Cool KIDS' SUMMER Is Back!

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER (formerly “Cool Kid Summer”) returned to Walt Disney World on May 26, 2026! Let’s talk about what you can expect from Cool KIDS’ SUMMER this year! (And I’ll update this post at the end of the day with anything more we discover!)

Basics of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

At its heart, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is an enigma. Well, no, it’s mostly a marketing effort with a touch of real-world razzmatazz. It’s summer by some other name, but one that smells just a tad sweeter because of it. Following?

Me neither. Fine—Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is a resort-wide event at Walt Disney World returned May 26 and goes until September 8, 2026. There are unique offerings as part of the event, and we’ll discuss those. But first…deals!

Room and Ticket Deals for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

As part of the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER promotional push, there are several deals to know about, including room-only deals covering May 1 through October 3, a special ticket option, and Free Dining. PLUS Kids Dine Free is still available for 2026.

What To Expect From Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

Now, onto what we can actually expect from Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. We don’t know if there will be any branded merchandise this year (there wasn’t last year), and some of these changes are sort of unrelated to Cool KIDS’ SUMMER at all…except they happen during summer.

With that said, let’s start with the major changes coming to the parks this summer:

  • Just Before Cool KIDS’ SUMMER:

    • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios) got a new storyline May 22

  • Permanent updates Debuting With Cool KIDS’ SUMMER on May 26, 2026:

Still TBD: The Magic of Disney Animation (Hollywood Studios) debuts late summer 2026

All of these things are self-explanatory or discussed in the links. These are also changes that are going to exist beyond Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. But there are also some things that are exclusive to the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER timeframe, so let’s talk about those…

Water Park Paradise Returns for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

Fitting neatly into the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER timeframe is the return of the check-in day water park perk and days with both water parks open.

Guests of Disney resorts will have complimentary access to both water parks on their check-in days between May 26 and September 8, 2026. This has to be used on your check-in day (or not at all).

And that’s right—both water parks will be open again this summer. While Disney has mostly kept only one water park open at a time over the last few years, summer 2025 saw the return of both water parks being open, and we’ll get that arrangement again at least from May 26 to September 8, 2026.

GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall Returns to EPCOT

CommuniCore Hall is a flex space in EPCOT, and for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER it will again be transformed into “GoofyCore.” This is something of a dance-and-play party, with Goofy, a DJ, and a variety of games.

Zoe absolutely loved GoofyCore. We stayed for a 15-minute “set” that involved a variety of games, including a version of Keepy Uppy.

ICYMI—there’s a reason it’s “Cool” KIDS’ SUMMER. Summer in Florida is not usually cool. So, along with the water park option, the philosophy behind the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER activities is to give people indoor or shaded places to cool off. And there’s a new one this year, too…

Jessie’s Roundup Debuts at Magic Kingdom

Taking over The Diamond Horseshoe restaurant at Magic Kingdom, “Jessie’s Roundup” will be a “rootin’ tootin’ good time” where you’ll have the chance to “craft, dance, and yodel your hearts out in this western revue” alongside Jessie, Woody, and friends.

The Diamond Horseshoe won’t be operating as a restaurant this time—it’s just be an indoor (“cool”) space for these activities. This is, more or less, the Magic Kingdom version of GoofyCore, even some of the games are the same (we played “Goofy Says” one day and “Bullseye Says” the next).

Special Character Appearances Return

Characters will once again appear during Early Entry and guests at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Port Orleans Riverside will see special character appearances. (These are distinct from the character caravan, I guess).

My Commentary On Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

This section contains commentary from the initial announcement that Cool KIDS’ SUMMER would return. But I’ve replaced references to “Cool Kid Summer” with “Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.” I’ll update it with 2026 event commentary shortly.

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER will return in 2026. Disney has not announced more than that yet, but I wanted to take this chance to add some some quick commentary.

Based on what I saw and experienced, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER actually was better than many commentators—myself included—were expecting. GoofyCore was an amazing indoor escape for families, and Get Animated! gave kids a chance to actually interact with their favorite characters.

There are a few reasons I’m hoping for a bit more from 2026:

  • Heading into 2026, I’d simply like to see Disney market and brand this better. At the very least, they had the summer to grab marketing content (photos, videos) so that should help. You can see a mid-summer marketing effort here.

  • And in 2026 they won’t be hampered by timing—the launch of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER coinciding with the debut of a brand new theme park from Universal, just down the street, sort of made everyone roll their eyes.

  • The 2025 event was awkwardly co-marketed with the launch of the two new shows at Hollywood Studios, plus some ticket deals. The ticket deals make sense, but I hope next year Disney gives Cool KIDS’ SUMMER its own clear purpose, distinct from any other happenings at the resort.

I’m excited to see what 2026’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER looks like, and I’ll be updating this post as more details are announced.

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Be sure to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few weeks in advance. Good strategy will keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, EPCOT Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.

Know what to ride with our guides: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, EPCOT rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our Guide to Blizzard Beach and our Guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.

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