Credit: DisneyDisney Springs has always been one of those places that rewards guests who pay attention to what is new. The sprawling shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World operates on its own calendar of openings, events, and seasonal offerings that runs parallel to but completely separate from what is happening inside the theme parks, and the guests who track those changes tend to have noticeably better Disney Springs experiences than the ones who show up without knowing what has opened, what is coming, or what limited-time events are worth building into their plans.
Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more significant seasons Disney Springs has seen in recent years, with a combination of new retail openings, entertainment additions, dining events, and an entirely new social entertainment concept coming to the district that collectively make this summer’s version of Disney Springs meaningfully different from what guests experienced last year. If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip between now and September and Disney Springs is on the itinerary, which it should be, these are the five changes coming to the district this summer that are worth knowing about before you arrive.
Six Ravens From the Creators of Gideon’s Bakehouse
The most anticipated food opening in Disney Springs this summer is Six Ravens, a new shop from the same team behind Gideon’s Bakehouse, the legendary cookie and cake destination that has built one of the most devoted followings of any food offering on the Walt Disney World property. Six Ravens will be located just a few doors down from Gideon’s and will take a completely different direction from its sibling establishment.
Where Gideon’s is built entirely around sweets, Six Ravens will focus on savory hand pies called Coffyns, made with homemade yeast rolls and fillings created in partnership with other Central Florida chefs. An exact opening timeline has not been confirmed, but the proximity to Gideon’s and the pedigree behind the concept make this one of the more genuinely exciting food openings Disney Springs has seen in years. For guests who have been to Gideon’s and experienced what that team does when they take their craft seriously, the anticipation around Six Ravens is well-founded.
A New Vans Store at Disney Springs
Disney Springs is also expecting a new Vans retail location to open at some point this summer, though, like Six Ravens, an exact opening date has not been set. Signage indicating the incoming Vans store appeared at Disney Springs back in March, which means the opening timeline remains uncertain enough that it may or may not be in place by the time peak summer crowds arrive. For guests who love Vans and are planning a visit later in the summer, it is worth checking for updates on the opening as your travel dates approach.
LEVEL99 Opens This Summer
The most significant new addition to Disney Springs this summer is LEVEL99, a real-world challenge-based social entertainment experience that has confirmed it will open, though no specific date has been announced. LEVEL99 features more than 60 challenge rooms and duels that combine physical and mental challenges, designed for adults, creating what amounts to a massive futuristic entertainment complex that sits in a category of its own from anything currently available at Disney Springs. For groups of adults looking for something interactive, competitive, and genuinely different from the standard shopping and dining experience, LEVEL99 will be one of the most talked-about additions to the Disney Springs lineup this year.
Disney Springs Dance Party for the Kids
On the family-friendly entertainment side, a new Dance Party is coming to Disney Springs Marketplace on select nights as part of the Cool Kids Summer event running approximately from May 26 through September 8. The Dance Party will feature songs from Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3, celebrating the upcoming Disney+ releases of both films. For families visiting on summer evenings, this gives younger guests a reason to be excited about stopping at the Marketplace, which offers more than shopping and eating.
Flavors of Florida and Orlando’s Magical Dining Return to Disney Springs
Summer here also brings two dining events that food-focused guests should closely track. The Flavors of Florida event celebrates Florida-inspired cuisine across Disney Springs restaurants and often features seasonal menu additions and special offerings not available the rest of the year. Specific dates have not been finalized, but the event typically runs through the summer months and is worth building into your dining plans when the schedule is confirmed.
Orlando’s Magical Dining, the beloved annual event that offers prix-fixe dining at participating Orlando restaurants, including several Disney Springs locations, typically returns in August. Dates for 2026 have not been announced yet, but guests planning late summer visits should watch for the announcement, as Orlando’s Magical Dining represents one of the better dining values available in the entire Orlando market during its run.
Summer at Disney Springs is busy, well-programmed, and this year offers more genuinely new experiences than most recent summers have delivered. Knowing what is coming before you arrive makes the difference between walking past something worth stopping for and actually experiencing it.
