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!

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!

Disney Springs Flavors of Florida — Walt Disney World

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. 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 midnight, 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 June 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.

Do You Qualify for Disney World’s New Extended Evening Hours?

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!

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival typically begins in the middle of July, so if you want to experience this fest for foodies, plan your trip near the middle or end of the month!

Free with EPCOT admission are the Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Festival Passport, and all EPCOT attractions and park entertainment. (Find our COMPLETE GUIDE to EPCOT here!)

Pick up the suggested items as listed in the Festival Passport for Emile’s Fromage Montage, then receive a prize for completing this Cheese-themed Crawl! In 2022, guests could choose 5 cheesy dishes out of a possible 10! Once you’ve tried 5 of the 10 food items and collected your stamps in your Festival Passport, you can head on over to Shimmering Sips for a special prize!

Throughout the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, popular bands from recent decades take the stage at the American Gardens Theatre in The American Adventure Pavilion for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Iconic bands and artists can be seen performing Fridays through Mondays, while local bands performed Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Click the link to learn more about the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Series!

Whether you’re going all-out at the food booths, or just enjoying the free concerts and atmosphere, there’s plenty to love about the Food and Wine Festival. If you’re visiting Disney World in July, we’d say this festival is a must-do!

Check out the BEST of the FEST — ALL the Must-Eats and Must-Sips at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival HERE!

Independence Day in Disney World

Disney will use any holiday or excuse to introduce new specialty snacks, and July 4th is no exception.

You can celebrate this day with any number of patriotic snacks.  Like the 4th of July Liege Waffle, at Connections Eatery & Cafe, which is a Brioche Dough Waffle with Vanilla Icing around the edges, covered in Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles. It’s topped with a White Chocolate Mickey and Powdered Sugar.

So, if the Fourth of July happens to fall during your Disney World trip, be sure to check back with us on the treats you need to add to your plan!

ALL the Limited-Time Fourth of July Eats in Disney World

Flavors of Florida in Disney World

Enjoy cuisine inspired by the Sunshine State during Disney Springs Flavors of Florida, a summer event in Disney Springs! This celebration tends to run from the beginning of July through mid-August, over 30 restaurants and shops all around Disney Springs showcased limited-time dishes and drinks for this event.

During Flavors of Florida, guests can stop by the Disney Springs Welcome Center (or any participating location listed below) for an event guide, and you can check out the specialty food items and locations!

While the limited-time eats and drinks might be your main focus, don’t forget that you can do some Florida-inspired shopping at Flavors of Florida, too. We’ve spotted items like The Florida Sunshine Collection at Basin, some Orange Blossom Florida Honey at Savannah Bee Company, and fun products over at Ron Jon Surf Shop®, a Florida-based store.

Disney Springs Flavors of Florida — Walt Disney World

There are plenty of awesome experiences to enjoy at Disney World during the month of July! Guests are treated to warm (ok, HOT) weather, the Food and Wine Festival, Independence Day, and Flavors of Florida celebrations. 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!

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!

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

The post Disney World in July: Tips and Info first appeared on the disney food blog.