UPDATED June 28, 2026

It’s July, the middle of the summer, but if you’re planning on being in Disney World, you’re in for an AWESOME time! While it may be one of the hottest months to be in the parks, there are some SUPER exciting things happening that will make the heat worth it.

A Disney World vacation can be magical at any time of year — as long as you plan accordingly! Between weather patterns, special events, holidays, and crowds, the prep work for your trip can vary A LOT depending on what time of year you’re traveling. Here’s what you need to know if you’re headed to Disney World in July!

July 2026

Before we dive into crowd levels, weather, and more July facts and fun, we want to let you know about specific events and dates if you’re visiting in July 2026: 

• July 1st: EPCOT will be closing early. Instead of the typical 9 PM closing time, the park gates will shut at 5:30PM.
• July 4th is Independence Day in the United States!
• Magic Kingdom will present 4th of July fireworks — “Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” — for THREE NIGHTS in 2026, on July 3rd, 4th AND 5th. 
• “Heartbeat of Freedom” is the special fireworks finale in EPCOT, and it will be presented on July 3rd, 4th AND 5th immediately following the Luminous fireworks show.
• EPCOT also often celebrates the 4th of July with some VERY special character appearances ONLY on that date!
• July 6th: Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress is closing to make major updates to the attraction. It is expected to open in 2027.
• ONGOING: May 12th through September 8th, 2026: BOTH Disney World Water Parks — Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon — will be OPEN!
• ONGOING: H2O Glow After Hours is an extra-ticket event held at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park for select dates during the summer! The 2026 event will return for select nights from June 2 – September 5, 2026. 
• ONGOING: May 26th through September 8th, 2026: Disney World Resort hotel guests can visit either of the Water Parks FOR FREE on their arrival day!
• ONGOING: May 26th through September 8th, 2026: For the second year in a row, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER will bring some really cool offerings to Disney World during the hottest months of the year! Disney Character experiences will EXPAND throughout the Resort, including special appearances at select Resort hotels, the return of GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT, and Toy Story characters joining guests dining at Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe restaurant for Jessie’s Roundup, extra Disney pals in the parks for Early Entry, and MORE!

Crowds at Disney World in July

Now is the time when we know a tonnnn of you are going on your summer vacations, because the crowds are ramping up in the parks, too.

Weekends and holidays are always the busiest days, so plan to visit the parks primarily on the weekdays and if you can avoid holidays, like Fourth of July, then you’ll likely see lower crowd levels. And if you are traveling in July, be sure to make your Advance Dining Reservations early to increase your odds of getting in your must-dos!

Park Hours at Disney World in July

While the park hours can vary by day and park, the most common opening time for parks in July is 9AM (save for Animal Kingdom, which typically opens at 8AM). The longer summer days mean the park hours are longer, too. But the closure times tend to be a little more varied! Magic Kingdom usually closes between 10PM and 11PM, depending on the day, while the other parks typically close between 8PM and 9PM.

So, if you’re more of a night owl, you should have some opportunities for late nights in the parks on your July trip — especially at Magic Kingdom! Or, if you’re staying in a Deluxe Resort, you can take advantage of the Extended Hours benefit, which allows those guests to stay in a select park a few hours after the park closes to other guests.

You can see ALL of the Disney World Park Hours for July HERE!

Weather at Disney World in July

In July, the average high temperature in Orlando is 92 degrees and the average low is 75 degrees. And here’s something that might surprise you — there are an average of 13 rainy days in July.

July sits snugly at the beginning of hurricane season in Florida, so though it typically doesn’t host numerous rainy days, you can still find rain, and even hurricanes. When it does rain, you can usually expect it in the afternoons, so you’ll want to prioritize those outdoor coasters like Slinky Dog Dash and Test Track earlier in your day to avoid being in line or missing out entirely if the attraction closes due to weather.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right Disney World hotel for your family!

How to Pack for Disney World in July

As you saw above, it is HOT in Florida, especially in July! You have to be prepared for the heat, especially if you’re not used to it. Oh, and don’t forget about that lovely southern humidity (do NOT underestimate the humidity!). So, one of the best things you can do this month in Disney World is to be prepared for it to be hot, and find ways to cool off.

And it will probably be a comfortable enough temperature for most people to swim, so bring your swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of the hotel pools!

When it comes to being prepared, there are a ton of things you can do! Make sure to stay extra hydrated, wear sunscreen (and reapply it!), wear protective gear like hats and sunglasses, wear breathable clothing, and take breaks in the air conditioning when you can. Do NOT push yourself — you don’t want to be passing out in Disney World.

There are some great things you can bring with you to help with all of this! Cooling towels, portable fans, sunscreen, and insulated water bottles are great items to keep with you to stay cool. The heat can also cause some annoying problems like blisters and chaffing, so bring some band-aids or moleskin with you for blisters and a chafing stick to help with that issue.

Check out our ultimate Disney World packing list!

Independence Day in Disney World

Celebrate Independence Day with a bang! Magic Kingdom typically hosts 4th of July fireworks — “Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” on July 3rd AND 4th… and 5th! That’s right, an EXTRA night of 4th of July fireworks is being shown in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

“Heartbeat of Freedom” is typically the special fireworks finale in EPCOT on July 4th. Stay tuned for 2026 confirmation!

EPCOT also typically celebrates the 4th of July with some VERY special character appearances!

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is BACK at Disney World from May 26th to September 8th, 2026! Cool KIDS’ SUMMER made its debut in 2025, and in 2026, the event has brought back MORE Disney character appearances and limited-time experiences around the Resort.

Disney Character experiences have EXPANDED throughout the Resort, including special appearances at select Resort hotels, the return of GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT, and Toy Story characters joining guests dining at Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe restaurant for Jessie’s Roundup, extra Disney pals in the parks for Early Entry, and MORE!

Check out EVERYTHING happening around Disney World for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER here!

There are plenty of awesome experiences to enjoy at Disney World during the month of July! Guests are treated to warm (ok, HOT) weather, stunning Independence Day fireworks, and COOL Kids’ Summer. Make sure to plan accordingly, get your park pass reservations and advance dining reservations as soon as you can and you’ll be in for a magical vacation! Wondering about visiting Disney World in August? Get all the details here. 

Are you still undecided about when you want to vacation in Disney World? Check out our Month By Month Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation. 

Planning a Disney World vacation? Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting!

Have you traveled to Disney World in July? Share your tips and must-dos in the comments!