Family Guide to Cool Kids Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Families planning summer getaways, Walt Disney World offers the ultimate experience, and this year’s Cool Kids Summer is set to deliver unforgettable fun. For many parents, though, trying to show the kids the best day ever and trying to get the most out of each Park, planning can seem overwhelming. We are here to break down each Park, starting with Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and help you and the kids have a great day, avoid breakdowns, cool off, and see some of the best new shows Disney has to offer.
What is Cool Kids Summer? Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World, from May 27th to September 1st, 2025, is an exciting event packed with kid-centric fun across all four theme parks. Expect special character interactions, high-energy dance parties with DJs, and Disney friends like Stitch and Pluto. Plus, get great deals on rooms and tickets. Make incredible memories this summer as villains take center stage, a brand-new parade lights up the night, and so much more!
What is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Cool Kids Summer? Get ready for lots of fun at Animation Courtyard! Kids can play games and make crafts all day. You might see magicians, jump rope tricks, and even surprise visits from your favorite characters! The fun doesn’t stop there! Come dance with Mickey Mouse and friends from Disney Junior at a super fun indoor party with a DJ. Starting May 27th, there will be two brand new indoor shows for everyone:
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure“: Watch the classic story of The Little Mermaid come to life with all the songs you love and beautiful scenes! Showtimes start at 9:15 AM, last show 7:15 PM
“Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After“: See the Magic Mirror show off Disney’s most famous bad guys in a really fun and amazing way. Showtimes – Morning: 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM – Afternoon: noon, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM – Evening: 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Summer Park Hours: Early Entry – 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, Park Hours – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Family Transportation to and from Hollywood Studios: Stroller? No Stroller? Want to relax? Need to get to Hollywood Studios and rope drop? There are many options depending on where you are staying on or off property. Disney Skyliner from Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera, or any of the Disney Boardwalk resorts. Disney Friendship boats run from Disney Boardwalk Resorts, Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin. Disney Bus service runs an hour before to an hour after park hours. Minnie Van service with options for Car Seats and room for strollers. Parking for your vehicle is included with your resort stay.
Where can you and the kids cool off? While summer in Florida can feel oppressive with temperatures hovering around 95° with 10000% humidity, it can feel like you are a potato wrapped in tin foil on a grill (hyperbole for sure, but you get the point), these two new Disney Live Entertainment offerings offer A/C to cool off for around 20 minutes each. Furthermore, the new show inside the Disney Junior Play and Dance building called “Get Animated” is a great place to let the young ones run around and dance out of the heat.
Beating the Summer Heat (Beyond AC): Stay hydrated. Every quick service offers free ice water. During summer, they normally have trays of water ready for you to just pick up and go. If they do not, just ask. We suggest bringing personal misting fans, or buying one from any cart in Hollywood Studios.
Family dining options: Rule #1: Always have snacks packed! Goldfish, Ritz Bits, jerky, assorted favorite bars (cereal, Z-bars, granola), peanut butter packs with a spoon (you can find an apple/apple slices at quick service/snack stands), apple sauce/other fruit puree pouches, fruit snacks, Toast-Chee cracker packs, cutie/mandarins. And of course, you have to eat at least one Mickey Bar! It is considered a vacation if the little ones aren’t at some point a chocolate mess!
Disney Parks Blog and Disney Eats may release a Foodie Guide to Cool Kids Summer; we do not know for sure, but our guess is that it will be out soon.
Until then, ABC Commisary is a great option for any meal with inside seating and plenty of outdoor seating. Star Wars fans will enjoy Docking Bay 7 quick service. If you have kids and the budget, Hollywood & Vine is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with various character dining options. Kids will love meeting the Disney Junior characters at breakfast with Doc McStuffin’s, Vampirina, and Fancy Nancy. Our suggestion for rope dropping, Grab and Go, Fairfax Fair, or a Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Character Greetings Cool Kids Summer: Disney has updated the list of Disney characters guests can meet and greet all summer long at Hollywood Studios.
- Echo Lake – Olaf
- Commisary Lane – Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse
- Toy Story Land – Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie
- Pixar Plaza – Edna Mode, Frozone, Mrs. Incredible, Sully
- Walt Disney Presents – Ariel (Live-Action)
- Animation Courtyard – BB-8, Chewbacca, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Clarabelle Cow, Doc McStuffins, Darth Vader, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Fancy Nancy, Goofy, Max, Pluto, Timon, Vampirina
- Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – The Mandalorian & Baby Grogu, Stormtroopers, Kylo Ren, Vi Moradi
Baby Care Center and Quiet Spots: The Baby Care Center at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located near the main entrance of the park. Offering changing tables, nursing rooms, a microwave and sink, a Restroom, Quiet room with rocking or gliding chairs.
For kids who may need to get away from the sensory overload, those who may be neurodivergent: Quiet spots that we recommend – Star Wars Launch Bay with the many A/C rooms, outdoor small theater area for kids to sit or run. The Tower Hotel Gifts and Joffrey’s area by the Tower of Terror offers shade and some seating, plus you may meet a character or two in a rare appearance. Walt Disney Presents Theater, the whole area is inside and quiet, and if you need to sit, just watch whatever is being presented in a 10-minute show. We have personally used each one of these spots!
Tips:
- Download and use the My Disney Experience App, and for the kids, Disney Play.
- Take advantage of Disney Photopass, you want these memories.
- Sunscreen! SPF-50 and above lotion, Spray on for a quick refresh
- Dont buy souvenirs in the morning, you dont want to carry extra bags in the summer, dinner time is the perfect time to shop and digest.
- Check Hight Requirements beforehand, some rides are for older kids, and adults who want to be kids
- Water, Water, and more Water.
- Try to freeze a few water bottles before Park Days! Nothing hits and feels better than a frozen splash of water!
- Speaking of Water… It “COULD” rain every day between 3:30 and 7:00 PM.
- Stroller Parking is available close by each attraction. Make sure you have your stroller marked to spot easily.
- Break Times: Schedule breaks throughout the day. If staying on site at a Disney Resort, take the afternoon off for swimming and relaxing
- FANTASMIC! is the best way to end a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Finally, and as a family who has kids on the Spectrum, or the greatest tip we can ever give: Stay Flexible. Do not try and overschedule. Plan ahead for dining, that is a must-do in Hollywood Studios, use Lightning Lane if possible, but be flexible. Go with the flow. Even super moms and dads can’t get it all in one day!
Family Guide to Cool Kids Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
