Hello and welcome to summer!
June is the official kickoff to the warmest season of the year, and one of my favorite things about summer is how many travel opportunities families can take advantage of. School’s out, a lot of us have more flexibility with time off at work, and it’s the ideal time to get away and enjoy some sunshine.
I specialize in several types of travel, but the one most near and dear to my heart is Disney destinations. I consider myself a Disney Parks specialist, and this summer, Walt Disney World is hosting something called Cool Kids Summer.
In May, I was invited to Orlando to preview all of the offerings included in this celebration, from new experiences, character meets, shows, and attractions, to a plethora of discounts, promotions, and even free things that families can take advantage of. I’m going to round up some of my favorites in the hope it inspires you to plan a Walt Disney World vacation of your own.
Before you call me out, yes, it is possible to get free things at Walt Disney World, especially this summer.
Some of my favorites are free water park tickets included in your package. If you book a Walt Disney World stay, you automatically receive tickets to either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, good for your entire group on the first day of your vacation. The water parks are such a treat in the summer and not to be missed.
This summer, you can also take advantage of free dining for kids. That’s right — all of their food will be free. So long as the adults in the party purchase a dining plan, all of the kids in the group will receive it free. This can go toward snacks, meals, even character dining, and it is such a great value.
I also have room and ticket discounts if you’re interested.
In addition to all of the promotions, there are so many new things to see and experience this summer, including the reimagined Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, two fan-favorite rides at Magic Kingdom, which have been closed for many months as they received refurbishments.
In particular, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has all-new ride vehicles and a whole new gaming system. I got to preview it, and the ride is 100 times more fun now.
There’s also the brand-new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets. I got to ride this in May and it was such a blast, especially for Muppets fans. You’ll see so many inside jokes and Easter eggs. This new iteration of the ride is so much more family-friendly and just an all-out blast.
And over at Epcot, Soarin’ has received a brand-new show for America’s 250th birthday. It’s now called Soarin’ Over America, and it takes you over some of our country’s most famous landmarks. It’s a stunning aerial view and not to be missed.
There are also a ton of new character experiences and interactions that have premiered for Cool Kids Summer.
My favorite is meeting and playing with Bluey and Bingo at Animal Kingdom. Kids aren’t just meeting the characters — they’re actually interacting with them. You get to dance with Bluey, play keepy-uppy, and just have so much fun.
Over at Epcot, Goofy is hosting GoofyCore, which is an indoor activity experience where he plays games with kids. I got to experience this myself, and watching the kids play the parachute game was such a thrill.
And at Magic Kingdom, Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye from Toy Story are taking over the Golden Horseshoe in an interactive show experience where you can get some snacks, cool off, and play with these fun Pixar characters.
If you still haven’t made your summer travel plans and you want to get the kids somewhere fun and engaging, I definitely recommend considering a trip to Walt Disney World. I have tons of experience helping my clients plan these trips, and I promise I will take all of the overwhelm out of it for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Erica Terry is a Westchester resident and travel agent specializing in theme parks, cruises, all inclusives and Europe. You can reach her at ericat@friendlikemetravel.com.
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