Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World 

It’s summertime – and Disney is celebrating the kids! Walt Disney World is turning up the fun this summer with Cool Kid Summer, a seasonal celebration that’s all about families and especially the little ones. From spontaneous character greetings to dance parties and games, this event is packed with smiles, giggles, and memory-making moments. We even played hopscotch at the Skyliner this morning! We’ve explored it all to help you decide what to add to your touring plan – and what’s okay to skip.

What’s New In The Parks?

Early Entry Extras

Across all four parks, the first 20 minutes of Early Entry include surprise character appearances. These aren’t your typical Meet & Greets – they’re playful and totally unscripted. We caught Mickey riding the carousel, Prince Naveen playing leapfrog, and Captain Hook and Smee sneaking around like, well … pirates! These spontaneous interactions set a fun, whimsical tone for the day, especially while you’re queuing up for Peter Pan’s Flight or the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Cool Kid Summer at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is celebrating in two areas of the park: Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland.

In Storybook Circus, the Big Top Bash features a lively DJ, street performers like jugglers and stilt walkers, and simple carnival games like Plinko and bean bag toss. It’s a shaded area and a great spot for kids to dance and get their energy out. There aren’t any characters here, so it’s a nice 15-20 minute pit stop between attractions, and not an area where you need to hang around to meet someone.

Over in Tomorrowland, the Galactic Blast dance party is hosted by. Stitch. This high-energy bash runs from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (weather permitting) and includes active games like four corners and beach ball tosses. Stitch himself shows up to lead parades and play surfboard limbo! Just keep in mind – it’s all outdoors in full sun. We recommend planning a cool-down snack or indoor ride right after. Because you want to be sure to hang out with Stitch, plan around 30-40 minutes here.

Cool Kid Summer at Epcot

Epcot’s Gooftastic Summer transforms Communicore Hall into a colorful, life-sized board game. There’s a DJ, interactive games, and frequent dance breaks to tunes like “Baby Shark” and the Chicken Dance. Periodically, Goofy arrives and joins in on the fun!

The air conditioning makes this a great break in your day. Though most of the seating is removed to make space for the dancing, it’s perfect for younger kids and worth about 25 minutes if you want to catch Goofy and enjoy the atmosphere.

Cool Kid Summer at Hollywood Studios

The celebration here is called Let’s Get Animated, and it’s located in both the indoor and outdoor areas of Animation Courtyard. This area feels like a true celebration and is worth dedicating at least 40 minutes of your day if you’ve got young ones.

Indoors, you’ll find an air-conditioned space with a DJ spinning summer hits and Disney Jr. characters, like Doc McStuffins, leading the kids in fun races and games.

Outside, the energy continues with coloring crafts, magic tricks, double-dutch style jump rope lessons, and character appearances. Goofy, Donald, and Clarabelle participate in the fun, and Daisy and Chip & Dale are in the traditional Meet & Greet areas. And of course, the characters are subject to change.

Cool Kid Summer at Animal Kingdom

Sadly, Animal Kingdom seems to have been mostly left out of the festivities. There is a special Wilderness Explorer badge exclusively for Cool Kid Summer – look for the Nature Spot near the Feathered Friends in Flight area – which includes a small craft and discovery activity. It’s super cute if your kids love collecting badges, but don’t go out of your way expecting a full event.

Mickey and Minnie are dressed in their Safari gear and hanging out near the Tree of Life during Early Entry, but otherwise, this park didn’t lean into the fun.

Cool Kid Summer At The Resorts

If you are staying at Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, or Wilderness Lodge, you’re in for a few extra surprises. These resorts have extra fun added to their recreation schedules, added fun touches like themed shopping carts, lending libraries, and even a swag bag featuring Bluey for guests 3-9. The extras add a little more magic to your downtime.

TouringPlans Moms Say: Yay or Nay

Our boots on the ground crew, the TouringPlans Moms, have some thoughts.

Yay to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. These events are bursting with energy and charm, and they’re the kind of magical experiences kids (and their parents) will remember long after this vacation is over.

yay (lowercase) to Epcot. It’s fun and a nice way to cool off and let younger kids play. But Goofy isn’t always there, and it feels a bit more limited compared to the other two parks.

Nay to Animal Kingdom. While the badge activity is nice for collectors, it lacks the excitement and energy—no need to go out of your way for this one.

YAY to the participating resorts. We’re not saying you have to stay at a Cool Kid Summer resort, but if you are, you’ll definitely enjoy the perks. It’s a charming bonus that makes kids feel extra special.

Are You Ready for Cool Kid Summer? Have questions or need help fitting these events into your touring plan? Drop a comment – we’d love to help! We’ll see you in the parks!