So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in September 2015? September is a wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The weather is warm and a little less rainy than the summer months, the parks are still open several hours a day, and the crowd levels drop dramatically.
Weather
The weather in Disney World during September is warm and mildly rainy. The average high is about 90 degrees, the average low is about 72 degrees and the average rainfall is about 5.09 inches. You can expect a little rain during your vacation, so be sure to bring your poncho!
Crowds
The crowds in September drop dramatically as kids head back to school. This month has the lowest crowd levels of the year.
September 1 – September 5 – Average Crowd Level 1.0 out of 10
September 6 – September 12 – Average Crowd Level 1.3 out of 10
September 13 – September 19 – Average Crowd Level 1.9 out of 10
September 20 – September 26 – Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10
September 27 – September 30 – Average Crowd Level 1.8 out of 10
Park Hours
The Parks continue to be open several hours per day to start the fall season.
- Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
- Epcot: Open from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
- Hollywood Studios: Open most days from 9am – 7:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
- Animal Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 5pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
For specific hours on each day during September, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.
Events
On September 11 and 12 at Magic Kingdom, soak up the spirited sounds of a contemporary music festival featuring performances by Christian superstars in rock, pop and gospel during the Night of Joy. Please click here for more information and discounted admissions.
On select nights beginning in September, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information including pricing and dates, please click here.
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin on September 25. No details for the 2015 event have been released yet, but last year’s festival featured 270 chefs and included more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. Check back often for more updates about this fabulous celebration. In the meantime for some fun facts about the Food and Wine Festival, please click here.
Refurbishments
Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the scheduled closures during September (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom
- Diamond Horseshoe: August 2 – November 19, 2015
- Liberty Tree Tavern: July 6 – November 20, 2015
- Pirates of the Caribbean: May 11 – September 25, 2015
Epcot
- Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016
- Living with the Land: September 8 – September 17, 2015
Hollywood Studios
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid: September 7 – September 10, 2015
Animal Kingdom
- Pizzafari: August 23 – October 19, 2015
- Primevil Whirl: August 17 – November 12, 2015
Water Parks
- No refurbishments currently scheduled
Downtown Disney
- Downtown Disney is undergoing a major transformation to become the reimagined Disney Springs. Construction will be finished in phases with the final completion date set for Fall 2016.
Resort Hotels
- Beach Club Resort: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
- Contemporary Resort: Main Pool September 8 – September 10, 2015
- Coronado Springs Resort: Fitness Center, Salon, Casitas Leisure Pool July 5 – October 12, 2015
- Grand Floridian Resort: Gasparilla Island Grill August 23 – September 4, 2015
- Polynesian Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
- Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
Planning Tips
If you are traveling to Disney World in September 2015, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:
- Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
- If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
- If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name.
- Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
- Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
Once your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.- If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
- Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
- It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
- Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, ask a question in the comments section, or take a look at the Planning section here.
Special Offers
If you haven’t already made your September 2015 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:
Join The Fun
Disney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!
Have a magical vacation!
Disney Did You Know
In Epcot’s Future World near the Fountain View Café is a fantastic spot to explore called Club Cool. This location has lots of fun Coca-Cola merchandise, plus it offers free unlimited self-serve samples of Coke flavors from around the world. The tastes range from awesome to awful which adds to the entertainment value. I have a hilarious photo from the first time my son tried the Beverly. Beware – that flavor is only for the adventurous! So when you get hot and thirsty, be sure to stop in.
For Your Listening Pleasure
Garden Grocer
“501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”
Disney World Enthusiast 