Tips for Visiting Disney World in October

If you’re visiting Disney World in October, you’re in for a treat! Fall vibes are everywhere, with seasonal food and events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Foodies wait for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, one of the most popular events of the year!

This post covers the October weather at Disney World, which is crucial when preparing your packing list. You’ll also want to jot down any refurbishments and closures at Walt Disney World, which we’ve updated below. If you’re visiting the month before or after, we have Disney and vacation planning tips for every month!

Walt Disney World in October is such a fun time! Imagine it now: strolling Magic Kingdom’s Main Street with a pumpkin spice latte, taking in the autumn vibes, perusing the whimsical decor, and ending the day by attending one of the many events hosted during this time of year. It truly is lovely!

The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival and Halloween party are in full swing, and the parks are transformed with fall and Halloween decor, seasonal food, and special events! However, don’t let the time of year fool you; fall in Florida is still hot, so be sure to read the post and have a solid plan in place. Your Disney checklist should also include proper attire, ride closures, park hours, and other relevant details. As always, we include some personal Disney tips to help you have the most magical Disney vacation!

Walt Disney World In October

Starting with the weather, historically, temperatures in October steadily decrease by a degree or two each day as the month progresses—beginning with a high of around 87°F and ending at about 81°F. Lows range from 72° to 63°. Compared to the scorching summer weather in the Orlando area, I would call that a nice reprieve! 

You will also notice slightly less humidity. You can blame it on the fact that hurricane season is still lingering. NOAA is predicting “above-normal” hurricane activity, yikes! (Remember, if you need to cancel for any reason, Disney offers a fairly lenient cancellation policy. I do highly suggest reading over the terms and agreements before booking.)  

In short, October days at Disney World can range from hot and sunny to rainy and humid. To accommodate the varying weather conditions, I always like to dress in layers with a raincoat or poncho in tow!

Related Planning Posts

We have dozens of posts to help with your Disney trip planning. The list below serves as a great starting point, featuring some of our Disney must-dos, favorite Disney snacks, budget-friendly options, and the best times to visit.

• Best Totchos At Disney World
• Toddler Packing List For Disney (and beyond)
• Plan A Disney Trip In 4 Easy Steps
• Disney Springs Happy Hours
• Resort Hopping At Disney World
• Crystal Palace At Magic Kingdom Review
• Slowest Times At Disney World

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October Crowds at Walt Disney World

Over the years, Disney World in October has become increasingly more popular. The crowd levels will fluctuate throughout the month. Be aware that attendance will spike on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend and become increasingly crowded as the Halloween season approaches. 

Many school districts nationwide have fall break during this month (typically the first or second week in October), making Disney World a top vacation destination for families. It is also a popular time for conventions, so be mindful of this when making dinner reservations and visiting Disney Springs in the evenings. 

Disney Trip Essentials
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Events at Walt Disney World

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Dates: August 28th to November 22nd, 2025
This multicultural event is a food lover’s dream and one of the longest-running festivals of the year! 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 28th to November 17th 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 15th to October 31st, 2024
This hugely popular event takes place over 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.

Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Dates: Select nights from May 23rd to September 15th, 2025
This separately ticketed three-hour event over at Typhoon Lagoon that limits Attendance, essentially allowing those who purchase tickets to enjoy low wait times for the water rides, special appearances by characters, dance parties with your favorite Toy Story pals, and enjoy ice cream, popcorn, and drinks all included with the cost of your ticket!

Disney After Hours
Dates: Select nights from May 23rd to September 15th, 2025
Enjoy three hours of extra fun at A select Disney theme park! This separately ticketed event takes place on select nights at select Disney World parks in September (through the 15th). Enjoy shorter wait times on your favorite attractions, popcorn, ice cream, and select bottled beverages at no additional cost with your ticket. You can find updated prices and availability here.

Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Dates: October 23rd to October 26th, 2025
Burn off those extra Food and Wine calories by participating in the immensely popular Wine and Dine races! The weekend will celebrate its 15th year with a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon. Participants will run through various areas of the Walt Disney World property, experiencing culinary delights from around the world. Friends and family members are invited to celebrate at the post-race party for an additional fee.

Closures and Refurbishments

The following will be closed or under refurbishment at Disney World in October 2025.

Animal Kingdom

• DINOSAUR (closed until 2026)
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug (permanently closed)
• The Boneyard (permanently closed)

EPCOT

• Spaceship Earth: (closed until TBD later in 2025)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Disney Jr. Play and Dance! (closed until TBD)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (closed – opening later in 2026)

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (closed until 2026)
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger (closed until 2026)
• Liberty Square Riverboat (permanently closed)
• Tom Sawyer Island (permanently closed)

Tips for Visiting Disney World in October

• Head back to your hotel if the heat or rain gets you down. Take a nap, dip in the pool, or enjoy the resort’s scenery in a hammock or rocking chair. Then, once you and your family are well-rested and recharged, return to the parks for round two! 
• Can’t return to your hotel but need a break? Find an indoor show or attraction to rest your legs and cool down in the air conditioning. We won’t judge you if you close your eyes, too! (Try Magic Kingdom’s The Hall of Presidents, Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Express Train, EPCOT’s Impressions de France, and Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars Launch Bay.)
• As for official Disney World park hours in October, they tend to run longer than in the summer months. Be sure to check them when building your itinerary. Additionally, if you are visiting Magic Kingdom, be mindful of the park hours on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary nights. Regular park hours will end at 6:00 pm. Lastly, don’t forget select resort guests will be offered “Extend Evening Hours” at the theme parks – learn more here!

Disney Essentials
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• One of our favorite things about Walt Disney World in October is the autumn-themed events, food, and souvenirs that pop up. While visiting, be sure to watch for limited-time treats and gifts, especially at the quick-service kiosks and bars. (Don’t forget to look at the resorts, too – you never know what you might find!) As for surprise events, I always love checking out Disney Springs. Often, the stores will have specialty items, or an event may be hosted in the communal areas. 
• This time of year has guests in the spooky spirit, with many rocking Halloween and autumn-themed gear. Feel free to indulge in the festivities with some seasonal outfits! While at Disney World, my favorite stores for autumn apparel are Disney Springs’ World of Disney, DisneyStyle, and MarketPlace Co-op. Want to plan your outfit before your trip? Shop Disney sells many items online. I have even seen fall-themed Disney wear at Target, Walmart, BoxLunch, and American Eagle.  
• If you are lucky enough to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (my all-time FAVORITE event!), guests are welcomed and encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Costumes for guests 14 years old and older are not permitted during regular park hours, making this a special perk for attending the event. (Click here to read more about Walt Disney World’s dress code.) As a frequent MNSSHP attendee, I always enjoy planning and preparing for the costumes – the more Disney-themed, the better!