Family Guide to Disney’s Cool Kids Summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 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, and today we are heading to explore the wildlife at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to help you and the kids have a great day, avoid breakdowns, cool off, and have the best Cool Kids Summer day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
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 Disney Resort rooms and Park tickets. Make incredible memories this summer as villains take center stage, a brand-new parade lights up the night, and so much more!
Summer Park Hours: Early Entry – 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM, Park Hours – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Check the Schedule for updated times.
What is coming to Animal Kingdom for Cool Kids Summer? Embark on an exciting adventure filled with new activities! Head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch for engaging, hands-on crafts focused on pollinators. While exploring the park, keep an eye out for incredible animals and earn a special, limited-time Wilderness Explorers badge. Finally, conclude your wild day with a lively sing-along at Discovery Island, featuring original songs and playful tales about the amazing creatures you encountered.
Family Transportation to and from DAK: Stroller? No Stroller? Want to relax? Need to get to Animal Kingdom so the family can rope drop Flight of Avatar in Pandora? There are many options, depending on where you are staying, on or off property. Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not have all the same options as the other 3 Parks.
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? Summer in Florida can feel oppressive with temperatures hovering around 95° and 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), I’m saying it’s hot in Florida! How Hot? We went to fry an egg on the asphalt, but it came out of the shell hard-boiled. Sorry, Dad jokes always make us chuckle. I digress.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch Explore Affection Section, a petting zoo, Habitat Habit!, an outdoor discovery trail, and Conservation Station, an animal care facility. The Finding Nemo Big Blue & Beyond show is 20 minutes of pure Air Conditioning. Restaurantasaurus not only had decent food for the whole family, but there was plenty of seating inside and out, and a secluded section near The Boneyard where kids could easily access and run around to burn some excess energy. Festival of the Lion King, Pizzafari, and a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari are all good spots.
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 store in or cart in DAK.
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 we guess that it will be out soon.
Families with children who like dining with characters, Tusker House has Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and other friends in safari outfits. Previously mentioned Restaurantasaurus in Dino-Land USA has food for everyone, plus a strolling guitar player for entertainment. Pizzafari, because Pizza and Air Conditioning!
Disney’s DAK – Character Greetings Cool Kids Summer: Disney has updated the list of Disney characters guests can meet and greet all summer long at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Oasis – Pluto
- Discovery Island – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Russell and Dug, Kevin, Moana, Pocahontas
- DinoLand U.S.A. – Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy
Baby Care Center and Quiet Spots: The Baby Care Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located next to Creature Comforts, aka Starbucks, on Discovery Island. This is closest to the bridge to and from Africa. The Baby Care Center offers changing tables, nursing rooms, a microwave and sink, a Restroom, Quiet room with rocking or gliding chairs. First Aid is also located here.
For kids who may need to get away from the sensory overload, and those who may be neurodivergent, Quiet spots that we recommend are circled on the map below. The Maharajah Jungle Trek at the top of the map is shaded and very quiet; this is a hidden oasis! In the center are tables and little hideaways on the Discovery River, and on Discovery Island, Flame Tree BBQ has a ton of seating in a cooler, shady area with roof coverings. For places with AC, the back room of Pizzafari can be quiet.
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
Finally, and as a family that has kids on the Spectrum, or the greatest tip we can ever give: Stay Flexible. Do not try and overschedule. Plan for dining that you think is a must-do in Epcot, Lightning Lane Frozen Ever After, if possible, but be flexible. Go with the flow. Even super moms and dads can’t get it all done in one day!
Family Guide to Disney’s Cool Kids Summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
