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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Walt Disney World's ‘Cool Kid Summer' Event Is a Vacation Dream for Worn Out Parents
When Walt Disney World invited my family and me down for the kickoff of its new 'Cool Kid Summer' event, I assumed it would be an amazing experience for my son. He turns four in a couple months. A slew of special new dance parties, character appearances, kid zones, play spaces, and interactive activities promised to add even more extra magic to his first Disney vacation. No surprise, I assumed correctly. What I didn't anticipate was that while 'Cool Kid Summer' is geared towards young guests, it's secretly an event designed for older ones like me. Specifically it's the perfect way for worn out, overheated parents to get some much needed rest while their children still get to have a ton of fun. Walt Disney World's 'Cool Kid Summer' officially began on May 27. It will run through September 1. The promotion includes new activations in each of the four parks. There are also extra perks for guests staying in Disney resorts. Andthe part that will make adults with checking accounts especially happy even before they arriveit offers ways to save some money. That includes 50% off 3-days or longer tickets for kids ages 3-9 through September 20. (Older guests can also grab 3-Day, 3-Park tickets starting at just $89 per day until September 22. That gets you admission to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.) Of course, the real magic begins when you're actually in the parks. And as an excited dad who dreamt about taking his kid to Walt Disney World for the first time, I now truly understand the parks are also where the real exhaustion kicks in. Mine started before Cool Kid Summer even began. My wife and I opted to arrive a few days early. We wanted Alexander could get acclimated to Disney at his own speed. Turns out that speed involved no longer taking naps and staying up way past bedtime to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Before our first park day we also took advantage of one of Disney's best new bonuses in 2025. On-property resort guests get free admission to one of its two water parks on check-in day. We chose Blizzard Beach and had an absolute blast. We only wish we'd had even more time there. While I don't regret anything we did at the nearly perfect start of our trip, it did come at a cost. It was very hot and humid during our entire stay. It didn't take long for over-stimulation, a lack of sleep, and the heat to take a toll on both Alexander and us quickly. So while the first two days went really well, halfway into day three and then into the start of day four just say a little less well. It was a rollercoaster of fun and mini meltdowns. It was something I hadn't really experienced as a parent and it caught me off guard. (I can feel some of my fellow adults nodding through their screen right now.) By the time we arrived at Hollywood Studios for our first formal Disney event that fourth night, I wasn't sure how he would handle it. Alexander knew we were there for 'dada's job' and that was important. But logic didn't guarantee he would overcome his atypical crankiness. Fortunately the park's two new live-shows took care of any of my concerns. We got to see both The Little Mermaid A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. He was absolutely captivated by both shows, which are now officially open. He loves The Little Mermaid as well as all three movies starring Unfairly Ever After's main villains: Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent. Seeing all of them live on stage turned him back into his normal joyful self. At the dinner held after he spent the whole time running around with his new Ariel bubble wand as cast members dubbed him 'Alex with the Bubbles.' My wife and I also really loved both shows. We also loved that they both take place inside air-conditioned theaters. Theaters with chairs. And did I mention the air-conditioning? The theaters with chairs had air conditioning. Considering I was more an exhausted collection of sweat than man at that point, it was exactly what I needed. More importantly, it was definitely what Alexander needed. Cooling off and resting while watching mini Broadway-quality shows couldn't have come at a better time. It restored our energy and our spirits. What had been, at times, a tough daythe kind every parent with young kids experiences at Disney at some pointended on a pretty amazing note. Even better was that we didn't really have many tough moments the rest of the trip. That certainly didn't seem inevitable the next morning. Our group headed to EPCOT bright and early, a risky proposition for my little creature of habit who was without one for the first time in his life. But while Alexander was a little grumpy when we arrived that didn't last. 'Cool Kid Summer' has turned EPCOT's CommuniCore into GoofyCore. And that turned my little guy into a happy little dance machine. Click To View Gallery The activation, like many of the event's other parties this summer, is a free-flowing experience. At GoofyCore kids get to dance with Goofy and his highly-enthusiastic Goof Troop team. They also play games like Loopy Limbo and Parachutes 'n' Pipsqueaks. What's especially great is that unlike most shows at Disney, these don't follow set schedules. Kids can come and go as they please whenever they like/need. And GoofyCore completely won over my son. Tired, hungry, and shyer than I'd ever seen from a gregarious kid who thinks every stranger is a new best friend he hasn't met yet, Alexander just wanted to quietly sit on my lap and watch from the sidelines at first. Five minutes later and he was in the middle of the party having the time of his life. That was not only because of the venue, but because of some very special cast members. The Goof Troop squad somehow manages to keep dozens and dozens of kids entertained and involved during what can only be described as organized chaos. It was genuinely incredible to see. And while they were keeping Alexander (and my wife who was also dancing it up) safely engaged, I got to rest. With a soft bench and air conditioning. It was quite literally the best of both dad worlds during a Disney vacation. He was having a blast and I didn't have to do anything but enjoy watching him. But even the 'Cool Kid Summer' activations that lack AC offer extra bonuses that can make a good day even better for both parents and kids alike at Disney. Like when we came across Stitch throwing his own outdoor Galactic Bash dance party at Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. That added a whole new excitement and kinetic energy to our visit. That simple encounter was more important than I would have ever guessed. During this vacation I learned that kind of unexpected jolt is often exactly what you need during a long, hot day of fun. The more you do the less sleep you get. Obviously. And Orlando summer heat is no joke. So no surprise the better the time you have the faster your energy drains. Anything that increases it is a boon, which is really what 'Cool Kid Summer' is for everyone. Your energy also drains faster than you expect because there's a lot of internal pressure as a parent to try to make the most out of an expensive trip. Even more because you're doing everything you can to make sure your kid is always having fun. These trips are supposed to be special, you know? But maxing out your fun is simply impossible to do all day every day because doing so leads to burn out. For kids and adults. That's especially true during a long trip like ours, as we also extended our stay after our time with Disney ended. But that otherwise unreachable goal felt a lot more attainable with 'Cool Kid Summer.' Obviously there's already a ton to do in these parks (and we did a whole lot of it!). But it's still exciting to randomly see Up's Dug and Russell at Animal Kingdom when you aren't expecting to. Just as it will help to run into Phineas and Ferb at EPCOT, circus performers throwing their own party at Big Top Bash at Magic Kingdom's Storybook Circus, and Mickey Mouse and Disney Junior friends dancing at Hollywood Studio's Animation Courtyard. And that's not even everything you and your kid can do, or every special character you can can meet, during 'Cool Kid Summer.' Just a few of the others include how your child can also earn a limited-timed Wilderness Explorers badge by completing a series of nature-themed challenges around Animal Kingdom. Certain hotels also have extra character appearances the next few months. And each park has a special booklet with a map that lists of all the available events for this promo. My guy loved using them them even if he barely understood what he was looking at. Click To View Gallery Those booklets don't mention the big secret that will make your family's vacation so much better. Because while this event might be marketed for youngsters, it's really for tired, sweaty parents. It's for grownups who want nothing more than to make sure their own Alexanders are having the time of their life. And this summer they are getting some extra help in making that happen. But in fairness to Walt Disney World, I understand why they aren't mentioning that in their marketing. 'Cooling Off Worn Out Parents Summer' isn't nearly as catchy. You can find a full rundown of all of 'Cool Kid Summer's' events, perks, and deals at the Walt Disney World blog. Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He spent nine days explaining in great detail the story of every attraction to his inquisitive son who insisted on answers. (Tip: Say 'Disney magic' when you're stuck on the 'how.') You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Woman makes incredible find in thrift store and is told to sell it for £1m
A bargain hunter has been urged to insure her finds after stumbling upon two incredible pieces of 1980s Hollywood movie memorabilia in an American thrift store An American woman has been urged to cash in on her thrift store find after she unknowingly uncovered a stunning piece of personalised Oscars memorabilia. Self-confessed Star Wars nerd, Libbers, said she was hunting for action figures based on the space saga when she made her startling discovery. Taking to TikTok in excitement, she explained: "I found some action figures and a Jurassic Park VHS tape which I thought was super cool, and then I saw a China cabinet containing things I didn't think were for sale because inside of it was a whole bunch of Muppets memorabilia that looked like it came from a producer." After gaining permission to look in the cabinet, Libbers pulled out the programme for the 1980 Academy Awards where The Muppet Movie had received two nominations. Libbers continued: "Inside was a letter to [Muppets creator] Jim Henson, [puppeteer and filmmaker] Frank Oz and [executive producer] David Lazer as well as a note wishing David good luck." However, she wasn't done there as she went on to detail "the more impressive of the two" purchases she made. WARNING – explicit language in TikTok video below, viewer discretion advised She then showcased an original script of The Dark Crystal, a 1982 dark fantasy film directed by both Henson and Oz. "This is the fourth draft so not everything in here is even in the movie, which is insane to me," Libbers noted. "I'm trying so hard not to scream and jump up and down." Opening the original script, Libbers noted that it had been signed and dated by Lazer, who was the producer. "This is actually crazy," she said. "This is going to be my prized possession - I will have to put it on display. My Muppet-loving heart is going crazy." Libbers wasn't done there, however, as she went on to detail the "best part" of her find. "I got it for free," she exclaimed. "My mum had just bout $80 [£59] worth of stuff from the thrift shop and I was going to pay $40 [£29.50]. But after I bought the action figures and the VHS, the lady said, 'Don't worry about it - you're good'." She closed: "I am ecstatic right now! This is crazy. It's The Dark Crystal. Like The Dark Crystal." Libbers clip soon went viral, with amazed TikTok users quick to offer her advice on her relic. "Please get a lawyer if anyone tries to contact you, like for real… do not accept any offer if it's under 1 million," one person advised. A second hailed: "Jealousy is not even a strong enough word. Also as a 45 year old it makes me happy when younger people still love Muppets and The Dark Crystal." A third individual urged: "Disney is closing Jim Henson's final legacy piece in Hollywood Studios, you better not sell it to them." A fourth recommended: "I'm sure you're on it already, but get them appraised and insured." Whilst a fifth TikTok user said: "I would actually start sobbing if I was in your position. The Dark Crystal means so much to me. it's one of my favourite movies as a kid and one of the reasons why I make puppets today. I'm so glad that it's in hands that will cherish and take care of it." In response to several queries, meanwhile, Libbers returned to the comments section to clarify: "For everyone wondering, it was just a regular local thrift store, not a specialty one. David Lazer the producer of The Dark Crystal happened to live in my town upon his passing and the thrift store some how ended up with some of his belongings."
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Disney without the crowds? Teens thinking their parents are (kinda) cool? Yes, there is such a place.
Now imagine that Disney experience wrapped up in three hours, a brief window to take in as many rides as most people do all day. This land exists — it's called Advertisement On select nights in Florida, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Disney holds a special event at one park when only people with a special wristband can board rides at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios. You can officially enter at 7 p.m., but the perks begin later. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up I did this recently with my two teenage kids in Florida. between $155 and $185, a tad more than a normal day ticket (prices vary by park and date). But the nighttime alternative is good bang for your buck. Consider our experience with Disney's hot, newish Advertisement Around 8:30 p.m., when the park was still open for regular ticket holders, my kids and I saw the mass of humanity lined up and said no, thank you. When we came back at 11 p.m., we zipped through in minutes. The ride is way cooler at night, by the way. The parks and attractions, including EPCOT's Spaceship Earth, look cool in the dark. Jason Margolis Another night, we hit EPCOT and the indoor roller coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which opened in 2022. On a normal day, you can either wait up to a whopping two hours or pay about $20 for a Lighting Lane Single Pass, which reserves you a spot. (More on that process in a bit.) During After Hours, we practically walked on, then hopped back in the queue for a second go. Side note for roller coaster enthusiasts: My kids and I agreed that Guardians is hands down the coolest ride we've ever done. The train zips through the dark as a different disco or '80s pop song propels you along, a nice touch to make each time a bit different. I won't spoil the big surprise, but the ride has an unexpected twist, which blew our minds. The special bracelets that got us on the Disney After Hours rides. Jason Margolis Overall, the longest we waited at night was about 20 minutes for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, still much quicker than during the day. Here's another small bonus of Disney After Hours: carts hand out unlimited popcorn, sodas and water, and ice cream bars, all for no charge. For a teenager, or anyone for that matter, is there anything better than free food? Advertisement Now, Disney After Hours is not for everyone. Most people there were young adults without kids, with some families sprinkled in the mix. Parents with young children, this event is not for you. Or people who like to soak in the entire Disney vibe, I'd stick to the daytime. After dark, there are no shows, no parades, and very few places to eat or shop. Character sightings are sparse — we only spotted Pluto. Disney After Hours events give guests three hours – after hours – to explore one of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the new TRON Lightcycle / Run. Steven Diaz/Steven Diaz, Photographer Also, it's a rather late night. In one of my less-than-stellar parenting moves, when my 13-year-old daughter was just plain tuckered out and it wasn't even close to midnight, I gave her a 20-ounce Coke and some popcorn so my 16-year-old son and I could keep the good times rolling. (But hey, it was free!) And she POWERED through the rest of the night. I also think my kids may have thought I was bordering on cool for just a brief moment as I obliterated all the rules. (My wife was stuck back in Boston preserving her vacation time, so all good there.) Further, my kids loved the perfect teenage schedule: sleep in as late as possible, hit the pool for a few hours, then slowly make our way to the parks by 7 p.m. There was plenty to fill our days as well — Disney has lots to do outside the parks, from riding canoes or horses, taking a boat tour of the themed hotels, strolling 'Disney's Boardwalk' and playing games of chance, or just shooting some free billiards at a hotel. My daughter and I also took a cake-decorating class at the Disney Springs shopping area one day while killing a few hours. Advertisement Now, going back to that Lightning Lane, an After Hours ticket isn't entirely necessary to cut down on wait times if you're well prepared. Disney has its ride reservation system down to a science, and you can put in for up to five attractions in advance: three on a multi-pass and two additional single passes for bigger attractions. When we went to the parks during the daytime, I had my morning laid out a week in advance, including passes for TRON and Guardians. And when Disney says Lightning Lane, they mean it — we never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a ride. But reserving those rides tacks on another $60 or so per person; pretty quickly that late-night ticket starts looking like a sweet deal. Also, the Lightning Lane can only be used for a specific ride once, unless you're willing to purchase an unlimited 'premier pass,' which can run north of $400 per person at Magic Kingdom, a bridge too far for me. With the regular Lightning Lane, once you check in for a ride, you can immediately select a new one on Disney's app. It's a fun system to navigate, but the ride choices become slim pickings as the day goes on. You also quickly become even more tethered to your phone than usual. During the After Hours event, you just go where you want, when you want. After arriving at a park around 7 p.m., we'd hop on a few of the smaller rides with short lines, grab a nice sit-down meal in the park, then wait impatiently for the clock to strike 10 p.m. From that moment on, we were all focus. Advertisement The author's son and daughter headed toward the last ride of their late-night adventure. Jason Margolis Our last night, as the hour approached 1 a.m, we decided to make our last ride When we got off the ride, we realized it was only 12:57 a.m., and we still had three minutes of fun to go. (Also, my daughter needed to burn off the caffeine somehow.) So we ran through the exit, did a U-turn into the entrance, and were back on our rat-shaped vehicle for one more spin with a solid minute to spare. Jason Margolis can be reached at
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disney World fans say goodbye to 34-year-old show
The Jim Henson-created show has been a nostalgic staple for parkgoers since 1991, offering a quirky mix of 3D visuals and classic Muppet humor. Its closure marks the end of an era — and fans are already feeling the loss. Disney enthusiasts were heartbroken last year after the Florida park first announced the 34-year-old attraction would be gone. Now that its upcoming closure is just weeks away, fans are still disappointed and getting their last visits in before the curtains close. 'Yesterday was my final time seeing Muppet Vision 3D before it closes on June 7th,' an X user wrote last week. 'I have lost a lot of attractions I like, but you have always been my favorite, and you will be terribly missed.' 'Was at Hollywood Studios all day as I tried to soak up all the Muppety goodness that I could before Muppet Vision 3D gets torn down,' a heartbroken fan admitted. Henson and Disney began working on Muppet Vision 3D in 1989 after announcing a plan for Disney to acquire Henson Associates and the Muppet characters. However, the acquisition plans were abruptly halted after Henson died in 1990. The 3D project's creation continued on and opened on the one year anniversary of Henson's death. The movie is the last to be directed by Henson and features his voice as Kermit the Frog. In the years since the debut, each viewing has attracted hundreds of Disney visitors, and the company went on to acquire the Muppets from The Jim Henson Company in 2004. While the 3D show may be ending, Disney will be bringing the Muppets to Hollywood Studio's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The company teased that characters would 'team up with some of music's biggest stars' during the ride to deliver 'a rockin' music festival.' Disney has not confirmed when the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will be revamped, but it will include 'laughter, screams and new tunes.' Disney parks have been hit with a boatload of controversies surrounding its decision to raise ticket prices. They also received backlash after announcing it would remove River of America and Tom Sawyer Island to make way for an attraction inspired by the film Cars . However, fans were excited to learn that it would be building a park section dedicated to antagonists called Villains Land. Construction for the Cars and Villains-themed areas began in Magic Kingdom earlier this year. The Monsters Inc.-themed is a highly talked-about upcoming attraction that will include Disney's first-ever suspended roller coaster. It's also rumored to include a restaurant named Harryhausen's and a Monstro Theater featuring a new Monsters, Inc. show.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disney World fans say goodbye as iconic attraction prepares for final curtain after 34 years
Disney World fans are preparing to say their final goodbyes to Muppet Vision 3D, one of the longest-running shows at Hollywood Studios. The beloved 3D theater experience will take its final bow on June 7, clearing the way for a brand-new Monsters, Inc.-themed land. The Jim Henson-created show has been a nostalgic staple for parkgoers since 1991, offering a quirky mix of 3D visuals and classic Muppet humor. Its closure marks the end of an era — and fans are already feeling the loss. Disney enthusiasts were heartbroken last year after the Florida park first announced the 34-year-old attraction would be gone. Now that its upcoming closure is just weeks away, fans are still disappointed and getting their last visits in before the curtains close. 'Yesterday was my final time seeing Muppet Vision 3D before it closes on June 7th,' an X user wrote last week. 'I have lost a lot of attractions I like, but you have always been my favorite, and you will be terribly missed.' 'Was at Hollywood Studios all day as I tried to soak up all the Muppety goodness that I could before Muppet Vision 3D gets torn down,' a heartbroken fan admitted. Henson and Disney began working on Muppet Vision 3D in 1989 after announcing a plan for Disney to acquire Henson Associates and the Muppet characters. However, the acquisition plans were abruptly halted after Henson died in 1990. The 3D project's creation continued on and opened on the one year anniversary of Henson's death. The movie is the last to be directed by Henson and features his voice as Kermit the Frog. In the years since the debut, each viewing has attracted hundreds of Disney visitors, and the company went on to acquire the Muppets from The Jim Henson Company in 2004. While the 3D show may be ending, Disney will be bringing the Muppets to Hollywood Studio's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The company teased that characters would 'team up with some of music's biggest stars' during the ride to deliver 'a rockin' music festival.' Disney has not confirmed when the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will be revamped, but it will include 'laughter, screams and new tunes.' me after watching muppet*vision 3D for a final time tomorrow — Zach (@TripleZ_87) May 17, 2025 Social media users have continued to share sadness over the show's discontinuation after visiting for 'one last time' The Muppets will soon take over the fan favorite Rock 'n' Roller Coaster ride in Hollywood Studios Disney parks have been hit with a boatload of controversies surrounding its decision to raise ticket prices. They also received backlash after announcing it would remove River of America and Tom Sawyer Island to make way for an attraction inspired by the film Cars. However, fans were excited to learn that it would be building a park section dedicated to antagonists called Villains Land. Construction for the Cars and Villains-themed areas began in Magic Kingdom earlier this year. The Monsters Inc.-themed are is a highly talked-about upcoming attraction that will include Disney's first-ever suspended roller coaster. It's also rumored to include a restaurant named Harryhausen's and a Monstro Theater featuring a new Monsters, Inc. show. Other attractions arriving at Disney Parks include an Encanto river ride, an Indiana Jones attraction, and a Zootopia show. Outside of rides, Disney is busy developing a new park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
