Disney World just made new announcements for the upcoming summer, including discounts, character additions, dates for the summer celebration, and the opening periods for their two water parks.
Let’s get into all the new announcements for summer with all the best savings if you are planning a trip to Disney World for this year. At Mickey Visit, we report on all the most recent news, like the busiest days of the year at Disney World and new menu changes at Disneyland. See the 2026 Disney World Lightning Lane changes.
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Disney Announces Cool Kids’ Summer Dates
Cool Kids’ Summer is returning to Disney World this summer from May 26 to September 8, 2026, with new experiences and family activities.
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This celebration debuted in 2025 as a new summer Disney World event and included experiences for families across the entire resort. This event has been expanded this year, running a week longer than it did last summer. This event is a great way to offer more during the summer, especially in the way of unique character interactions and discounts.
Cool Kids’ Summer this year also features many new attractions and rethemed openings. At Hollywood Studios, this summer will include the debut of the new Muppets theme taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run storyline featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu, and the reopening of the newly redone Animation Courtyard as “The Walt Disney Studios” with a new experience. Magic Kingdom will offer the return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which has been closed for over a year, and the reopening of the newly improved Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. EPCOT will feature a new Soarin’ Over America starting on Memorial Day, plus the reveal of the new Audio-Animatronics for Frozen Ever After. As for Animal Kingdom, there is a new Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station experience coming to Animal Kingdom this summer.
New Summer 2026 Discounts Coming Soon
Disney also revealed three new discounts that can all be combined with the free dining plan for kids’ offer. Throughout all of 2026, you can get a free dining plan for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a package for an adult and children that includes a dining plan and a Disney Resort hotel room. You can also combine that free kids’ dining plan offer with all of the following discounts.
The first discount includes two free room nights and theme park days when you purchase a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package. This equals six days to experience the resort and is available for visits most nights May 26 through September 15, 2026, and can only be booked January 6 through February 15, 2026.
The second discount offers savings up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights May 1 through October 4, 2026. The offer details for this discount will be available beginning January 6, 2026.
The third discount applies to Florida Residents and Annual Passholders. Florida Residents can save up to 35%, and Annual Passholders can save up to 40% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels this summer. The offer details for this discount will also be available beginning January 6, 2026.
Disney Water Park Operating Hours Announced
The free water park perk for Disney Resort hotel guests returns for summer 2026 during Cool Kids’ Summer. This means during the dates of May 26 and September 8, 2026, guests can enjoy free admission to one of the Walt Disney World water parks on their check-in day.
The big news is that once again, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open during this time, so guests can choose between both water parks for this perk.
Character Interactions Across Disney World
New this year for Cool Kids’ Summer, the characters from Toy Story will make appearances at the Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom. Jessie, Woody, and friends will ask guests to join them for Jessie’s Roundup, featuring crafts and dancing.
Returning this year for Cool Kids’ Summer is GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall, featuring dancing and games with DJ Dance Pants and Goofy himself.
Characters will also be around during Early Theme Park Entry to interact with guests and will also be at Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Port Orleans Resort – Riverside for scheduled visits.
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