Cool KIDS’ SUMMER Offerings Reportedly End September 8

By · Adult Disney · Wisconsin

Published August 31, 2026

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Walt Disney World is reportedly ending several Cool KIDS’ SUMMER character experiences and hotel perks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, across Disney World parks and resorts. As of Monday, August 31, the reported final day for the listed offerings is September 8, with one Magic Kingdom venue then closing before a limited-time restaurant setup begins.

According to reports, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER began May 26, 2026, and runs through September 8. The campaign added family-focused entertainment, scheduled character appearances, and resort perks aimed at guests traveling with young kids.

At Magic Kingdom, Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue! inside The Diamond Horseshoe is reportedly ending after September 8. The venue is then listed as closed from September 9 through October 3, before reopening October 4 with a reported limited-time pop-up restaurant experience.

At EPCOT, GoofyCore inside CommuniCore Hall is also reportedly ending after September 8. Beginning September 9, CommuniCore Hall is expected to shift toward EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival marketplace use, with additional marketplaces opening September 18.

At the resorts, scheduled character meet-and-greets tied to Cool KIDS’ SUMMER are reportedly ending September 8 at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Reports also say the summer pajama parties and the check-in-day water park admission perk tied to the campaign are ending with the seasonal offering.

What we know

What’s not confirmed

Disney has not confirmed in the reported coverage whether surprise Character Caravan visits will continue on any predictable schedule after September 8. The reported expectation is that surprise character stops may still happen at Disney World hotels, but the scheduled daily appearances at the four Cool KIDS’ SUMMER resorts are ending.

Disney also has not announced the specific limited-time menu for The Diamond Horseshoe pop-up restaurant in the reported details available. The coverage says a pop-up restaurant experience is coming October 4, but not what will be served.

What it means for your trip

If you have young kids and will be at Disney World before September 8, treat the character offerings as now-or-skip-it extras, not anchor plans. Jessie’s Roundup and GoofyCore are the better targets if you are already inside Magic Kingdom or EPCOT; do not burn a strong ride window crossing the park just for them.

If you are staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, or Port Orleans Riverside before September 8, check the resort’s posted schedule early in the day. These scheduled lobby appearances were the real perk because they could mean shorter lines than in-park character meets.

For October 4 and after, The Diamond Horseshoe becomes the thing to watch. If the pop-up restaurant matters to your group, use SupaPark’s dining Drop Watch once availability is live so you can catch openings, then book in My Disney Experience.

Go deeper — the full guides: Sunshine Seasons: Where to Actually Sit in The Land · Where to Sit at Garden Grill for the Ultimate Living with the Land View · How to Get a Quiet Table at EPCOT’s Le Cellier Steakhouse

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

Go deeper: the full guides