10 Things to Know Before You Visit Walt Disney World in the Summer

Guests can expect many basic things when visiting Disney World in the summer – mainly the heat and the crowds. Temperatures climb into the 90s (with a heat index into the 100s), and crowd levels can build steadily throughout the day. When you consider that kids are on break from school, it goes without saying that June, July, and August are some of the busiest months of the year in Orlando. However, if you do your research and planning beforehand and come with the right attitude, visiting Disney World during the summer can be more than worth it!

10 – Disney After Hours Events

Summer crowds tend to be busy with long lines for many attractions. One way to enjoy the parks without the crowds (and the heat of the day) is Disney After Hours. These special ticketed events take place after hours and offer low wait times, complimentary snacks, and a chance to enjoy the park with special entertainment. Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon offer these events during the summer. During these events you can get so much done, so we find they are well worth the extra cost.

9 – Longer Park Hours

One of the best things about visiting Disney World in the summer is getting extended park time. To accommodate hordes of guests, all of the Disney parks will open earlier and stay open later. When the sun goes down, you can usually expect cooler temperatures and lower crowds. Definitely, plan on rising early or staying late to get the most out of your park days during the summer.

8 – Book Hotel and Dining Reservations Early

Before arriving at Disney during the summer, make sure you’ve booked your hotel and dining reservations in advance. Getting a good rate on a hotel room or a table at a popular Disney dining establishment is near impossible during the busy summer season. Disney will sometimes offer summer deals on hotel rooms and ticket packages, so make sure to take advantage of those. Next, start making dining reservations as soon as you’re able (60 days)- there is a slim chance you’ll be able to walk up to a restaurant and get a same-day table. Preparation is key for a summer at Disney!

7 – Prepare for the Heat

This one is obvious, but a lot of guests visiting from out of state usually don’t realize just how hot Florida can get. On some days, it can feel like you’re walking on the surface of the sun in the middle of a rainforest. Heat can not only bring out bad tempers in both adults and children, but it can also be dangerous- you want to avoid getting heatstroke on your vacation! Make sure to constantly stay hydrated (you can ask for free ice water at select Starbucks and counter-service restaurants in Disney if you forget to bring a refillable water bottle). Wear sunscreen and light clothes, and bring sunglasses and hats. Take advantage of shady areas, and visit indoor shops and attractions as often as possible. Don’t underestimate just how hot it can get during the summer in Orlando.

Pro-Tip: Keep in mind that glass bottles and containers are not allowed in the Disney parks. If you bring a refillable water bottle, make sure it’s plastic or made out of another sturdy material.

6 – Brave the Rain

In the summer, torrential rainstorms are expected as much as the heat. Usually, it will storm pretty bad for a few hours in the middle of the day, everyday-but don’t let that stop your fun! Of course, take shelter if it gets really bad, but if it’s just raining, put on a poncho and continue to enjoy the parks! Many guests will clear out during bad weather, making the lines shorter and the parks more bearable. There are a lot of indoor activities all over Disney property, which you can partake in during rainy days. Make sure you come equipped with a good weather app loaded on your smartphone and check the forecast before your trip. This way, you won’t let the rain damper your summer vacation!

Pro-Tip: Carry an umbrella and flip-flops with you if you can- no one likes walking around in wet sneakers! Also, bring a jacket- indoor areas at Disney will have the A/C cranked WAY up during the summer, which can freeze you to the bone if you’re soaking wet. A jacket may be the last thing on your mind during the summer, but it’s a lifesaver!

5 – Take Breaks at the Hotel

During the summer, the hottest time is usually smacked in the middle of the day, from noon to around 3 or 4 p.m. Use this time to take a break at your resort hotel. Go swimming, take a nap, or play in the arcade. This is a favorite practice of mine no matter what time of year it is, but a nice refreshing swim or nap (before returning to the parks in the evening) can make all the difference. If you are staying off-property and can’t get to your hotel easily, then find a nice shady area in the park (preferably with benches) or a restaurant and just chill out for an hour or two. It’s important to recharge your batteries and not to overdo it. It’s tempting to want to power through the day but listen to your body if it’s telling you to take a break.

4 – Visit the Water Parks

Summer is a great time of year to visit both Disney water parks- Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. The water will feel refreshing, and the slides provide amazing thrills. Summer is the perfect time to visit a water park because it gives you a break from the unrelenting heat in the parks. Even if it rains during a water park day, you can usually take shelter and wait for the storm to pass before the slides reopen. You can add a water park option when purchasing tickets, and I have to say, I’ve never been disappointed after experiencing Typhoon Lagoon on a hot day. I highly recommend visiting at least one of the water parks!

3 – Prepare for Tour Groups 

Along with heavier crowds, there is an influx of South American tour groups visiting Disney World during the summer. July is their winter break, so be prepared for groups made up largely of younger guests. They’re here to enjoy the parks the same as you, so just go in with an open mindset and expect that the lines and park pathways may be more filled up than usual. If you search online, you’ll see a lot of discussion topics expressing frustration toward these tour groups in Disney. However, patience is key; if you see a large tour group in Fantasyland, maybe try to avoid that area and come back later. It’s easy to get agitated, but as long as you have a good plan and touring strategy in place, you’ll be alright!

2 – Consider Purchasing Genie+ and A la Carte Individual Lightning Lane Access

While it’s not right for everyone, you may want to consider paying for Lightning Lane access, a paid option now available to guests at Walt Disney World, especially during the busy summer months. Lightning Lane is the old FastPass lane, and there are two different paid options that you can choose (along with different attractions) to access it. While reviews are mixed, and you likely will not get access to as many attractions as you hope to, it certainly can help you avoid some long lines at the park. The first option is to purchase Disney Genie+ for a day or each day of your visit. It costs each person anywhere from $15-$39 per day. With Genie+, you can access the Lightning Lane at select attractions at each park (one at a time and once per day). There are over forty total Genie+ attractions.

The second option is to purchase Lightning Lane with the a la carte method for individual attractions. A few attractions at each park are NOT included with your Genie+ purchase. They must be purchased separately, and pricing ranges from $7-$25 per attraction, per person. While we encourage you to consider these options for your family, do keep in mind that you do not have to purchase either of these options to enjoy these attractions. The standby queue is available for all attractions. However, wait times in the standby lane have gone up pretty significantly to allow guests using the Lightning Lane to skip ahead. Learn more about Lightning Lane, including how to book the selections, by clicking here. 

1 – Experience the 4^th of July at Disney

If you visit Disney during the summer, chances are you may be there for the 4th of July. All Disney fireworks shows are spectacular, but Disney’s Independence Day fireworks are out of this world! Special 4th of July firework shows take place at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, so expect those parks to be especially busy on Independence Day (and get a spot for the fireworks super early). Luckily, Magic Kingdom also shows its 4th of July fireworks on July 3^rd, so you have two chances to watch the show! I’d also recommend watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Polynesian Resort beach if you can; with perimeter fireworks, you’ll be able to get a good view from there. And if you can’t be at the parks during the 4^th of July (or don’t want to battle the crowds), then just grab a computer- Disney usually live streams their Independence Day celebrations. I love watching them from the comfort of my bedroom and laptop screen!