The Top 5 Things at Walt Disney World this Summer

Summer has officially awakened at the Walt Disney World Resort and this summer is going to be pretty amazing if you're lucky enough to have plans to visit the theme parks. In just the last few weeks so many new restaurants, shops, and attractions have opened that it is hard to keep track of it all. But lucky for you, we have our list of the top five things we're excited about this summer at Disney World!

Summer at Walt Disney World is going to be amazing!

So pack your bags and let's plan that summer vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort. And in no particular order here are our top 5 things we're excited about at Disney World this summer!

5. Disney Springs: If you're looking to enjoy a day that doesn't involve the theme parks, we suggest a day of shopping and eating at Disney Springs. The re-imagined shopping, dining, and entertainment district has been a hotbed of activity recently with the opening of several new restaurants and food kiosks including STK Orlando, AristoCrepes, B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co., Sprinkles, D-Luxe Burger, YeSake, Morimoto Asia Street Food, The Daily Poutine, and Amorette's Patisserie.

AristoCrepes at Disney Springs!

Even more restaurants including Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless and Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar by Chef Art Smith are opening later this summer. And let's not forget the shopping at Disney Springs. The Town Center is the place for "retail therapy" thanks to a variety of new stores including Alex and Ani, Edward Beiner, Everything But Water, francesca's, Johnston & Murphy, kate spade new york, Lucky Brand, MAC Cosmetics, Na Hoku, Pandora, Sephora, Sperry, UGG, Vera Bradley, and more.

Yeah, we could spend a whole day at Disney Springs for sure.

4. Disney's Hollywood Studios: Yes, the park is in the middle of a huge construction project but don't discount the Studios this summer. Not only can you check out some great new eats at Echo Lake Eats but there's a brand-new nighttime fireworks spectacular opening this summer too!

Check out Echo Lake Eats in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Echo Lake Eats is a new trio of temporary quick service kiosks: Hollywood Waffles of Fame, Sliders to the Stars, and Bocados del Lago Nachos y Empanadas. They're only around for the summer since due to the ongoing construction at the Studios guests were left with a few less options when Studio Catering Co. and Herbie's Drive-In closed.

But perhaps more exciting than new food choices is the brand-new Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show. This new show will feature fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects, and video projections that will turn the Chinese Theater and surrounding buildings into a field of battle droids, the twin suns of Tatooine, Starkiller Base, and more.

We can't wait for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

3. Soarin' Around the World: Are we sad to see the end of the classic Soarin'? Yes, we are. But we have until June 16 to experience it one more time, so that's a good thing! And, if we're being totally honest, as much as LOVE Soarin' it was ready for an update. All good things must come to an end, right? From what we've seen and heard so far, Soarin' Around the World is going to be amazing. Let's just hope that somehow, somewhere they left in the scent of oranges. ;-)

2. Frozen Ever After: Yes, we are excited to see this new attraction in Epcot's Norway pavilion (even if we're still mad about the end of Maelstrom). There's no denying it: Frozen is never going away no matter how much we want to Let It Go. It's probably best to just go with it and enjoy this new attraction. Guests will take an "adventurous boat tour" through Arendelle. Scenes on the attraction include the Winter in Summer Celebration, Troll Valley, the North Mountain, and finally the Bay of Arendelle. You can already book FastPass+ for the ride and it opens on June 21. Don't forget to stop by the Royal Sommerhus and meet Anna and Elsa.

Frozen Ever After opens in June at Epcot

1. Disney's Animal Kingdom: We've always loved the Animal Kingdom but now that it's a nighttime destination and home to a new signature dining restaurant we love it even more! Visiting the Animal Kingdom after dark is going to be a new experience and we just can't wait to check it out! Riding Kilimanjaro Safaris at night is sure to be amazing and we cannot wait to see The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic (of course we're excited about Rivers of Light too, but we aren't sure when that is opening). And don't forget about Tiffins the new signature dining restaurant and its neighbor, the Nomad Lounge.

Tiffins celebrates the "culture of design and research" that went into creating the Animal Kingdom through its design and the dining rooms are "galleries," each with its own theme. The menu at Tiffins includes appetizer like Lobster-Popcorn Thai Curry Soup and marinated grilled octopus. Entrees include Berber-Spiced Lamb Chop with Mustard Greens; Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Huitlacoche Tamale, Hominy Succotash and Red Mole Sauce; and Grilled Head-On Shrimp with Tomatoes, Roasted Fennel, Olives, and Sea Urchin Butter Sauce. Dining here is sure to be an adventure!

Tiffins andn the Nomad Lounge are now open

Those are just a few of the exciting things we can't wait to experience this summer at Disney World. What are you looking forward to when you visit this summer? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Many thanks to the Disney Food Blog for use of their photos.