With summer just around the corner, is it really the time to be going to Disney World?
Magic Kingdom
If you have a trip to Disney World planned this summer, there’s a chance you might see it emptier than usual. Between Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, a lot is going on at the parks this year. Even though summer is vacation time for lots of people, it might not be spent at the Most Magical Place on Earth. The question is, why?
The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
Too Much Construction
It’s no secret that a lot is coming to Disney World in the future, which means there is a lot of construction happening at the parks. Disney’s Animal Kingdom feels like a half-day park right now as Disney Imagineers continue to put together the brand-new Tropical Americas themed land, Puebla Esperanza. DINOSAUR was permanently closed earlier this year, and with Dinoland gone, the park just feels emptier.
Pueblo Esperanza construction
Over at Hollywood Studios, construction is taking place in a few different spots. Even though the all-new animation courtyard, The Magic of Disney Animation, will be open by May 26th, Hollywood Studios will still have a lengthy construction period ahead of it. Muppets Courtyard closed down to make way for Monstropolis, and that whole area will be closed for a while.
Construction for Monsters Inc. Land
As for Magic Kingdom, construction is underway for Piston Peak and eventually Villains Land. The entire area where Tom Sawyer Island is is completely walled off. Throw in all the construction taking place at the many resorts around the property, and you’re going to see a lot of walls and cranes at Disney World this summer!
Attraction Closures
On top of construction, there are many attractions that are closed right now. Some will open within the few weeks of summer, some possibly later. Attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the animation courtyard at Hollywood Studios, and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster starring the Muppets are all closed right now.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster construction
They are set to open closer to the beginning of the summer, but it’s something you’ll want to be aware of. Also, this will be the first summer after DINOSAUR’s permanent closure.
Ticket Prices Are Too High
We hate to say it, but ticket prices are just too high at Disney World right now. It seems like every year, a Disney World vacation gets harder and harder to do, solely based on the cost of getting into the parks. Yes, Disney just dropped an afternoon ticket deal, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.
Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle
Days at Magic Kingdom can run as high as $200 this summer. No park hopper, no Lightning Lane, just one day at one park.
Everyone Is Going to Disneyland
It’s true, everyone is going to Disneyland this summer! This isn’t a debate about which park is better (you can have that amongst yourselves), it’s because the D23 Expo is happening at Anaheim in August. The D23 Expo is the ultimate Disney fan event, filled with awesome experiences, exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at Disney projects, merchandise, and more. All the Disney fans heading to D23 will surely spend their money for a day at Disneyland while they’re there.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
Between D23, Disneyland, and Disney World, it seems logical that Disney World is at the bottom of the priority list for Disney fans this summer.
Epic Universe
Believe it or not, Universal’s Epic Universe is close to celebrating its first anniversary. On May 22nd, 2026, Epic Universe will have been open for one year. The brand-new park has been very popular, but if you remember, it was pretty limited capacity last summer. Everyone who missed out will want to check out that park this summer if they can. Same with everyone who wanted to wait to see what others said before checking it out.
Epic Universe
All in all, Epic Universe will be taking some guests away from Disney World for the people who travel to Florida this summer!
IT’S SO DANG HOT
Everyone coming to Florida knows that the humid summer heat can be a lot to deal with. This is the least contributing factor on this list, but hey, some people don’t want to sweat all day long at Disney World while on their vacation. So, this is something to consider.
Spaceship Earth
Just to be clear, we’re not saying DON’T go to Disney World this summer. Every day is a good day to be at the park we all love, but that doesn’t mean some seasons aren’t better or worse than others. In fact, maybe this summer is a good time to go if the park is emptier. However, if you decide to wait for another time because of these reasons, that’s totally valid. For more Disney content, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!
COMPLETE LIST of Disney World Early Entry Hotel Perk Changes For May 2026
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Will you be coming to Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Lets get real, Disney World will never be empty no matter what. And Disney knows this. That’s why prices continue to go up faster than inflation, and will continue to until people stop going!
A year or two before Covid I found that I was looking at more construction walls than ever before. Then after Covid I didn’t renew right away because of all the stipulations to go and my own situation with family doesn’t allow us to plan that restrictedly. Now that I’d like to go and see the things I watched as they were being built the prices are not in range any longer (especially during the political events of the last year)and once again there seems to be more construction abounding. Sadly, tings will improve one of these days.
For me the heat is an important factor. I went once in July and have stuck to February ever since!😉
My wife and I (and the five members of our extended family) love Walt Disney World. We took our first family trip in 2018, for two weeks from late June through early July, and the heat and humidity was oppressive, i.e. temps at 7 am in the 90’s with afternoon heat indexes well over 100⁰. We had a fabulous time but vowed NEVER to go in summer again!
Since then, the entire family has made the trip in early April and the week after Thanksgiving 2023, with temperatures being such that we knew we weren’t living on the Sun. It was still T-shirt-and-shorts weather but much more comfortable.
I forgot to add that almost everyday during our June-July vacation, there was a torrential downpour for one to two hours each afternoon, one of which took out the power to the monorail.
These storms essentially cut each park day short, a took away pool opportunities. If you are able, go another time.
I’m going this summer. I know that it will be hot, but I haven’t been there in so long I’ll put up with the heat! 🤗👍