Disney World in Fall: 9 Reasons to Visit This Year
FALL IS MY FAVORITE SEASON TO VISIT DISNEY WORLD! JOIN ME AS I SHARE ALL OF THE REASONS IT IS THE PERFECT SEASON TO PLAN A TRIP!
There is never a bad time to visit Walt Disney World, but why should you visit in the fall in particular? If you are contemplating when to make your next Disney World trip, or have already booked for the fall and want to know what to expect, I am here to help!
There are so many reasons our family goes to Disney World every fall! Read on to see why it is our favorite time to visit and 9 reasons why you should visit Disney World in the fall!
In this guide, I will show you:
- 9 Reasons to Visit Disney World in Fall
- Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Trips
- How You Can Book Your Trip and Start Planning
If you are ready to find out why fall is a truly magical time to visit Disney World, let’s dive in!
9 Reasons to Visit Disney World in the Fall
There are so many details that make a Disney World trip magical, but what are the extra details that make the fall season at Walt Disney World even more magical?
1. EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
The International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT is by far the most popular event at Walt Disney World in the fall. The entire park comes alive with different sights, sounds, and smells!
Sample authentic food and drink from more than 25 global marketplaces throughout the park. And while you are enjoying the delicious variety of cuisine, you can take in the sounds of Eat to the Beat concert series. A variety of local musicians and big-name bands perform nightly at the American Gardens theater in the American Pavilion.
And while the International Food and Wine Festival may be very popular with adult guests, Disney hasn’t forgotten about the kids! Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak is a savory scavenger hunt through the festival and a great way for kids of all ages to feel like a part of the fun!
Your EPCOT park admission includes access to the International Food and Wine Festival!
2. Great Weather
For most of the country, fall is a season with great weather and Florida is no exception. The great fall weather in Florida makes it a perfect time to visit Disney World.
There is no question that it is hot in Florida, and after the heat of summer, the cooler temperatures of fall are a welcome relief! The daily high temperatures drop from nearly 100 degrees to a much more comfortable mid 70’s to upper 80’s for daily highs.
Also, fall is the end of the rainy and hurricane seasons in Florida. This means you are less likely to experience a pop-up afternoon thunderstorm.
TIP: All of the pools at Walt Disney World Resorts are heated! That means you can still enjoy some time in the pool even when the weather begins to cool.
3. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Another great reason to visit Disney World in fall is to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! My family goes to this special event every year and cannot get enough!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a special event that takes place in Magic Kingdom after the park closes, with party hours typically being from 7:00pm to midnight. This party is a ticketed event, meaning that your regular park ticket will not grant you admission and you will need a party ticket to attend.
Once the sun begins to set and the party begins there are so many things you can partake in:
🎃 Glam up in your best Disney-inspired costume to get into the Halloween spirit!
👻 Watch the Sanderson Sisters entertain on the stage during the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!
🎃 Oh and ah over Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular—a fireworks display featuring some of your favorite wickedly delightful Disney Characters!
👻 Get your dance on with some of your favorite Disney Junior characters at the Disney Junior Jam at Storybook Circus!
🎃 Wave to some beloved Disney Characters during Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade.
👻 Collect a bag full of candy at the trick-or-treat stations throughout the park!
🎃 Ride to your heart’s content on your favorite rides in the Magic Kingdom during this limited-capacity event.
TIP: If you time your vacation just right, you can attend both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party AND Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on the same trip! Book a magical holiday package for your family by contacting me today!
4. Fun Fall Decor
Fall is my absolute favorite season! I love everything about it, but especially all of the fall decorations! Visiting Disney World in the fall is a great excuse to take in all of the fall decor with a little touch of Disney magic!
Not only are the four parks decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, and fall foilage; but Disney Springs and all of the Disney World Resorts are as well! Everywhere you turn your senses are delighted with all of the best fall decor… and for a fall lover like me… it is one of the best reasons to visit Disney World in the fall!
TIP: If you want to see Fall decor at Walt Disney World, plan a trip for September or October! When November 1st hits, the parks and resorts are transformed for Christmas!
5. Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend
My family’s first-ever trip to Walt Disney World was during the Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend and it was absolutely magical!
If you are a runner then a fall trip to Walt Disney World would be the perfect opportunity to participate in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend! Even if you are not a runner, completing a runDisney race is a bucket list event!
So what makes Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend so special? First, the half marathon isn’t the only distance offered. Runners (or walkers) can choose between the 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. The energy of a runDisney event is phenomenal! There is music and dancing and lots of racers in costumes. And you may even find some hard-to-spot Disney characters on the race course!
6. Lower Crowds
If you are looking to go to Disney World when crowds are lower then fall is a great season to plan a trip!
Summer at Walt Disney World can be a busy time because most families tend to travel when kids are out of school. And without a doubt, the week of Thanksgiving through New Year is the busiest time at the parks. But right after Labor Day crowd levels tend to drop off and stay at low to moderate levels for much of the fall.
Of course, holiday weekends like Columbus Day, Halloween, and Veterans Day will see higher crowds momentarily.
7. Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine
If you are looking for a fun, fall character dining experience then try Minnie’s Halloween Dine! This character meal is located at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
My family always enjoys our meal at Hollywood & Vine! The food is served buffet style and is all you care to eat. They have a huge variety of dishes to choose from so there is something for everyone.
While you are enjoying your meal, Minnie and her friends come around to greet guests! Make sure you have your camera ready to snap pictures with your favorite characters in their Halloween costumes!
Minnie’s Halloween Dine is only available for lunch and dinner.
TIP: Making dining reservations 60 days in advance is a must for Hollywood & Vine!
8. Seasonal Snacks and Treats
Disney snacks are in a class all their own! Disney offers special treats for each of the seasons, and the fall is no exception.
It is worth a trip to Walt Disney World in the fall just to get your fill of pumpkin spice treats including the pumpkin spice milkshake and pumpkin spice Mickey waffles!
9. Fun New Fall Merchandise
Grabbing a souvenir from your Disney trip is a must! You can find merchandise only available during the fall.
Obviously, pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are popular in merchandising. You can also find more of a selection of Disney villains and Hocus Pocus merchandise during this season as well!
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Disney World in Fall: Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know why to visit Disney World in the fall, the next question is when in the fall to go?
Is September a Good Time to Visit Disney World?
September is a great time to visit Disney World! BUT in terms of the best month in fall, I like September the least of all available options.
Disney World in September is great in terms of decor, food, festivals, and parties. However, the weather in September can still be a little iffy. The month of September is the tail end of hurricane season and it can be very warm.
However, if you choose to make September your month to visit, you will find the crowds to be very reasonable!
Is October a Good Time to Visit Disney World?
October is personally my favorite fall month to travel to Disney World. The weather is usually much cooler than earlier in the season which makes those long days at the park more enjoyable.
We also love visiting Disney World in October because it is a great way to really get into the spirit of the season, especially if you choose to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!
Is November a Good Time to Visit Disney World?
Going to Disney World in November can be a bit tricky if you want the full fall experience. By this time, the Halloween-specific parties and dining are being replaced with Christmas-themed ones.
So while it is technically still a fall month, November feels much more like Christmas at Walt Disney World.
However, if you time your trip just right you can witness the switch from fall to Christmas all in the same trip! The Wine and Dine Half Marathon is held the first weekend of November, which makes early November a good time to plan a visit.
Where To Buy Your Disney World Tickets for This Fall
Ready to visit Disney World this fall? Book your vacation package today!
As an agent with Diamond EarMarked, Magical Moments Vacations, it would be my pleasure to help you book and plan the most magical fall trip to Walt Disney World!
Booking your dream Disney World vacation is a breeze. From snagging the perfect dining reservations to finding that ideal resort where dreams really do come true, I’ve got the insider knowledge to make it all happen.
Why Choose Me?
✨ Personal Experience: I travel to Disney World every fall with my family and have done all of the things I recommend in this post. I’ve walked the parks, ridden the rides, and sampled all the snacks.
✨ Professional Expertise: I’ve helped dozens of families experience the joy of a fall Disney World trip just like you are wanting to do! I’ve crafted personalized experiences for them all and would love to do the same for you!
Ready to Make Your Disney Dreams Come True?
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Don’t miss out on the enchantment – let’s make your Disney World vacation the stuff of fairy tales!
Final Thoughts: Disney World in the Fall
There are so many reasons that fall is the perfect season to visit Walt Disney World! There are special events and parties, fall-specific food and decor, and great weather combined with lower crowds. I promise a fall trip to Disney World will not disappoint!
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