By Sinaiyouth 
There’s never a bad time of year to visit Walt Disney World, but the most magical place on earth clearly demonstrates why summer should be your season of choice for taking a trip. Disney just announced a series of opening dates for reinvented attractions as well as the return of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, it’s hard to say no to summer vacation! Some of these opening dates are long overdue, so I’m sure many of you will want to get to the parks ASAP to check them out.
I know, I know, summer at Walt Disney World is not for the faint of heart. However, as long as you have a strategy for beating the heat, I find that summer is one of the best times to go. Summer is usually filled with awesome discounts and promotions, limited-time deals, and longer park hours. Let’s take a look at what Disney announced and when you can expect these new offerings to go live.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopens in April
After months of renovation, Disney announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen at Magic Kingdom on April 8.
The ride has been extensively updated, including new vehicles and blasters.
The ride will also feature a new show stage featuring a new character named Buddy.
Guests will enjoy competing for a virtually unlimited score thanks to the new scoring systemwhich will also debut when the ride reopens on April 8.
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens in May
Another Magic Kingdom attraction that recently underwent a lengthy renovation is Big Thunder Mountain Railway. The ride closed in early 2025 for extensive maintenance, and we are getting closer and closer to the grand reopening of the wildest ride in the wilderness.
Disney shared this The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen in early May. No exact date was given at the time of the announcement.
When the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens, it will feature “new magic” in the form of new show effects seen throughout the attraction.
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May 26 kicks off Cool KIDS’ SUMMER at Disney World
You’ll want to make a circle May 26 on your calendar – It’s going to be a GREAT day at Walt Disney World!
May 26 marks the return of Cool KIDS’ SUMMERwhich takes place every day until September 8. Cool KIDS’ SUMMER turns the fun up to 11 all season long with Limited time offers perfect for kids. This includes the arrival of Bluey’s Wild World at the Conservation Station, opening at Animal Kingdom on May 26.
GoofyCore also returns to EPCOT on May 26, giving kids the opportunity to dance the day away at CommuniCore Hall.
In Magic Kingdom, a new entertainment offering called Jessie’s summary begins May 26 at Diamond horseshoe.
Children will also want to discover Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! inspired by the hit series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, Hollywood Studios. The show opens on May 26.
Also returning on May 26 as part of this year’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER deals, free entry to the water park for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests. Guests can enjoy free admission to any of Disney World’s water parks upon arrival and on the day of check-in. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open daily from May 26 to September 8.
Be on the lookout increased character encounters at select Disney World hotels during Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. From May 26 to 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 be able to attend scheduled visits from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and more.
Character appearances will take place at all four theme parks during early theme park entry, available daily to all Disney World Resort guests 30 minutes before each park opens.
Just in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States, Soarin’ Across America will debut at EPCOT on May 26.
Finally, “The Walt Disney Studios” Outdoor Courtyard will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 26.
The courtyard will lead to The Magic of Disney Animation, a new indoor animation experience featuring play areas, animation classes and more. Disney Animation’s The Magic opens in late summer.
READ MORE: A NEW ANIMATION EXPERIENCE COMES TO WALT DISNEY WORLD THIS SUMMER
Coming to Walt Disney World this summer
There are a few additional previously announced reimaginings that I can’t wait to check out this summer. Just before Memorial Day weekend, guests can embark on new journeys on Millennium Falcon: The Smugglers’ Race with the Mandalorian and Grogu. These new missions, which include new destinations and new interactive elements for runners, arrives May 22.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with the Muppets will debut one day this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The original version of the attraction featuring Aerosmith closed on March 1.
Finally, as I mentioned above, The magic of Disney animation will be located beyond the Walt Disney Studios courtyard, in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Magic of Disney Animation will welcome a new animated experience called Last pass!, where guests will learn to draw their favorite Disney characters with a new audio-animatronic figure of Olaf. The magic of Disney animation opens in end of summer.
Phew! It’s shaping up to be a very cool summer at Walt Disney World. If you want to discover the essentials of these new offers, you will be happy to know that most of them will be available starting Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the latest news and announcements from Walt Disney World!
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Disney World Reveals Opening Dates for Reimagined Attractions, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER Returns was originally published on The World of Spark.