Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use
Microsoft Edge logo Google Chrome logo Mozilla Firefox logo Safari logo
More Info →

Skip to Content
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • About
  • Get Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact Us
  • Crowd Calendars
    • 2022 Crowd Calendar
    • Best times to visit in 2022
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • General Info
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
  • Resorts
    • Value
    • Moderate
    • Deluxe
    • Off-Site
  • Dining
    • Magic Kingdom Dining
    • Epcot Dining
    • Hollywood Studios Dining
    • Animal Kingdom Dining
    • Disney Springs Dining
    • Dining on the Disney Skyliner
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • How to get difficult dining res
  • Genie/Planning
  • Other Places
    • Disney Cruise Line
    • Disneyland
    • Universal
  • News
WDW Prep School

October at Disney World

Last updated on 05/17/2022

January February March April May June July August September October November December

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:

Cinderella castle halloween boo bash

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.

Read More:

  • Guide to Magic Kingdom Park Hours
  • Guide to Epcot Park Hours
  • Guide to Hollywood Studios Park Hours
  • Guide to Animal Kingdom Park Hours

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

Walt Disney World is celebrating 50 years!

cinderella castle beacon of magic

Extending all the way from October 1, 2021 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

October at Disney World Canada Food and Wine

Probably the most famous of all the Epcot festivals is the International Food and Wine Festival.

Held every year in the fall, 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.

  • Complete Guide to the International Food and Wine Festival

Halloween

Halloween has always been an extremely popular time to visit Walt Disney World, with specially ticketed events at Magic Kingdom a highlight for many guests.

  • Halloween at Walt Disney World
Donald Duck halloween

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

(Note: Disney has confirmed the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2022)

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party


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

Art of Animation Cars Pool

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

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.

Gran Fiesta Tour

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.

  • 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.

  • Disney World Refurbishment Calendar

WATER PARKS​

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

WHAT’S NEW?​

  • At this time, no major new attraction, restaurant, or show is scheduled to open in October.

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.

Crowd Calendar
October 2022

Print as PDF

Official park hours are usually released around 75 days in advance.

Crowd Levels

The "crowd level" compares each day to the rest of the year; it indicates how crowded the entire WDW Resort area is on a scale of 1-10.

Thursday, November 1, 2018
10/10 crowd level
  • 1-3 crowd levels
  • 4-7 crowd levels
  • 8-10 crowd levels
  • About advanced reservations

  • - Advanced dining reservations: Advanced dining reservations can be made 60 days beforehand beginning online at 6 am EST or by phone at 7:00 am EST.
  • Tips from our ground crew

  • - In general, we recommend booking Park Pass reservations for Hollywood Studios early in your trip to maximize your chances to ride Rise of the Resistance.
  • - Magic Kingdom typically sees a surge on Saturdays, so other parks are usually a better choice.
  • - Since the festivals can draw lots of locals, avoid Epcot on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • - Animal Kingdom is a good option for most days, so plug it into your trip wherever it is easiest.

  • Quick Toggle

      Magic Kingdom Epcot Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach Disney Springs Dining Closings Attraction Closings Reservation Dates
    Loading calendar...

      Recent Updates

    No updates published yet.

      Refurbishment Details

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Meet Favorite Pals at Adventure Outpost - Animal Kingdom, (Attraction)

    March 31, 2020 - April 1, 2023 - All-Star Sports - Temporarily Closed, (Resort)

      Available Discounts

    No discounts currently available.

    See the chart of past discounts for previous promotion dates.

      Special Events

    January 3, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 5, 2022 - January 9, 2022 - WDW Marathon Weekend

    January 5, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    January 10, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 12, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    January 17, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 19, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    January 24, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 26, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    January 31, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    February 4, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    February 7, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    February 9, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    February 14, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    February 16, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    February 21, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 8PM-10PM (Click for more info)

    February 23, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    February 24, 2022 - February 27, 2022 - Princess Half Marathon Weekend

    February 28, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 2, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 2, 2022 - July 4, 2022 - Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

    March 7, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 9, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 14, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 16, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 11PM-1AM (Click for more info)

    March 21, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 23, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 28, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 29, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    March 31, 2022 - April 3, 2022 - runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

    April 4, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 6, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 11, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 13, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 18, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 20, 2022 -

    April 20, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 11PM-1AM (Click for more info)

    April 25, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    April 27, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 2, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 4, 2022 -

    May 4, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 11PM-1AM (Click for more info)

    May 9, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 11, 2022 -

    May 11, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 16, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 17, 2022 -

    May 17, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    May 23, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    May 25, 2022 -

    May 25, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    May 30, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    June 1, 2022 -

    June 1, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    June 6, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    June 8, 2022 -

    June 8, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    June 13, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    June 15, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    June 20, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    June 22, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    June 27, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    June 29, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    July 4, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    July 6, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    July 11, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    July 13, 2022 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    July 14, 2022 - November 19, 2022 - Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

    November 3, 2022 - November 6, 2022 - Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

    We will update this soon.

      Crowds

    October 1 - 7
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating
    October 8 - 16
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating
    October 17 - 21
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating
    October 22 - 23
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating
    October 24 - 28
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating
    October 29 - 31
    crowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdratingcrowdrating

    Related articles

    We will update this soon.

    WDWPREPSCHOOL.COM IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH, AUTHORIZED OR ENDORSED BY, OR IN ANY WAY OFFICIALLY CONNECTED WITH, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
     
    PRIVACY POLICY
     
    © 2022 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.