If you ask anyone what the biggest event in October is, they’d probably respond with “Halloween, of course!”

But if you’re talking to a Disney fan, it might be a more complicated answer. That’s because there are so many exciting changes happening in the parks every month and October 2024 is no exception! So let’s check out the biggest changes and events you can expect at Disney World during the spookiest month of the year! 

If you’re heading to Disney World soon, be sure to check out our planning worksheets. You can click the image below to get our list and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Check out what you can look forward to in October at Disney World!

Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Attractions Permantly CLOSE

We have to say goodbye to some popular attractions in October. First up is Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The last day of operation is October 7th, 2024.

Taking the place of the Cars-themed show is a brand new Disney Villains show set to debut in the park in the summer of 2025. Disney will transform the current Sunset Showcase into the “mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror” and teased that it will feature appearances from Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent each “breaking through the glass” where they will take the stage to perform live!

If you’re wondering why Villains are coming to Hollywood Studios when a new Villains Land has been announced for Magic Kingdom…you’re not alone. Nevertheless, the show will be a nice tease and welcome more villain experiences to Disney World well before the land opens!

Then, over in EPCOT, two tours are disappearing — one temporarily and one permanently. On September 10th, Disney announced that one manatee and three dolphins would be permanently moved out of their The Seas with Nemo & Friends habitats in EPCOT. 

Due to these changes, Disney is permanently ending the EPCOT Seas Adventures — Dolphins in Depth tour. The last tour will take place on October 19th, 2024.

The temporary closure comes to EPCOT Seas Adventures — DiveQuest — a two-hour backstage tour and scuba experience that allows you to get up close with aquatic life like sea turtles, reef fish, stingrays, and sharks. It also closes on October 19th, 2024, however, Disney confirmed that it will return sometime in 2025.

Time is running out to experience these attractions!

A NEW Villains Show Is Coming to Disney World

Extended Evening Hours Return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Extended Evening Hours are one of the biggest perks to staying at a Deluxe Disney World hotel…and in October, that perk will get even better! The offering is returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on October 11th and will reoccur on certain dates afterward.

With Extending Evening Hours, you’ll be able to stay in the park from 6PM-8PM after the park closes. Yep — without the crowds or wait times of a regular park day! And with a park like Animal Kingdom, you should be able to get nearly everything in the park done in that time!

Here’s the list of rides that are set to be open during this time:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Na’vi River Journey
• TriceraTop Spin

Want to know if you’re eligible? Check out the list of hotels that include the Extended Evening Hours perk here.

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Say Goodbye to Encanto in EPCOT

¡Celebración Encanto! has been entertaining guests since it debuted at EPCOT in June. But in October, we’ll likely be saying goodbye to the show…

There is hope for an extension, though! Originally, the show was set to run through September 6th of this year. Then it was extended to help celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month through October 15th. There’s been no word since what the fate of the show is, but it seems to be a big hit in the park!

It’s also possible that this may go away to make room for a holiday show during EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays. We’ll just have to wait and see to know for sure!

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Jungle Cruise Reopens!

We’ve seen several Disney World rides close for refurbishment over the past few months and one of the most recent was Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. The opening day attraction temporarily closed on August 26th, 2024, but it’s getting ready to reopen in October!

On the Disney World refurbishment calendar, Jungle Cruise is listed through October 17th. Then, on October 18th, it disappears! So if you’re dying to ride the punniest ride in all of Disney World, try to schedule your Magic Kingdom visit for the 18th or later.

These dates are subject to change and may be earlier or later than Disney originally thought. Earlier this year Peter Pan’s Flight surprise reopened a few days early so while it’s not expected, it’s possible!

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EPCOT Closes EARLY

Beware! Every once in a while, the park hours are drastically different than usual…but you’ve got to be paying attention to spot that! On October 22nd, that happens at EPCOT where the park will close EARLY at 5PM. 

The park typically closes at 9PM…so what gives? Well, we did some digging and found that it’s because a company has bought out the park for the evening! The Gartner Group has bought out EPCOT for the evening to have their IT SYMPOSIUM|Xpo from 8-11PM. That means all attractions and restaurants in EPCOT will close for guests at 5PM (but, as usual, if you get in line for a ride before 5PM, they’ll allow you to ride), giving the park time to empty out before the event members come in a few hours later.

This can either be a blessing or a curse depending on the type of ticket you have and your priorities. A lot of people tend to avoid the park altogether on days like that, and we highly recommend that option if you have a ticket that only allows you in ONE park per day. However, if you have a park hopper, you might be able to take advantage of some shorter wait times and then hop to another park. It’s ultimately up to you, but don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

2 Dates You Might Want to AVOID the Disney Skyliner

Want to book a trip to Disney World? We’ve got a hack for you! Check out our friends over at Small World Vacations to help you plan the perfect trip — you won’t regret it!