Disney World sets Cool KIDS’ SUMMER plans for 2026 with new shows, character fun, and family resort perks

Published on 3/12/26 by Craig Smith

Walt Disney World has shared its first broad look at Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, a seasonal push aimed squarely at families visiting the resort from May 26 through September 8, 2026.

Announced by Disney Parks Blog on March 12, the summer campaign will stretch across all four theme parks, Disney Springs, the water parks, and select resort hotels. Rather than centering the season on one headline attraction, Disney is packaging Cool KIDS’ SUMMER as a resort-wide collection of entertainment, dance parties, character experiences, and family-focused extras designed to give parents more reasons to plan a summer trip.

Some of the biggest additions are tied to kid-friendly entertainment. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is set to debut May 26, bringing a new stage show inspired by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ to Animation Courtyard. Over at Magic Kingdom, Disney is introducing Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue at the Diamond Horseshoe, a limited-time Toy Story-themed offering with songs, dancing, games, and character fun. EPCOT is getting GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall, where Disney says families can expect a sillier, high-energy space built around DJ-led dancing and interactive play.

Animal Kingdom will also get one of the more notable additions: Bluey and Bingo are coming to Conservation Station beginning May 26. Disney says the experience will continue beyond the official Cool KIDS’ SUMMER window, making it more than just a short seasonal appearance. That is likely to make it one of the most closely watched parts of the summer lineup, especially for younger families already familiar with the enormously popular “Bluey” franchise.

The campaign extends beyond the parks as well. At Disney Springs, Disney is planning dance parties in the Marketplace on select nights, tied to music from “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” and “Camp Rock 3,” both of which Disney says are coming to Disney+ this summer. At the water parks, guests will also find added character appearances, including Goofy at Blizzard Beach and Stitch at Typhoon Lagoon. Disney has separately confirmed that both water parks will be operating during the summer season, an unusual and potentially valuable perk during Florida’s hottest months.

Resort hotel guests are getting a major share of the promotion. Disney says guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can continue to take advantage of 30 minutes of early theme park entry each day, and they will also receive free admission to one of Disney’s two water parks on check-in day. Beyond that, four family-oriented resorts — Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside — will offer extra summer programming for families with young children. That includes scheduled character visits, expanded kids’ activities, poolside entertainment, campfire sing-alongs, and practical in-room items like bottle warmers, infant bathtubs, diaper disposal units, and nightlights.

Disney is also pairing the seasonal entertainment with summer travel deals. The company is promoting its 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket for visits beginning May 26, along with a free dining plan offer for qualifying vacation packages booked by April 30. Additional room discounts are also being marketed for later summer and early fall stays.

What stands out most about Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is how broadly Disney is trying to define the experience. This is not being pitched as a single festival or a one-off celebration. Instead, Disney is building a package of limited-time offerings across the entire vacation ecosystem, from park entertainment to hotel amenities and ticket deals. For families weighing whether summer 2026 is the right time to visit, that wider strategy may be the real story.