7 Summer Disney Films to Get You Excited for Your Trip to Disney
Summer is a whole new ballgame when you’re a parent. Instead of rooftop happy hours and impromptu beach trips, you’re researching sleep-away camps and how to keep your kiddo entertained all-day, every-day. One way to pass the time (and ahem, make a margarita at home and pretend you’re at the shore) is to get your children excited for their upcoming trip to Disney World by watching some summer Disney films.
Even though they might still ask you a few dozen times when you’re leaving for the vacation, you can keep them occupied with Disney movies – both from their childhood and yours. These summer Disney films will get everyone in the mood for vacation and keep you sane:
The Little Mermaid
When the weather outside reaches an unbearable 90 degrees and unfortunately, you don’t live on the ocean where a quick dip is possible, turn on the cult-classic, The Little Mermaid. With Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian and the whole gang, you might be able to feel the splash from the ocean if you close your eyes and pretend hard enough. Flippin’ your fins, you might get far after all!
Get Excited for Disney: Once the credits start rolling, let your children know about the Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid at Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. Here, you can relieve the tale and their fave mermaid, Ariel!
The Lion King
Your safari-lovin’ kid just wants to be King of the House, and makes it known when he’s cooped up inside thanks to an unpredictable summer thundershower. Calm his nerves with a sing-a-long contest with his siblings while watching The Lion King. He’ll relate to Simba, while you can sit back and imagine being in Africa yourself, exploring unknown regions and witnessing wildlife.
Get Excited For Disney: Make sure to book a trip to the Festival of Lion King at Animal Kingdom. Here, your kiddos will love seeing a live performance of the music from the film in grand costumes and with killer dance moves.
Pocahontas
While not technically historically accurate, the story of Pocahontas is a valuable lesson to your children on acceptance and valuing other cultures. Let them watch this film and then share the history behind the film, allowing them to ask you questions and widen their world view. After all, if they’re out of school, it’s still important to keep their minds expanding.
Get Excited For Disney: While you’re getting your Lion King fix, make sure to stop by Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom, where you can meet Pocahontas at Character Landing.
Peter Pan
As much as you’d like a break from looking after the kids all summer, there are also those moments when they seem to be growing so fast, you want to pause time. Take them on a trip down your own memory lane by watching Peter Pan chase eternal youth as he flies to never-never land. In addition to those still-catchy lyrics, you can hopefully instill your children that no matter where life takes them, they should never be afraid to fly.
Get Excited For Disney: If you have little ones, make sure to stop by Peter Pan’s Flight at Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. It’s an easy-going adventure for kids of all ages and height. For kids a bit older, make sure your agent books a time for you to meet Peter Pan and Wendy, as he tells the story of the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell and Captain Hook.
Tarzan
For the kids who would rather live amongst the monkeys than hang out with the neighbors down the block, Tarzan and Jane’s adventures in Africa’s rainforest adventures might be their dream come true. This movie will inspire their wild-at-heart nature and help you give them a bit of a geography lesson.
Get Excited For Disney: You can shake hands and snap a photo with Tarzan and Jane at Animal Kingdom, right by the Tree of Life.
Lilo & Stitch
So making the getaway to Hawaii might not be in your budget this year, but you can pretend you’re exploring the islands by tuning in to this tropical movie. Your children will get another invitation to learn more about other cultures, all while falling a bit in love with the clever Stitch.
Get Excited For Disney: Make a pit stop by Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, where you can all enjoy the Stitch’s Great Escape attraction. Just make sure your kiddo is 40 inches or taller to join in on the fun.
Finding Nemo and Finding Dory
Admit it: you sort of, kind of love these Pixar-collab movies, right? From the big stars, like Ellen DeGeneres, who voiced your favorite characters to the sweet story about the importance of family, you probably don’t mind if the kids want to watch these films, say, on repeat for a week?
Get Excited For Disney: Ask your travel agent to book your viewing of the Finding Nemo musical at Dinoland U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom. It’s 40-minutes of songs that’ll be stuck in your head for the rest of your trip, not to mention, so pretty stellar costumes and dance moves.
These are just some of the wonderful summer Disney films that will get your entire family in the mood for an amazing Disney vacation!