Don’t Get Goofy in the Heat: Tips for Visiting Disney World in July

July in Disney World has been likened to putting a hot wet blanket over your head and walking around all day, but despite the tropical heat, there are some advantages to visiting Disney World in July.

For one thing, the peak summer season, once marked by crowds as high as the humidity, seems to be a thing of the past. Parks are usually running a full slate of activities, fewer rides are closed and best of all, the parks stay open later into the night.

If you’re planning a summer visit to Disney World this year, here is what you can expect.

Orlando Weather in July: You Can Enjoy the Heat and Humidity

If you dislike getting wet or feeling wet, the first thing you need to understand about July in Disney World is the weather. Average temperatures reach 90 degrees during the day and fall into the sultry 70s at night.

Adding to the high average temperatures is the humidity. Orlando scores muggy conditions most of the time in July, according to Weatherspark, with days that are considered oppressive.

With so much humidity in the air, it’s not surprising that July averages around 5 inches of rainfall throughout the month, with popup showers common on many summer days.

If you’re already hitting the stop button on a July vacation in Disney World, hold up a minute. While the Orlando weather may sound miserable, there is an upside to all of the heat and humidity. For one thing, it’s a great time to enjoy Disney’s waterparks. If you plan a trip during the cooler months, you may find it too cold to experience these additions to the Disney World theme park lineup.

It’s also a good time to lounge poolside or take a plunge on one of the famous waterslides common across all Disney World resorts. Just remember the sunscreen as the Florida sun can pack a punch during the summer.

Last, those rain showers we mentioned have a peculiar effect on park goers. Believe it or not, when the rain falls, many of them dash for the exits, leaving you to enjoy the rides and attractions in relatively blissful solitude. We’ve been caught in Orlando rain showers before, and these days form some of our best Disney World vacation memories.

Strategies to Beat the Heat

When considering what to wear when visiting Disney World in July, you’ll naturally pack for hot weather. Shorts, capris and moisture wicking fabrics are all a good bet. Try to avoid heavy materials that hold in the heat or don’t breathe, such as denim.

You’ll also find many air conditioned locations where you can beat the heat. All stores are cool and inviting as are many indoor rides or attractions. When you’re feeling the heat, sneak in one of these locations.

If you start to feel extreme effects of the weather, head to a first aid center. Each park has one, with nurses on staff to check you over and dispense common over-the-counter medications you may need.

One of our favorite ways to cope with the heat and humidity is to take an afternoon pool break. The parks tend to remain open late in July, so you won’t miss much by cooling down at your hotel pool. It’s actually surprising how few people do this, espcially since the parks are cooler and sometimes less crowded if you head back later in the evening.

Planning for Rain Showers

Rain is a fact of life when visiting Disney World in July. Pop up showers are common, so it’s best to plan on getting wet.

It’s also best to head out to the parks each day prepared. Packing a rain poncho will keep the bulk of your clothing dry if you do hit a passing shower. You may also want to invest in waterproof shoes. Vessi makes several stylish pairs that will add some protection against rain.

Another option is to purchase waterproof shoe covers. Donning these when you see the gray clouds approaching, could help to keep your feet dry.

Last, have a plan for what you’ll do when rain showers set in. It’s a great time to do some shopping, get in line to meet some of Disney’s characters or find a restaurant with availability and stop for a snack.

Fourth of July in Disney World

If you enjoy grand celebrations and over-the-top fireworks spectaculars, then plan to spend the 4^th of July in Disney World. Each year, Independence Day is celebrated like none other as the 4 parks don spirited attire and break out special eats and parade treats to celebrate the event.

In years gone by, the Magic Kingdom hosted the granddaddy of all fireworks spectaculars, with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in The Sky.” For this one-night celebration, Cinderella’s Castle came alive with stars and stripes, as fireworks choreographed to rousing tunes, lit up the night sky. The Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Disney World was nearly fifteen minutes long, stirring the patriotic sprit of young and old alike.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic closures, Disney World reopened without any fireworks shows. Throughout 2020, guests were left with darkened nighttime skies over Cinderella castle as fireworks shows, such as the fourth of July celebration were canceled.

Then, in 2021, fireworks returned to Disney World, on July 1 with “Happily Ever After,” a new nighttime show featuring Disney’s most beloved characters projected onto Cinderella’s castle amid a backdrop of colorful bursting fireworks. As a result, there was no special presentation to celebrate the fourth of July that year.

In 2022, Fourth of July returns with a bang, as Fourth of July parades, floats and nighttime fireworks and light shows return. You can also expect to see the spirit of Independence Day throughout the parks, from festive decorations to appropriately themed food treats.

Strategizing for Fourth of July Crowds

The week of July fourth is the most crowded week of the month, as guests capitalize on a holiday from work to take fewer PTO days. With higher crowds in store, you’ll want to pay special attention to the tips below, to get the most out of your experience.

• Consider staying onsite at a Disney World hotel: As a guest of Disney, you’re entitled to Early Theme Park entry, allowing you to enter one theme park every day 30 minutes before official opening. If that doesn’t sound like a lot of time, we typically breeze through at least 2 attractions during that time and sometimes 3. Just be sure to spend the hour visiting rides that will have the longest wait times as the day wears on.
• Budget for Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass: Multi Pass and Single Pass let you skip the regular queue in favor of a shorter, expedited queue. It can be a real time saver, allowing you to get more done in a day, but you do need to purchase this option each day of your trip. Costs typically run from $20-$35 per person per day, so be sure to add some extra funds to your budget. If vacation spend is tight, consider which of the most popular attractions are must-dos for you, and prioritize Multi Pass or Single Pass for those parks. Also, be sure to learn how to use Multi Pass and Single Pass to make the most of it with our Multi Pass guide.
• Use mobile ordering for counter service meals: Disney’s mobile ordering feature allows you to preorder food from most counter service restaurants right from your phone. We usually place our order right before we get on the last ride before we want to eat. When we get off the ride, we let the app know we’re ready as we head in that direction. Shortly after we arrive, we receive a notification telling us our food is ready. We find a table and eat without standing in another line. Learn more about this time-saving Disney feature in our mobile order article.
• Line up for nighttime shows early: When viewing nighttime spectaculars, particularly any holiday themed fireworks or celebrations, plan to stake out a spot to watch at least an hour before show time. When crowds are high, prime viewing locations, such as the castle forecourt, will fill up quickly. If you want the perfect location for watching the show, be sure to claim it early. Alternatively, you can book a dinner fireworks package at EPCOT and watch from a reserved location. Magic Kingdom often offers a dessert package, providing sweet treats and reserved seating overlooking the castle.

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Is July a More Expensive Time to Visit Disney World?

July is the perfect vacation month for many families. The kids are out of school and parents still have weeks before they have to consider back-to-school shopping and plans.

Despite the popularity, parts of July offer some of the lowest theme park ticket prices of the year. For one thing, Disney often runs ticket specials for July. In 2024, you can purchase a 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket starting at $99 per person per day. A 5-day base ticket (visit one park per day) is only $122 per day if you begin your vacation on July 22. That totals out to around $606 for a 5-day ticket. The cheapest price for the same trip taken in March comes in around $677 for the 5-day ticket.

Disney World resorts, on the other hand, offer only mid-tier pricing during July. A night at an All-Stars resort, for example, starts at $194 per weeknight, if you book after July 4. While it is not as cheap as the bargain basement rate of $153 you’ll find during parts of August and September, it’s still cheaper than parts of February, when the same standard nightly rack rate climbs to $217.

The same holds true at many Disney World deluxe resorts where a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge can be had for $539 after July 4^th offering a bargain over the rack rate of $652 found in parts of February, March and April.

Are Disney World Hotel and Ticket Discounts Available in July?

July in Disney World has historically seen some fair-sized discounts on Disney World resort stays. In 2024, initial discounts for the month were dropped in January, and include a free dining plan or up to 35% off a resort stay.

If you’re planning to visit Disney World later in the month, be sure to bookmark our Disney World resort discounts page, where we chronicle new offers as they’re released.

Here’s an important tip regarding discounts on resort stays. If you have your mind set on July travel dates, feel free to book your hotel, even if discounts have not been announced. You can always apply a discount to the reservation once offers are released, provided that your resort is covered by the discount. In other words, if you’ve booked All Stars Resort, but the discount offers released for your dates of stay don’t include All Stars, you won’t be able to take advantage of the special deal unless you switch to an included hotel.

But wait, this is a vacation. Who really wants to keep watching for discounts and rebooking reservations? If this is how you feel as well, consider booking with an authorized Disney World travel agency. We’ll take care of the planning, watch for discounts and even rebook you if a better offer comes up.

July Crowds at Disney World

The summer months used to be the most crowded times to visit Disney World. In recent years, a new trend has developed, with lower crowds during July and August and higher crowds spread across the year.

To understand what to expect by way of crowds, we can look to the various crowd calendars that are published. We find Touring Plans to have the most accurate predictions as they base their numbers on a well-established method that includes regular observations of actual wait times within the park and a lengthy historical point of reference.

For July of 2024, Touring Plans predicts that most days will rank between a 5 and 7 on a 10-point scale. To provide a point of reference, a day that is ranked a 5 on the Touring Plans scale will see approximate average wait times at headliner attractions as follows:

Average Wait Times for Most Popular Disney World Park Attractions in July

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Avatar Flight of Passage	66 minutes
Kilimanjaro Safaris	18 minutes
MAGIC KINGDOM	28 minutes
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad	55 minutes
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train	50 minutes
Space Mountain
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS	35 minutes
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway	38 minutes
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run	32 minutes
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
EPCOT
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure	38 minutes
Test Track	32 minutes

Special Events Taking Place at Disney World in July

Over the last decade, Disney has begun to add a number of special events to the calendars for each park. Visiting Disney World in July of 2024 is no exception.

This year, you can expect to experience the final days of the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, where characters bloom to life in the form of giant topiaries, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series adds musical excitement to the daily atmosphere.

As the Flower and Garden Festival comes to an end, EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival roars to life. Revel in unique culinary treats from around the world as you take in the culture and spirit of the World Showcase.

Also included in the lineup, are Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon. At this special event, guests enjoyed Typhoon Lagoon after hours and witnessed “glow-rious” lighting effects throughout as they visited with Toy Story characters and danced to the DJ beat on the sand beaches of Surf Pool.

Tips for Navigating EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival

Extending from July to November, EPCOT’s long running Food and Wine Festival brings exotic tastes from around the world together in one event. It’s one of the park’s more popular experiences and crowds gather nightly to taste, sip and savor.

• Know what to expect and prioritize: With tastings available across the World Showcase, as well as other areas of the park, you’ll find a bountiful feast in store. However, since each sip and savor does come with an additional price tag, prioritizing which items you plan to try is key. Food experiences become available around 90 days prior to the opening of the event, so be sure to get a copy and pick you must-try items before heading into the park.
• Plan ahead for shows: The Flower Power Concert Series welcomes musical stars from across the decade and offers a bit of respite in a busy day. However, to get a place in the theater, you’ll need to plan ahead. Lines can begin forming one to two hours in advance. For guaranteed seating, look for a Flower Power dining package. Simply book at spot at one of the participating restaurants and received guaranteed seating in private viewing area.
• Tips to avoid lines: The food stations throughoug the festival will attract long lines as the night wears on. Most move quite quickly and are rarely more than 5 mintues, in our experience. However, if you want to avoid the lines, plan your taste around the world experience for midday.

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What to Pack and Wear for Disney World in July

While cool and fast-drying clothing is a must, you’ll also want to make sure you pack a bathing suit. It might sound obvious, but we’ve forgotten them before. While Disney resort stores do sell swimsuits, you’ll be paying a premium for something you might not even like.

Sunscreen is another essential when visiting Disney World. If you live in the northern states or other geographies where the sun is less intense, you won’t be prepared to handle the summer Florida sun. Walking around the parks red and sunburnt is no fun, so be sure to pack sunscreen and use it often.

And while we’re talking about heat, it’s also wise to talk about the antithesis. Some indoor locations, such as hotel resort lobbies, show venues, and restaurants can be downright chilly, so you may find yourself needing a jacket inside.

We also recommend that you pack two pairs of comfortable shoes for wearing to the parks. Florida rain showers can easily soak a pair of sneakers which often take a day or more to dry out. Having an extra pair on hand allows you to head out to the parks each day in dry shoes, even if you’ve suffered a soaking the day before.

For a complete list of packing recommendations for a Disney World trip, feel free to check out our packing guide.

Refurbishments and Closures for July

While Disney World is in a constant state of sprucing up park attractions, a full refurbishment schedule isn’t always posted until a month or two ahead of time. On the other hand, July rehabs are usually limited, as Disney tries to keep its rides running during the more popular months for guests.

If you’re worried that your favorite ride might be closed during your July visit, you can always consult the refurbishment calendar before booking.

Pros and Cons to Visiting Disney World in July

Whether you should take a trip to Disney in July is a matter of personal choice. So, to help you decide, we’ve broken out the pros and cons below:

Advantages of Visiting Disney World in July

• Parks open early and stay open late, giving you more time to enjoy attractions
• Great time to visit Disney World resort pools and water parks
• Summer vacation—no need for the kids to miss school
• Less crowded than many popular school vacation times, such as President’s Week or Christmas break
• Warm summer temperatures—no need to worry about a sudden cold snap ruining your vacation
• Perfect time to enjoy some of Disney’s special activities, such as boating on one of the lagoons

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Disadvantages of a Trip to Disney World in July

• Heat and humidity are common
• Crowds are higher than some other times of the summer, such as August or September
• Costs are higher than other months in the summer, such as August and September
• Greater chance for afternoon rain showers

Tips for Visiting Disney World in July

How you survive Disney World in July comes down to two things: your tolerance for heat and how well you plan your days. Here are some tips to help you make the most of a July visit:

1. While summer heat and humidity are par for the course in many geographies in July, keep in mind that excitement levels are high when you visit Disney, so your body’s reactions to the Orlando temperatures may be different than they would be at home. Be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to cool off.

One of our favorite things to do is to grab a Micky ice cream sandwich, find a shady bench and sit down for a bit. Sometimes, it’s nice just to enjoy the magic and theming of a Disney World park.

2. While staying hydrated is an essential tip for dealing with the heat, drinking cooled beverages can also help to keep you feeling cooler. Consider taking an insulated water bottle filled with your favorite chilled drink and sip frequently throughout the day.

3. Arriving to the parks early, taking a mid-day break outside the parks, and then heading back in the evening is a great way to get out of the summer sun for a bit and cool off. Take some time to visit your resort hotel pool, take a nap in your air-conditioned room or even visit the AC cooled shops at Disney springs.

4. To avoid summertime crowds, particularly if you’re visiting Disney World during the fourth of July week, consider arriving to the parks early to take advantage of early theme park entry. Also, consider purchasing Multi Pass to take advantage of expedited queues on many attractions.

5. If you plan to enjoy a character meal, think about making your reservation for dinner time. Mornings offer the coolest temperatures of the day as well as the least crowded conditions in the park. If you plan your character meal for breakfast, you’ll be heading into the parks as both lines and temperatures escalate.

6. Plan your day ahead of time and try to alternate between outdoor rides and those with a closed air-conditioned queue or ride building. After standing in line and riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the cooled interior portions of Splash Mountain will offer you ample opportunities to cool off, not to mention the splash at the end.

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