Going to Summit Cheer at Disney World with your team? This guide covers where athletes compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports, where most teams stay, transportation tips, what to pack, and the stuff parents wish they’d known before arrival.
Congratulations on your bid! It’s not easy – according to CheerUpdates.com only about 10% of teams make it to the Climb at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Whether it is your first time or your seventh, it’s super exciting.
What is The Summit Cheer Competition?
The Summit is the biggest end of season event hosted by Varsity at The Most Magical Place on Earth – Walt Disney World Resort. Teams are invited to compete by earning a “bid” from a competition during their cheer season.
Where is Summit Cheer held? ESPN Wide World of Sports
Teams will compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (WWoS). You must have a spectator pass or commuter pass to gain entry into any of the performance arenas and there are attendants checking.
If you are staying on property at Disney you’ll be able to use free Disney transportation to get to and from ESPN WWoS.
Summit Hotels: Where do teams stay at Disney World?
Most teams attending Summit Cheer at Disney World book their official Summit travel package directly through Varsity. That usually means you’ll be placed at the same Disney resort as your team, which makes logistics much easier during a very full competition weekend.
The most common Disney resorts for Summit Cheer include:
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort (Value Resort)
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (Moderate Resort)
Lately, Varsity has offered a Deluxe Disney resort option, though availability is limited and varies year to year.
For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing and package details, always check the official Varsity Summit website, as offerings and resort options can change each season.
Considering a Summit “Commuter” or Off-Site Package?
A commuter (off-site) option can absolutely help with your budget, but it comes with a few important things to plan for ahead of time.
Transportation to ESPN Wide World of Sports
Ask early how you’ll be getting to and from ESPN Wide World of Sports, where Summit competitions are held. If your gym arranged the off-site hotel, they may have contracted transportation. Keep in mind that Disney and Varsity transportation is not provided frequently enough for Summit practice times and athlete report times if you’re staying off-site.
Practice Locations
Varsity works with Disney to offer on-site practice locations, but they may also schedule off-site practices depending on your team and hotel. Make sure you know exactly where your team will be practicing so you can plan transportation if needed.
Getting to the Disney Parks
If you’re planning to visit the Disney World parks during your Summit trip, check whether your off-site hotel provides park transportation. Ask:
Does transportation run all day or only at set times?
What time is the last bus back to the hotel?
Missing that last shuttle at the end of a long Summit day is not a magical ending.
Summit Cheer transportation tips at Disney World
- Transportation. There are two kinds of transportation you’ll need:
- Airport transportation for Summit Cheer at Disney World. Here are my favorite recommendations for getting from Orlando Airport (MCO) and Sanford Airport (SFB). Note: it is usually more expensive to get transportation to and from Sanford. So be sure you factor that when looking at the cheap flights from there.
- From your resort to anywhere else on property. Once you are on property at Disney, it really is a bubble of magic.
- Transportation takes a long time at Disney. If you’re going from the Resort to ESPN for a performance or practice using Disney transportation (instead of Varsity provided transportation) – it will take longer than you think. Allow plenty of time 30-60 minutes. Uber and Lyft are your friend and the fastest option, but they come with a cost.
PRO TIP: Learn the Disney Lingo you need to know.
What to pack for Summit Cheer at Disney World
- What to pack for a Disney Vacation. Here is my Disney Vacation Packing List. (You can get a free downloadable copy too). Here are things I’d add for Summit:
- Cheer uniform & bow
- Cheer shoes & socks
- Makeup
- Hair products and hair piece
- Medical supplies: braces, wraps, KT tape, etc.
- Sewing kit
- Wireless speaker (for the pool and the commute)
- Decor for your door or window. Note, you can’t use standard tape so bring the blue tape (painter’s tape), or something completely removable without damage. The doors are usually magnetic.
Summit Cheer tips for parents and athletes
- This is not a vacation, even if you want it to be. If you really want the full experience at the Most Magical Place on Earth, add extra days after The Summit ends and enjoy the fun. Real talk: It’s possible, especially if your team makes Finals, that you won’t have any time to go to the parks. If you want to extend your trip into a vacation – that can be done! I recommend booking your additional stay separately. Check out the vacation form if you’re interested in assistance.
- Hydrate. This isn’t just for athletes. You’re walking a lot, it’s warm, there’s adrenaline and emotion. Carry a bottle of water, drink lots of water.
- Take a Picture of your Pass (front and back). If you lose your pass, it cannot be (easily) replaced. Take a photo front and back and keep it, just in case.
- Magic Bands. Do you need a MagicBand or MagicBand+?
- PhotoPass. Disney Memory Maker Photo Pass collects posed pictures, Castle pictures, ride photos and videos, all in one place for one price. It does not include photos from the competition.
- Where to get coffee.
- Grown ups only – Drinks.
- Find the best snacks.
- Buy your Summit Merch early. It will sell out.
Disney Tips for Cheer Summit
- MyDisneyExperience. The app that basically runs your Walt Disney World® Vacation. This is where the magic happens. You’ll manage your Lightning Lanes (more on this below), view and manage your dining, park pass reservations and daily plans, and ticket and resort information. Also, view the “where are you now” map so you can find your way around. The app has Magic Mobile to open your door, if you don’t get Magic Bands.
- Lightning Lanes. Lightning Lane is the new way to skip the lines for some of the most popular experiences at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. There are two Lightning Lane options:
- Lightning Lane MultiPass: allows you to pre-select arrival windows or up to 3 experiences per day within a single theme park.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass: allows you purchase access to the Lightning Lane for a specific attraction (different from those included in the MultiPass) on a single day, at any park.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass: offers the ultimate convenience by combining the benefits of both MultiPass and Single Pass, allowing you to maximize your time with priority access to top attractions across multiple parks. No preselections are needed.
- Groceries. Some of the transportation options will include a grocery stop, and you can mobile order for that too. Here are my grocery delivery recommendations.
- Vacation Grocery Delivery – Small business, owned by former and current Disney Cast Members, personal shopping with little to no markup.
- InstaCart – This is an app to download and get delivery from a selection of several area grocery stores.
- Amazon Now – Google address of your resort and enter zip code at the top to start your order.
- Walmart.com – Several Walmarts in Kissimmee and Orlando deliver to the resort for a very small fee. Be sure you have the correct address for your resort and room number.
- Shipt – Personal shopper from a selection of stores in the area.
- Disney Dining. Everyone wants the delicious food at Disney World! There are great Quick Service and Table Service options. You’ll need reservations for any Table Service restaurants, this is tricky, because you likely won’t have your Summit Plan or Team Schedule until days before you arrive.
Another complication here, is that you won’t actually get a reservation number. When you make a typical Disney vacation booking you received a reservation number that can be linked in your MyDisneyExperience account allowing you to book dining reservations for your entire stay on the first day of your eligibility. However, because you won’t have a reservation number from Varsity, you’ll need to get up each day, 60 days in advance, to make dining reservations.
Dining reservations can be canceled at least two hours before scheduled without penalty. This is new, it used to be 24 or 48 hours. So, schedule that amazing dinner at Ohana or Steakhouse 71, or meet the Fab 5 at Chef Mickey’s.
- Here’s my Guide to Dining at Disney World.
- Here’s my Disney Dining Bucket List Printable.
- See below for guides to the best snacks in each park, where to find coffee, and the best adult drinks (you’ll need one).
Disney Fun and Good Luck!
- Get Pixie Dusted at Sir Mickey’s. Ask a Cast Member for this special good luck charm.
- At the Magic Kingdom, just before you board your Doom Buggie, touch the last bat – it’s been good luck to many for years and years.
This is the hardest competition of your season. This is The Summit. It will be filled with memories and emotions and magic. Good luck!
