If you’re planning a trip to Disney soon, here’s your warning: this isn’t the magical summer you expected.
For a hot minute, it looked like Disney World might be in for a rare quiet stretch this summer. Guests who visited in early June reported surprisingly short wait times, open pathways, and less hustle in the parks than usual. Some even snagged Lightning Lanes for top-tier rides like TRON Lightcycle Run without much effort.
But that window closed fast. Now, the parks are back to feeling like full-blown chaos. Nearly every ride has seen a noticeable jump in wait times. TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy are hitting 70-minute waits again, and even Pirates of the Caribbean—usually a reliable option when you’re trying to dodge the long lines—is now stretching beyond 45 minutes on busy afternoons.
Hot! Hot! Hot!
The crowds would be challenging on their own, but throw in Florida’s brutal July weather and it’s a whole different level of intensity. Lately, temperatures have been bouncing between the low 90s and low 100s. That’s hot on its own, but when the humidity spikes to nearly 80%, it’s downright miserable.
This is the kind of weather where sweat starts the second you leave your resort. You’ll see families huddled in whatever shade they can find, kids begging for popsicles before noon, and people refilling water bottles at every fountain. Cooling towels and portable fans aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re practically survival gear. The sun doesn’t let up, and neither do the crowds, making every moment in the parks feel like a marathon.
Wait Times Are Rising Across All Parks
If you’re thinking about park-hopping to escape the madness, you might want to think again. EPCOT isn’t offering much relief. Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure are seeing wait times over an hour on a daily basis. Over at Animal Kingdom, Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey continue to pull in long lines, and even Kilimanjaro Safaris is running long during peak hours.
Hollywood Studios? More of the same. Rise of the Resistance consistently hovers above 80 minutes, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is once again a major time investment. At this point, even Toy Story Mania is getting crowded.
Unless you hop on snagging a Lightning Lane before the sun has fully risen or rope dropping with military precision, you’re going to spend a good chunk of your day standing in place.
That Brief Crowd Dip? It’s History Now
So what happened? Why did it feel slow earlier, and why the sudden surge now? There was a brief moment where it looked like things were slowing down. Some fans speculated that the hype around Universal’s Epic Universe might be keeping travelers at bay this summer. Others thought airline costs and travel delays might be keeping families home.
But now it’s clear that was just a temporary pause. July is always one of the busiest times of year, and this year is no exception. Families are out of school, international tourists are back in bigger numbers, and Disney’s summer entertainment and events are in full swing. Any hope for a quiet summer has officially evaporated.
Is It Worth Visiting Right Now?
The honest answer? That depends on what kind of experience you’re hoping for. If you’re prepared—meaning early wake-ups, plenty of hydration, and a flexible mindset—you can still have a great time. But if you’re hoping for a stress-free trip filled with spontaneous fun, July probably isn’t your best bet.
Crowds are thick, the weather is relentless, and the “short wait times” of earlier this summer are nothing but a memory. The wait times and heat will only worsen fourth of July weekend. If your travel dates are flexible, consider holding off until September or early November. Those months tend to offer a better balance of cooler weather, manageable crowds, and a little more breathing room.
Right now, Disney World is still magical—but it’s also intense, overwhelming, and not for the faint of heat.
