NEWS: Disney World Kicks off Cool Kid Summer with Fun Family Activities, Two New Shows, and Opening Date for Upcoming Parade

This summer, Walt Disney World offers even more magical experiences for the whole family with the debut of Cool Kid Summer —a limited-time celebration packed with new entertainment and unforgettable fun for kids and the kid at heart. Now through September 1, 2025, families can immerse themselves in exciting shows, interactive games, and enchanting surprises throughout the four theme parks and select resort hotels.

Guests will discover this summer that there has never been a better time to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth, with special offers, exclusive experiences, and new entertainment, including Disney villains taking center stage, Princess Ariel dazzling audiences once again, and a brand-new parade lighting up the night. Whether creating core memories or rediscovering the magic, Cool Kid Summer delivers unforgettable experiences for all ages throughout the season and beyond. Learn more below.

Here are just some of the most magical ways Walt Disney World is making summer even more fun for the whole family.

1 – Magic Kingdom Park

Big Top Bash at Storybook Circus: Play and have fun at the Big Top in Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can join the DJ Ringmaster for a summertime dance party, pop-up silliness with Pluto and kid-friendly midway-style games with even more hands-on activities inside Big Top Souvenirs!

Galactic Blast at Tomorrowland: Groove to out-of-this-world tunes during a space-inspired DJ dance party at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, with surprise appearances by none other than the mischievous Stitch! Magic Kingdom guests can also enjoy a cool spot in the Merchant of Venus, featuring indoor crafts inspired by the new Disney and Pixar film “Elio.”

Click here to see photos and video from Cool Kid Offerings at Magic Kingdom!

2 – EPCOT

GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall: EPCOT guests join Goofy for an unforgettable dance and play experience inside CommuniCore Hall. This immersive takeover features a DJ-led dance party and beloved kids’ games with thrilling twists, like Loopy Limbo and Parachutes ‘n’ Pipsqueaks––all hosted by Goofy and his crew.

Click here to see more photos and video from GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall!

Phineas and Ferb near EPCOT Main Entrance: Two best friends are making their return to Walt Disney World for a summer full of crazy adventures. Starting June 1, Phineas and Ferb will make daily appearances for EPCOT guests just in time for the debut of the new season premiering on Disney Channel, June 5 and on Disney+, June 6.

3 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Get Animated at Animation Courtyard: Animation Courtyard comes alive with energetic performances by magicians and jump rope performers, along with fun games and crafts for little ones while families can “Get Animated” with Mickey Mouse, beloved Disney Junior friends, and more at an indoor DJ dance party. There are also limited-time character greetings from characters who are not normally in Animation Courtyard!

Click here to see more photos and video from Cool Kid Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

4 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Adventure All Around the Park: Park guests can explore new nature-based adventures with favorite Disney Characters and hands-on activities earning a limited-time Wilderness Explorers badge. Then, celebrate their day with the Dino Institute Intern at A Celebration Sing-Along at Discovery Island, creating one-of-a-kind songs, highlighting all the creatures—real and mythical—you spotted around the park.

5 – Cool Fun at Select Disney Resort Collection Hotels

More Cool Kid Summer fun can be enjoyed by resort guests staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Special activities at these four Disney Resort Collection hotels include character visits, family games, music and more.

6 – Fairytales Come to Life in All-New Live Entertainment

Two all-new live entertainment are now showing at at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!  “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” blend timeless tales, wicked fun and dazzling light displays through stunning performances and breathtaking visuals. Debuting July 20, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” a dazzling nighttime parade celebrating magical moments from Disney stories, kicks off at Magic Kingdom.

• “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” – A fiendishly funny and fantastical stage show starring iconic Disney villains who are feeling unfairly treated premieres at the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will enter the reflective world of the Magic Mirror as Disney’s infamous villains take the stage in the show that is just as fun as it is spellbinding.

• “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” – Relive Ariel’s enchanting story in this dazzling theatrical production inspired by the animated classic “The Little Mermaid” in the Animation Courtyard Theater at Disney’s Hollwood Studios. Guests will watch as Ariel follows her dreams to be part of the human world in a breathtaking retelling of this beloved animated film, including fan-favorite songs, stunning visuals, and theatrical music that everyone will enjoy.

• Debuting July 20, the nighttime processional inspired by the classic Main Street Electrical Parade, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” debuts at Magic Kingdom, featuring enchanting moments from favorite Disney and Pixar stories such as “Moana,” “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Pinocchio” and more, all brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy.

7 – Save Big with Special Summer Offers

Families can find even more to love this summer at Walt Disney World with a wide variety of ticket and hotel options and promotional offers.

• 50% Off Kids Tickets: Guests can purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off – available for visits from May 27 – Sept. 20, 2025.

• 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits now through Sept. 22, 2025, for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park only.

• Disney Resort Room Deals: Guests can save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when they stay longer for visits between Aug. 1 and Oct. 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.

• Bonus Resort Offer: Disney+ subscribers can save on rooms at select Disney Resort Collection hotels – starting from $99 per night at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – when staying two nights or longer most nights from June 29 to July 31, 2025.

• New Florida Resident Summer Magic Tickets: The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket offers four days of fun at Walt Disney World theme parks for just $60 per day (total price: $240, plus tax) for visits through and Sept. 27, 2025 (with an advance park reservation, subject to availability).

To learn more about ways to save during Cool Kid Summer at Disney World, visit DisneyWorld.com/Summer.

For more details and help booking your vacation, call our travel partners Magical Vacation Planners at (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here.  Their services are free to you and they can answer any questions you may have.

8 – Extra Perks When Staying in the Magic

Guests who are staying in Disney Resort Collection hotels can enjoy complimentary admission to one of the two water parks on the day of their check-in. Both Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach are open daily through Sept. 7, 2025.

Guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels can travel to and from all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs by complimentary bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner to enjoy an aerial view of the magic.

Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels are also able to enjoy 30 minutes of early theme park entry every day for the duration of their stay.