October used to be a relatively slower time of the year, but now many schools have fall breaks which means it can get kind of busy.

Here's what you need to know:

How our Crowd Calendars Work

Ready to dive in? Jump down to the October Crowd Calendar

How the Crowd Calendars work

1. For each day of the month, we tell you on a scale of 1-10 how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort is when compared to other days of the year.

2. Then, for each park you'll see the park hours and any special events that are planned.

3. We also track refurbishments and closings (which you can toggle on and off).

4. We have a handy feature that allows you to automatically add your Advanced Dining Reservation date to your calendar.

5. And, one of the most useful features is the ability to be able to print the calendar so that you can have a paper copy for planning (or to just use as a backup).

What order should you visit the parks?

Depending on the length of your trip, here's how many days we recommend for each park:

Suggested number of days in each park

When it comes time to decide which days are best for each park, here are some general things to keep in mind:

  • Hollywood Studios is consistently the first park to reach capacity, primarily because of popular attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash.
  • Magic Kingdom is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think "Disney World". Saturdays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
  • Epcot hosts nearly year-round festivals, and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors as well as with locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for are alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you'd find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn't the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays.
  • Even with the new Park Pass system, Animal Kingdom remains one of the "easiest" parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.

We go into a lot more detail in our guide on The Best Days to Visit Each Park.

Planning for Disney World in October

PARK HOURS | PRICES & DISCOUNTS | SPECIAL EVENTS | WEATHER | WHAT TO WEAR | REFURBISHMENTS & CLOSURES | WHAT'S NEW | TIPS

PARK HOURS

Disney publishes its park hours about 75 days in advance, but those hours can (and very often do) change.

Note: This used to be about 180 days in advance, but since the reopening, they have transitioned to a roughly 75-day window.

As the dates get closer, it isn't unusual for Disney to tweak either the opening or closing times. And during especially busy times of the year, they may change both.

That means to avoid having your plans sidetracked, you'll definitely want to keep checking the park hours - including while on your trip.

When it comes to park hours - in general - the heavier the crowds, the longer the parks will be open during the day. Of course, that also means that the parks will be open fewer hours of the day during less busy times of the years.

It isn't unusual to see park hours extended in October to accommodate the busy crowds. This is especially true in 2021 with the kickoff of the big 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Read More:

PRICES AND DISCOUNTS

The busier that October gets, the fewer the discounts that have been offered - but they are still around, there just may not be as many rooms available to be booked at a discounted rate.

But remember: Disney doesn't offer discounts to be nice, they do it to fill hotel rooms. For the best chances of snagging a good deal, keep your travel dates and preferred resort flexible. 

Guide to Disney World Discounts

SPECIAL EVENTS

50th Anniversary Celebration

October 1, 2021 is the official kickoff for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Extending all the way until April 1, 2023, this celebration will offer guests the opportunities for new experiences, entertainment, and of course merchandise and treats.

Complete Guide to the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World

International Food and Wine Festival

Probably the most famous of all the Epcot festivals is the International Food and Wine Festival.
October at Disney World Canada Food and Wine

Held every year in the fall, for 2021 we will see the dates extend from July 15 all the way until November 20.

If you are a fan of good food and fun drinks, you'll definitely want to plan to spend some time at Epcot during your trip.

Overview of the International Food and Wine Festival

After Hours Boo Bash

We are happy to report that in 2021, Magic Kingdom will see the spooky season return with the new After Hours Boo Bash. And, while we are a bit sad it won't be the full Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party, we are excited to see that some popular features (like trick-or-treating) will be included in the ticket price.

Read all about the new Disney After Hours Boo Bash.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
(Note: MNSSHP is not being held in 2021)

Mickey's Not-So-Scary

One of the hottest parties around, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed event (translation: it costs extra) at Magic Kingdom. During the party you'll find special character meet and greet opportunities, dance parties, the popular Boo to You parade, fireworks, and of course, trick-or-treating.

Complete Guide to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

WEATHER

While October at Disney World remains hot, there are some glimpses of cooler temps, especially in the mornings and after the sun goes down. 

During October, the temperatures will range from lows in the upper 60's to highs in the low 80s.

The rain chances also decrease, with October only seeing around 3 inches of rain per year.

But even though the rain chances aren't as high, we still recommend that you come prepared with ponchos, multiple pairs of shoes (in case one pair gets wet), and umbrellas just in case.

How to handle the weather at Disney World

Swimming in October

The heat of the midday sun means that the pools are still a good option for those looking to take a swim.
Art of Animation Cars Pool

In addition to the pools at the resorts, at least 1 of Disney's 2 water parks will remain open.

If swimming is a must-do and you are worried about the crowds, consider starting your day at the pool and head to the parks later in the day. Most people reverse that plan which means the pools can get quite busy by the end of the day.

FAQ's about the Pools at Walt Disney World

WHAT TO WEAR

Traveling in October? Summer clothes are still likely going to be your best bet.

Shorts, capri pants, and moisture wicking socks are all good options.

One place where you might get cold, however, is inside some restaurants and attractions.

And in fact, even during the hottest months we keep a light jacket in our park bag because coming out of the sun into an air-conditioned space is sometimes too cold for our liking.

If you're the kind of person that finds sitting under the AC to be too much, you might want to consider tossing in a light jacket, too.
Gran Fiesta Tour

Ultimate Packing List for Walt Disney World

REFURBISHMENTS AND CLOSURES

While routine refurbishments aren't typically scheduled in October, you'll likely still run into a few attractions that are closed.

We keep track of those on the calendar below.

To see what will be closed on your trip, toggle the "attraction closings" tab.

WATER PARKS

During the colder months, Disney also typically closes Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon (one at a time) for refurbishment.

These scheduled closings typically take place between the end of October and mid-March.

Make sure you check the calendar below to see what park will be open during your visit.

WHAT'S NEW?

TIPS FOR DISNEY WORLD IN OCTOBER

  • Fall breaks are very common now so plan for the parks to be busy.
  • Keep checking for discounts. Even if you've already booked discounts can still be applied.
  • The pools can get quite busy. For the lowest crowds consider visiting in the morning.
  • If you plan to visit the Food & Wine Festival, consider going on a weekday when the crowds are lower.