I don’t think I would say there’s ever a wrong time to visit Walt Disney World – though you probably won’t see me there in the summer (hot, rainy, and crowded!). But of all the times to visit the Disney Parks, fall is probably my favorite time of year. From food to crowds to special events, fall at Disney is magical. Here are a few reasons you should plan an autumn visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival
Epcot is well known for having multiple festivals throughout the calendar year. My favorite of these festivals is the Food and Wine Festival, which typically runs from mid-August to early November. Pop-up booths from the various World Showcase countries (as well as many other countries and regions!) sport a variety of delicious food and alcoholic options. My favorite sampling this year was from the Fry Basket booth outside Test Track. I tried the pickle fries (deep-fried pickles) drizzled with dill ranch sauce. Oh my gosh, delicious. Crispy breading over fresh pickle spears. 10/10 recommend.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Admittedly, it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Still, I have attended the party multiple times and loved it each time! This event is worth trying, from special themed fireworks to a stage show hosted by the famous Sanderson Sisters of Hocus Pocus to trick-or-treating around the Magic Kingdom. It’s not cheap, BUT as a pro tip, if you buy a ticket to the party, even though the event officially starts at 7:00, you can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. with your Halloween party ticket. If you stay the length of the party, you can have eight hours at the park! The party-exclusive treats, shows, and merchandise make the event well worth the price tag.
Another pro tip: If you are not attending the Halloween party, I recommend still visiting Magic Kingdom on a party day. Yes, you will have to leave the park by 6:00 and will miss the evening activities. Still, because of this fact, Magic Kingdom crowds are meager during the day on Halloween party days!
Fall Décor at Disney World
The fall décor at Walt Disney World screams festive. I love the Mickey pumpkins decorating the light poles on Main Street, and the giant carved pumpkins giving you ghoulish grins. The fall wreaths and bunting decorating Main Street and City Hall immediately immerse you in the season. Disney never fails to go all out on their decorations, and Halloween/Fall is no exception!
Fall Crowds at Disney World
I’m going to put a disclaimer on this one. I am not referring to fall break. Fall break is, for obvious reasons, a notoriously busy time to visit Walt Disney World. However, early fall, particularly September, is a fantastic time to visit Disney. I was nervous to see Disney World over Labor Day a few years ago and was shocked that the parks were nearly empty. However, since many schools have just started up and at least two tiers of annual passes have blackout dates on Labor Day, it’s a great week to go! We plan our fall trips around Labor Day for this reason! Things pick up a bit towards the end of September, but if you visit early to mid-September, you’re in for some decently low crowds.
Specialty Treats during the Halloween Season
Disney always tries to outdo themselves with their special treats. Every season, holiday, or special event, you can count on them to be sporting some new delicacies. You will find something tasty this fall from the bakery cases to the restaurants. Check out a Mickey pumpkin caramel apple or, my favorite, the Witches Cold Brew, which features Joffrey’s cold brew coffee topped with pumpkin spice foam and adorable Halloween sprinkles. These are just a few of Disney’s dozens of specialty treats during the fall months. There are even treats exclusive to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, so be sure to check those out if you attend the event!
Disney loves to go out and takes every chance they can to celebrate. This really works to our benefit because we get a lot of fun festivals, food, and experiences out of it! There are many beautiful times to visit Disney parks, but fall will always be one of my favorites. From the tasty treats to the “not so scary” Halloween vibes, I recommend you check out the fall months for your next trip!
Author: Ashley Hunt
Ashley co-founded The Midwest Mouse, a Disney Instagram account and blog she started with her husband, Braden. Ashley lives in Indiana with her husband and their two daughters. They are Walt Disney World annual pass holders and visit Disney parks as often as possible. They look forward to crossing more things off their Disney bucket list while continuing to share their adventures on their Instagram (@the_midwest_mouse) and website.
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