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WDW Prep School

July at Disney World

Last updated on 07/08/2023

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Other than the 4th of July holiday, July crowds at Walt Disney World are typically moderate. And the weather? It’s hot. Very hot.

Here’s what you need to know:

points of light on spaceship earth
In this article:
  • Is July a good time to visit Walt Disney World?
    • Why we love July at Disney World
  • Is Disney World busy in July?
  • Planning for Disney World in July
    • July Disney World Park Hours
    • Prices and Discounts for July in Disney World
    • Special Events at Disney World in July
    • Weather in July at Disney World​
    • Can you swim in July?
    • What to wear in July at Disney World
  • Refurbishments and closures
  • What's new at Disney World in July?
  • Tips for Disney World in July
  • July trip reports
  • What order should you visit the parks?
  • How our July Crowd Calendar Works
  • July Crowd Calendar

In this article

  • Is July a good time to visit Walt Disney World?
  • Is Disney World busy in July?
  • Planning for Disney World in July
  • Refurbishments and closures
  • What’s new at Disney World in July?
  • Tips for Disney World in July
  • July trip reports
  • What order should you visit the parks?
  • How our July Crowd Calendar Works
  • July Crowd Calendar

Is July a good time to visit Walt Disney World?

Despite July being one of the hottest months to visit Disney World, there are a lot of reasons to plan a trip to Disney World during July, including a special holiday, two Epcot festivals, and the chance to dive into the hotel pool and water parks.

  • Ready to dive in? Jump down to the July Crowd Calendar

There are all kinds of reasons to love Disney World during July. Here are some of our favorites:

Why we love July at Disney World

  • The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival typically ends a few days into July. So, if you’re visiting for the Fourth of July, you might be able to enjoy the last days of the prettiest Epcot festivals.
  • When Flower and Garden ends, this makes way for the next one — the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, which typically runs through the fall (usually November).
  • Usually, July and other summer months see longer park hours, which means more time to ride attractions, try different dining, and enjoy other experiences.
  • July is the perfect time to visit the water parks and enjoy your hotel pool. Sometimes guests don’t spend enough time at their hotel and this is a great time to do just that.
  • Sometimes new attractions and experiences debut during the summer months at Disney World.

But while there is lots to enjoy about July at Disney World, there are a few other things you should know:

  • July can get busy thanks to summer crowds and the Fourth of July. is on the busier side. So, you need to make sure you have a plan so that you aren’t spending all your time in line.
  • The weather in July at Disney World is hot. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Those temperature can be overbearing at times, especially during the middle of the day. This also means it will rain/storm at least once a day. We highly recommend you plan midday breaks from the sun and rain during your trip.

Is Disney World busy in July?

July sees peak crowds due to summer vacations and Fourth of July celebrations. But, even though the parks can get busy, overall, July typically has moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit busier than the other days of the week.

This is a popular time for guests to visit thanks to the warm temperatures, longer park days, and the chance to swim and enjoy the water parks.

Plus, with Epcot festivals pretty much being year-round now, visitors can continue to enjoy not one, but two Epcot festivals in July — the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

During busier times of the year, Disney does try to improve guest experiences by doing a few things to help keep the lines down. Although they never officially announce anything, these are the things that we’ve noticed that do help:

  • Expanded capacity at attractions. Some attractions (like Space Mountain or Toy Story Mania, for example) have multiple “sides”, and during busier times of the year, Disney will operate both sides, which can help keep those wait times down.
  • Staffing. When the crowds are heavier, Disney increases their staffing levels across the entire resort. That means more staff at restaurants, at Guest Services, working security and transportation, etc.
  • Fewer refurbishments. Whenever anything is closed (either for a refurbishment or even if an attraction simply goes down), all those people who may have been in line are now out in the park or waiting in line for a different attraction. Disney aims to complete as many major, scheduled refurbishment projects as possible before July arrives. Yes, some things may still be refurbished during this time – but if at all possible, July doesn’t typically see many refurbishments, if any at all.

Although Disney can make adjustments to keep the lines manageable, they can’t control just how busy the parks look and feel. During busier times of the year like July, walkways and paths in the parks may be full, Quick Service locations remain busy for longer, and the crowds for nighttime shows will be heavier.

We don’t tell you that to scare you, but to prepare you. July is not the time of year to just wing it. Spending even just a few minutes on a plan for your Disney World trip will make all the difference.

Here are the dates we are predicting will be the busiest in July:

  • July 1-9 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
  • July 10-31 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Planning for Disney World in July

PARK HOURS | PRICES & DISCOUNTS | SPECIAL EVENTS | WEATHER | WHAT TO WEAR | REFURBISHMENTS & CLOSURES | WHAT’S NEW | TIPS | JULY TRIP REPORTS

July Disney World Park Hours

Disney publishes its park hours about 75 days in advance, but those hours can (and very often do) change.

Note: This used to be about 180 days in advance, but since the reopening, they have transitioned to a roughly 75-day window.

As the dates get closer, it isn’t unusual for Disney to tweak either the opening or closing times. And during especially busy times of the year, they may change both.

That means to avoid having your plans sidetracked, you’ll definitely want to keep checking the park hours – including while on your trip.

When it comes to park hours – in general – the heavier the crowds, the longer the parks will be open during the day. Of course, that also means that the parks will be open fewer hours of the day during less busy times of the years.

Since July is typically a busier time of the year, the parks often open earlier and stay open later than they do during less busy times of the year.

Read More:

  • Guide to Magic Kingdom Park Hours
  • Guide to Epcot Park Hours
  • Guide to Hollywood Studios Park Hours
  • Guide to Animal Kingdom Park Hours

Prices and Discounts for July in Disney World

Even though July is a typically busier time of the year, there are still discounts to be had.

But remember: Disney doesn’t offer discounts to be nice, they do it to fill hotel rooms. For the best chances of snagging a good deal, keep your travel dates and preferred resort flexible. 

  • Guide to Disney World Discounts

Special Events at Disney World in July

Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

Historically, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival used to wind up around Memorial Day. But in recent years, the popular festival has been extended all the way through June and into the first few days of July.

That means early July travelers are going to get to see this glorious park covered with dozens of larger-than-life topiaries as well as plenty of food and drink options inspired by all things botanical. 

  • Complete Guide to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Fourth Of July

Spaceship Earth with Flag July at Disney World

If you are heading to Disney World over the 4th of July holiday you’ll have the chance to see some of the most spectacular fireworks of the year.

In addition to the nighttime shows, the Fourth also brings themed treats and PhotoPass opportunities.

  • Celebrating the Fourth of July at Disney World

Epcot International Food And Wine Festival

Probably the most famous of all of the Epcot festivals is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Food and Wine festival passport

Held every year from the late summer to fall, if you are a fan of good food and fun drinks, you’ll definitely want to plan to spend some time at Epcot during your trip.

  • Complete Guide to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Weather in July at Disney World​

July at Disney World is one of the hottest and steamiest months of the year.

During July, the temperatures will range from lows in the mid 70s to highs in the 90s.

Rain in Epcot

And with all that heat and humidity comes lots and lots of chances for rain.

In fact, July sees an average of over 7 inches of rain each year with most of that rain falling during storms that pop up in the afternoon.

We recommend that you come prepared with ponchos, multiple pairs of shoes (in case one pair gets wet), and umbrellas just in case.

  • How to handle the weather at Disney World

Can you swim in July?

With all the heat and humidity in July, the pools are definitely a welcomed break. And, that means that they are a popular place to be.

Pool at Wilderness Lodge

In addition to the pools at the resorts, Disney’s 2 water parks will also see their attendance numbers increase.

If swimming is a must-do and you are worried about the crowds, consider starting your day at the pool and head to the parks later in the day. Most people reverse that plan which means the pools can get quite busy by the end of the day.

  • FAQ’s about the Pools at Walt Disney World

What to wear in July at Disney World

You’ll definitely want to prepare for the hot weather and pack accordingly.

Shorts, capri pants, and moisture wicking socks are all good options.

One place where you might get cold, however, is inside some restaurants and attractions.

And in fact, even during the hottest months we keep a light jacket in our park bag because coming out of the sun into an air-conditioned space is sometimes too cold for our liking.

If you’re the kind of person that finds sitting under the A/C to be too much, you might want to consider tossing in a light jacket, too.

  • Ultimate Packing List for Walt Disney World

Refurbishments and closures

While routine refurbishments aren’t typically scheduled in July, you’ll likely still run into a few attractions that are closed.

  • Disney World Refurbishment Calendar

What’s new at Disney World in July?

At this time, no major new attraction, restaurant, or show is scheduled to open in July.

Tips for Disney World in July

  • The sun can be quite intense, and it can be easy to burn. Make sure you pack (and use) sunscreen.
  • Keep checking for discounts. Even if you’ve already booked discounts can still be applied.
  • The pools can get quite busy. For the lowest crowds consider visiting in the morning.
  • If you plan to be in the parks on the Fourth of July we recommend packing your patience and lots of water and definitely plan for some breaks out of the sun!

July trip reports

  • Matt. O’s multi-generational trip to Disneyland – PREP 368
  • Sarah E.’s family WDW trip at the Swan – PREP 367
  • John’s First Timer Trip Report – PREP317
  • Ashley A.’s Land & Sea Trip Report – PREP316
  • Marcus & fam’s July WDW trip – PREP284
  • Nick’s July WDW + Hilton Head trip – PREP283
  • Daily updates from my July 2020 reopening trip – PREP251

What order should you visit the parks?

Depending on the length of your trip, here’s how many days we recommend for each park:

Suggested number of days in each park

When it comes time to decide which days are best for each park, here are some general things to keep in mind:

  • Hollywood Studios was once easy to do in a half day, but now a full day is typically recommended, especially if you want to ride all the headliners and catch some of the shows.
  • Magic Kingdom is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think “Disney World”. Saturdays and Mondays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
  • Epcot hosts nearly year-round festivals, and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors and with locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for are alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you’d find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn’t the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays.
  • Animal Kingdom remains one of the “easiest” parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.
  • We go into a lot more detail in our guide on The Best Days to Visit Each Park.

How our July Crowd Calendar Works

How the Crowd Calendars work

1. For each day of the month, we tell you on a scale of 1-10 how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort is when compared to other days of the year.

2. Then, for each park you’ll see the park hours and any special events that are planned.

3. We also track refurbishments and closings (which you can toggle on and off).

4. We have a handy feature that allows you to automatically add your Advanced Dining Reservation date to your calendar.

5. And, one of the most useful features is the ability to be able to print the calendar so that you can have a paper copy for planning (or just use as a backup).

July Crowd Calendar

Crowd Calendar
July 2024

Print as PDF

Official park hours are usually released around 75 days in advance.

Crowd Levels

The "crowd level" compares each day to the rest of the year; it indicates how crowded the entire WDW Resort area is on a scale of 1-10.

Thursday, November 1, 2018
10/10 crowd level
  • 1-3 crowd levels
  • 4-7 crowd levels
  • 8-10 crowd levels
  • About advanced reservations

  • - Advanced dining reservations: Advanced dining reservations can be made 60 days beforehand beginning online at 6 am EST or by phone at 7:00 am EST.
  • Tips from our ground crew

  • - In general, we recommend booking Park Pass reservations for Hollywood Studios early in your trip to maximize your chances to ride Rise of the Resistance.
  • - Magic Kingdom typically sees a surge on Saturdays, so other parks are usually a better choice.
  • - Since the festivals can draw lots of locals, avoid Epcot on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • - Animal Kingdom is a good option for most days, so plug it into your trip wherever it is easiest.

  • Quick Toggle

      Magic Kingdom Epcot Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach Disney Springs Dining Closings Attraction Closings Reservation Dates
    Loading calendar...

      Recent Updates

    No updates published yet.

      Refurbishment Details

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular , (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Victoria and Albert's, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Restaurant Marrakesh, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Monsieur Paul, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Enchanted Tales with Belle, (Attraction)

    June 18, 2022 - December 31, 2078 - Narcoossee’s, (Dining)

    August 15, 2022 - December 31, 2078 - Kona Cafe Refurbishment, Kona Cafe will be closing for a complete refurbishment. No reopening date has been announced yet. During the closure, Mobile Ordering will be available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Kona Island. (Dining)

      Available Discounts

    No discounts currently available.

    See the chart of past discounts for previous promotion dates.

      Special Events

    We will update this soon.

      Crowds

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