are we’ll post an update).
Guests can also cool off in a whole new way at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park this Memorial Day Weekend, with the start of the Frozen Games. In this experience, Olaf and Kristoff will host daily winter-themed activities for guests of all ages, including Snowball Toss, Ski Pole Limbo and more. All activities are complimentary, but guests must sign up at the park entrance to participate.
Of course Disney’s Animal Kingdom isn’t the only Walt Disney World Resort theme park adding new experiences this summer. Starting in June, Magic Kingdom Park will debut a brand-new stage show called “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” this June. In the show, Mickey and his band of Merry Makers are preparing to host a joyous festival and invite friends like Tiana, Naveen and Louis (from “Princess and the Frog”); Rapunzel and Flynn (from “Tangled”); and Olaf, Anna and Elsa (from “Frozen”); along for some fun.
In June, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make theme park history when it launches the most elaborate nighttime spectacular the park has ever seen with the new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show. This new nightly show will combine fireworks and pyrotechnics with video projections that will turn the surrounding buildings into familiar Star Wars destinations. The show will end with a tower of fire and spotlight beams that create massive lightsabers in the sky.
And of course, Epcot will debut three exciting additions in June. Soarin’ Around the World, a new version of the popular attraction located in The Land pavilion, will take guests on a journey to far-flung lands, over some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders. And the Norway pavilion will open Frozen Ever After, the first attraction inspired by the film “Frozen” that will transport guests on an icy adventure through the Kingdom of Arendelle. Guests can also stop at the nearby Royal Sommerhus to see the sisters themselves.
Which new experience are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments section below or share it with us on Twitter with the hashtag #AwakenSummer.
Comments
We will be there may 28-June 2, will frozen ever after be open June 1st (maybe a soft open)? My daughter would love it
We are visiting Disney World June 4-11. Will we be able to see the Star Wars Fireworks show?
Hi! I want to know what day I can doing tha fast pass to meet Ana and Elsa. Thanks you very much
I am visiting Disney World June 4-11. Will I be able to see the Star Wars Fireworks show?
What are the locations
Are the later park hours for the summer only for Disney World Hotel Resort quests?
Hi we are coming down in September and would like to see animal kingdom at night
Will you be able to fastpass seats for the Star Wars fireworks like you can with the current show?
Looking forward to the new Soarin’ and Frozen attractions as well as night time shows! Coming for our 30th wedding anniversary in mid june(just in time for Soarin’) We are also trying the new Firework Dessert Cruise that started this past fall.
Do you know if Soarin will be open Memorial Day Weekend? Will be there that weekend. So excited!
A few questions: You say the Jungle Book show is limited-time show, but you don’t know when it begins and how long, but it will be fast-pass? Is it taking the place of Rivers of Light for the time being? Also, is Frozen Ever After definitely opening in June? Will it be fast-pass, when will the fast passes be available, and which tier will it be? Disney is really not giving us much info or time for these things, and there may be ALOT of disappointed kids if they don’t get to ride the new Frozen ride!
We will be there July 31 – Aug 4 and I am still not seeing park hours changed for AK beyond 5:00 PM. Any idea when Disney will be updating the park hours for these new night time events?
Will Disney’s Animal Kingdom receive an Extra Magic Hours evening edition?
Hi Jennifer, thanks for the info. I keep reading about riding Everest when it’s dark out, and about how FP+ plans can be made now, but MDE is not showing Everest FP+ past 7:30 PM (and I’m seeing other attractions up until 10 PM). Will there be later FP availability for Everest for those later hours or will it be standby only?
Very excited for Star Wars and the new Soarin?
Thank you so much for the response, so excited to expiernce it all.
What happened to “Rivers of Light”??? Where did this Jungle Book promo come from?
We can’t wait for the Frozen ride! When will it open? We will be there in early June. WDW is my happy place. Went there as a child, took my kids, now taking my granddaughter.
What was going on with the Flights of Wonder show at Animal Kingdom?
So does this mean no 24 hour Disney Day this year?
Do we know a stat date for the Star Wars fireworks at Hollywood Studios?
Not yet. We hope to have an update soon.
Sounds like summer will be packed with new experiences!! Any word on when the June park hours will be updated?
Looks great Soarin’ over the world and Night time safari.
Questions please. Do you see these nighttime events at the AK and Star Wars Spectacular continuing the remainder of the year? I will be there September 28th.
Yes, they will be ongoing with the exception of “The Jungle Book” show. That is a limited-time show.
Any word on when FastPass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After as well as the meet and greet with Olaf?
No word yet.
Being a nerd herder I’m pretty excited about the new Star Wars Gallactic Spectacular! I’m probably equally excited for my daughter to ride Frozen Ever After! AND Animal Kingdom after dark??? YES PLEASE!! We will be in Orlando for a week in July and plan to spend some afternoon/evenings in the parks!
I think you will love Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night. Everest is CRAZY in the dark!
Hello Disney Parks Blog, Can you tell us if and when Fast Pass + will be available for Jungle Book Alive With Magic? And will there be dining packages available?
We will have more info on dining packages for Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 20, so please check back then. Yes, Jungle Book will have FastPass+, but we don’t have a start date for when that will be available in MyDisneyExperience.
Soarin’ Around the World
Gotta say I am excited for all of it! See you this summer!
I’m with you, Ronald! So much to look forward to.
Yay!!! Coming in July for my 30th. Excited about it all!!!!
I hope you have a great birthday trip!
Comments are closed.