All Things Travel Podcast
Listen in each week with Wonder and Beyond Travel Co-Owners and destination experts Ryan and Julie.
He is your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She is a Disney-loving, Maryland mom of 3 and a specialist in family travel.
Whether they're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories…it’s always All Things Travel.
All Things Travel Podcast
Disney World Summer 2025 - Essential Guide & Tips
Disney World Summer 2025 Highlights
The Cool Kid Summer Program
Disney's new summer initiative brings spontaneous experiences across all four theme parks:
EPCOT:
- DJ Dance Party with Goofy at Communicore Hall
- Mickey and Minnie meet & greets
- Phineas and Ferb character appearances
Animal Kingdom:
- Hands-on pollinator crafts at Rafiki's Planet Watch
- New Wilderness Explorer badge opportunity
- Interactive sing-along with Dino Institute intern
Hollywood Studios:
- Games and crafts at Animation Courtyard
- Magic shows, jump rope performers, surprise character meet & greets
- Disney Villains "Unfairly Ever After" premiering May 27th
- Little Mermaid Musical Adventure
Magic Kingdom:
- Big Top Bash dance party at Storybook Circus
- Stitch Dance Party in Tomorrowland
- Crafts at Merchants of Venice
Water Parks & Resort Updates
Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach open simultaneously for first time in years. Guests booking vacation packages get first-day water park admission with choice of park.
New character greetings during early entry hours at theme parks, plus scheduled character visits at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Wilderness Lodge, and Caribbean Beach Resort.
Current Disney World Promotions
- 50% off kids tickets (3+ day purchases)
- 3-day, 3-park tickets starting at $89/day
- Disney resort room discounts
- Special rates for Florida residents, passholders, and Disney+ subscribers
Beat the Heat Strategy
- Utilize early entry and extended evening hours
- Plan indoor shows/attractions during peak heat
- Take midday breaks at resort pools or air-conditioned spaces
- Schedule longer lunch reservations to escape heat
Essential Packing List
- Ponchos (not raincoats)
- Stroller rain covers and fans
- Cooling pads and portable chargers
- Cooling towels and portable fever packs
- Extra clothing changes
- Insulated water bottles
Money-Saving Hydration Tips
Order water via grocery delivery instead of paying $4-5 per bottle at parks. Request free water cups at quick-service restaurants.
Weather Contingency Planning
Most attractions continue operating in heat and rain except outdoor rides. Monitor transportation (Skyliner, boats, monorail) via Disney app during inclement weather.
Contact: WonderAndBeyondTravel.com
Keywords: Disney World summer 2025, Disney vacation tips, Cool Kid Summer, Disney World heat survival, Disney promotions, theme park planning, family travel
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Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Summer is here and it's always a great time for family travel since kids are out of school in most parts of the country. Disney World being a popular vacation destination for families today, we wanna highlight exciting new experiences in the parks this summer, and some tips for surviving summer travel.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts, Ryan and Julie. I'm your travel professor, teach you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation, and she's a Disney loving Maryland mom of three and a specialist in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel. Well, Julie, I'm excited to talk about this topic because the next time we see each other, we are going on a cruise and then right after where we headed.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Walt Disney World.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:All right, the last time I was at Walt Disney World for a family vacation was at the end of July. I'm getting used to this summer heat when it comes to Disney and also the thunderstorms.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:I always forget about that.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah,
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:That's right. it is gonna do that.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:the thunderstorms are usually short there. There's not usually rain outs. You just kind of wait'em out. You find some alternate plans and you're good to go.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:All right. me of that when I have my three children in a downpour.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:I'll, Jasmine and I will go off and find a lounge.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:I'm sure you'll leave us. I'm fully anticipating it.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:All right, well, before we get into everything that's happening at Walt Disney World as far as summertime, and then also some tips for planning your trip in the summer, I wanna remind folks if you have not listened to last week's episode, we talked all about this idea of retirement moons and you know, Walt Disney World. If that's your thing, might make a good retirement moon. So you want to go back and take a listen to that.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Definitely my thing.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:All right, Julie, let's talk about some of these fun special things that are coming to Walt Disney World summer of 2025.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Okay, so this summer Disney has released this plan called The Cool Kid Summer, so a lot of really fun experiences for kids going on throughout the parks and throughout the resorts. And I just think it's really cool that they've added some of this in. Some of this is a lot of some spontaneity type
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:You know, we used to have all the time at the park, so I'm hoping it's something that sticks around and becomes, more frequent. So first over at Epcot there's gonna be a DJ dance Party with Goofy at Communo Hall.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Very cool.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:meet and greets that go on there, but this is really just all focused on Goofy. And then you can also do your Mickey and Min meet and greets as well in the separate area. Phineas and Fur will also greet guests at the front of Epcot. And I know they have their own little cult following. That wasn't really like when I grew up or
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, that wasn't really my thing either, but yeah, that's great. I agree with you. Anytime there's these smaller things that pop up. I'm glad that Disney is taking advantage of that.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Absolutely. over at Animal Kingdom, when you go to RAF's Planet Watch, you can do some hands on crafting activities, that are also a little bit educational about pollinators like bees and butterflies. my kids would love that they, if we were going to animal Kingdom the summer, we'd have to do that'cause. What kid doesn't love crafts.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:There's also gonna be a new Wilderness Explorer badge that you can earn and an interactive sing along with the Dino Institute intern in Discovery Island. So I love that. Not only are these fun add-on experiences, but there's still a story behind them. Like, this guy's an intern at the institute.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah. there's always a story, even if it's a popup, there's gonna be pages and pages of imagineering backstory there, right?
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Ryan, tell us about Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, so if you go to Animation Courtyard in Hollywood Studios, there's gonna be games and crafts. kind of taking the Kid Cot thing and Epcot and really applying it to the other. The other park. So you've got games and crafts, including a magician, jump rope, performers, surprise character meet and greets. And then starting May 27th, you've got Disney villains unfairly ever after, and the Little Mermaid musical adventure premiering. So you've got these shows popping up. It's gonna be fun to, to see these and it's gonna give kind of that. I've been to Hollywood studios, you know, multiple, multiple times now. There's something else to to check out, especially if some things are leaving.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Mm.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Over at Magic Kingdom, we've got the big Top Bash at Storybook Circus, which is often a part that people overlook when they're doing their big planning of Magic Kingdom. that is a summertime dance party with Pluto Stilt Walkers jugglers, and then there's a Stitch Dance party in Tomorrowland, at the Rocket Tower Plaza stage and crafts inside merchants of Venice. So again, a lot of hands-on type. Activities.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, I love the crafting and'cause kids just really love that stuff and especially maybe some of these will get you indoors for a little bit,
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, it takes advantage of the shade and the air conditioning, which is never a bad idea.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:At each of those parks, at least one of those activities is inside, which is great. a couple other things going on at Disney this summer. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are open for the first time in a long time. Usually one is open while the other is closed, and then they flip flop. so that's exciting because if you remember for 2025 and also now extended into 2026 when you book a vacation package with the Wat Disney World Travel Company, you get admission into the water park, your first day of your trip, and that's been decided for you of which park you're gonna go
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:For the summer, you get to pick. there's also character greetings during early entry at the theme park. everyone staying on site at a Disney resort, can access early entry at every theme park every day. But there's never been character greetings during that time. So that's really exciting. it's kind of like surprise ones, like you're not gonna know who's there, what time, that kind of stuff. This one is really cool too. guests at Pop Century Art of Animation, wilderness Lodge and Caribbean Beach Resort will be able to access more Disney themed activities and character visits that will have set times. in the past you may have been at your resort and seen some characters walking around,
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Right.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:never knew when they were coming, who was coming where they would be. so now at these select resorts, you will know when they're coming and I think that's really a great sprinkle of that Disney magic, right?
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:I think it gives people a reason to spend a little more time at the resort
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:I always say, you're staying at these world class resorts and you barely spend time there'cause you wanna focus on the parks. let's have some more resort time. So I love it. All right, let's talk about some of the current promos. just to give you an idea of some of the things you can take advantage of this summer, there is a 50% off on kids tickets. When you purchase three days or longer. There is a three day, three park ticket starting at a discounted price of$89 a day. So that can be very attractive. There's also a Disney resort room deal. there are discounted rooms and if you have any special status with Disney, so that can be things like Florida residents and you'll pass holders, Disney plus subscribers. you can get some room promotions that way too. make sure to check those out when you're thinking about summer because I bet. One of those will apply to your stay. Alright, Julie, before we talk about some tips for planning the best summer trip to Walt Disney World, I'm gonna talk about where in the world is all things travel. I. When I looked at new locations this week for us, a new one that popped up was Watertown, South Dakota. And that is a town in the northeastern part of South Dakota. what I loved when I started to research Watertown is it is the classic small town where they have really put in effort to make their downtown. Amazing. So there is an arts district, a shopping district. They have a historic opera house that they have restored. They have a museum dedicated to Terry Redland, one of the most iconic wildlife scene artists. There is an art and sculpture trail. There is a zoo in Watertown. There is so much to see. I just love these little towns that really dive into this is who we are and this is the character for our small town.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:I love that.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Hey, Watertown, South Dakota, we would love to send a little thank you gift all the way out there. So do us a favor, get on Wonder and beyond travel.com and reach out, because I would love to say thank you with a little gift. All right, Julie, what are some tips for folks when there's thinking specifically about Walt Disney World in the summertime?
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:I feel like this is the end of almost every episode we do where we talk about tips for
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:we love sharing these to make your travel easier, more enjoyable, More stress free, all those great things. before we get into the tips, a lot of people think that Disney is very crowded during the summer, but actually the last few years it's been the opposite.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:I think as far as travel advising, what I'm finding is Christmas time and fall break are the busiest times for when I book.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, I agree. summer travel at Disney is. the crowds are low. people used to think, I'm gonna wait in so many lines, and that's just not the case right now. That being said, the reason that
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:it's so hot, and that's
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yes.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:attractive to people. So a lot of these tips are how to survive traveling to Disney in the summer, specifically because of that heat.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yes.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:and most important I think, is to utilize early entry and extended evening hours if they're available to you to avoid the heat. you do not wanna be there in the middle of the day. Plan to spend time seeing indoor shows or experiencing indoor attractions to get a break from the heat. Or if you are gonna leave the park, go back and go to the pool, sit in your room in the air conditioning for a little bit, but do not up to the park at noon.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:yes. This next one is a tip that I almost do regardless of what time of year. I go to Wal Disney World and that's make dining reservations at a time to avoid the heat. I would much rather, to be honest, have a longer lunch inside sit down, relax, take a breath, kind of recharge, and then head back out to the park. really the last couple times we've gone, that's really been our strategy and, and I like it. I, I like it as a theme park way to go, especially when it's hot out.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah, that's like the quiet time for adults, right? Like the kids have quiet time. That's like your quiet time.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:All right. Bring extra changes of clothes. because of the heat, the sweat, the wetness if it's raining, have those extra change of clothes, especially if you're going back and, and swimming Taking a shower before dinner or even just, if you know your kids are going to get wet in the splash pads, around the parks, having that extra shirt, maybe that extra pair of shorts makes a lot of sense.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:And along with some other items to make sure you pack. Ponchos. I don't like raincoats at Wal Disney World. They're, they're heavy. They're hot. Bring your ponchos
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:a poncho. Get a rain cover for your stroller. With your stroller, bring your stroller fans, make sure they're charged. And you have portable chargers for those. There's cooling pads that you can buy to put on the stroller so the kids don't overheat.'cause it can get really hot in there if you've got the sunshade down and all that. portable fever packs is something I've had some clients do recently and
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Interesting.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:they're like these little gel packs that you can put on your neck or on your forehead. They're really. For kids, but
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah. Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:the idea is to bring their fever down. Right.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:a lot of people have been taking them to Disney recently.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:And I'm old school with the cooling towels. Cooling towels I think are great. Just make sure to bring a little baggy. so when those cooling tiles are wet, or if you wanna bring them to the park kind of wet and cold and have them in a baggie, that's a good idea too.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:we've used those a lot. Order water from a grocery delivery and then bring an insulated, refillable water bottle into the park with you. When you're in the parks, when you're at your resort, a bottle of water is probably going to be between four and$5, but you could order a 24 pack from Amazon or Instacart for. Much, much, much
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Even after delivery fees at quick service restaurants, you can go up and just ask for a cup of water, but it's gonna be a small cup and you really wanna have water available to you all day long.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yep. my last one is, keep in mind that not much changes at Disney when the weather's hot and rainy, except for outside rides. People keep going. So, your strategy should be if the weather's inclement that you go. the one thing that I have had situations with is transportation. the skyliner, the boat, the monorail, keeping tabs on that either on the app or talking to a cast member. I love Riviera and I'm staying at Riviera this summer. The one issue I've had is. Yeah, the skyliners closed'cause of weather. I walk up to the front of Epcot, they say the skyliners back on, it's like, let's get on the same page folks. so just keeping in mind that you may have to change your plane of attack when it comes to transportation,
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Disney will always offer a second option. if we are at those Skyliner resorts, there's not usually a bus to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. You're just supposed to take the Skyliner. But if there is weather that
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Sure.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:the skyline, they will offer the bus.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yes.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:there's gonna be a sign at the International Gateway. It's gonna say, go to the front of the park for the bus and then. By then it's reopened. I've actually just parked myself on that bench at the International
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:hour before, and just waited,
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:as we wrap up, Julie, we're going this summer. What is a must do strategy for you and your family?
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:We are gonna be doing early entry, going early, as early as we can get to the parks, and then coming back and doing the pool. So we are at yacht club, so close to you. we booked that for the pool, specifically for the summer because they're refurbing the pool right now. It'll be brand new when we go. The kids will need that break. I'll need that break. And I think that's just a great area to chill for a while and enjoy, we've been to Disney many times. We don't need to do all the rides, we're gonna go in the morning, do the rides we wanna do, come back and hang out at the pool.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:So for me it's bringing hydration powder and it's also bringing water flavoring because there's nothing worse than Florida water and you have to keep drinking throughout the day. So I want to make sure that what, you don't do that,
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:I've never
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:are
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:before.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:you serious? Oh, I do it every single time. I don't like Florida water, but I have to drink it
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Okay.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:so I, I'm so old.
j_1_05-21-2025_200855:Oh, man. I just feel like that's something my grandmother would do.
ryan_2_05-21-2025_200855:Man. Okay, well that's my tip. And you're gonna be drinking water that doesn't taste good and I'm gonna be drinking water that doesn't taste good, but I won't be able to taste it because of my drinking powder. The world is full of wonder and your next great adventure is waiting at Wonder and Beyond Travel. We work with you to create a one of a kind journey, taking the stress off your plate so you can focus on the joy of exploring and the memories that will stay with you forever. If you're ready to start planning or just wanna dream a little bigger, head on over to Wonder and beyond travel.com. We look forward to talking to you next week on all Things Travel. When I talk about my amazing trip to Universal Studios and specifically Epic Universe.
