Tips for Visiting Disney World in September

If you’re headed to Disney World in September, we’ve got you covered with the average weather, crowds, and events, tips, and strategies!

Disney World in September is one of our favorite times to go. The crowds are relatively low, Halloween and fall decorations are up, and we start to see a break from the heat!

September Weather at Disney World

Temps can still reach the 90s at Disney World in September, it rains a lot, and that makes it even more humid. September is also peak hurricane season in Florida, so I recommend keeping a close eye on the weather. If you need to cancel for any reason, the Disney cancellation and refund policy are worth bookmarking. It provides you with all the information you need for canceling or rescheduling your trip.

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 temps 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!

September Crowds at Disney World

Although not as crowded as June and July, September can still be pretty crowded. It’s becoming widely known that this is a great time to go! September is when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) begins and most kids are back in school.

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 those crowds will be.

Expect Labor Day weekend to be busy, but attendance drops again after the holiday weekend.

September Events at Disney World

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary
Dates: October 1st 2021 to March 2023
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” features new rides, fireworks, and entertainment across all four Disney World theme parks!

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Dates: July 14 to November 19, 2022
This 129-day event is a food lover’s dream! Enjoy cultural events, cooking demonstrations, and samples of food and drink from all over the world!

Eat to the Beat musical artists include:
- Shelia E. (October 2 and 3)
- Mark Wills (October 7 and 8)
- 38 Special (October 9 and 10)
- Robert Randolph Band (October 14 and 15)
- Newsboys (October 16 and 17)
- Ray Parker Jr. (October 21 and 22)
- Billy Ocean (October 23 and 24)
- Hanson (October 28 to 31).

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)
Dates: Select nights from August 12 to October 31, 2022
This hugely popular event happens during the two 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.

Tips for Visiting Disney World in September

Fall at Disney is so much more than decorations (although they’re pretty amazing). You’ll find seasonal snacks and treats all over the parks (like candy corn soft serve at Storybook Treats), and some restaurants offer fall-inspired menu items! 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. As soon as the sun goes down, it can get chilly at night, 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 we discussed above, it can still be hot during the day, cool at night, humid, and rainy – so pack accordingly.

Bring all of your hot weather necessities like sunscreen, portable fans, and electrolyte packets, as well as ponchos, stroller covers, and small umbrellas to protect yourself from the rain.

If you can travel after Labor Day, the crowds will be a little lower up until the beginning of October when it’s fall break for many schools.

Since the Epcot food and wine festival has been extended for a full 129 days, The crowds are much better than they used to be. However, it’s still a popular event for locals who typically visit in the evening and on the weekends. If you can either when it starts AND visit on a weekday, it will be even more enjoyable!

Magic Kingdom closes early to the general public on (MNSSHP) nights. If you don’t have a ticket, you won’t be able to stay in the park after 5 or 6 PM. 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 or 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 in the day!

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