Summer is a popular season for planning a Walt Disney World vacation. With the kids out of school and adults more readily able to take time off from work, it’s no wonder many families have their sights set on the Most Magical Place on Earth. Warm weather aside, the summer season is a great time to visit.
This summer in particular is chock full of bucket list-worthy offerings you’ll want to include in your vacation itinerary. Considering now is the perfect time to start planning your summer vacation to Walt Disney World, let’s dive in and see what’s in store at the theme parks and beyond!
Float along a lazy river at Disney World’s water parks (for free!)
Few things sound more enticing during the summer months at Walt Disney World than a relaxing trip around a lazy river. Returning in the summer of 2026 is free water park admission for guests of Walt Disney World’s hotels. In order to be eligible for this offer, your name must appear on a resort reservation. This offer is valid for arrivals May 26 through September 8.
On your arrival and check-in day at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you and your entire party with names on the reservation will be able to visit one of Disney World’s water parks — Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach — for free!
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Meet your favorite Disney characters
Meeting characters is a hallmark of any Disney World vacation, and summer is a great time to meet your favorites! With the return of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER taking place May 26 through September 8, 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 scheduled visits from select Disney characters.
Keep your eyes peeled during early them park entry this summer. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel may enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time, and during this period, characters will be available across all four theme parks. Additional character interactions will take place around the park including interactive experiences such as GoofyCore at EPCOT.
This summer also marks the arrival of Bluey and Bingo at the Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The Conservation Station will also include a new animal exhibit this summer with animals native to Bluey and Bingo’s home country, Australia.
READ MORE: A SEASONAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026
Rock out with the Muppets on a reimagined Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
Some big changes will be underway this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with new offerings in time for summer. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith will have its final day of operation on March 1. The coaster won’t be shuttered for too long, however, as it was previously announced Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will reopen in the summer of 2026 with a new headliner: the Muppets.
This new version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will have changes made to the pre-show with the first-ever Audio Animatronic of Scooter!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets is sure to come with more surprises, so be sure to follow along in the weeks and months leading up to the debut of the newest version of this Hollywood Studios classic.
READ MORE: HOW TO SURVIVE THE SUMMER HEAT AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Discover how unlimited the high score can be on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
After a months-long refurbishment, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in the spring of 2026 in Magic Kingdom. Once reopen, the Tomorrowland attraction will feature new ride vehicles as well as a new show scene featuring a new character named Buddy.
Those new ride vehicles will be equipped with new blasters, making it even easier to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg! The ride system will feature a new scoring system, where your scores are virtually limitless! That’s right, no more maxing out at 999,999. Be sure to check out this newly refreshed Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin this summer.
READ MORE: IS A SUMMER VACATION AT DISNEY WORLD RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?
Embark on a new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set to receive one of its biggest changes since it first opened in 2019. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will have guests embark on a brand-new mission with new scenes, characters, and destinations seen throughout the ride.
You new mission can take you to a number of new destinations seen in the Star Wars universe, including Coruscant, Bespin, or the remnants of the second Death Star near Endor.
That’s not all — passengers will be joined by The Mandalorian and Grogu. Those seated in the back row with the role of Engineer will now be in charge of watching after Grogu during the mission.
The new mission arrives just in time for the summer season, launching on May 22.
READ MORE: HOW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ARE PLAYING A ROLE AT DISNEY PARKS IN 2026
Soar across America in EPCOT
This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As America turns 250, Walt Disney World is preparing for a summer of memorable offerings.
Perhaps most notably, a new version of Soarin’ is coming to EPCOT in time for Memorial Day Weekend. The new version of the ride will be called Soarin’ Across America and will feature over one dozen U.S. landmarks, both man-made and natural.
If you happen to be visiting around the Fourth of July holiday, you’ll want to add the limited-time fireworks spectaculars to your itinerary.
READ MORE: HOW DISNEY PARKS ARE CELEBRATING AMERICA 250
The Ultimate Disney World Summer 2026 Bucket List was originally published on The World of Spark.
