UPDATED November 27, 2024
We’ve got the scoop on the info you need to know if you’re planning a trip to Disney World in October! (Can you BELIEVE how fast time goes by!?)
Haunted Mansion
Between the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, spooky Halloween treats, and cooler temperatures, October is one of our favorite times of the year to visit Disney World! Here are the things you need to know if you’re planning a vacation this spooky season!
Crowds in Disney World in October
Ah yes, one of the ultimate burning questions, “What will the crowds be like?” In general, the Disney World crowds in October are fairly reasonable, since the summer attendance thins out in early September with the kiddos back in school, and the holiday rush doesn’t pour in until closer to Thanksgiving.
Tree of Life
There are a few exceptions when October crowds see an uptick. Columbus Day weekend and Halloween draw in more people, and weekends at Epcot can get crazy since a lot of locals head in for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. But, outside of those hot-spots, October is generally one of the “slower” months in Disney World!
You can see ALL of the Disney World Park Hours for October HERE!
How to Pack For Disney World In October
Even though October is thought of as quintessential “fall,” you’ll probably need different gear than sweaters and boots when you’re in central Florida! The high temperatures in October tend to hit the mid-80s, so be sure to pack enough shorts and t-shirts to keep you cool during the day! But, even though the afternoons can get pretty warm, be prepared for chilly temps in the early morning and evening!
Tower of Terror
Given the potential temperature swings, our suggestion is to layer-up. Having options like a light jacket, scarf, gloves, or other items you can easily take off and store in your park bag will be super helpful! And even though October is also less rainy than the summer months (with a lower chance of hurricanes than August and September!) we still suggest bringing a poncho, umbrella, and extra shoes and socks, just in case!
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is in full-swing throughout October!
The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
We absolutely recommend taking the time to explore the Food and Wine Festival during your fall trip! In fact, we suggest that you DON’T make Advance Dining Reservations on your Epcot day. Instead, “taste your way around the world” by grabbing small-bites from the MANY food booths!
Belgium — Food and Wine Festival 2023
AND, as an added bonus, many of the items at the Food and Wine booths are much more affordable than a regular full-service meal! So, grab a few different things off the menus to snack on, and have a delicious, progressive meal around Epcot!
Feijoada: Black Beans with Pork Belly, Brazil Nut Pesto and BEN’S ORIGINAL™ Long Grain White Rice
Ready to start prepping for your Food and Wine Festival adventures this year?? You can purchase our DFB Guide to the 2024 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book here!
Halloween Festivities in Disney World!
Ready to get (not so) spooky?? Check out all of the ‘SPOOK’tacular fall decorations around the parks and Disney Springs! From the fan-favorite Mickey Jack-O-Lanterns to the beautiful fall colors, there are a TON of spots to grab some Insta-worthy family photos!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. This extra-ticket event is typically offered for select nights starting in early-mid August then running all through September and October up through the BIG NIGHT: October 31st. So, September offers plenty of times to catch it. Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of ghoulish fun and entertainment only available at the Party!
Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters
Trick-or-treating in the Magic Kingdom and the party-exclusive Boo-To-You Halloween Parade (which starts with an appearance by the Headless Horseman) are included, along with access to Magic Kingdom attractions and meet-and-greets with characters in their Halloween costumes. The exclusive Halloween fireworks spectacular, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, lights up the night just for party guests. It’s hosted by the Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington! And that’s not even close to everything…
Click HERE for all of the info about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
October is DEFINITELY one of our favorite times of the year to visit Disney World! We love eating our way around the Food and Wine Festival, celebrating with the happy haunts around the parks, and enjoying the (relatively) lower temps and crowd levels. If you’re considering a trip this fall, be sure to keep these things in mind when you’re planning!
Are you still undecided about when you want to vacation in Disney World? Check out our Month By Month Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation.
Will your vacation extend into November? Check out our November Disney World Trip Planning Guide!
Check out 4 tools to dramatically simplify planning your next Disney World trip!
IT'S WINE & DINE TIME!
Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience.
If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU!
Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!
Food and Wine Festival 101Eat to the Beat Concert Updates
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page
Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details
Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival
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Are you planning a trip to Disney World this October? Let us know in the comments!
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I’m going over Halloween and planning to go to MNSSHP, on probably November 1st. When should I purchase tickets?
I’m planning to go to Disney at the very end of October (during Halloween). When should I buy my MNSSHP tickets if it isn’t for Halloween?
Lauren, it’s impossible to say when it’s best to buy those tickets. Since that’s the end of the party season, it could be popular, so the soonest you’re able to buy them, you probably would want to.
I can’t see how we can predict crowds this year with the virus affecting everything. I hope WDW gets back to normal quicker than expected, but I just don’t know what to expect with all the problems we’re having this year.
We planning trip mid November everything up running ty lisa
Our April trip is now our October trip (please let the Parks be open by then). We looked into the MNSSHP too but the cost of these tickets for the day we’re already scheduled to be in the MK is as much as an entire day pass so, we’re passing on the extra and instead, having a nice dinner that night at California Grill, where we can watch the fireworks from the rooftop of the Contemporary Resort. As far as the EPCOT F&WF, we’ll nibble on some of those snacks, but we snagged ADR for Via Napoli and Chefs de France. At least, we may be able to ride the Ratatouille ride, was wasn’t scheduled to be opened yet, had we flew down in April.
Is there even going to be a Halloween party? How can we all wear masks over our costumes? I mean, I suppose I would do it so we can go but might look a little weird.. I was going as Queen of hearts and my daughter as the chestshire cat so that will be interesting
I am planning my trip mid October what days are best for what parks ? What days are the Halloween calvacades happening ?
Nathali, weekdays are still better than weekends, though things are ever-changing. I believe the Halloween cavalcades are daily, but if I hear otherwise, I’ll update.