Family Guide to Disney’s Cool Kids Summer at Magic Kingdom. Family Guide to Disney’s Cool Kids Summer at the Magic 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 here to help plan the Summer of 2025 at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and to help you and the kids have a great day, avoid breakdowns, cool off, and have the best Cool Kids Summer day at the Magic Kingdom.
Check out the Parks at Walt Disney World for Cool Kids Summer:
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!
As a guest at a Disney Resort Collection hotel, you can get complimentary admission to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water park on your check-in day. Plus, all Disney Resort hotel guests and those at select other hotels can also take advantage of 30-minute early theme park entry each day, offering a fantastic head start to your magical adventures and maybe even a chance to see some beloved characters.
Summer Park Hours: Early Entry – 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, Park Hours – 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Check the Schedule for updated times.
What is coming to Magic Kingdom for Cool Kids Summer? Step right up to summer fun at Magic Kingdom! Get ready for the Big Top Bash in Storybook Circus, where kids can dance with a DJ ringmaster and Pluto, surrounded by playful stilt walkers and jugglers. Over in Tomorrowland, join Stitch for the high-energy Galactic Blast dance party at the Tomorrowland Stage, and afterwards, cool down inside Merchant of Venus with a craft inspired by the new Disney-Pixar film “Elio.”
Plus, keep an eye out for “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” an upcoming nighttime parade featuring beloved characters from films like “Encanto” and “Frozen” later this summer.
Family Transportation to and from Magic Kingdom: 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 Monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), a direct route to the Magic Kingdom. Monorail Resort Loop stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, the Polynesian Resort, and the TTC. The Disney Ferry from the TTC. 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. Guests staying in the Seven Seas Lagoon, or Bay Lake, can also use Friendship Boats.
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? Frozen Sing-A-Long is now called “Slush, the Puddle Song”. Sorry, Dad jokes always make us chuckle. I digress.
There are a few options for the family to cool off, Dumbo’s Big Top Playground. Speaking of Dumbo, and the Big Top Bash: Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is a fun way to play and cool off. Cool off at a whimsical water play area inspired by the circus train from Walt Disney’s Dumbo. A ride on the Peoplemover in the evening while the Galactic Blast dance party is happening.
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 the Magic Kingdom.
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, Be Our Guest with the Beast from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella’s Royal Table, if the budget allows. We will always recommend The Crystal Palace for breakfast with Winnie-the-Pooh and 100-Acre Wood friends. To save your budget, Cosmic Rays with Sonny Eclipse has great A/C, a show, and food for the masses.
Magic Kingdom – Character Greetings Cool Kids Summer: Disney has updated the list of Disney characters guests can meet and greet all summer long at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
- Fantasyland – Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy, Mirabel, Minnie Mouse, Peter Pan & Wendy, Princess Tiana, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Anastasia & Drizella with Lady Tremaine, Hook & Smee, Rapunzel & Flynn
- Main Street, U.S.A. – Mickey Mouse, Elana, Mulan, Mary Poppins & Bert plus Penguin
- Adventureland – Characters from Aladdin (Aladdin & Princess Jasmine), Raya
- Tomorrowland – Chip ‘n’ Dale, Stitch, Mr. & Mrs. Incredible
- Frontierland – The Country Bears: Wendell, Romeo McGrowl, Shaker, Big Al
- Liberty Square – Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, Pocahontas
Baby Care Center and Quiet Spots: The Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom is located between The Crystal Palace and Casey’s Corner. 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, there are some quiet spots to get away. Behind the Tomorrowland Stage, near the restrooms closer to the Carousel of Progress, is an outdoor spot. Dumbo Circus Tent playground is cool and the kids can run around. The walkway under Tron Lightcycle Run is in between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, and it is shaded. Finally, The Hall of Presidents should be reopening soon and is a great place to learn history and get some A/C!
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
- Capping the night off with “Happily Ever After” will remind you why you decided to come to Walt Disney World for Cool Kids Summer
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 Magic Kingdom, Lightning Lane Tron Lightcycle, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, 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 Magic Kingdom
