So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in October 2019?
October is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!
Weather
The weather in Disney World during October is mild and mostly dry. The average high is about 84 degrees, the average low is about 66 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.52 inches. The evenings can get a little chilly, so be sure to pack a few of your favorite Disney hoodies!
Crowds
The crowds in October remain low to moderate as kids are back in school. However, several school districts throughout the US have a fall break during the month of October that can sometimes cause the crowd levels to rise slightly especially over the weekends and Columbus Day week. Throughout the month, expect heavier than normal crowds at Epcot due to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios due to the opening of phase one of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. If you are only visiting for a couple of days, consider spending them in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom if you are looking for shorter wait times for attractions.
October 1 – October 5
Average Crowd Level 3.4 out of 10
October 6 – October 12
Average Crowd Level 5.0 out of 10
October 13 – October 19
Average Crowd Level 6.6 out of 10
October 20 – October 26
Average Crowd Level 5.0 out of 10
October 27 – October 31
Average Crowd Level 4.0 out of 10
Park Hours
Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 8am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 8am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
For specific hours on each day during October, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.
Events
On select nights in October, 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, please click here.
One of the best things about visiting Disney World in October is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Last year’s festival featured featured 197 chefs and included more than 35 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. For more information, please click here.
Refurbishments
Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during October (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom
Tron Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Epcot
Guardians of the Galaxy Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Ratatouille Attraction: Opening in 2021
Space Themed Table Service Restaurant: TBD
Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Opening in 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Phase Two Opening in Late Fall 2019
Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time
Water Parks
Blizzard Beach: October 27, 2019 – December 5, 2019
Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time
Planning Tips
If you are traveling to Disney World in October 2019, 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. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!- 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 (7am 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 UPDATED book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!
Special Offers
If you haven’t already made your October 2019 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:
- View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Tip Of The Week
Disney Did You Know
Walt’s Words
This exciting event lets you step inside Andy’s favorite playset to join in on a summertime hootenanny with Woody’s Roundup. Harken back to your playful beginnings along with Sheriff Woody, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, and the rest of your favorite toys! When you arrive at the resort, Sarge will be there to greet you and make sure you’re in tip top toy shape and ready for playtime. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by your host, decked out in their favorite western gear and ready to entertain in true cowpoke style. You’ll also discover that the room has been filled with rustic camp time playsets offering the perfect setting for this summertime bash. Meet your favorite toy pals Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye from the playful world of Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story. Buzz Lightyear will even be on hand in his own playtime zone. Theatrical backdrops, toys, and other fun props will help bring the room to life!
While you’re chowin’ down, a rootin’ tootin’ DJ spins Woody’s favorite tunes from a rustic toy set right in the heart of it all. Kids can go have some fun with activities like the Trick Ropin’ Toy, Make-Your-Own Toy Station, camp-style carnival games, and a larger-than-life balloon artist who can recreate your favorite Toy Story characters. And finally, at the end of the night, you’ll be invited out to the Porte Cochére to end the evening with a viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom Park nighttime spectacular.
The season of summer fun is nearly upon us and now, more than ever, Walt Disney World Resort is the place to make lifelong memories with family and friends. For the first time, guests can purchase the new Summer One World Ticket as a great way to experience all that’s fresh and exciting at the resort’s four theme parks and two water parks, with six admissions for only $74 per admission (plus tax) – a total price of $444 (plus tax).*
Anything can happen during Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park, including the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party,” featuring those true originals, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
Pandora – The World of Avatar comes to life each night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with bioluminescent fauna and flora. And now evenings in the park are about to be even more special with the May 24 planned debut of “Rivers of Light: We Are One,”introducing additional stunning imagery and familiar animal characters to the popular nighttime show on Discovery River. Also beginning May 24, the Tree of Life will awaken in a whole new way to honor the 25th anniversary of “The Lion King,” with beautiful projections on the iconic tree featuring music and animation paying tribute to the classic film.
Disney World Enthusiast 