Top 3 Summer Staples We Hope Will Return in 2021
Summertime at Walt Disney World is one of my favorite times to be at the Resort. Although the temperatures can get hot, there is no feeling like standing in Magic Kingdom while Cinderella Castle is bathing in a deep golden Florida sunset.
Since I’m spoiled and get to visit the Parks on a regular basis, I have my seasonal rituals. Spring is for enjoying Flower and Garden Festival, Winter is for cozying up by the Wilderness Lodge fireplace, and Summer is for all things refreshing and relaxing! I’m keeping my fingers crossed these summertime staples will return in time to help keep me chilled out and cooled off this year- and I know I’m far from the only one wanting these essential experiences to return!
3- Beaches and Cream To-Go Window
After a long, hot day traipsing around World Showcase, the walk back to your Crescent Lake Resort can seem like a long one. Your feet are tired, dinner was hours ago, and you’re yearning for a spot to kick back and rest with a cool treat in your hand.
The Beaches and Cream To-Go Window was always a staple during my summertime Walt Disney World visits. After all, the vibe at Beaches and Cream was designed with summer in mind. The bright beach-y colors of the interior perfectly match with the shore-style eats and treats. Back when the to-go window was operating, you didn’t need a reservation, there were dozens of flavor and sundae combos to choose from, and most importantly- the to-go patio was a great spot to enjoy an ice cream cone while catching glimpses of Epcot and Hollywood Studios’ evening pyrotechnics!
2- Trader Sam’s Outdoor Patio
Ok, to be honest, I have been very patiently waiting for Trader Sam’s to reopen – indoor and outdoor- for going on a year now. With summer quickly approaching and an extreme lack of outdoor places to grab a drink at the Polynesian, my patience is wearing thin! Trader Sam’s has long been my go-to bar for delicious cocktails with even more fun themeing, but their outdoor patio was always my favorite spot to grab a drink on a hot summer day.
Picture sitting on the Polynesian beach with your toes in the sand, a drink in your hand, taking in the sights and sounds of a bustling Seven Seas Lagoon backdropped by the picturesque Cinderella Castle. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon, right? I really hope we will all be able to walk right up to the outdoor bar at Trader Sam’s and grab a Krakatoa Punch again this summer!
1- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
I really don’t know why the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor hasn’t reopened yet. Ghirardelli is even smaller inside than the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor and they’ve successfully implemented a mobile wait system to keep their lobby free of congestion. Hey, if I had to choose between a mobile wait or an ice cream-less day on Main Street, I’d gladly take my spot in a mobile queue and would happily wait my turn for ice cream while exploring the Castle Hub. Come on Main Street Ice Cream Parlor…we all want you back in time for summer!
Summer, Spring, Winter, or Fall, it’s always the right season for ice cream on Main Street. But there’s really no denying that ice cream and summer go hand-in-hand like Peter Pan and Neverland. I’ll never forget waiting nearly an hour for a Mickey Mouse ice cream cone ahead of the fireworks on July 4th in 2019. Although at the time it seemed like a crazy long wait, I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant I could taste that creamy and-scooped ice cream while watching the fireworks once again!
What’s your favorite Walt Disney World summertime staple? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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