Visiting Disney World in Fall 2025: Crowds, Events, Weather & Tips (August–October Guide)
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Feb 16
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 31
📌 Updated 7/30/25 to include:
2025 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treat Guide
New Halloween overlay at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs
🍂 What to Expect at Disney World in Fall (August–October)
Fall kicks off early at Walt Disney World—yes, even if it’s still 90 degrees outside! 🎃 From Main Street pumpkins and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to the return of EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, Disney pulls out all the autumn magic starting mid-August through October.
If you're planning a trip to Disney World in August, September, or October 2025, this guide has everything you need—fall crowd forecasts, weather tips, hurricane season planning, event dates, and even a free printable cheat sheet!
Fall crowd patterns 🧍🧍🧍
Hurricane season and weather expectations ☀️🌧️
Key events like MNSSHP and After Hours 👻
EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival tips & maps 🍷🥨
Special extras, limited-time snacks, and resort vibes 🎃🏰
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Late August, September and early October are some of the best times to visit Walt Disney World in the fall—offering lighter crowds, lower heat indexes, and full access to all the autumn fun.
Let’s dive in and make your fall trip practically perfect.
Planning a fall trip to Disney World? Jump to what you need:
🗓️ Important Dates | 🍁 Crowd Levels & Weather | 🍷 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival | 🎃 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party | 🌙 Disney After Hours | ✅ Pros & Cons | 🛠️ Helpful Resources

📅 Important Dates: Fall 2025 Edition
Here’s a sprinkle of notable events at Walt Disney World from August through October that can influence park hours, crowd levels, and overall planning:
August - October - Fall and Halloween at Disney World
August 5, 13, 18, 25, 31 – H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon 💦 (limited‑ticket evening water‑park parties)
August 15 – October 31 – Mickey’s Not‑So‑Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom (select nights)
August 28 – November 22 – EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
August 6, 20, 27; September 3 – Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios
August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 11, 25 – Disney After Hours at EPCOT
September 1 - Labor Day (Crowds are higher that weekend than the rest of August and September)
October 23–26 – Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Epcot
October 13 – Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day (often coincides with fall break crowd increases)
📌 Heads up: The middle of October typically sees a noticeable spike in crowd levels due to fall breaks at schools across the country—plan accordingly if you're aiming for lower wait times.

🎢 Fall Crowd Levels & Weather at Walt Disney World
Crowd levels at Walt Disney World between August and October can be a bit of a roller coaster. Here's what you can expect month by month, and how to plan around the heat, holidays, and hurricane season.
📅 Trying to decide on the best time for a Disney vacation? Download our free When to Go Cheat Sheet—a month-by-month snapshot of crowd levels, special events, weather trends, and planning tips for 2025 and beyond.

🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Save or print it to compare months side-by-side and pick the season that fits your family best!
📆 August Crowds & Weather
Crowd Levels: Early Disney World in August sees high crowds as families squeeze in last-minute summer vacations. But once school is back in session—usually by mid-to-late August—crowd levels drop significantly, making it one of the best-kept secrets for lower wait times (if you can handle the weather!).
Weather: Expect hot, humid, and stormy conditions—August is one of the hottest and rainiest months in Orlando.🌡️ Highs in the 90's ☔ Frequent afternoon thunderstorms🧚
🍂 September Crowds & Weather
Crowd Levels: Disney World in September typically offers some of the lowest crowds of the year, even over Labor Day weekend. School is in full swing, and many families avoid travel during this early part of the academic year—making it a great time for shorter lines and easier dining reservations.
Weather: Still hot and humid, with hurricane season at its peak.🌪 Be prepared for changing forecasts—trip insurance is highly recommended during this time of year.
🎃 Bonus: Seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival are in full swing.
🎃 October Crowds & Weather
Crowd Levels: Disney World in October has gotten increasingly popular in recent years thanks to fall breaks, cooler temps, and Halloween fun. Expect moderate to high crowds, especially around weekends and party nights.
Weather: October in Disney brings some welcome relief from the extreme heat.🌤️ Mornings and evenings are often mild and breezy, but midday can still get hot.🌪 Hurricane season continues through the end of the month, so flexibility and travel insurance are still smart.
🧚♀️ Ready to outsmart Florida’s fickle weather? ☀️🌧️With our “Beat the Rain or Heat” park maps in hand, you’ll glide from one shaded snack stop to the next indoor oasis like a true Pixie-Dust Pro. Let’s sprinkle a little magic on your day—no soggy shoes or sunburned noses allowed! 🌤️For more summer survival tips, check out our How to Beat the Florida Heat: Ultimate Cooling Tips & Tricks Guide, where we share everything from hydration hacks to the best shady snack spots.
🎉 October 1st is Walt Disney World’s anniversary—expect exclusive merchandise, treats, and occasional surprises to mark the date.
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want lighter crowds and better weather? Try the last week of September or first week of October—you’ll hit the sweet spot between summer heat and fall break crowds.
(Note: World Showcase is closed during DAH except Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure)
🍷 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (2025)

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is the OG of EPCOT’s seasonal festivals—and it continues to draw massive crowds year after year. If you're visiting Disney World in the fall, this event is a must-do!
🗓️ 2025 Festival Dates: August 28 – November 22
This global culinary celebration brings dozens of themed food booths, exclusive wines and cocktails, live music, and special events throughout World Showcase and beyond.
📍 Festival Maps & Booth Guides
To help you navigate the fun (and the food!), we’ve created some exclusive resources:
✅ 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Guide – updated with booths, menus, dates, and pro tips
✅ EPCOT Festival Map Collection – perfect for previewing booth locations and planning your route
✅ 2024 Food & Drink Guide – still available to preview last year’s fan favorites and get a taste of what might return
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Booths typically open at 11:00 a.m.—arrive early or wait until after 5 p.m. for shorter lines and cooler temps.
Whether you’re here to sip, stroll, or snack your way around the world, the Food & Wine Festival is an iconic part of the Disney fall experience. Be sure to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and don’t skip the hidden gems—some of the best bites are off the beaten path!
🎃 New for 2025: Halloween Comes to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Looking for fall fun outside the parks? This year, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs gets its first-ever Halloween overlay—complete with spooky decor and limited-time cocktails like the Pumpkin Patch Old Fashionedand Creepy Mudslide (yes, it comes with gummy worms 🪱). It’s a festive, low-key way to enjoy the season—and a perfect pre- or post-park treat.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Stop by in the late afternoon for shorter waits and a great spot to cool off between snacks or shopping!
🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (2025)

Spooky season kicks off early at Magic Kingdom—and one of the best ways to celebrate is by attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)! This special-ticketed event begins in mid-August and ramps up in frequency through September, peaking with tons of dates in October.
🗓️ 2025 Party Dates:
August 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
September 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30
October 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31
This after-hours event is one of our absolute fall favorites—and includes:
👻 Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade
🎆 Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Fireworks
🎭 Rare character meet-and-greets (like Jack & Sally, Stitch, and more!)
🍬 Trick-or-treating across the park
🎢 Short waits for most rides
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Party guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m., and the event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight.
🎟️ Tickets are sold separately from regular park admission—and they do sell out, especially close to Halloween.
📥 NEW: 2025 MNSSHP Food Guide Now Available!
Check out all the exclusive party-only treats, spooky snacks, and new menu items in our land-by-land food guide—tagged with [NEW], [Returning], and [All-Day] labels to help you plan your bites between boos! 2025 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Guide
📎 Need Help Planning Your Party Night?
Download our MNSSHP Party Night Cheat Sheet and Map - for a complete list of:
✅ Character meet-and-greet locations
✅ Parade route and showtime
✅ Trick-or-treat trail map
✅ Shows and locations

✨ We also have a great Planning and Tips Guide—check out our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2025 Guide for dates, all the latest releaswed details, FAQs, and party and Pixie Dust Pro tips and tricks.
🌙 Disney After Hours Events (August–September 2025)

Looking for a cooler, quieter way to experience Disney parks? Disney After Hours events are limited-capacity, extra-ticket experiences that take place after the parks close—giving you access to top attractions with minimal waits, free snacks, and a more relaxed vibe.
🎟️ These are hard-ticket events (you’ll need to purchase a separate event ticket, but not a day park ticket to attend). Guests can enter the park as early as 7:00 p.m. on event nights.
🎢 Event Times & Locations
Hollywood Studios: 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
EPCOT: 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Magic Kingdom does not offer After Hours in August or September due to MNSSHP
💲 2025 After Hours Ticket Prices
Hollywood Studios: $165–$185 (plus tax)
EPCOT: $155 (plus tax)
💡 Annual Passholder and DVC discounts available on select nights
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Lines for headliners like Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Test Track are often 10 minutes or less during After Hours events!
🗓️ August & September 2025 Disney After Hours Dates
Hollywood Studios
August 6, 20, 27
September 3
EPCOT
(Note: World Showcase is closed during DAH except Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure)
August 7, 14, 21, 28
September 11, 25
✨ Want more tips and a full breakdown of what’s open at each event? Check out our Disney After Hours Review + Planning Guide
Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon (2025)

Looking for a splashy way to cool off on hot August nights? H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is a limited-time, hard-ticket event that transforms the park into a neon-lit, DJ-pumping nighttime beach bash.
🎟️ Admission includes access to most water attractions with short waits, a dance party on the beach, and special snacks available for purchase.
🕗 Event Time: Typically 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. with early entry starting at 6:00 p.m.
🗓️ 2025 H2O Glow Nights Dates
August 5, 13, 18, 25, 31
September 6, 13
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: These events are a great value if you want a water park day without the blazing midday sun—and with fewer crowds.
✅ Pros & Cons of Visiting Walt Disney World in Fall (August–October)

Planning a fall trip? Here’s a quick look at the biggest advantages and trade-offs to visiting Disney World between August and October.
✔️ Pros
🍷 EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival runs from August 28 – November 22
🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has dates throughout August, September, and October
🍁 Fall decorations begin in August and stay up through Halloween
🎓 Mid-August brings lower crowd levels as schools go back in session
💰 More availability & better pricing on rooms, tickets, and Lightning Lane Passes—especially in September
🛏️ Easier to grab hard-to-get reservations (like Be Our Guest or Riviera Tower Studios)
💸 Seasonal discounts are often available in August and September
🎢 Most rides remain open and running in August, with few refurbishments
⏰ Longer park hours on busy days (especially in early August and October)
🌤️ October weather begins to cool—mornings and evenings can be comfortable
🏊 Every resort has pools for mid-day heat breaks, plus
💦 Access to Disney’s water parks (on arrival day for Disney Resort Hotel guest or with ticket add-on)—great theming + low crowds
⚠️ Cons
🎒 Early August and mid-to-late October see higher crowd levels due to summer wrap-up and fall breaks
🕑 September’s low crowds = shorter park hours, so you may have to tour during peak heat
🏃♀️ runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (late October) can spike EPCOT crowd levels
🚧 More refurbishments in September, as Disney uses slower crowd periods for maintenance
💦 One water park usually closes for refurbishment in October
🔥 Heat and humidity are still intense through most of the season—expect highs in the 90s, lows in the 70s
🌧️ Frequent afternoon thunderstorms—anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours
🌀 Hurricane season risk (June–November)—be prepared with travel insurance and weather monitoring
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Pack ponchos, an extra pair of shoes, and embrace flexibility—fall trips come with magical perks, but weather can be unpredictable!
🎠 Final Thoughts: Is Fall the Right Time for Your Disney Trip?
Whether you’re visiting for the food festivals, Halloween fun, or lower crowd levels in September, fall can be one of the most magical—and strategic—times to visit Walt Disney World. While heat, hurricanes, and occasional crowds are real considerations, the seasonal perks and limited-time events more than make up for it (especially if you plan smart!).
Ready to build your practically perfect fall itinerary?

🛠️ Helpful Resources to Plan Your Fall Trip
✅ Download our MNSSHP Party Cheat Sheet – character locations, trick-or-treat maps & showtimes
✅ 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Guide – booths, menus, and festival tips
✅ EPCOT Festival Maps – booth locations for every EPCOT seasonal event
✅ Hurricanes at Disney World FAQ – what to expect and how to prepare during hurricane season - coming soon
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want help deciding if fall is the right season for your trip? Compare it to our Spring Planning Guide, Summer at Disney Guide, or Holidays at Disney to see which season fits your family best.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, Kim
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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