September means getting back into the swing of things as the tadpoles are back in school and enjoying the leaves turning colors over the pond. The only thing better is visiting theme parks! September is one of the Frog Family's favorite times of the year to visit thanks to thinner crowds. In most years, the two biggest and best events at the Walt Disney World Resort (at least in our opinion) — Halloween and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival — are in full swing during September.
This year, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is replaced by Disney After Hours Boo Bash. You can never start Halloween too early at Disney! And listen up all foodies: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival continues on through fall for the longest running festival yet! Hungry for more? In terms of character dining, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Minnie's Halloween Dine is returning to Hollywood & Vine as of Aug. 10. This boo-tastic Halloween meal allows physically distant character interactions with Minnie, Mickey and friends.
Be sure to check out the nighttime fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After, at Magic Kingdom before the show retires Sept. 29. EPCOT Forever will also perform its final show Sept. 28. We definitely will be setting out time to watch these shows before they're gone!
Disney World in September is a good bet if you don’t have school-age children or if you’re OK with taking your children out of school for, you know, vacation. (We know this is controversial, but we have a no-judging-other-parents policy in the Frog household. Here are some factors you should consider if you want to do this.) Maybe you find yourself home schooling this fall or still participating in virtual learning. That means maybe you have a little more flexibility in your schedule to visit Disney World than in past years.
Crowds at Disney World in September
The lowest crowds of the year can be found during September, especially this year with the Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration beginning Oct. 1. With many new openings being held until October, many people may have rescheduled trips for later in the year. If you're okay with waiting for another trip to see new attractions like Remy's Ratoutille Adventure (opening Oct. 1), we definitely recommend enjoying a trip before the major anniversary crowds descend. There will still be a good amount of entertainment to enjoy, as August will see the return of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage and the Wonderful World of Animation projection show at Hollywood Studios. Enjoy some monstrous laughs with Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom and some toadally awesome questions answered with Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT.
Don't froget to get a park pass (in addition to admission) through the new Disney Park Pass Reservation System for your visit. In normal years, the majority of the month sees low crowds, while weekends during the second half of the month see medium crowds. With lots of froggies traveling again, crowds may not be as low as typically seen in previous years. Even with lower crowds, we still recommend heading to the park before opening because you will be able to see and do so much more in the parks thanks to the low crowds. The last week of September will be busy with the finale of Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever leading into the Oct. 1 celebration.
As you begin planning your Orlando vacation, we recommend you check the Crowd Calendar to find the best travel dates. As you get closer to your actual trip, you should revisit the Crowd Calendar to see the recommended parks by day.
Weather at Disney World in September
If there is one drawback to September, it's the weather. While temperatures are on the decline, the average high remains 90 degrees with high rainfall chances. It's quite likely you will encounter an afternoon shower in September. But the good news is that it generally clears up after an hour or two. You can still have fun on a rainy day at Disney World!
Special Events at Disney World in September
Exciting events take place in September, and they are quite significant ones! Here's the rundown of what's usually happening in September. Be sure to check out special events pages for Disney World for full details.
What is happening in 2020:
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Continuing through fall)
- Disney After Hours Boo Bash. — select nights Aug. 10 – Oct. 31
- Last chance to see Happily Ever After — show retires Sept. 29
- Last chance to see EPCOT Forever — shows retires Sept. 28
You'll find more resources to help you plan your Disney World vacation on our When to Visit Orlando page inside the Orlando Planning Guide.
Related: The Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2021 and 2022
Related: What's Happening at Disney World Right Now? Here's What to Expect
Keep hopping!
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