Walt Disney World Summer Planning Guide

June, July, and August

Ah, there’s nothing quite like a Florida summer at Walt Disney World—where the sun turns up the heat, the humidity wraps you in a warm hug, and those surprise rain showers add a dash of pixie-dusted excitement! Even sweltering days here beat a mild afternoon anywhere else. If you’re planning your June, July or August adventure, remember to pack plenty of water, build in cool-down breaks, and map out your must-do attractions to keep the fun going without overheating.

For all our best park-planning secrets, flutter over to the Tips and Tricks section of our  Planning Guide. and for extra magic on beating the heat, check out our heat-busting hacks here. Stay cool, stay energized, and let the summer magic begin!

***Updated 7/03/2025

Summer at Walt Disney World sparkles with its own brand of pixie dust—think exclusive seasonal events, sizzling summer deals, and special activities you’ll only find in June, July, and August. Stay in the loop and catch every bit of that sun-splashed magic by checking out our latest summer updates here!

When June arrives, summer is in full swing—and so are the crowds (and the heat!). Daytime temperatures typically climb from the low 70s into the 90s, and by July the humidity from seasonal afternoon storms makes every degree feel even hotter. If you do get caught in a downpour, lean into it: the splash of rain can be refreshing, the crowds often thin out, and you might score quicker ride times once it passes. Just keep in mind that some attractions pause during heavy rain. While we tend to skip summer visits ourselves, with a little extra planning, a dose of patience, and plenty of water (and maybe a poncho!), you can still turn up the fun at Walt Disney World even when the temperatures soar..

With those summer crowds come extended park hours—perfect for beating the heat by splitting your day into three magic-filled segments! Start with rope drop to squeeze in early-morning rides while lines are shortest and temperatures are coolest. Then, retreat midday for a siesta or a refreshing dip in your resort pool. Finally, head back in the evening for dinner and a second wind of attractions as the sun sets and the air cools.

Let’s be real: a Walt Disney World vacation rarely feels “relaxing,” and summer amped-up crowds and humidity only dial up the challenge. But trust us—sweltering, rainy, crowded days at Disney still beat a temperate afternoon anywhere else! For our go-to spots to ☔️ beat the rain or ☀️ beat the heat in each park, check out our Beat the Rain or Heat maps . And for all our top hacks on handling Florida’s famous heat and humidity, flutter over to our Florida Heat Tips and Tricks. Pack that water bottle, grab your poncho, and get ready to make summer magic happen!

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.

🦖 Daisy’s Dig (Animal Kingdom, now–Sept 1)

Dodge the heat with a visit to Restaurantosaurus’s “Hip Joint” room, where Daisy Duck and a Dino Institute intern host coloring, crafts, and sing‑alongs. Guests enjoy casual meet‑and‑greets—no line, just low‑key fun and cool AC. Plus, there’s PhotoPass coverage and Daisy may even autograph your artwork!

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

Disney’s After Hours Events pop up in winter, spring, and summer—and they’re pure pixie-dusted magic for beating crowds (and that Florida heat) without the full-day ticket price! These special hard-ticket parties don’t require a separate park admission—your After Hours pass is all you need. On select evenings, Hollywood Studios lights up from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM, while Magic Kingdom and EPCOT host their festivities from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

We’re big fans of slipping in one of these late-night adventures on our trips and try to budget for it every time. Keep in mind that not every attraction or show runs during After Hours, and Magic Kingdom skips the summer edition in June and July since it already stays open late for all Guests. Ticket prices vary by date—Hollywood Studios runs about $165–$185 per person (plus tax), and EPCOT is $165–$175 (plus tax)—with select discounts for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members. If you’re looking to stretch your park day into the wee hours, an After Hours ticket could be the perfect sprinkle of pixie dust on your summer plans!

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

Dive into the glow-tastic fun of H2O Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon  at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon—an exclusive summer soirée that splashes late-night magic across select evenings from May 23 through September 13! From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, cooler temps, and all your favorite slides and rides—plus North America’s biggest wave pool—in a festive, glow-in-the-dark party hosted by none other than Partysaurus Rex from Toy Story.

Tickets go on sale April 1 for Disney Resort guests (and April 4 for everyone else), with adult passes (ages 10+) at $85 and a special introductory rate of $42.50 for kiddos (ages 3–9). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members score an extra $15 off adult tickets—so grab your glow sticks, don your brightest swimsuit, and make a splash under the stars!

o4-mini

Typhoon Lagoon H2O Glow 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’s a sprinkle of summer happenings at Walt Disney World June through August that you might want to keep in mind. They can impact crowd levels in the parks.

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

Heads up: while youth sports tournaments can turn snagging a room at the All-Star Resorts into a gold-medal challenge, they rarely significantly impact park crowds.

Pros and Cons

Summer Perks at Walt Disney World ✨

• Longer Park Hours With peak-season crowds, the parks stay open later—letting you enjoy more magic in the cooler early mornings and balmy evenings.

• Exclusive Summer-Only Experiences From limited-time character meet-and-greets to seasonal entertainment and special dining offerings, Disney rolls out extra 🧚 pixie dust just for June through August visitors.

• Minimal Refurbishments on Headliners June and July are typically off-limits for big ride overhauls, so your must-do attractions are almost always operating.

• Resort Pool PowerEvery Disney resort boasts a main pool plus one or more quiet “hidden gem” pools—perfect spots for a midday cool-off without leaving your room.

• Two Immersive Water Parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are ticket add-ons, each with incredible theming, waves, slides, and July hours that often outshine the rest of the parks.

• Stellar 4th of July Celebrations Walt Disney World pulls out all the stops for Independence Day—think awe-inspiring fireworks spectaculars, themed eats and treats, and special PhotoPass moments you won’t want to miss.

Here are a few summer “trade-offs” to keep in mind before you dive into that Disney heat wave:

• Peak-Season Crowds & Costs June and July draw the biggest throngs, which means longer lines, pricier accommodations, and more strategy required to squeeze in all your must-do attractions.

• Fewer Discount Opportunities Summer is one of the few times Disney rarely offers room or ticket deals—so budget carefully and lock in rates early.

• Oppressive Heat & Humidity Daily temps typically dip into the 70s before climbing into the 90s, with humidity that can feel like a warm, sweaty hug. Stay hydrated and build in plenty of cool-down breaks.

• Afternoon Thunderstorms Those quick-hit downpours (or all-day drizzles) are almost a Disney summer staple. Pack ponchos or umbrellas plus an extra pair of shoes—wet socks are the real villain of the day.

• 4th of July Stampede Independence Day fireworks bring jaw-dropping displays … and jaw-dropping crowd levels. If you’re not a fan of elbow-to-elbow viewing parties, plan your park days around the holiday.

• Hurricane Season Worries July kicks off Florida’s storm window. Keep tabs on forecasts—and consider trip insurance—just in case a tropical disturbance forces a park closure (or a very rainy day).

With a little extra planning—early starts, midday breaks, and late-night magic—you can turn even the hottest, rainiest, most crowded summer day at Walt Disney World into a pixie-dusted adventure. Remember to hydrate 💧, embrace those surprise showers ☔ (and the post-storm cocktail of shorter lines!), and lean on extended hours, After Hours events, and water-park fun to keep the cool factor high. Whether you’re chasing fireworks 🎆 on the Fourth or splashing under glow sticks at Typhoon Lagoon, this guide has the tricks you need to beat the heat, outmaneuver the crowds, and make your June, July, or August visit unforgettable. Here’s to sun-soaked smiles, chilled-out pool breaks, and every magical moment in between—see you under the Florida sun 🌴!

Pixie Dust Hugs,

Bren, Lyn, Kim

Planning your Walt Disney World adventure? Start with our Disney Planning Guide. Looking for autism-friendly tips or accessibility insights or help with DAS? Find them here.  If you no longer qualify for DAS but still want a magical day, discover our alternative strategies. And when you’re ready for a truly Practically Perfect Vacation, book with Bren for expert planning assistance.