So it’s already September, somehow?! It feels like August was either a single day or a lifetime.
It’s time to discuss everything that will be different in Disney World in September, and there’s a LOT. If you have a visit coming up in September, you might want to know some of these upcoming changes!
Park Hours
Disney World park hours will change in September, with fewer extended hours. Make sure you check the park hours for your visit!
EPCOT
In August, EPCOT opened early at 10AM on select days, and in September, EPCOT will open at 11AM all month.
EPCOT will close at 9PM on weeknights and 10PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September.
Click here for more about EPCOT’s September park hours!
Magic Kingdom
With BOO Bash in full swing on select days in Magic Kingdom, it’s important to check the park hours for any dates you’re visiting. Throughout September, Magic Kingdom will be closing at either 9PM or 8:30PM, with the exception of September 30th, when Magic Kingdom will close at 8PM.
In August, Magic Kingdom opened at 8AM on select days. In September, Magic Kingdom will open at 9AM every day.
See more Magic Kingdom park hours for September here!
Both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios park hours will be the same from August.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
September will bring select D23 Members, Annual Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club Members early previews of the newest EPCOT ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which is scheduled to open to the public on October 1st. This ride will “shrink” guests to rat size and take them through Gusteau’s kitchen, where there will be lots of delicious-smelling food, so we’re on board.
The previews are now full for Annual Passholders. When the ride officially opens on October 1st, Disney will be utilizing a virtual queue system.
Ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure with us HERE!
Openings
September may see the opening of a long-awaited restaurant and re-themed resort rooms!
Space 220
Space 220, the highly anticipated immersive space restaurant located in EPCOT, is currently scheduled to September 20th. Space 220 has been in the works since 2017 but was delayed after numerous setbacks, so we’re really excited to finally get to experience it this month!
Space 220 will take guests in a Space Elevator 220 miles above Earth, where they will be able to dine while gazing at Space Station activities outside the restaurant windows! We’ll be watching for Disney to announce when reservations open.
Here’s everything you need to know about Space 220!
Contemporary Resort Rooms
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is currently undergoing major construction, and one of their projects is to update rooms with a theme based on The Incredibles Pixar films! All nine floors of guest rooms in the Contemporary’s tower are receiving The Incredibles makeover first, followed by the rooms inside the Garden Wing.
Disney’s website lists the Contemporary’s room update construction through “late September,” which means we might see these rooms open up sometimes soon! We’ll be keeping a close eye on more updates from the Contemporary Resort.
Here’s more about The Incredibles-themed rooms in Disney’s Contemporary Resort!
Reopenings
Several things are reopening or returning to Disney World, including a value resort, a buffet, and Club Level!
Disney All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is currently scheduled to open on September 16th, and reservations opened in July. Although Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has been open, both All-Star Music and Sports have been closed. Sports will reopen on December 9th.
Recently, we experienced a glitch in which a DFB team member’s reservation for the reopening of All-Star Music disappeared from their My Disney Experience app. A Cast Member confirmed it was not canceled and there’s been no announcement from Disney about any delays, so at the moment it seems that All-Star Music should reopen as scheduled on September 16th.
Here’s more about the glitch with All-Star Music Resort reservations!
Crystal Palace Buffet
The Crystal Palace restaurant in Magic Kingdom is currently set to reopen for buffet lunch and dinner on September 12th. Prior to this date, Crystal Palace has been serving meals family-style since it reopened in December of 2020, but as of September, the buffet will return!
Another Disney World buffet opened recently, and Disney has not yet made any announcements about other Disney World buffets like Hollywood and Vine or Chef Mickey’s.
Read about the Crystal Palace Buffet here!
Club Level Returns
Disney also announced that Club Level amenities would return to select Disney World Resort hotels, such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on September 16th, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort on September 23rd, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort on September 26th. Club Level amenities have not been available since Disney World closed in March 2020.
Club Level amenities for Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will reopen on December 16th.
Learn more about Club Level reopening here!
Firework Shows Closing
Disney is retiring two Disney World fireworks shows, which means if you hope to catch a viewing before they close forever, September is your last chance.
Happily Ever After
The final showing for Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks show will be on September 29th at 8:15PM. Disney announced the official retirement of Happily Ever After before the premiere of the new fireworks show, Disney Enchantment, on October 1st.
The Happily Ever After fireworks show combines castle projections and fireworks for a truly magical show. If you want to see it before it’s retired, you have until September 29th.
Read more about Happily Ever After here!
EPCOT Forever
And the final showing of EPCOT Forever will be on September 28th at 9:00PM in EPCOT’s World Showcase.
EPCOT Forever will be replaced by Harmonious, a brand new nighttime spectacular that will debut on October 1st. Make sure you mark your calendar if you want to catch the last showing of EPCOT Forever!
Learn more about EPCOT Forever here!
And that is five things that will be different in Disney World this September. If you’re visiting this September, make sure you take note of any changes that could impact your visit! Keep reading DFB for all your Disney World planning tips and tricks!
Check out this fireworks experience returning soon to Disney World!
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Justine Baran says
I have been an Annual Pass holder for a number of years. I am also a Florida resident – and do not own a cell phone. I go to Disneyworld twice a year for a week each time, and have liked to plan my trip, rides, meals, etc in advance on My Disney Experience. With no cell phone, and all of the add on prices for rides, how can I even pay? I can only hope the stand by lines for all of the rides are not to long. Disneyworld is beginning to look like not such a happy place anymore.