LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- My almost 5-year-old, Lily, my mom and I sat at a table in Epcot's World ShowPlace Pavilion last week, enjoying the air conditioning, some popcorn and lemonade.
It had been a hot afternoon, and Disney invited us into the event space to preview some of the entertainment offerings for its Cool Kids' Summer promotion.
Then, the siren song of "Bluey" called to my daughter.
The author's daughter hugs Bluey during a preview of "Bluey's Wild World." Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The beginning of the show's iconic theme song, played on a melodica, rang out, and before I knew it, she was smack in the middle of what I can only describe as a preschool mosh pit, dancing and playing "Keepy Uppy" with their idols.
Indeed, Bluey and her sister Bingo have finally made it to Walt Disney World.
To say it was a hit is an understatement. My daughter and her peers absolutely loved spending time with the famed Blue and Red Heelers.
We saw their show at World ShowPlace, but guests had the chance to catch it starting this Tuesday at Disney's Animal Kingdom. "Bluey's Wild World" has taken over Conservation Station, which guests board the Wildlife Express Train to reach, available now via virtual queue.
Back at World ShowPlace, we also saw some of the other entertainment that will be featured during Cool Kids' Summer at "Jessie's Roundup: A Rip-Roarin' Revue" at Magic Kingdom's Diamond Horseshoe as well as "GoofyCore" at Epcot's CommuniCore Hall.
Where a kid can be a kid
The Toy Story characters are always a hit. But "GoofyCore" was a particular standout: My daughter loved the interactive games and dancing it out with other kids and Goofy himself.
I loved that it gave her a place to get out some of "the wiggles," as we call them. It's great to have shows like this where kids can dance and play in a more unstructured way; even on vacation, they need to let loose.
On a side note, I do find it astounding that preschoolers have enough energy to have a dance party in the middle of a Disney Parks day, but that's probably a story for a different publication.
I didn't get any photos or videos of Goofy -- I was too busy joining in on the fun with the parachute, one of the featured games -- but it was just as high-energy and fun as Bluey.
We also had the chance to check out the new "Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!" show at the Animation Courtyard in Disney's Hollywood Studios.
It's another great chance for kids to get up and dance during a show featuring Mickey and friends. A particularly big hit with my daughter were the physical touches: bubbles and "snow" raining down on the audience, and a celebratory shot of streamers into the audience at the end.
I noticed some of the streamers had made their way into the park-like setting outside the show in Animation Courtyard, where toddlers and preschoolers were happily waving them around.
The fact that a grassy park area exists for them, too, was icing on the cake. Another place for kids to be kids -- and plenty of benches on the sidelines for the adults.