July is one of the busiest months of the year when it comes to vacationing at Disney World.

But with taking a vacation to Disney World can also come some major perks! So, if you are planning a vacation in July, here are EIGHT perks you need to know about!

Early Entry

Guests staying at Disney World resort hotels and other select resorts are eligible to enjoy any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before non-resort guests — this includes both check-in and check-out days. This exclusive perk gives resort guests a head start on experiencing select popular attractions before everyone else, often allowing them to enjoy one or two rides with shorter wait times before the parks officially open.

The attractions open in each park for early entry are as follows:

Magic Kingdom:

• “it’s a small world”
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mad Tea Party
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Note: This attraction will be closed for refurbishment starting July 6th)

EPCOT:

• Frozen Ever After
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mission: SPACE
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’ Across America
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Hollywood Studios:

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!

Animal Kingdom:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Na’vi River Journey
• Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Everything You Need to Know About Disney World’s Early Entry CHANGES

Extended Evening Hours

If you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort hotel or Deluxe Villa, you’ll want to pay attention to this one. After the parks close to the general public, guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and other select hotels will have an extra TWO HOURS to spend in the theme parks on select nights. The parks and dates are as follows:

Magic Kingdom: Wednesday, July 1st, 22nd, and 29th from 10 PM to 12 AM

Magic Kingdom: Wednesday, July 8th, 15th from 11 PM to 1 AM

EPCOT: Monday, July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th from 9 PM to 11 PM

The hotels and resorts included are as follows:

Disney Deluxe Resorts

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (The extended evening theme park hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only)
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Other Select Hotels

• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort

FULL LIST of Disney World Extended Evening Hours Dates and Theme Parks for 2026

After Hours Events

If you’re not staying at one of those hotels listed above for Extended Evening Hours but still want to enjoy the park with lower wait times than during the day, an After Hours Event might be the move for you! These are special-ticket events, so there is an additional cost, but you’ll get to enjoy the park for THREE HOURS after the park closes to everyone else. You also might be able to get into the park earlier than the designated start time at some parks!

These events also come with complimentary popcorn, select ice cream novelties, and select bottled beverages. The dates and parks are as follows:

Magic Kingdom: Monday, July 13th from 10 PM to 1 AM

EPCOT: Thursday, July 9th and 23rd from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM

Hollywood Studios: Wednesday, July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM

Typhoon Lagoon: Friday, July 3rd, 17th, 24th, and 31st from 8 PM to 11 PM

Typhoon Lagoon: Tuesday, July 7th from 8 PM to 11 PM

These Snacks Could Be the BEST Perk of This Disney World After Hours Event

Cool Kids’ Summer

Introduced in 2025, Cool Kids’ Summer is BACK for 2026! With special character appearances, pajama parties, pool parties, in-park activities and maps, campfires, and so much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! This year, as a part of Cool Kids’ Summer, Disney has introduced Bluey’s Wild World in Animal Kingdom, Jessie’s Roundup in Magic Kingdom, GoofyCore in EPCOT, and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! in Hollywood Studios! This perk runs through September 8th.

Why We’re Bringing the Kids to Disney Springs on July 22nd

V.I.Passholder Days

Another returning perk from last summer is the V.I.Passholder Days! Now through July 31st, Disney World Annual Passholders can enjoy several offerings, including:

• An exclusive lounge in the Morocco Pavilion where guests can relax in an air-conditioned area, enjoy complimentary snacks, water and Moroccan mint tea, receive a complimentary Passholder button, and experience an exclusive Disney PhotoPass Service Animated Magic Shot
• Pick up one of this year’s Annual Passholder magnets featuring Woody and Buzz Lightyear
• Meet an exclusive character (or characters) in the Magic Eye Theater (home to the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival) in at EPCOT

A Disney World Annual Pass Basically Pays for Itself With These 10 Perks

Afternoon Park Tickets

Wanting to visit the Disney theme parks, but don’t think you’ll make it in the morning? Want to sleep in a little on a few of your vacation days, but still want to go to the parks in the afternoon? You don’t have to pay full price for a theme park ticket! Through July 29th, guests can purchase “Afternoon Date-Based Tickets” that will allow them to enter the park starting at 2 PM without paying the full price of a full-day park ticket. There are 2-day or 3-day options starting at $116 per day. The 2-day ticket must be used within four days of the selected start date, and the 3-day ticket must be used within five days of the selected start date. This will allow you admission into ONE theme park per day.

4 Reasons You SHOULD Buy Disney World’s Afternoon Ticket Deal

Hotel Discounts

Saving money anywhere you can on your Disney World vacation can feel like a big win, especially when it comes to discounts on where you’re staying. Now through October 4th, guests can save up to 30% off their hotel room if their stay is for five or more consecutive nights! And those staying one to four consecutive nights can save up to 25%! This is all subject to room types and availability.

Disney World Annual Passholders can save even more with up to 40% off for stays of four or more nights on most nights through July 29th! Again, this deal is subject to availability, but it’s a great deal if you’re looking to book a trip soon!

3 Rules To Know BEFORE Booking a Discounted Disney World Hotel Room

Complimentary Water Park Entry

Now through September 8th, guests staying at Disney World hotels can enjoy FREE admission to a Disney water park on their check-in day! Instead of waiting in your resort lobby for the text that your room is finally ready, you can drop off your bags at bell services and head to the water park instead — no need to wait around for your vacation to start!

Note that both water parks may not be open at the same time, so be sure to check your My Disney Experience app before heading to Blizzard Beach, only to find out it’s closed for refurbishment!

We’re always looking for the latest perks and deals around Disney World, so stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more updates like this!

A NEW Disney Hotel Perk Just Dropped!

What perk are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!