Summer and amusement parks have been synonymous for a long time. But at Walt Disney World, summer may be the best time to take the little ones. No, you read that right, and I already know what you’re thinking. The idea of taking small children to an amusement park in Florida when it’s 100 degrees outside sounds terrible. However, this year, Disney is filling its days with indoor fun, new attractions that feel like they’re launching for the first time, and in-resort hotel amenities that are ideal for families.
So, whether you’re planning a summer vacation to Walt Disney World or heading to the parks next week, keep reading to find out all the things families with young kids can do together this summer.
1. COOL KIDS SUMMER
At all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and several Disney Resort hotels, Cool KIDS Summer is taking over. Around Walt Disney World, your family can enjoy dance parties, surprise character meet-and-greets, games and a festive summer atmosphere. This is also the time when tickets are cheapest and park hours are longer. This means you’ll feel comfortable returning to your hotel in the middle of the day for a nap or a swim as the park is open late.
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For families who want to experience all four theme parks, a four-day, four-park pass is available for $436 plus tax, and is good for visits between May 26 and October 3, 2026. Additionally, there are plenty of room deals for those looking to stay five nights or more, Florida residents, and annual pass holders.
Cool KIDS SUMMER officially starts on May 26th and runs through September 8th, although some of the things you’ll read below still stick around until the end of summer.
2. Indoor fun across the park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
If your kids can’t get enough of Bluey and Bingo, you’ll want to head straight to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where the two sisters set up camp at Conservation Station. Inside the air-conditioned building, kids (and adults) can play games and dance with Bluey and Bingo. Be aware that there are no traditional meet and greets in this experience, but kids will enjoy playing games like Keepy Uppy. And don’t forget to say hello to the new kangaroos and wallabies who now live at Jumping Junction, an outdoor animal viewing area.
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EPCOT
When your park days take you to EPCOT, but you need a break, step inside CommuniCore Hall, located right in the middle of World Celebration. Inside, parents will find plenty of seating to cool off, while kids can dance and play games with Goofy.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a hilarious new show that just debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show features Mickey and Minnie, who set out on an adventure to gather everyone for a party at the Clubhouse. The show is filled with funny songs and invitations for children to get up and dance. And of course no visit to Clubhouse is complete without doing the Hot Dog Dance, so it’s best to practice your best moves at home.
Magic Kingdom
If your kids can’t get enough Toy Storythen you’ll definitely want to head to the Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom for Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue. Here, parents can sit while the kids hit the dance floor for games and activities with Jessie, Woody and Bullseye from Toy Story film.
3. New kid-friendly rides at Walt Disney World
When it comes time to hop on a ride or two, it’s clear there are plenty of attractions to choose from at all four parks. For youngsters who might not be tall enough to watch the newly refreshed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, there’s still another option that gets a big upgrade.
One of the best upgraded attractions at Walt Disney World is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom. The entire ride gets a refresh, including upgraded vehicles, new blasters that can be removed from the holster, and interactive targets. I really like that when you hit a target, your blaster vibrates, letting you know you got a point.
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And just outside Cinderella Castle, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad gets a fresh coat of paint and some new scenery, but the biggest improvement is actually a lower height requirement. Now, little ones only need to be 38 inches tall to ride the wildest rides in the wilderness.
Additionally, at EPCOT, Frozen Ever After got a major refresh before the summer season, introducing new and greatly improved Audio-Animatronic figures. So if you’ve never ridden this newest attraction, now’s the perfect time. You can drive via Lightning Lane or the traditional standby lane.
4. Free fun at Disney Springs
If your vacation takes you to Disney Springs, be sure to catch the best dance party on the Marketplace stage. DescenDANCE Party x Camp Rock Jam will feature a DJ spinning the best songs from both Descendants And Rock Camp film. The party takes place every Tuesday to Thursday from 18:00 to 22:00 I, for one, can’t wait to sing “This is Me” and “Play My Music” from Rock Camp.
5. Special hotel experience
Several Disney World hotels are joining in on the summer fun with limited-time experiences and amenities. These include Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans–Riverside Resort.
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At each of these hotels, you can expect scheduled visits from characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a curated Disney book library where kids can browse books to read, pool parties, and campfires with s’mores and Disney sing-alongs.
It’s also important to note that no matter which Disney hotel you stay at, everyone gets 30 minutes of early entry to all four theme parks in the morning. This time is best used to ride popular attractions, such as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom, Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
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