The best ways to kick off summer fun at Disney World

Don’t miss the top 10 ways to make your Disney World vacation extra special this summer.

EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs through July 5, 2023. During this time, enjoy EPCOT’s transformed with flavors, flowers, and fun!

This year, over 15 outdoor kitchens bursting with flavor. Returning favorites include the Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake from The Honey Bee-stro and the watermelon salad from Florida Fresh.

After enjoying delicious dishes, check out the fun activities: stroll through the butterfly garden, enjoy a concert at American Gardens Theater, and grab pictures of the beautiful topiaries.

Cast Your Rod

Choose from Guided Bass Fishing Excursions, which includes a 21-foot Sun Tracker pontoon boat that can accommodate up to 5 Guests, and a tournament-style NITRO® bass fishing boat for up to 3 Guests.

If you’re interested in fishing from land, Disney makes it easy! Dockside fishing featuring a casting-rod at the Fishin’ Hole at Old Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort–Riverside. Elsewhere in Disney World, be sure to sign sign up at the Bike Barn at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Read HERE to see all about fishing experiences at Disney World.

Water Parks

In case you didn’t know, it’s HOT in Orlando. And what a better way to have fun than experiencing one-of-a-kind water park, Typhoon Lagoon. Unfortunately, Disney’s second water park, Blizzard Beach, is closed for refurbishment this summer.

Typhoon Lagoon has a cool beach vibe. Guests enjoy a tropical paradise previously hit by a typhoon. The theme is well executed and will make you feel like you’re spending the day at the beach!

There are rides for guests of every age and thrill level! Check out the complete guide to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon HERE.

For evening fun at Typhoon Lagoon, grab a ticket for the H2O Glow Nights happening select summer nights. See how to prioritize your fun at this event HERE.

Check out the super fun H2O Glow Nights happening this summer at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

Reward your Graduate

New After Hours Event to Debut at this Disney park for Graduates of All Ages — Credit: Disney

A visit to a Disney theme park is an unforgettable day for any grad. Celebrate this momentous occasion with a Mickey Mouse graduation hat or a Stitch graduation plush.

Hats are available at several merchandise locations and can be personalized with custom embroidery at Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories in the Disney Springs Marketplace or Curtain Call Collectibles in Magic Kingdom Park.

Guests can also grab a celebration button from merchandise locations across the resort and get it personalized at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Days of Christmas in the Disney Springs Marketplace.

Go Golfing

Step away from the theme parks and go for a round of golf. You will find four golf courses at Disney World. Three of them are 18 holes and one is a 9 hole course. The courses are Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Palm, Disney’s Magnolia and Disney’s Oak Trail.

Even members of your party can follow-along because non-players are allowed on Disney’s golf courses. Check out HERE all about golfing at Disney World.

If you have little ones in your party, you may want to try your miniature golf instead. Perfect for families and beginner golfers, the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course includes twirling obstacles, cross fanciful fountains and discover musical surprises.

For a more thrilling experience, try Fantasia Fairways Golf Course. It resembles a traditional golf course built on a miniature scale emphasizing skill over chance. Sand traps, bunkers, water hazards and sloping greens make the Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf Course an exciting challenge.

Beach-Themed Dining

Disney offers so many dining options it can be overwhelming trying to choose where to eat. To kick off summer, I (Susan) recommend keeping that summer theme going with beach-themed dining.

First, it’s tropical weather year-round at Disney’s Polynesian ‘Ohana! ‘Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. This is an all-you-care-to-eat meal. At breakfast, you’ll meet Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey (in his Hawaiian attire). Then, at dinner, you’ll be treated to a feast of the most delicious Hawaii themed dishes.

If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, be sure to make reservations for Minnie’s Seasonal Dine early. At lunch and dinner, this meal rotates with seasonal character costumes. You’ll meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto here. This is my favorite character meal because each costume is so festive and characters have such wonderful interactions with each guest.

Tucked inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort is Cape May Cafe, an adorable, New England beach-inspired restaurant. And, breakfast at Cape May Cafe recently transformed back into a character meal. Breakfast and dinner are served here. At breakfast, you’ll meet Daisy, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald.

Swimming

Each Disney resort has unique pools with fun theming and family-friendly activities. However, there’s a huge difference in theming depending on where you’re staying. Some Disney resorts feature interactive children’s water play zones, cabana rentals, hot tubs, and quiet pools.

Disney value resorts, such as POP Century and All-Star Resorts have several pools, but no large water slide. In contrast, Disney Moderate and Deluxe pools feature extensive theming and large water slides.

The BEST Disney Resort pool is Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club.

My favorite pool in all of Disney World is Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club. Here, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a tropical beach with it’s lazy river, two slides, sand bottom pool, and a shipwreck replica! There’s also plenty of seating and three whirlpool spas.

If you have little ones in your party, check out the best Disney Resorts for kids HERE.

Watercraft Experiences

Whether you have a need for speed or want a relaxing excursion, Disney has a boat rental just right for you. Cast off with your crew to enjoy theme park views and natural surroundings as you cruise scenic lakes, lagoons and inlets.

If you’d prefer someone else to do the driving, then book a specialty boat cruise. Each cruise is accompanied by a captain and includes assorted snacks and soft drinks.

Whether you have a need for speed or want a relaxing excursion, Disney has a boat rental just right for you.

Nighttime cruises provide the perfect viewing spot for EPCOT Forever or Happily Ever After right from the water. These amazing fireworks spectaculars add an amazing “wow” factor to your cruise! Check out our review of this cruise HERE.

Free Activities

Whether you’re at a Disney Resort or theme park, there are so many free activities. While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be sure to catch the train to Conservation Station. Here, you can learn to draw your own Disney character and interact with animals at the petting zoo.

At EPCOT, make World Showcase pavilions come alive with the interactive DuckTales scavenger hunt. Then, as you make your way “around the world,” look for Kidcot locations at each pavilion. At Kidcot spots, you can learn a little about each country in a fun way.

Each Disney Resort offers free activities too including crafts, movies under the stars, and so much more! Be sure to check your resort daily to see what’s offered.

Thrills

Kick off summer fun with a thrilling attraction for everyone in the family at Disney World. Set out on a whitewater adventure through a lush jungle in Asia on Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or, create your own concept car to compete on Test Track. At the end of the evening, you don’t want to miss the incredible Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom.