All eyes are on Walt Disney World this summer season, with the debut of a number of reimagined rides and enhanced points of interest, plus new and returning leisure for Cool Children’ Summer season. Not eager to be overlooked of the enjoyable, Disneyland simply launched Children Rule Summer season, which has its personal slate of choices together with the 15 new or returning additions mentioned right here.
Truthfully, I hadn’t even heard of Children Rule Summer season till a few weeks in the past. Even then, it was within the context of New Pin Buying and selling Guidelines Eradicating Designated Buying and selling Spot at Disneyland. That announcement casually talked about the devoted spot was disappearing in favor of kids-only pin buying and selling space as a part of the Children Rule Summer season particular occasion.
I’m not contending that Disney made up Children Rule Summer season on the spot as a pretense for eliminating pin buying and selling, however on the similar time, I can discover no proof on the contrary. (And that may be the funniest clarification.) Extra doubtless, Disneyland noticed Cool Children’ Summer season at Walt Disney World as getting all the eye, developed jealous sibling syndrome, and began throwing collectively their very own model of the occasion a number of weeks in the past.
Clearly, that’s not what occurred. Disney can’t do something within the span of some weeks, even issues that look like they have been thrown collectively shortly. I’m positive this went by way of numerous conferences, and has been slowly grinding its approach by way of the company forms for months. Perhaps years. However I digress.Â
Nevertheless Children Rule Summer season got here collectively, it gives a quietly formidable summer season slate. A number of of those additions will sneakily enhance the crowd-absorbing capability of the parks, and simply in time for the lull in crowds following the top of the aggressive California resident ticket deal!
Current Leisure Continues for Children Rule Summer season
The additions for Children Rule Summer season are on prime of every part else that began at Disneyland pre-summer, together with the hugely-popular Bluey’s Finest Day Ever on the Fantasyland Theater, timeline reset of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hyperspace Mountain, DCA twenty fifth Anniversary choices, and extra.
Most notable is the finale of the Disneyland seventieth Anniversary celebration, which concludes on August 9, 2026. It will doubtless be your final likelihood to get pleasure from Paint the Night time parade, Wondrous Journeys fireworks, and World of Colour – Happiness for some time, as all are more likely to go within the Disney Vault and never return (with regularity) for an additional few years.
Let’s dig into the brand new and returning additions for Children Rule Summer season 2026 at Disneyland Resort…
New Mando Mission on Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run
A brand new mission with The Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has debuted in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. Be a part of Din Djarin, the mysterious Mandalorian bounty hunter, and his youngling Grogu as they observe down elusive ex-Imperial officers all through the galaxy.
Roughly seven years after the attraction initially opened, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run now permits friends to manage the long-lasting hunk of junk like by no means earlier than. One spotlight of this can be a new gameplay addition that permits the engineer positions to look after and talk with Child Yoda through the mission. (There’s even a brand new secret Grogu Mode!)
The mission departs Batuu certain for Tatooine, and for the primary time, the crew is in command of their vacation spot after leaving Tatooine. Visitors will select amongst adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Demise Star round Endor, or the bustling city-planet, Coruscant. Learn our Evaluation: New Child Yoda & Mandalorian Mission Makes Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Value Re-Using!
“The Curious Youngster” in Galaxy’s Edge
For a restricted time, have fun the discharge of the movie by catching Grogu as he checks his energy to recall fond reminiscences of his adventures with The Mandalorian in “The Curious Youngster” taking part in after “Shadows of Reminiscence: A Skywalker Saga.”
These nightly beautiful projection results rework the spires of Batuu close to the Millennium Falcon, taking you on a storytelling journey throughout the galaxy. In case you don’t need to courageous the crowds of Major Road, this may also be a stress-free summer season fireworks viewing location.
BDX Droids Are Again, Child (Yoda)!
In Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, you could spot some acquainted droids making their function movie debut. In celebration of that film, BDX droids have made their return to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, discovering a house at Black Spire Station and making appearances in an entire new approach.
Playful and curious, these droids-in-training are studying on the job, taking over new challenges, and having a little bit of enjoyable as they workforce up and showcase their distinctive and lovable personalities.
Youngling Saber Constructing Expo – A Loth-Cat Crew Expertise
For a restricted time, younger friends and their households visiting Black Spire Outpost are invited to Savi’s Workshop for a free expertise within the historical artwork of constructing a lightsaber with the Youngling Saber Constructing Expo – A Loth-Cat Crew Expertise.
Throughout this youngling-oriented expertise (beneficial for guests ages 3-9, who have to be accompanied by an grownup), youngsters and people who are youngsters at coronary heart can benefit from the enjoyable of collaborating in a lightsaber-building journey and changing into the latest members of the Loth-Cat Crew as capability permits every day.
Youngling Saber Constructing Expo – A Loth-Cat Crew Expertise gives walk-up availability (topic to capability) every day from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please notice that the reservable paid expertise for Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers will stay out there every day from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM. See Is Star Wars Land’s $250+ Lightsaber Value It? for a assessment of the total expertise.
This providing is an interactive expertise solely, and a lightsaber will not be included with participation. Guests could have the choice to buy their lightsaber on the finish of the expertise. Buy worth is $249.99 per lightsaber, plus tax. Customized lightsabers should not eligible for reductions and as soon as bought are nonrefundable. Carrying case included.
Given that you simply don’t get the lightsaber except you shell out $250 (intelligent transfer on Disney’s half!), it’s not fairly correct to say that this can be a $250 expertise being supplied to households free of charge. In spite of everything, that lightsaber is what usually makes the traditional model so costly.
Nevertheless, should you learn our assessment, you’ll study that a big chunk of the worth is the expertise itself and never the top product. It’s such a memorable and distinctive providing, and though the ensuing lightsaber is sort of good, it’s not $250 good. That’s not why most followers are doing Savi’s Workshop. It’s for the larger image expertise. You may get good lightsabers for $100 or much less.
We love that Disney is doing this and absolutely intend upon taking our daughter to Youngling Saber Constructing Expo – A Loth-Cat Crew Expertise, in all probability a number of occasions this summer season if the crowds aren’t too insane. However I can also’t assist however surprise why they don’t simply deliver again Jedi Coaching Academy?
Perhaps this can be a precursor to that, and a full expertise will launch elsewhere in Batuu or Tomorrowland. Both approach, that is superior and our #1 addition for Children Rule Summer season. Kudos to Disney for opening this up as a free kid-friendly expertise!
Pixar Quick Movie Highlight
Tomorrowland Theater or the Magic Eye Theater was final house to Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. That was again in 2020. Previous to that, the venue performed completely different film previews and Captain EO that includes Michael Jackson. Because the parks reopened in 2021, the theater has sat empty and unused.
That lastly modifications for Children Rule Summer season. For this limited-time occasion, Pixar Quick Movie Highlight now runs every day from 11 a.m. to six p.m. One presentation runs for 18 minutes and contains three brief movies: Lou (2017), Smash and Seize (2019), and Luxo Jr. (1986). Disney warns friends that the “movement image journey” contains loud noises and music, and might be scary for younger youngsters.
Pixar Quick Movie Highlight is nothing particular. It’s much like a brief movie competition that has taken over the Magic Eye Theater and former house to Captain EO at EPCOT, in addition to a earlier presentation throughout Pixar Fest. In the event that they have been going to revive this area, I’m barely stunned they didn’t capitalize on the renewed curiosity and enthusiasm for Michael Jackson this summer season, however can even perceive why they didn’t.
Regardless, this helps take in crowds and provides friends one other low-stakes air-conditioned area to beat the summer season warmth. It’s a minor-but-meaningful win for park operations and friends, even when it’s not one thing deserving of excessive reward. We’ll take it!
Dance Events in Each Parks
Children can spot characters and get the wiggles out through the “Disney Associates Dance Celebration,” a brand new night leisure providing on the Disney Theater in California Journey, for a restricted time. The theater will proceed to function “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Reside!” through the daytime.
“Sew’s Interplanetary Seashore Celebration Blast” returns to Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland for a restricted time. Sew and a few of his pals throw an area journey stuffed together with his favourite tunes and dance strikes.
Disneyland hasn’t introduced finish dates for these dance events, however our expectation is that they’ll wind down round Labor Day, if not earlier. In spite of everything, Halloween Time at Disneyland begins in August this 12 months!
Mickey’s Park Rangers & Extra Scavenger Hunts
Free exercise booklets provide self-guided video games that households can do collectively can be found at each Disneyland and California Journey. The latest of those is the Mickey’s Park Rangers exercise guide, out there from choose retail outlets on the west aspect of Disneyland (largely New Orleans Sq.). The booklet might be stamped for every part you full and redeemed for a souvenir sticker.
You may as well decide up Bina’s Information to the Creatures of Batuu from the Creature Stall at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. For a restricted time, get pleasure from Mabel’s Search & Discover, a playful wilderness journey, at Redwood Creek Problem Path in Disney California Journey.
These scavenger hunts are nice actions to maintain youngsters busy with out ready in lengthy traces or doing points of interest. We’re massive followers, and think about this one other technique of retaining friends occupied and including capability.
Soarin’ Throughout America Debuts at Disneyland
In celebration of America’s 250th  anniversary, Soarin’ is receiving an all-new airborne journey throughout the U.S. starting July 2, 2026. Aboard Soarin’ Throughout America, you’ll glide above a number of the nation’s pure magnificence and iconic cityscapes.
The flip aspect of that is that Soarin’ Over California will likely be grounded on the finish of June 2026. As mentioned in our Good, Dangerous & Ugly Journey Evaluation: Soarin’ Throughout America is a Distinctly Patriotic Salute to One Nation. It’s additionally solidly the second-best Soarin. (Guess which one is #1?!)
“A Stroll in Walt’s Footsteps” Guided Tour Returns
Expertise the reimagining of the fan-favorite “A Stroll in Walt’s Footsteps” guided tour, which debuts on August 14, 2026 for a further price. (We’re not counting this in the direction of our listing of summer season additions because it’s paid and doesn’t start till summer season is almost over, however I’m undecided when or the place else we’d point out it.)
On this two-hour guided tour, which now features a tour begin in Disney California Journey, you’ll be immersed in charming tales about Walt Disney’s legacy, get pleasure from iconic points of interest, and get uncommon entry to Walt’s non-public condominium, situated above the Firehouse on Major Road, U.S.A., in Disneyland.
Summer season Enjoyable on the Accommodations of Disneyland Resort
The three Accommodations of the Disneyland Resort will provide limited-time summer season actions for in a single day friends. Included with a keep, these choices make for a enjoyable break from the parks or a day devoted to having fun with lodge facilities.
Disneyland Lodge, Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa, and Pixar Place Lodge will every host summer season pool events on choose days starting July 2, 2026 by way of Labor Day weekend. Twice weekly, energetic pool squad forged members will likely be on deck to play video games and jam out to high-energy music. Characters will even cease by to hitch within the enjoyable.
On choose nights from June by way of September 2026, Pixar Place Lodge and Disneyland Lodge will provide out of doors film nights underneath the celebrities.
Put your paws within the air throughout “Dug’s Dance Celebration!” on the Pixar Place Lodge rooftop garden, Friday evenings starting in June by way of August. Unleash your finest dance strikes with the lovable pup from Disney and Pixar’s Up.
Extra lodge visitor actions embrace making friendship bracelets, washcloth creations, and Study to Draw lessons. For extra info and schedules, contact the lodge entrance desk throughout your keep.
Sounds Like Summer season Concert events
Returning to Downtown Disney is “Disney On the Yard Presents Yardfest,” with energetic drum main performances that includes Main Mickey Mouse. The occasion is the kickoff to “Have a good time Soulfully: Summer season Vibes,” a limited-time celebration starting June 19 by way of July 19, 2026.
Take pleasure in Summer season Vibes Concert events within the Park on choose days on the Paradise Backyard Bandstand in DCA, presenting reside acts throughout quite a lot of genres together with High 40, Jazz, Caribbean, Zydeco, and extra. On Fridays and Saturdays, Paradise Gardens will function particular character greeting alternatives and reside selection acts.
Pop on over to the bubbling Bubbles Expertise at Downtown Disney, every single day from July 10 by way of August 16, 2026. Bubbles will fill the air across the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and garden at choose occasions within the afternoons and evenings, accompanied by a enjoyable photograph alternative.
$50 Children’ Summer season Ticket Deal
The Children’ Summer season 2026 Ticket Deal is healthier this 12 months than final, now providing the identical worth for Park Hoppers or base tickets. That means you possibly can improve to the Park Hopper possibility free of charge, which was beforehand a surcharge the final two years. It’s really a intelligent transfer on Disney’s half, since dad and mom must pay further if they need Park Hopping privileges on the grownup tickets.
The $50 Children’ Summer season Ticket is a extremely whole lot, amounting to a reduction of as a lot as $150 to $369 off multi-day tickets (relying upon period and the extras you buy, or don’t). That latter quantity will not be a typo–it can save you as a lot as $369 off a 3-day ticket.
The tip result’s going to be an inflow of households into Disneyland Resort this summer season, and the free Park Hopping means they’re going to go to each parks, as a substitute of staying within the extra kid-friendly Disneyland.
It’s additionally value noting that Disneyland Has a Report Variety of Lowest Priced $104 Ticket Days in 2026, and that features a handful of dates in early June. Sadly, July and August don’t have any $104 dates. Nevertheless, we expect one other ticket deal to launch quickly, so keep tuned!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for Children Rule Summer season at Disneyland? Had you even heard of this summer season particular occasion earlier than final week? Does this transfer the needle for you on a go to to DLR within the subsequent few months? Or are you awaiting a ticket deal for adults, Halloween Time, or one thing else earlier than your subsequent go to? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
