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

[Mr. Sullivan]

You guys are going really overboard for things that are aimed at two, three, an four-year-olds.

If the people that this is aimed at are having a good time then what does it matter? Are the parks not meant to be a place for people to go to have some fun? If the little kids are having fun, what is there to complain about?

You all have spent years talking about how you wish there was more for little kids to do. I’m realizing that you don’t actually want that, you want your version of what you think little kids like to do. The reality is what little kids want to do is meet and play with characters and do these little games. That’s what they want. That’s what kids wanted when I was a kid that’s what kids want now.

You’re asking for these big refined activities when that’s really not necessary. Sometimes it’s OK to just be a little simple. If anything, Disney could stand relearn simplicity.

I’ve always known there’s a handful of you around here who refuse to think rationally when it comes to the parks anymore, but this event has shown it more than pretty much anything.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

You guys are going really overboard for things that are aimed at two, three, an four-year-olds.

If the people that this is aimed at are having a good time then what does it matter? Are the parks not meant to be a place for people to go to have some fun? If the little kids are having fun, what is there to complain about?

You all have spent years talking about how you wish there was more for little kids to do. I’m realizing that you don’t actually want that, you want your version of what you think little kids like to do. The reality is what little kids want to do is meet and play with characters and do these little games. That’s what they want. That’s what kids wanted when I was a kid that’s what kids want now.

You’re asking for these big refined activities when that’s really not necessary. Sometimes it’s OK to just be a little simple. If anything, Disney could stand relearn simplicity.

I’ve always known there’s a handful of you around here who refuse to think rationally when it comes to the parks anymore, but this event has shown it more than pretty much anything.

This is 100% true. I can’t even begin to calculate how many Disney hours we’ve spent in the Dumbo play area, the Boneyard and even that tiny play area near Mission Space Kids need time during the day to just run around and play.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

A big thing too is it is the games with Goofy, not just by themselves. Or the other events/parties are with other characters. Definitely will create some core memories for young kids and their parents

I still fondly recall when my kids were younger and in the boneyard and Pluto came up to them and took them all around on a bone hunt

 

[Andrew C]

You guys are going really overboard for things that are aimed at two, three, an four-year-olds.

Just opinions.

If the people that this is aimed at are having a good time then what does it matter?

We know they could do better. Not just base.

You all have spent years talking about how you wish there was more for little kids to do. I’m realizing that you don’t actually want that,

I am not sure if that has been a big thing around here. But having things for little things is different than having really good things for little kids.

You’re asking for these big refined activities when that’s really not necessary. Sometimes it’s OK to just be a little simple. If anything, Disney could stand relearn simplicity.

I am asking for things beyond jumping up and down. A little creativity....

 

[JD80]

This is 100% true. I can’t even begin to calculate how many Disney hours we’ve spent in the Dumbo play area, the Boneyard and even that tiny play area near Mission Space Kids need time during the day to just run around and play.

My kids would riot if we pulled them out of the Dumbo play area after 30-40m.

 

[celluloid]

The moment Disney World had to market that this summer had things to do for the families with young kids demographic, you know they are finding challenges.

 

[JD80]

The moment Disney World had to market that this summer had things to do for the young kid demographic, you know they are finding challenges.

So Disney World should stop marketing it's parks?

 

[celluloid]

So Disney World should stop marketing it's parks?

No, WDW should be producing marketable things, particularly to their target demo.

 

[JD80]

No, WDW should be producing marketable things, particularly to their target demo.

No one is going to argue that WDW fell way behind in investing in the parks. But even if there were a new attraction opening in the winter or one had opened in the spring - they would still be marketing Cool Kid Summers, a new parade, a pirates lounge and an updated Test Track for this year.

 

[celluloid]

No one is going to argue that WDW fell way behind in investing in the parks. But even if there were a new attraction opening in the winter or one had opened in the spring - they would still be marketing Cool Kid Summers, a new parade, a pirates lounge and an updated Test Track for this year.

Yes. Again, marketing is not to blame.

Hiring entertaiment in parks that should not have ever been cut.

And the target.of the ad is mid demographical with these activities.

Test Track and Parade come later into all this when Food and Wine and promotions will be the focus.

The campaign itself is fine, what it is, is telling.

 

[Comped]

I just realized there's no merch to go with this marketing campaign/event... Weird. Probably would have bought a pin for it.

 

[celluloid]

I just realized there's no merch to go with this marketing campaign/event... Weird. Probably would have bought a pin for it.

It was incredibly rushed and minor in budget. This is why so much of it is also just flash animation instead of much filmed.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I just realized there's no merch to go with this marketing campaign/event... Weird. Probably would have bought a pin for it.

I mean, it's a short promotion aimed at 3 to 9 year-olds. They probably didn't think there would be much of a market for merchandise.

 

[Pix E. Dust]

I mean, it's a short promotion aimed at 3 to 9 year-olds. They probably didn't think there would be much of a market for merchandise.

There is always a market for merchandise.

 

[celluloid]

And it is a market to adults to bring 3-9 year olds. Just to make that clear.

Something Disney should not really be struggling with durring the peak weeks of Summer vacation.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

And it is a market to adults to bring 3-9 year olds. Just to make that clear.

Something Disney should not really be struggling with durring the peak weeks of Summer vacation.

Sure, they obviously want the parents to bring the kids and pay for the vacations.

I'm not sure it's that unusual that parents of kids that age may need a little extra convincing to vacation at WDW during the summer. It probably is a response to an issue they have with attracting that demographic as I guess they wouldn't do it otherwise. Still, I don't know it screams desperation in and of itself. Presumably every promotion is aimed at attraction some group or groups of visitors.

 

[celluloid]

Sure, they obviously want the parents to bring the kids and pay for the vacations.

I'm not sure it's that unusual that parents of kids that age may need a little extra convincing to vacation at WDW during the summer. It probably is a response to an issue they have with attracting that demographic as I guess they wouldn't do it otherwise. Still, I don't know it screams desperation in and of itself. Presumably every promotion is aimed at attraction some group or groups of visitors.

If DISNEY WORLD's harder group right now to cater to are families with kids during summer break, that is something to pay attention to.

The sky is not falling, but they need the demo more.

 

[JD80]

Summer is the new slow season. They have to market it more.

 

[celluloid]

Summer is the new slow season. They have to market it more.

Summer is spread out compared to the holidays, but not the new slow season more than it is at any other park, and they are doing more and able to market more to do.

Jugglers and parachute game with Goofy is not going to attract attention to the spread of the season more than Walt Disney World already being Walt Disney World without admitting there is a value issue for the demographic.

Marketing are doing the best they can.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Remember when marketing created incredible, creative commercials for the parks, like for the 25th? I know, I’m just stuck in the past. Can’t expect things like that anymore. Gotta get with the times. Yadda yadda yadda.