Planning a trip to Disney World in July means preparing for a mix of high heat, big crowds, and nonstop fun. With summer vacation in full swing and brand new offerings opening, the parks are BUSY. While the heat and crowds can be intense, smart planning can make your vacation stress-free. Whether you’re looking to stay cool, catch the latest shows, or navigate the busiest weeks like a pro, here’s everything you need to know before heading to Disney World this July.

Disney World Events in July

July in Disney World is hot, busy, and buzzing with things to do! From Fourth of July celebrations (which usually include unique eats and drinks and even a specialty fireworks show) to after hours parties at multiple parks that help you beat the heat (and the crowds), the calendar stays full all month long.

Cool Kid Summer is also taking place all month long across all four theme parks, so be sure to check out all the exclusive dance parties and character meet-and-greets you can only take advantage of this summer!

Here’s a look at what you can look forward to during your visit in July 2025:

• Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 2025
• Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios: July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th, 2025
• AAU Basketball World Championships: July 3rd to 10th, 2025
• Independence Day: July 4th, 2025
• The Ripken Experience: June 8th to July 11th, 2025
• Disney After Hours at EPCOT: July 10th, 24th, and 31st, 2025
• USYS National Championships: July 22nd to 27th, 2025
• Cool Kid Summer: May 27th through September 1st, 2025

Be sure to check Disney’s theme park hours to see how/if any of these events will impact your park day plans.

July in Disney World Crowds

There’s no sugarcoating it – July is one of the busiest months at Disney World. With schools out across the country, summer vacations in full swing, and Fourth of July week drawing major holiday crowds, all four theme parks tend to feel extra packed. Magic Kingdom and EPCOT usually see the heaviest traffic, especially around fireworks and festival days, while Hollywood Studios stays busy thanks to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and fan-favorite thrill rides. Even Animal Kingdom, which tends to be a bit more relaxed, fills up quickly on weekends and mornings. If you’re visiting during July, plan for long lines, busy walkways, and high demand for popular dining spots and Lightning Lanes.

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, take full advantage of Early Theme Park Entry — you’ll get into any of the four parks 30 minutes before everyone else, which can make a big difference in the summer heat. Guests at Deluxe Resorts and Villas also get Extended Evening Hours on select nights, giving you quieter time in the parks after the sun sets (and the lines shrink). Combine that with a solid Lightning Lane strategy and midday breaks back at the hotel, and you’ll be navigating July crowds like a pro.

Should You Purchase Lightning Lane Services?

If you’re trying to pack in as much magic as possible during a shorter trip (say, three to five days), Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass can be a smart investment. With July crowds and wait times soaring, skipping the standby line for headliners like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or Slinky Dog Dash can save you hours. The good news is you don’t have to buy Lightning Lane access for every park day. You can pick and choose the parks where it’ll give you the biggest boost, like Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios, and skip it on lower-demand days, like a relaxing visit to Animal Kingdom.

Just make sure you’re ready to go the moment your early booking window opens. For Disney Resort guests, that means 7AM five days before your check-in date, and 7AM three days before your park day for everyone else, and you’ll want to move fast. Popular attractions can fill up quickly, and return times aren’t guaranteed. Booking right away gives you the best shot at riding what you want, when you want, without spending half your park day in line.

Disney World Weather in July

July in Disney World is hot, humid, and almost guaranteed to be wet at some point during your trip. Expect daytime highs in the 90s with humidity that makes it feel even hotter, especially in the middle of the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are a near-daily occurrence, but they’re usually quick and intense rather than all-day soakers. Still, when they hit, they can flood walkways, shut down outdoor rides, and send everyone scrambling for cover.

To stay prepared, pack light, breathable clothing, a portable fan, and reusable water bottles to stay hydrated. Ponchos, compact umbrellas, and waterproof shoes are essential, and you’ll be glad you brought them when the skies open up. And, be sure to stay in the parks when it does start to rain! Most people head back to their hotel, so the lines for indoor rides and restaurants tend to be a bit shorter.

Disney World Water Parks in July

When that July heat hits full force, there’s no better place to cool off than one of Disney’s two water parks — Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both are typically open during the summer season, with hours usually running from 10AM to 5PM or 6PM, depending on the day and weather conditions.

These parks can get busy, especially on weekends and during holiday weeks, so arriving early is your best bet for snagging a good spot and making the most of your day. And, if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, don’t forget that you get free water park admission on the day of your check-in! This is a great way to kick off your vacation without needing to pay for a theme park ticket.

July in Disney World Prices

July is firmly in summer vacation season, which means you can expect higher prices across the board. Park tickets and hotel rates are generally elevated compared to spring or early fall, especially around the Fourth of July holiday. If you’re visiting this month, it’s smart to budget a little extra or look for ways to save by choosing value resorts or skipping add-ons like Park Hopper tickets.

July 2025 Park Ticket Prices

Summer is peak season at Disney World, which means ticket prices in July are at their highest. Expect daily ticket costs to fall at the top of the pricing tier, especially around the Fourth of July.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for a park ticket in July:

• Magic Kingdom: $179-$189
• EPCOT: $164-$179
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $169-$184
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $154-$164
• Park Hopper: $237-$254
• Park Hopper Plus: $257-$274

July 2025 Disney World Resort Hotel Prices

July is one of the most expensive times of year to stay at a Disney World Resort hotel. While room discounts are often available, especially for Annual Passholders or Florida residents (keep scrolling to see the full list of July discounts!), you can generally expect to pay top-tier prices for your stay.

Here’s an overview of the average price ranges for Disney World hotels in July 2025:

• Value Resorts: $160–$350 per night
• Moderate Resorts: $285–$540 per night
• Deluxe Resorts: Starting around $500–$600 per night, with many rooms exceeding $700 depending on view and room type.

Be sure to check Disney’s website for exact pricing and availability for your travel dates.

July Deals and Discounts

While prices may be higher in the summer, there are a few ways to save if you’re visiting Disney World in July! Disney is offering special discounts for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders, Military Members, Disney+ Subscribers, and…well…everyone else! Here’s a look at all the ways to save:

All Guests:

• Save up to 30% on your Disney Resort hotel 5 nights or longer from May 1st to July 31st, 2025. See qualifying hotels and get more details here.
• Get a specially priced 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket that’s valid for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom April 6th through September 22nd, 2025. Learn more about how to save here.
• Save 50% on kids (ages 3 to 9) 3-day or longer standard Walt Disney World theme park tickets—for ticket start dates from May 27th through September 20th, 2025. Learn more here and buy tickets here.

Disney+ Subscribers:

• Save on your Disney Resort hotel stay of 2 or more nights with special rates at select hotels available most nights June 29th to July 31st, 2025. Get the details here.

Florida Residents:

• Save up to 30% on hotel stays at select Disney Resorts most nights from May 1st to July 31st, 2025. See qualifying hotels and get more details here.
• Purchase a 4-Day Summer Magic Ticket for just $60 per day, plus tax. Specially priced 2-day and 3-day tickets will also be available. Tickets valid from May 8th to September 27th, 2025. Learn more here.

Annual Passholders:

• Save up to 40% on hotel stays at select Disney Resorts most nights from May 1st to July 31st, 2025. See qualifying hotels and get more details here.

Military Members:

• Save on park tickets: Specially priced 4-day, 5-day, and 6-day Disney Military Salute Tickets can be purchased throughout 2025. Learn more here.
• Save on rooms at select Disney Resorts from January 1st through December 19th, 2025. Learn more here.

July Refurbishments and Closures

If you’re planning a July 2025 trip and hoping to experience some of Disney World’s classic attractions one last time, it’s important to note that Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will both close permanently on July 7th, making July 6th your final chance to visit them. In addition, several other major attractions across all four parks are either temporarily closed for refurbishment or permanently retired.

Knowing about the closures and planning ahead can help you make the most of your vacation despite these temporary changes. Here’s the full list of closures to plan for in July 2025:

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Closed all month, opening in 2026
• Astro Orbiter: Closed all month, opening summer 2025
• Hall of Presidents: Closed all month, opening TBA
• Tom Sawyer Island: Permanently closing on July 7th, 2025
• Liberty Square River Boat: Permanently closing on July 7th, 2025

EPCOT

• Test Track: Closed all month for reimagining, opening late summer 2025

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Muppet*Vision 3D: Permanently closed
• PizzeRizzo: Permanently closed
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy: Permanently Closed
• Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano: Permanently Closed

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• It’s Tough to Be a Bug: Permanently Closed
• TriceraTop Spin: Permanently Closed
• Fossil Fun Games: Permanently Closed
• Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures: Permanently Closed

Disney Resorts

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Ongoing Refurbishments: The hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment as Disney redesigns the lobby and rooms. You may hear or see construction during your stay (though not between dusk and 9AM)
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Convention Center: Closed summer 2025 to fall 2025
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas Ongoing Refurbishments: The hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment as Disney redesigns the lobby and rooms. You may hear or see construction during your stay (though not between dusk and 9AM)
• Bay Lake Tower Room Refurbishments at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Ongoing all month

What’s New at Disney World In July

If you’re headed to Disney World in July, you’re in luck – there are several brand-new things to do!

First up, Magic Kingdom is getting a brand-new nighttime parade with Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, debuting July 20th, 2025. Featuring original floats, costumes, and a new theme song, this parade marks the return of daily nighttime parades. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for parade times and, if you’re an Annual Passholder, don’t forget that you need to make a Park Pass Reservation for Magic Kingdom to get in (even if you’re not arriving until after 2PM!).

And, if you haven’t been to Disney World recently, you’ll also want to be sure to check out the TWO new live shows that recently opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Plus, all month long, you can dance along with your favorite characters at dance parties with a live DJ and games as part of Disney’s Cool Kid Summer offerings. Check with a Cast Member to see where and when you can find these in each park!

Lastly, if you’re on an adults-only trip (or can offload the kids for a bit), make a reservation for EPCOT’s new adults-only lounge, GEO-81. This glamorous Spaceship Earth-themed lounge is a great way to escape the summer park crowds and grab some delicious eats and drinks!

To learn more about what else is in store for 2025, click here!

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