Credit: DisneyIf you’ve been to Walt Disney World this summer, you’ve probably noticed things have felt a little different. Music thumps through the parks, kids gather around DJs, and characters pop up in ways that feel less scheduled and more spontaneous. It’s been a season where kids truly ran the show—and parents got to watch them light up in new ways.
It wasn’t about the biggest coasters or the flashiest new ride. Instead, Disney leaned into something smaller, lighter, and more playful. And honestly? Guests loved it.
But all good things must come to an end. Disney has now confirmed that the kid-focused seasonal experience—Cool Kid Summer—will officially wrap up this week, meaning all the special entertainment and activities tied to it will disappear from the parks.
What Made Cool Kid Summer Work
From the start, Cool Kid Summer felt like Disney gave kids the keys to the kingdom. EPCOT offered Goofy-led games like Loopy Limbo and Parachutes ‘n’ Pipsqueaks inside CommuniCore Hall, while Phineas and Ferb made their long-awaited return for meet-and-greets. Over at Animal Kingdom, families earned a limited-edition Wilderness Explorer badge, crafted pollinator projects at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and ended the day with a spirited sing-along.
Hollywood Studios leaned into creativity, with kids making crafts in Animation Courtyard, enjoying magic tricks, and dancing alongside Disney Junior pals. And Magic Kingdom had its own flavors: the Big Top Bash with Pluto in Storybook Circus and the Galactic Blast with Stitch in Tomorrowland. Everywhere you turned, something small but joyful was happening, and that made the event feel special.
A Summer Filled With Surprises
One of the best parts of Cool Kid Summer was its unpredictability. Stilt walkers, jugglers, magicians, and even random character drop-ins kept kids guessing. Instead of simply standing in line for rides, they were immersed in play, music, and interaction.
Parents praised the event for giving their little ones new ways to connect with Disney without the usual long waits. It was also a clever way to keep the parks buzzing during the long summer stretch between spring festivals and Halloween.
Disney sweetened the deal further with perks—like 50% off kids’ tickets, Florida resident discounts, and water park bonuses for resort guests checking in. For families, it wasn’t just fun; it was affordable in ways Disney rarely feels anymore.
The End of the Fun
Sadly, this week marks the official end of Cool Kid Summer. Come September 1, the music will fade, the dance parties will stop, and the special meet-and-greets and activities will be gone. The event was always billed as limited-time, but guests who have experienced it firsthand are already wishing it would stick around longer.
For now, Disney hasn’t hinted at a return, though it’s easy to imagine something similar coming back in future summers. With EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom all playing host to these smaller-scale entertainment moments, Disney proved that you don’t always need a headline attraction to make families happy.
If you’re visiting before the end of the week, make sure to squeeze in one last dance, badge, or craft session. Because after that, Cool Kid Summer will officially be a thing of the past.