Performing Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — A Summer to Remember

This summer, I had the extraordinary opportunity to perform at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of their seasonal 'Cool Kid Summer'  program. For three months, I stood center stage every hour on the hour, sharing magic with families from around the world and testing myself in one of the most exciting, high-energy environments I’ve ever worked in.

Daily Rituals, Big Energy

Each day I performed eight, 10-minute shows, starting at 9:00 AM and running through the afternoon. Every set was different because the audience was always changing — and because I had some special “assistants.”

Goofy, Donald Duck, and sometimes Minnie or Daisy would join in, making every show a surprise. Some of my favorite bits included:

• Flossing Goofy’s teeth with the rope from one of my tricks (“This is Goofy’s dental floss!”)

• A playful egg routine tied to Donald Duck

• Donald sneaking into my performance for a surprise introduction

  
  

As a lifelong Disney fan, those interactions were surreal. I often had moments where I’d think, “What would little John Kinney say if he knew he’d one day be performing magic alongside these icons?”

Magician John Kinney performing at Disney World's Hollywood Studios 'Cool Kid Summer'

A Community of Performers

I wasn’t alone in bringing the fun. I rotated with an incredible lineup of variety performers — jugglers, clowns, other magicians, even world-champion jump ropers. They weren’t just colleagues, they became friends.

There were also recurring fans: cast members and passholders who came back to see my show multiple times. Some even gifted me little tokens of appreciation, which I’ll always treasure.

One highlight was a “shoutout” I received:“For Magician John: he is so talented and engaging for guests! He has a great attitude and is wonderful at including adults and children alike!”

That kind of feedback kept me going on the long, hot days.

Moments That Matter

I performed for all kinds of occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, graduations, first visits, and even Make-a-Wish families. Every set carried its own special energy.

One moment I’ll never forget was with a young boy, about four years old, celebrating his final round of chemotherapy. After my main set, I shared a little extra piece of close-up magic just for him and his family. After the moment of magic his face lit up — and his parents’ eyes filled with tears. That’s the kind of impact that stays with you forever.

Performing Through the Florida Heat

If you’ve ever been in Florida in July or August, you know it can feel hotter than the surface of the sun. This summer, Orlando hit heat indexes well over 100°F. Performing eight shows a day in that kind of weather took stamina and strategy.

But no matter how hot it was, the excitement in the crowd — the gasps, the laughter, the applause — made every drop of sweat worth it.

What I Took Away

This summer taught me lessons I’ll carry into every future show:

• Adaptability — reading the audience and adjusting quickly

• Energy management — finding ways to sustain high energy through multiple sets

• Connection over spectacle — realizing the strongest magic comes from shared moments, not just tricks

• Gratitude — remembering how lucky I am to do this work, among icons and alongside world-class performers

  
  

Bringing That Magic to You

The heart of what I do is creating experiences that feel special, personal, and unforgettable. Whether it’s a corporate event, private celebration, or milestone gathering, I bring the same spirit of connection and joy that carried me through this summer at Disney World.

👉 Ready to make your event magical? Contact me here.