Walt Disney World Summer Planning Guide

June, July, and August

There is nothing quite like summer at Disney, swelteringly hot with tons of humidity and pop up rain showers to make it extra fun. But at the end of the day, a super hot day at Disney is better than a more temperate day anywhere else. If you and your family are planning a trip to Orlando during the summer months we recommend lots of water, along with some good planning to maximize your park time while minimizing the possibility of overheating. We have some great tips on how to plan and organize yourself in the Tips and Tricks section of our Planning Guide.  For some extra insight into dealing with the heat click here. ***Updated 4/3/2025

Summer at Walt Disney World is filled with extra special magic. Disney plans fabulous events, deals, and activities only available in June, July, and August to attract guests despite the temperatures. Keep up with all the latest summer news here.

By the time June rolls around summer is in full swing and has the crowds to match the heat. The midday heat in particular can be brutal, June average temperatures range from the low 70s to highs in the 90s pretty much everyday. July is even worse, with the summer storm season generating humidity that makes the summer heat truly oppressive. If it does rain, and you are able to, wait it out or accept getting wet, it might cool you off after all. The rain often clears out the parks and you will be able to get more rides done. However, the rain also closes down some rides, so be aware of that. We do not generally visit the parks during the summer, but with planning, patience, flexibility, and water you can still have an amazing time..

Due to the crowd levels the park operating hours are long, allowing for people to maximize park time in the morning and evening when the heat is not so bad. We particularly recommend the strategy of getting to the parks for rope drop to get in early morning rides when lines are a little shorter, taking a break from the heat in the middle of the day to take a nap or enjoy your resort’s pool, and then return in the evening to get dinner and ride some rides as the temperature decreases until park close. It’s important to remember that a trip to Walt Disney World is not generally a relaxing one, and this is especially true at the height of the summer. But, again, it’s equally important to remember that it’s better to be in Walt Disney World during a hot, rainy, and crowded day, than to be anywhere else (and if you don’t think that’s true, probably don’t go during the summer months). We've mapped out some great places to Beat the Rain or Heat at the different parks, plus shared our best tips for dealing with the Florida Heat and humidity.

Added Water Parks Magic for Resort Guests

Disney Room-Only and Packages for 2025 now include a free ticket to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on arrival day. The two water parks are usually open on a rotational basis throughout the year, with Blizzard Beach typically open for fall and winter while Typhoon Lagoon is open in the spring and summer. But starting May 21, 2026, to celebrate Blizzard Beach's 30th anniversary, both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open for the first time since 2019. Summer is a great time of year to take advantage of this perk of staying on property. You can read more about the water parks here.

New Entertainment for Summer 2025

There will be a brand new night time parade Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away feature the Blue Fairy, Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more debuting in the Magic Kingdom summer of 2025. We are super duper excited about this, and will update will more details as they are released.

A new show “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” ***opening May 27, 2025*** starring your favorite Disney Villains is set to open Summer of 2025 at Hollywood Studios. According to the Disney Park Blog, "In this show, the Magic Mirror has summoned us to hear them out. Never ones to let a dramatic performance pass them by, fiendish foes Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent will break through the glass and take the stage to prove once and for all why they are the most misunderstood. In the end, it will be on you to make the final call in a delightfully wicked finale filled with dozens of the most infamous evildoers awaiting your decision from within the Mirror’s realm." Sounds villian-licious, we can not wait for musical numbers sung by those villians we all love to hate. We'll keep you posted with more details we hear more.

Disney's Little Mermaid Musical Adventure 🧜‍♀️ arrives at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 27, 2025 as well! Returning to the Animation Courtyard, this reimagined musical adventure brings Ariel's world to life with: • Cutting-edge theatrical effects • Stunning set design • Beloved musical numbers like "Part of Your World". Dive into Ariel's journey through breathtaking puppetry and immersive storytelling. A must-see for Disney fans of all ages! Perfect addition to your Walt Disney World summer adventure. 🌟

Fun New Character and Resort Experiences

New for Summer of 2025 EPCOT's CommuniCore Hall will be hosting the "ultimate game party and play space featuring none other than Goofy". This exciting new area for kids will be only available May 27 through September 1, 2025.

Early Entry Extra - Disney Resort hotel guests (with valid theme park admission) can expect to see some beloved Disney friends greeting them during the park's early opening. What a way to kick off a magical day!

Guests staying at select Disney Resorts—Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge—are treated to even more magic. With planned character visits, an expanded list of enchanting family activities, and those unforgettable Disney movie nights the summer fun at these resorts will be the cherry on top of a magical vacation.

Disney After Hours

During the winter, spring, and summer Disney holds After Hours Events. These are a hard ticket events, meaning it costs extra and does not require a separate park ticket for entry. The event runs from either 9:30PM to 12:30AM, for Hollywood Studios, or 10:00PM to 1:00AM for both Magic Kingdom and Epcot on select evenings, and can be an amazing way to beat both the crowds and the heat. We are a huge fan of these and try to budget for one for our Disney trips this time of year. It should be noted that not every experience offered during regular park hours is available during Disney After Hours. The Magic Kingdom does not hold this event during June and July since the park is open later for all guest, but it is offered at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Prices for tickets: (dependent on dates) Hollywood Studios: $165–$185 per ticket, plus tax, and EPCOT: $165–$175 per ticket, plus tax. There are discounts offered on select dates for Annual Passholders and DVC members.

Disney After Hours Dates

Hollywood Studios

• June 4, 11, and 25

• July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

Epcot (The World Showcase except for the Frozen Ever After and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is not open during DAH)

• June 19 and 26

• July 10 , 24, and 31

  
  

Typhoon Lagoon H2O Glow After Hours Event

H2O Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is an exclusive evening water park experience offering guests a magical nighttime adventure. Running select summer nights from May 23rd to September 13th, the event features reduced park crowds, special pricing for children, complimentary snacks, and a vibrant atmosphere with Toy Story's Partysaurus Rex as the evening's host. Guests can enjoy shorter wait times, cooler temperatures, and access to all of Typhoon Lagoon's iconic attractions, including North America's largest wave pool, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. This limited-time event provides a unique, after-hours opportunity to experience Disney's water park with a festive, glow-in-the-dark twist. Ticket sales begin April 1st for Disney hotel guests, with general public access starting April 4th. Pricing is set at $85 for adults (10+), with a special introductory rate of $42.50 for children (3-9). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can enjoy an additional $15 discount per adult ticket, making this an attractive option for Disney fans seeking a magical evening water park adventure.

2025 Dates:

• May: 23 and 31

• June: 6, 13, 20, and 27

• July: 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29

• August: 5, 13, 18, 25, and 31

• September: 6 and 13

Important Dates

Here are a few of the things going on at Walt Disney World during June, July, and August that could impact the crowd level.

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival ends June 2, 2025

The Ripken Experience ESPN WWS (youth baseball) June 8 – July 11, 2025

Father's Day June 15, 2025

MagiCup 2025 ESPN WWS (soccer competition) June 16 – June 20, 2025  

USA Field Hockey Sunshine Junior Classic ESPN WWS June 20 – June 22, 2025

Fourth of July Celebration at Walt Disney World July 3 & 4, 2025

USYS National Championships (youth soccer competition) July 22 – July 27, 2025

It is worth noting that while the youth sporting events and competitions make booking a room at any of the All Stars Resorts difficult, for the most part they typically do not significantly impact crowds.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• With the higher crowd levels, the park operating hours are longer.

• Disney has extra experiences planned that are only available in the summer.

• It is rare for popular rides to be closed for refurbishment during June and July.

• Every Disney resort has multiple pools, one main one and additional smaller quiet pools, that are a great way to cool off during the heat of the day.

• Disney has two great water parks, these are a ticket add on, that have great theming and plenty of great attractions to fill a day with. The operational hours for these water parks are typically the longest in July.

• 4th of July: If you are looking for outstanding fireworks for the 4th of July, look no further than Walt Disney World, which has some incredible special night shows in addition to some fun themed food and PhotoPass opportunities.

Cons:

• Crowd levels can be high for all of June and July leading to increased costs and the need to strategize and plan more to maximize time.

• There is less of a chance of a discount being offered by Disney.

• The summer weather at Disney can be downright unpleasant at times. The temperature will range from lows in the 70s to highs in the 90s, frequently with high humidity.

• Expect afternoon thunderstorms ranging from a quick 20 minutes to all afternoon and evening. Pack ponchos/umbrellas and an extra pair of shoes in case one pair gets wet.

• 4th of July: Crowd levels around the 4th of July skyrocket.

• Hurricane season kicks off in July, so stay up to date on the weather and be okay with the possibility of the parks closing for a day if a tropical storm or hurricane hits the area. (Trip insurance this time of year is a must in our opinion.)

Pixie Dust Hugs,

Bren, Lyn, Kim

Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation?  Click here for our planning guide. Need tips for planning a Walt Disney World Vacation with someone with a disability?  Check out the disability section of our blog here.  Need help navigating the parks using DAS?  Click here. No longer qualify for DAS and need help figuring out  now to approach a day at the parks?  Click here for our ideas on how to flip your thinking and still have a good experience at Disney. Looking for someone to help plan your Practically Perfect Vacation? Need help navigating all the details? Click here to Book with Brenda.