food IS a theme park
Disney fans are many things. Passionate. Opinionated. Armed with screenshots. Spiritually incapable of letting go of one very specific retired dining experience.
Full Spread
And this week, the people have spoken.
If you’re planning your Disney World summer vacation, there is something you really need to know that’s going to impact your trip.
It’s Cool Kid Summer!
Cool KIDS’ SUMMER to return to Disney World from May 26th to September 8th this year, and a lot is happening! Cool KIDS’ SUMMER made its debut in 2025, and in 2026, they are adding even more characters and fun activities throughout Disney World for kids of all ages. There are also great package deals and new attractions opening that will attract families to visit. So if you are ready to pack your bags for a summer Disney trip, there is something you need to be prepared for.
Heads up, Disney World fans, today’s the day that a whole section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is temporarily closed, as of today.
Conservation Station
Today, February 23rd, Disney has temporarily closed Rafiki’s Planet Watch as a whole to make way for a new Bluey experience coming for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. What does that mean for you? Well, a park that’s missing about four of its attractions, and in a park that’s already riddled with construction, that’s not a great addition.
Disney World has been seeing LOTS of closures throughout the past few months, mostly to make way for new additions, lands, and more, but if we’re being real, that doesn’t make the closures any less ideal when they’re happening.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
This is especially true over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where DinoLand U.S.A. just closed for good to make way for the new Tropical Americas expansion, and now, there are TWO more closures happening in this park tomorrow — here’s why you need to be prepared.
In recent years, Early Entry — the 30-minute period each morning when guests of Disney resorts and other select hotels can access each of the theme parks — including the ever-popular Magic Kingdom — prior to the general public — has been one of Disney World’s most popular perks for years.
Early entry sign!
For the majority of that time, the main draw for guests was to immediately rush to the busiest rides at the park, like Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or Peter Pan’s Flight. Some even begin lining up early for TRON Lightcycle/Run, though it does not open early. However, this year, Disney is introducing a new perk with…character!
2026 is shaping up to be a massive summer at the Walt Disney World Resort, and some GAME-CHANGING discounts are making it even easier to be there.
TRON Lightcycle/Run
From Piston Peak and Villains Land to the Monsters, Inc.-inspired Monstropolis and Tropical Americas, it’s a time of change at Walt Disney World. However, while those updates are years away, there’s a lot to experience at the resort right now, and some comparatively cheaper than usual ways to do it!
Planning a Disney World vacation without staying on property? You might want to rethink that strategy.
Early Entry at EPCOT
Booking a Disney resort hotel isn’t just about convenience (though that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about unlocking a whole roster of exclusive perks that can seriously upgrade your vacation experience. From getting into the parks before everyone else to scoring those impossible-to-get dining reservations, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Disney World hotel perks for 2026.
A popular — and game-changing — hotel perk is officially returning to Walt Disney World in 2026, and it’s sure to inject a strong dose of… character in many vacations!
Pop Century
As part of the returning Cool Kids Summer promotion — which runs from May 26th to September 8th — Disney characters will be appearing in scheduled meet & greets at select Walt Disney World hotels.
The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a BIG one at Disney World. While most of the resort’s major projects — like Piston Peak, Villains Land, Monsters, Inc. Monstropolis land, and Tropical Americas are still under construction, there’s still some game-changing stuff coming.
It’s EPIC
From the debut of a new(ish) E-Ticket attraction and the long-awaited reopening of two Magic Kingdom favorites to the return of the popular Cool KIDS’ SUMMER promotion from last year, which returns on May 26th and extends through September 8th.
If you’re looking to squeeze in a bit more Disney magic into your vacation, the next time you visit Disney World, it might be a good idea to visit one of these FOUR hotels!
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Cool Kids’ Summer is COMING BACK to Disney World in 2026, and we’re stoked! This event will bring with it the return of the free water park admission perk, free park tickets, discounts, and more character interactions throughout the resort! When it comes to meeting characters, this event will see more characters in the hotels, and we’re gonna see folks flocking to four Disney World hotels in particular for some super rare character meet-and-greets!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
