What’s new and opening in Summer 2016 at Walt Disney World

Here’s a a look at the specifics:

MAGIC KINGDOM

June: A new live stage show is coming to the Magic Kingdom in front of the Cinderella Castle. “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” will feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Goofy, with special appearances by Tiana and Naveen from “The Princess and the Frog,” Rapunzel and Flynn from “Tangled” and Anna and Elsa from “Frozen.”

August: Princess Elena of Avalor, featured in a new Disney television show, will begin doing meet and greets.

EPCOT

May: New characters from “Finding Dory” will appear at “Turtle Talk With Crush.” Some of the characters being seen are: Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus” (that’s a seven-legged octopus), and Crush’s son Squirt will appear for the first time.

Disney rendition of the “Frozen Ever After” ride to open at Epcot in Disney World in the summer of 2016.

June 17: The newly refurbished Soarin’ Around the World ride opens. The original Soarin’ was a flight simulator ride over California. Riders watching an Imax type movie flew over major California sites. The new Soarin’ Around the World, will take riders above the Great wall of China, Sydney Harbor in Australia and even the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Summer: The new “Frozen Ever After” ride and Elsa and Anna meet and greet area in the Norway Pavilion opens. The new ride replaces the old Maelstrom water ride. The journey goes through the frozen willow forest, past Troll Valley and up to the North Mountain Elsa’s ice palace. Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, trolls and Marshmallow will join riders along the way. After disembarking the boat, guests will then be able to head over to the meet and greet area in the Royal Sommerhus.

August 26-27: In honor of Pixar’s 30th anniversary Disney World there will be a Pixar Party Trading Event at he World ShowPlace.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Memorial Day Weekend: All of the new nighttime experiences which were supposed to open Earth Day are now scheduled to open this weekend.

• “Rivers of Light,” an after-dark light show that is being touted as an immersive show, combines live performances, special effects and floating lanterns.
• Nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris will take people out on a night safari with the addition of African wild dogs and hyenas.
• Nighttime Awakenings. During the evening hours, the Tree of Life comes to life with flickering fireflies and awaken animals spirits carved into the tree’s towering trunk.
• Two nighttime dance parties, Discovery Island Carnivale and Harambi Wildlife Party
• Tiffins Signature Restaurant opens for both lunch and dinner. “Tiffin” is an Indian English word meaning midday meal or type of container used to carry food while traveling.

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

May 6-June 12: A 10-minute extended preview scenes from upcoming movies with “Alice Through the Looking Glass” will be show at One Man’s Dream.

Memorial Day Weekend: An additional track for Toy Story Mania should open allowing for more people to ride the attraction.

June: A new Star Wars fireworks show debuts. During the show light effects will be projected on the Chinese Theatre and other surrounding buildings. The show will be punctuated by a tower of fire as well as powerful spotlight beams that create lightsabers in the sky. The show will be told in acts with guests looking at the twin suns of Tatooine, push through a field of battle droids, navigate through an asteroid field before soaring down the trench of the Death Star and destroy the Starkiller Base.

DISNEY SPRINGS

May 15: The Town Center, the last of the four major themed districts will open. This brand new section of Disney Springs will feature the majority of the shopping retailers.