Growing up in Florida, the thrill of driving under that iconic Walt Disney World arch never left me. This summer, I got to experience that magic all over again, but this time through the eyes of my cousins, Asher (9) and Noah (5), on their very first visit to Walt Disney World during the special Cool KIDS’ SUMMER event!
A Warm Welcome at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
First stop: Disney’s Pop Century Resort. We checked in right after the boys spotted the giant “six-seven” display. Of course, we had to snap a photo! This Value Resort was absolutely perfect for us.
We loved the convenient transportation and all the kid-friendly spots to eat and play, just steps from our room. The classic Disney themes, the fun “blast-from-the-past” decor, and the incredibly helpful Cast Members truly made our stay special.
Beyond the usual year-round fun, my cousins were thrilled by the special activities for kids of all ages this summer. Even better, they greeted us with complimentary Cool KIDS’ SUMMER drawstring bags! Who doesn’t love a welcome gift?
Summer Fun: From Water Slides to PJ Parties
Once settled, we immediately took advantage of a fantastic perk: free water park admission on check-in day for Disney Resort hotel guests! We headed straight to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. The boys had an absolute blast, and the free Disney bus transport made getting there super easy.
With their endless energy, the day didn’t stop there. After a quick change back at the hotel, it was time for the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER pajama party – honestly, my favorite Pop Century moment!
While Noah colored and Asher watched a classic Disney movie in the lobby, my aunt and uncle finally got a chance to relax after a long travel day. And the cherry on top? The kids met Mickey Mouse for the very first time, and he was even wearing his pajamas! How adorable is that?
After burning off some energy at the party and enjoying delicious food at Everything Pop! for dinner (that tie-dye cheesecake was a solid 10/10), the boys were ready for bed. Tomorrow, we were finally going to a Disney park!
Park Day 1: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away…
The next morning, we hopped right onto the Disney Skyliner. It whisked us straight from our resort to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. My five-year-old cousin Noah is a huge Star Wars fan, so naturally, we spent most of our day exploring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Asher and Noah bravely tackled all the Star Wars rides, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which now features an exciting new adventure with The Mandalorian and Grogu! This quickly became their favorite, especially because they got to be gunners and interact with the ship. As a big Grogu fan myself, I loved seeing these new additions too!
After Star Tours, the boys had one more Star Wars dream: to build their own lightsabers. A friendly Cast Member at Tattooine Traders helped them create custom lightsabers, perfect souvenirs to remember this incredible day.
It’s All About the Little Things!
You know, kids truly cherish the small moments. Asher and Noah didn’t need a constant stream of big rides to be entertained. Some of our most special memories came from impromptu walk-up shows and simply spotting cool details around the park. Shout out to those ever-present Disney ducks – they’re always a hit!
We wrapped up our visit with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! What an exciting end to the day for two adventurous little boys. The Skyliner ride back to the hotel was full of chatter about all the rides they conquered and the fantastic first park day.
Park Day 2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Our second park day took us to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I had a feeling the kids would adore this park – we’re all big nature lovers. From the moment we walked in, their eyes were wide, and they were ready to become Wilderness Explorers. Yes, you can really become an honorary Wilderness Explorer here! Caw! Caw! Roar!
The Wilderness Must Be Explored!
This free activity offers a unique way to see the park and learn about nature as you go. With helpful tips from Cast Members, the boys eagerly led the way, searching for badge stickers to fill their books. They didn’t finish their books in one day, but collecting over 20 badges each left them absolutely thrilled!
Noah even begged to keep going as we left later that day, before he promptly fell asleep on the bus ride back to the hotel. Looks like we’ll definitely need to come back for more adventures!
Animal Encounters: From the African Savanna to the Australian Outback
Between collecting badges and learning about conservation, we enjoyed several kid-friendly attractions. Kilimanjaro Safaris was a highlight, as was the Feathered Friends in Flight! show. Both experiences offered a wonderful chance to slow down and really soak in the park’s atmosphere together.
Before leaving, we hopped on the train to Conservation Station to earn even more conservation badges.
Asher was determined to find his favorite animal, the gecko, and he succeeded! We also got a first look at the wallabies and kangaroos at Jumping Junction, even spotting a tiny joey peeking from its mother’s pouch! This area, themed with adorable Bluey touches, made for a perfect, air-conditioned spot where the kids could learn and play.
The Magic of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER
From our arrival at Pop Century to our action-packed days in the theme parks, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER added an extra layer of magic to every moment of our weekend. These special summer additions truly create moments of discovery, excitement, and connection that families cherish long after the trip ends.
For Asher, Noah, and the rest of the family, this trip marks just the beginning of their Disney story. And for me, it was a heartwarming reminder of what it feels like to experience that initial Disney magic all over again. Sharing these special moments with the kids in my life is truly why I love these parks so much.
