Disney World in September | Updated For 2024

Disney World in September is a popular time to go, and for good reason! Read on for updated info on weather, crowd levels, events, and more!

In this post, we discuss Visiting Disney World in September, covering everything from weather to events to crowd levels, plus personal tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years. Historically, September is a great time to visit Disney, with lower crowds due to kiddos being back in school. We find September to be more relaxed and an overall enjoyable time to go. The weather can still be an issue, but I will dive into that below.

If you want to save money at Disney World, expect lower prices on hotels and park tickets. September prices are typically below average, especially toward the last half of the month. We have several posts on how to save at Disney here.

We can hardly keep up with Disney’s changes, but we try our best to update these posts. If we missed something, please comment, and we will fix it ASAP!

September Weather At Disney World

Temps can still reach the 90s at Disney World in September, and it rains a lot, which makes it even more humid. September is also peak hurricane season in Florida, so I recommend closely monitoring the weather. If you need to cancel, the Disney cancellation and refund policy are worth bookmarking. It provides all the information you need to cancel or reschedule your trip. (Avid Disney-goers do note that Walt Disney World recently updated their room-only cancellation policy, shortening the window for hotel cancellations. Now guests must cancel eight days before their arrival to receive a full refund. These changes will take effect starting January 1, 2025.)

My daughter was a cast member and has a lot to say about the weather at Disney in this post!

Now for the good news! Although afternoon temperatures can reach 85° —90°, evening and morning hours are significantly cooler.

Don’t let September weather discourage you. If it does rain, most showers are over quickly, and there are shops everywhere to help you stay dry!

Disney Crowds in September

Shhh, we will let you in on a little secret: September is a great time for low crowds at Walt Disney World! Why? Well, the kiddos are back in school! If fact, because September is considered one of the slowest months of the year, it has been nicknamed “Cast Member Month” by Disney employees.

However, it is Disney World, after all, so don’t expect low crowds all month long. For instance, you will see peaks in guest attendance around Labor Day weekend and the end of the month, when fall break begins for some school districts.

Also, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party occurs several times in September. MNSSHP is a ticketed event only available on select days, so it’s easy enough to plan around those days. In our experience, the closer it gets to Halloween, the higher the crowds will be.

But overall, these low crowds make September a great time to visit Walt Disney World!

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Events At Disney World In September

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Dates: August 29th to November 23rd, 2024
This multicultural event is a food lover’s dream! Enjoy cultural events, cooking demonstrations, and samples of food and drink from all over the world!

The Eat to the Beat concert series occurs nightly from August 29th to November 18th at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM. Click here for more details on dates and performers!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)
Dates: Select nights from August 9th to October 31st, 2024
This hugely popular event happens during the three months leading up to Halloween. Wear your best costume and enjoy themed food at select restaurants, Trick-or-Treat stations, dance parties, the “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade, event-exclusive merch, and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, which might be the best fireworks show at Disney! You can find more information here.

September Closures and Refurbishments At Walt Disney World

The following will be closed during October:

Parks:
EPCOT – Test Track (returning date TBD)
Blizzard Beach Water Park (returning date TBD)

Resorts:
Polynesian Village Resort- various areas under construction due to resort-wide renovations
Contemporary Resort – Bay Lake Tower (closed September 2024 – September 2025)
Port Orleans French Quarter – some guest rooms are under refurbishment

Tips For Visiting Disney World In September

Fall at Disney is so much more than decorations (although they’re pretty amazing). You’ll find fall-inspired menu items at many restaurants and seasonal snacks and treats all over the parks (like candy corn soft serve at Storybook Treats)! The Main Street Trolley Show gets a makeover, and the Trolley Dancers perform a special song!
Get to the parks early! Lower crowds in September mean you can see and do so much more. This is a great time to tour the parks in a slow and relaxed way, which is why September is one of our favorite months to visit! Our Romance at Disney post includes some of our favorite relaxing things to do!
If you’re cold-natured like me, I recommend bringing a light cardigan. It can get chilly at night when the sun goes down, and indoor rides and restaurants can be downright cold!
When deciding what to wear, I suggest keeping an eye on the extended forecast and packing accordingly. As discussed above, it can still be hot during the day, cool at night, humid, and rainy – so pack accordingly.
As mentioned above, Disney World in September can still be hot. Bring all your hot weather necessities, such as sunscreen, portable fans, electrolyte packets, ponchos, stroller covers, and small umbrellas to protect yourself from the rain.

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If you can travel after Labor Day, the crowds will be slightly lower until the beginning of October, when many schools are on fall break.
EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival is hugely popular, especially for locals and annual passholders. Expect crowds to peak during the evenings and weekends. For a more enjoyable visit, attend the festival on a weekday right when it opens.
On MNSSHP nights, Magic Kingdom closes early to the general public. If you don’t have a ticket, you won’t be able to stay in the park after 5 or 6 p.m. You can find all the dates and times here and plan accordingly. If you choose not to attend the party, this is a perfect opportunity to spend the evening at another park. Another idea is to treat yourself to a nice dinner at Disney Springs or one of the many amazing resort restaurants.
Most MNSSHP partygoers won’t enter the park until their party ticket allows them to, which saves the cost of a full-day ticket. Because of this, you can expect lower crowds in the morning. This would be a good day to enjoy the park earlier!

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I hope this is helpful, and we'd love to hear your favorite Disney tips! Please share in the comments below or tag me on Instagram, follow on Pinterest and Facebook, and join my email list so you don’t miss anything new. Thanks for being here, friends! 🙂