New Kid Zones and Character Experiences Coming to Walt Disney World Summer 2025

Posted: Wednesday March 26, 2025 8:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World is adding new experiences for families with young kids from May 27 through September 1, 2025. These limited-time offerings are focused on play, character interactions, and summer fun across the parks.

Magic Kingdom overview

“We’re curating simple, yet fun entertainment experiences geared towards families,” Jason Kirk, Senior Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney World said during a panel at Disney. “There will be areas where guests can go, have fun and relax.”

Here’s what you can expect:

Kid Zones with Character Interactions and Activities

Magic Kingdom will introduce kid zones in Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland.
Storybook Circus will offer extra activities tailored for younger kids.
Tomorrowland will include new experiences themed to Stitch.
EPCOT will launch a Goofy-hosted party and play space inside CommuniCore Hall following the Flower and Garden Festival.
Expect a mix of games, music, dancing, and water play to help families cool down.

More Character Access During Early Entry

Characters will begin appearing earlier in the day for Disney Resort hotel guests using the early theme park entry benefit.
This means you could run into Mickey or Minnie right after rope drop.
Theme park admission and early entry eligibility are required.

Additional Pop-Up Entertainment

Across the parks, Disney plans to introduce surprise entertainment moments.
These will include games, interactive adventures, and music-driven activities designed for preschool and early elementary age kids.

Disney hasn’t released full details yet, but expect more announcements in the coming months as summer approaches. These additions are part of Disney’s continued push to offer more experiences for families traveling with young children.

Discuss on the Forums

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Jambo Dad13 hours ago

At least they are doing something with the giant empty high school cafeteria themed Communicore hall. I think I had a detention in there once about 40 years ago.

MisterPenguin2 days ago

The kool kidz look up to you, unc.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

Every thread? Please. Most of my ~40000 posts in ~25 years here are serious. Also,

TheGenXer2 days ago

The sloths at my local zoo have more game this summer. They bussin’! Beanbag toss at Epcot is mad sus. *** We get it cringelord. You want to be a comedian. But every thread full of this is way too much.

Figments Friend3 days ago

‘Cool Kid Summer’. That tagline for the Summer promotion immediately made me think this is a seasonal offering at ‘Chuck E. Cheese’s’…… Where a Kid Can Be a Kid…and Be Cool This Summer, Too! (c) 😆 -

Mr. Sullivan3 days ago

Do you think parents leave their toddlers at home when they're taking family trips to WDW? Also, this would appeal to way more than just toddlers. Six year old me would have adored all of this.

Comped3 days ago

Pop was already a zoo before they added characters to the mix (especially since their lobby is essentially a slightly beefy hallway in terms of size). Why try and cram more into what is already a crowded space at the best of times? I can't imagine that they asked anyone who worked there about the logistics...

bmr15913 days ago

Yes they are lol

Cmdr_Crimson3 days ago

Low Sensory rooms off the beaten path away from all the hustle and bustle would be a nice touch ... My park SFGAm did this by using an old store building not being used anymore and they have gutted it out and added chairs, low lighting and AC..It's actually not bad up until the Hooligans start coming in.

castlecake2.03 days ago

They are definitely paying attention to how these activations are utilized by guests

Cmdr_Crimson3 days ago

Would it be a smarter move to just keep Communicore hall as GoofyHall instead.

Andrew253 days ago

I'm hoping it's successful enough for Disney to realize how crucial it is to have "relaxation areas" for people in between the major rides. I want capacity additions, but I also want guest improvement initiatives like this.

easyrowrdw3 days ago

There's a great spot in MK where kids can run around for a bit and let parents take a breath. There's even a raft ride included in the price of admission!