The Best Guide To Disneyland in July- 2023

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Are you visiting Disneyland in July? I’ve got all the information you’re going to need for an amazing trip! Summertime is the best time for many people to visit the Disneyland Resort. Although crowds can be higher at Disneyland during the month of July due to Summer breaks across the country, you’ll still be able to have a great time!

There’s lots of fun to be had at Disneyland in July. Summer vacation is in full swing, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead a bit so you’ll be prepared. In this article, I talk about the weather, crowd levels, events, what to expect, and how to get a discount on your Disney park tickets.

Discount Disneyland Tickets

Be aware, that park tickets and reservations are required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Please don’t pay full price for your park tickets! My partners at Get Away Today have the best deals on hotels and ticket prices! Their tickets are always discounted off the gate price. Plus they offer layaway plans! Book your trip now and make payments!

They also have amazing deals on hotels. You can often find deals with free nights! I prefer a hotel room within walking distance of the parks and I’ve always found great deals through Get Away Today. If you’re thinking of staying on property, the Disneyland Hotel is my very favorite! You can check out all my hotel reviews here.

I know you’re going to love Get Away Today! I’ve been using them for 15 years and they are the best in the business. If you book a package with a hotel and tickets through them you can use my code MIX10 to save an additional $10!

What to Expect At Disneyland In July

Disneyland in July has lots to offer! Let’s chat about what you can expect.

Crowds at Disneyland In July

Disneyland in July will be fairly crowded. I know that idea of dealing with crowds at Disneyland is stressful to a lot of people, but please don’t let crowds scare you away. You can still have an amazing time, even if it’s crowded. I’ve created this Disneyland crowd calendar to help you plan. As you can see, there are steady crowds the entire month of July. Don’t worry though! Some of our best days at Disney have happened when it was crowded. You’re going to be fine.

Because it’s a popular time to visit, Disneyland will have longer park hours. This is great news for lots of families! Longer park hours make it an ideal time for many families to visit. Make sure you check the Disneyland app so you can know the park hours before you arrive.

Be prepared for higher crowds, especially around the 4th of July and on weekends. I’ve got lots of info for dealing with high crowd levels here. For the lowest July crowds, stick to Tuesday – Friday and avoid weekends. The few days before and after the 4th of July will be the most crowded, so avoid those few days if you can.

Make sure to check out my downloadable touring plans with Genie Plus! These plans will help you avoid long lines!

Weather at Disneyland In July

The weather at Disneyland in July is hot! The average high temperature is 84 degrees F. The average low is 66 degrees F. The park often feels even hotter because of all the concrete and people around.

Be at the parks early so you can take advantage of the cooler morning hours and consider staying later because Disneyland after dark is so much cooler. Taking a break back at your hotel mid-day can be a life saver!

Make sure you keep an eye on the weather before your trip so you can be prepared. Don’t forget the sunscreen and sunglasses! I’ve got lots of ideas for beating the heat at Disneyland here.

What To Wear To Disneyland In July

Keep comfort in mind when you’re deciding what to pack for Disneyland in July. You’ll want to wear things that are breathable and light. Tank tops and shorts are a good idea. You might want to consider bringing a jacket, even if the weather forecast predicts heat. The Southern California evenings can get chilly. I have a full guide about what to wear to Disneyland in July. You can find it here.

How to Keep Cool at Disneyland In July

You’re going to need a break from the heat at some point during the day! Good news! I have lots of ideas for you. You can take a break back at your hotel in the swimming pool or lay down for a nice nap.

Or, if you’re staying in the park you might want to try a water ride like Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run. You’re sure to get soaked on both of them!

I’m a fan of long indoor rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, or “it’s a small world”. These rides are long and fully air-conditioned! It’s a great place to take a break.

You can also hop on Little Mermaid for a nice relaxing ride filled with air conditioning over at California Adventure. Or, take a break from the Animation Academy. I’ve got a bunch of other ideas for beating the heat here.

Events At Disneyland In July

Here’s what events you need to know about if you’re visiting in July.

4th of July Celebration

Disneyland has a couple of special events for the Fourth of July. You can expect a patriotic fireworks show! This show is incredibly popular and draws large crowds. People will even come and hang out at the esplanade to watch the 4th of July Fireworks show from outside the park for free. Park tickets are not needed to enjoy fireworks from the esplanade. Because of the popularity of the show and the holiday, the 4th of July draws large crowds.

If you’re looking to add more patriotic fun to your Disneyland July visit, check out Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. This show is so inspiring and will make you feel proud to be an American! It’s also shown inside an air-conditioned theater, which I know will be appealing to you cme mid-day when it’s hot!

You can also check out the Flag Retreat Ceremony on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland. Every afternoon around 4:30, the Disneyland band or the Dapper Dans will hold a Flag Retreat Ceremony. In this, 20-minute event past and present members of the Armed Forces are encouraged to participate and called up by each branch to be honored. It’s a pretty special event and I’m so glad Disneyland does this daily! Check the Disneyland app for showtime.

Over at California Adventure, you’ll be able to see a special 4th of July World of Color show!

Disneyland’s Birthday Mini Event

Disneyland’s birthday is July 17th! I’m teaming up with my friend Shantelle, the Disneyland Tour Guide for a fun mini event! If you’ll be visiting on July 17th, I hope you’ll join us for an opening day ride challenge, prizes, fireworks and a ride or two at the end of the night.

Here’s the schedule for our free mini event:

7:30 am-8:15am- Stop by the flagpole right after you enter the parks to meet Melissa and Shantelle and pick up your opening day ride challenge printable! Or, you can print your own at home here.

Then, you can spend your day enjoying the parks and checking off the opening day attractions at your leisure. Tag us on Instagram as you’re going along so we can see all the fun you’re having!

8:30 pm- Meet at the tables outside Plaza Inn. Anyone who completed the opening day ride challenge will get a raffle ticket and be eligible to win a prize!

9:15 pm- Join us at “it’s a small world” to watch the Wondrous Journeys fireworks display followed by a ride or two!

This is going to be such a fun day and I hope you’ll join us if you’ll be in the parks!

Nighttime entertainment

There are lots of fun nighttime shows and entertainment to enjoy at Disneyland in July! Night-time shows include Disneyland Wondrous Journey show, The Magic Happens Parade, Fantasmic! and World of Color-One. There’s so much great entertainment during the summer months! I’m a huge fan of all of them. If you have the time, make sure you plan to enjoy some of the impressive nighttime entertainment. If you’re interested in special entertainment dining packages, I’ve got a post with lots of information about them here.

What to Pack For Disneyland In July

Packing can be seriously stressful! Don’t worry, I’ve got a free packing list and I’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to! Just print it out and through everything in your suitcase. You’ll be good to go! Click on the image to print it out.

Having a well-packed park bag at Disneyland is so helpful. Don’t pay a crazy price for something you easily could have brought from home or purchased at a much lower price at home! Here’s a list of Disney park bag essentials that I like to have with me while I’m inside the parks. I also save a ton of money by buying things on Amazon before my trip. Here’s my Disney trip Amazon list.

You’re going to want to pack a few things to help you stay cool. I recommend a small handheld fan. I found mine on Amazon. I also feel like cooling towels make a huge difference! They sell them at Disneyland, but it’s much cheaper to buy them before your trip and bring them with you. I like to bring a small pocket umbrella too. I use the umbrella to create shade for myself whenever it’s getting a little too hot. This has been a life saver in many situations!

A hat is also a really good idea to keep the sun off of your face. If you can make it a Disney hat, even better!

Of course, sunscreen is a must. You have to wear sunscreen at Disneyland! I prefer a mineral-based sunscreen because I have very fair skin and feel mineral-based sunscreens protect me best.

If you’re wondering what to wear to Disneyland in July, I’ve got lots of ideas for you! You want to make sure you’re cool and comfortable. Here’s my post on what to wear to Disneyland in July.

Tips for a Great Visit To Disneyland In July

Use Genie Plus

Genie plus is the new system that replaced the old Fastpass/Max Pass system. Genie Plus allows you to skip the regular line and use the “lightning lane” on select attractions. This is a huge time saver and the best way to skip the longest lines! You can find out more information about Genie Plus here. It is an additional fee. $25 per person per day and includes photo pass. 

Rope Drop

 The first two hours after the park opens have the very lowest crowd levels of the entire day. So, skip sleeping in and take a break later in the day when things get busy. Or, head back to the hotel early for a good night’s rest. Whatever it takes to be there bright and early! I recommend arriving at least 60 minutes before the park opens.

I recommend trying to “rope drop” the parks if possible. I’ve got tons of information about rope dropping at Disneyland here. Rope dropping the wrong attractions(Rise of the Resistance, the Star Wars Ride in Galaxy’s Edge) can throw off your day, so It’s on my list of rookie mistakes to avoid at the Disney Parks.

Mobile Order

When visiting Disneyland in July, you’re going to want to skip as many long lines as possible! Guess what? You can skip the lines for food by mobile ordering on your Disneyland app! You can browse menus, place your order and skip the lines! Then, when it’s time to eat you simply use the app to notify them that you’re at the restaurant and ready to eat. They’ll quickly prepare your food while you relax at a table. Then, you just pick it up when they alert you via the app and you’re on your way! It’s such a time-saving! Most quick-service dining places around the park offer Mobile ordering. You can check out my favorite quick-service dining options in both parks here.

Take a Break Midday

The warmer weather can take a toll on you. I suggest taking a midday break to rest and recoup. Then, you’ll be ready to tackle the Matterhorn Bobsleds line and stay late so you can take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures.

Many people like to head back to their hotels for a mid-day break. This is a great option! You can swim in the pool, take a nap, and be feeling refreshed as you head back to the park in the late afternoon/evening.

I often stay in the parks the entire day and don’t want to waste the time/energy going back to my hotel for a break. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a midday break. I make sure to take a break while I’m in the parks. Sometimes I’ll ride the train around a few times while I enjoy some popcorn and a Diet Coke. Sometimes I’ll find a shady spot to people watch. Often, I’ll schedule a dining reservation for later in the afternoon so I can sit and enjoy a nice leisurely meal in the air-conditioned restaurant. Other times, I’ll take my kids to explore Tom Sawyer’s Island or we’ll take a drawing class from Animator’s Academy. There are so many things you can do to take a little break if you stay in the parks!

Take Time For Show/Entertainment

I know it’s tempting to rush around from attraction to attraction, but slow down a bit and take some time to enjoy some of Disneyland’s incredible entertainment. Avengers Campus has a few shows that are fun, especially for Marvel fans! You can also check out Storytelling at the Royal Theatre for any princess fans. There’s so much entertainment to choose from! It can really add some magic to your day. Plus, it’s a great chance to take a break from waiting in long lines.

Have a good attitude

One of the very best things you can do when visiting Disney theme parks is to have a good attitude. Actually, it’s probably the most important thing. I know, I know, it seems like such a silly thing to say but it’s true! A good attitude will take you a long way, especially when you’re visiting during one of the hottest months with bigger crowds. Whether this is your first time on a Disneyland vacation or you visit often, decide ahead of time that you’re going to have a good time no matter what! You get to decide what kind of Disney vacation you have, so decide in advance that you want it to be a great one and it will be!

Disneyland Planning Help

If you need help planning your Disneyland vacation, I have a complete guide to planning for Disneyland that will walk you through a step-by-step planning process for Disneyland. Also, check out my top tips for visiting the Disneyland resort here.

I can’t wait for you to visit the happiest place on earth soon! I know you’re going to have a great time! I hope this guide to Disneyland in July was helpful for you. If you’re considering visiting in a different month, you can check out my month-by-month guide to Disneyland for more info.

Make sure to check out my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram for more Disney tips and lots of Disney fun!