Your Complete Guide to Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World

Your Complete Guide to Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World

If you’ve been thinking about taking your kids to Walt Disney World this summer, you’ll definitely want to hear about Cool Kid Summer 2025 - a limited-time celebration just for families, filled with special character sightings, playful entertainment, and photo worthy fun around every corner. Keep reading to find out everything happening during Cool Kid Summer and how Be Our Guest Vacations can make your trip simple, stress-free, and magical!

What is Cool Kid Summer?

Cool Kid Summer is Walt Disney World’s newest celebration created just for families with young kids! This special event runs from May 27 - September 1, 2025, and is designed to provide families with flexibility and additional entertainment options that let kids do what they do best - be kids! It’s all about turning up the fun with bright, kid friendly areas, music and dance parties, crafts, and special character appearances that will keep kids and parents smiling all day long!

Magic in All 4 Parks

Here are all the details on what’s happening in each park:

Magic Kingdom - Head to Storybook Circus for a party the whole family will enjoy! There is a shaded play area with interactive games like hula hoop and dance contests, performers like jugglers and stilt walkers, and other silly fun! DJ Ringmaster will keep the party going and you might even spot Pluto and pals! Families can also head inside Big Top Souvenirs to cool off and enjoy a craft for a moment of calm.

Stitch fans rejoice because over in Tomorrowland you can dance with everyone’s favorite alien (um, dog?) under the Rocket Tower Plaza Stage. Or head into Merchant of Venus for a sneak peek at the new movie Elio and cool off with a craft.

There are so many characters that pop up in shaded spots throughout the day! Keep an eye out for princesses, villains, and Mickey and friends!

One of the biggest events of Cool Kid Summer is the debut of the brand new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, stepping off July 20, 2025! There will be floats covered in lights, characters with glowing outfits, and some new interactive merch that lights up along with the parade! The interactive bubble wands are sure to be a hit with kids and kids at heart!

Hollywood Studios - Animation Courtyard is the place to be with performances by The Jumping Beans jump rope crew and magicians! Ever made it through an invisible obstacle course? Your imagination is the limit! Head into the nearby indoor DJ dance party and get down in the A/C with Disney Junior friends like Mickey in his Road Racer outfit, Vampirina, Timon, Fancy Nancy, and more!

There are also two amazing new shows for families that debuted with Cool Kid Summer - The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Both offer a spot to sit and cool off and top-notch entertainment! 

EPCOT - Goofy has taken over CommuniCore Hall! Head inside for a fun DJ and games. Play games with Goofy like Loopy Limbo, Freeze Dance, and more! Only half the room is utilized at a time, so kids who just need to run can have some free space away from the games. There’s also lots of comfy seating for adults! This area is wide open so it’s easy to keep an eye on little ones while you take a load off your own feet!

Animal Kingdom - Kids can learn all about animals, real and make-believe, by earning their Wilderness Explorers badge. There are new badges specifically for Cool Kids Summer! Ride the Wildlife Express Train up to Rafiki’s Planet Watch to get up close and personal with goats, sheep, and more animal friends in the Affection Section or learn to draw a Disney character from a real Disney animator. Kids can also complete a bee crown pollinator craft. Next, head to Discovery Island to meet up with the Dino Institute Intern and create unique songs about all the creatures you’ve spotted in the park!

Staying Cool

In addition to all the extra indoor activities as part of Cool Kid Summer, there are other places to make a splash and cool off in the parks! Some of our favorites for young kids include Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station in Magic Kingdom, catching a breeze on Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios, taking the wet path at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana in EPCOT, or getting drenched on Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom!

Bonus tip: Stay in the magic at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel for easy midday breaks for a nap or a dip in the pool!

Let Us Help Make the Magic Happen
Cool Kid Summer is the perfect time for first-time visitors or parents who want a trip that keeps their young kids engaged while still feeling relaxed and manageable. If your family has preschoolers or toddlers that might not be ready for many attractions, but you have older kids looking for thrills, Cool Kid Summer gives tons of options for the youngest guests! With themed fun happening across all four parks, every day brings something new!

If Cool Kid Summer sounds like the kind of magic your family needs, reach out to a Be Our Guest Vacations travel professional for personalized service at no extra cost! It’s not too late to make a summer 2025 vacation a reality for your family!