Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Walt Disney World Resort. The weather tends to be milder and drier than the brutal Florida summer, plus there is so much going on at the parks aside from the rides.
There are also different park ticket options available. The new Mid-Day Magic Tickets are valid for admission after 12 p.m. at a reduced rate. For example, the 2-day Mid Day Magic ticket is $88 per day, while the 4 day, is $79 per day.
There are also new attractions to explore, so if you haven’t been to Disney World in a while, you’re in for a treat with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, both in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
7 reasons why fall is a great season to visit Disney World
- Take advantage of Extra Extra Magic Hours. Although at first I wasn’t convinced about waking up extra early to ride Smuggler’s Run at the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I’m now a huge fan. Stay at a Disney Resort hotel through November 1 and enjoy even more time at select theme parks before the park opens. Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park—including Pandora – opens at 7 am, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at 6 am. I highly recommend you wake up before the crack of dawn to visit Galaxy’s Edge, so that way you can enjoy it before the crowds get crazy. It’s also your best bet to experience Oga’s Cantina, which serves breakfast and coffee along its regular menu.
- Travel to a galaxy far, far away and visit Batuu. There is so much to explore at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that it’s a must-do this fall. You can build a lightsaber, customize your own droid, eat Batuu Bites at Oga’s Cantina or interact with Stormtroopers and Chewbacca, aside from piloting the Millennium Falcon. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, this new land offers plenty of immersive experiences that are totally unique. Pro tip: use the My Disney Experience mobile app to order your blue milk and skip the line.
- Have a spooktacular time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This separately ticketed event takes place after normal park hours on select nights through Nov. 1. A new fireworks, projection, and laser show joins such fan favorites as “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, Disney characters in their finest Halloween garb and trick-or-treating throughout the park. There are plenty of sweets for all trick-or-treaters around the park, including allergy-friendly options like GoGo Squeez. Just pick up a teal bag at Guest Services and collect tokens so you can redeem them at the allergy-friendly centers around the park.
Whether its a pirate, a princess or a pixie, kids of all ages get into the Happy Halloween spirit at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It’s all part of the fun that takes place when the Magic Kingdom hosts “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.” Activities include trick-or-treating, a Halloween parade and Disney’s “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show. A separate ticket is required to attend. (Kent Phillips, photographer) - Sip and stroll around the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year it runs through November 23 and it has so many tasty options. Check out my favorites here.
- Enjoy free concerts thanks to the“Eat to the Beat” series. This year there will be 225 concerts at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre stage three times nightly with new musical acts including Vertical Horizon, 98 Degrees, Sheila E. and others. I was blown away by Plain White T’s during a recent concert.
- Visit Toy Story Land and ride Slinky Dog Dash.This family-friendly roller coaster ride is so much fun! This impressive 11 acre land makes you feel like a child… or a toy.
- Explore Disney Springs and its newest restaurants. Award-winning Chef and humanitarian extraordinaire José Andrés opened a new location of his popular Jaleo restaurant at Disney Springs. It offers an extensive menu of tapas and every afternoon there is Sangria Hour.
Have you ever been to Walt Disney World during the fall? Did you enjoy it as much as I did?
More Disney World Travel Tips
- 10 Disney World tips for your family’s magical vacation
- 10 Tips When Traveling To Disney World With Grandparents
- Tips to plan your next Walt Disney World vacation
Special thanks to Disney for inviting me to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival during the Permission to Hustle Retreat.
