Disney World in October is an exciting month for guests as they experience all the Halloween decorations in the Magic Kingdom.
Everyone has personal preferences to consider when planning the date of their Walt Disney World trip- each season will have its pros and cons and guests' choices will vary based on those. Make sure to read our Walt Disney World crowd calendar to get an idea of what to expect when picking a date to visit Walt Disney World.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting Disney World in October including current events, what weather to expect, crowd level predictions, and what to pack!
Disney World Events in October
Here are all the current events to know about impacting Disney World in October!
Walt Disney World Halloween
Disney will continue their Halloween celebrations until Oct. 31st. There will be seasonal offerings like decor, Halloween-themed cavalcade, themed treats, and costumes are welcome! You can read all about the new offerings including spooky treats, costume guidelines, and merchandise offerings in our Disney World at Halloween guide.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party will take place on select dates throughout the month of October at Magic Kingdom. This special ticketed Halloween event features special Halloween entertainment, fireworks, character meet and greets, trick or treating, and more!
2024 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party dates are October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
One of the most popular EPCOT festivals, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, continues into October so you can expect to see some higher crowds at EPCOT during this time. You can read all about this delicious festival in our guide on Mickey Visit. You can expect to see a large variety of wine, international foods, concerts, culinary demonstrations, and other special-themed events.
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Disney World in October Crowd Calendar
October is now a busy time of the year Disney World as the popularity of Halloween has grown, more discounts offered from the resort, and longer school breaks have all contributed to more guests picking October as their vacation month. You should expect to see high crowd levels during this month comparable to what you would expect in summer and the holiday months.
Read our Park Touring Strategy based on our recent experience at Disney World!>
Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom in October have the extra hurdle of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. If you don't have a party ticket, you will be asked to leave the park around 5pm on party days. It's important to plan ahead for those dates so you have a plan in place for once the party starts. In the past the first start of the day before the Halloween party is actually low in crowd levels as many party goers don't enter the parks until later in the day when their Halloween party ticket allows saving them the cost of a full day ticket. It can actually be a wise decision to start off the day early at the park hosting the Halloween party to beat some of those crowds.
Disney World Weather in October
Disney World in October starts the more moderate temperatures of the year with an average high of 84 degrees and an average low of 66 degrees. The daily average tends to hover closer to 75 degrees making the weather much more comfortable than the summer months.
You can still expect some light rainfall, it is Florida after all, so still come prepared to handle rain. October is considered the middle of hurricane season in Florida so if you encounter any hurricanes or potential storms that can drastically alter your weather before a trip. While hurricanes often do not hit Orlando since it is not a coastal town, they can still impact the area with wind and heavy rain. You can read more about hurricanes at Walt Disney World in our guide.
Tips for Visiting Disney World in October
When it comes to visiting Disney World in October, we have some tried and true hacks for having a magical time on your vacation.
What to Wear
One of the most frequently asked guest questions is: what should I wear to Disney World? Always check the weather leading up to your trip. The weather does begin to cool down in October making this one of the best weather months to visit! Still come prepared for heat though because you will occasionally encounter some really hot temperatures mixed with the high humidity. Come prepared for rain, carry a light poncho into the parks each day so you're prepared for any surprise storms.
What to Pack
Even though the average high temperatures start dropping this time of the year, the temperatures can still be pretty warm especially if you're not used to hot climates. Still pack the hot weather essentials even though it's technically Fall.
Always bring the hot weather necessities like sunscreen, portable fans, cooling towels, and other items all aimed at keeping you cool on hot days. If you find yourself wanting one of these while you're there, you'll end up paying a high price in the parks or at your hotel. And if you're planning on hitting the beach, don't bother bringing towels and just use the ones from your hotel.
If you plan on attending the Halloween party at Magic Kingdom, adults and children can wear costumes! It's best to buy your costume in advance and bring it with you. Buying one on the fly in the parks or nearby stores could be time consuming and expensive. People go all out with their costumes for the Halloween parties, consider dressing up so you can join in the fun.
You can read our giant packing list here to make sure you show up prepared for literally anything you need while you're visiting Disney World.
What to Expect
There are a few things you should expect when choosing October as your month to visit Disney World:
- Know the Halloween Party Dates- being prepared for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is essential halfway in the month once the party dates begins. You should plan on park hopper tickets so you can hop over to the other theme parks when the party starts if you don't have a ticket. If you plan on attending, we recommend not buying a park ticket that day as your party ticket will allow you into the party!
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Tips- some experiences at this festival require advanced reservations so be prepared to schedule some activities in advance that you may be interested. Read our full guide to Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to prepare yourself for what to expect and how to make any reservations.
- Watch the Weather- be aware that it is hurricane season in Florida so keep an eye on the weather before your trip and make any necessary adjustments. Pack rain gear so you're prepared no matter what! It WILL rain during your trip, don't be left without the gear you need.
But most of all, remember to enjoy your time at the most magical place on earth!
Plan Your Disney World Vacation!
Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our free deals newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:
- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Guide
- Discount Disney World Tickets
- Ultimate Guide to Disney World Hotels
- Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
- Top Budget Disney World Hotels
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