A Complete Guide to Walt Disney World in October

Walt Disney World in October is an excellent time to visit, especially if you adore the Fall season and all the spooky fun that comes with it.

While it’s not peak tourist season, October only has a few pockets with lower crowds. Plus there are plenty of events and Halloween activities to keep everyone entertained.

Whether you’re trying to decide when to visit or have already booked, this guide to Disney World in October has everything covered, from weather and packing tips to events and closures.

All dates and information subject to change throughout the year. This post will be updated frequently, but for the most up to date information on what’s closed and what’s reopened, check out my post about Disney World closures and what’s new.

Weather in Orlando in October

October ushers in the end of hurricane season for Florida and the rest of the southern US, which means drier weather.

In Orlando in October, the average high temperature is 84℉ and average low is 68℉ with average precipitation at 3.29 inches of rainfall (source).

Compared to just the month before, the average rainfall is nearly 50% less. Nice!

As you can see, it can still get hot in October, so if you want better chances of less hot and humid weather, you may want to visit in the late Fall or Winter months instead.

Now with it still being hurricane season – have no worries! It’s rare for a hurricane to impact the Disney area in a drastic way. In the event that a hurricane is projected to hit the area, Disney will keep guests safe and entertained in their resorts.

And if you choose to reschedule, Disney will graciously allow you to do so. Airlines and car rental companies usually do the same, too.

What to Wear to Disney World in October

When thinking about what to pack and what to wear to Disney World in October, you’re likely going to end up with a similar list compared to the Summer months.

Pack clothes that are light layers, like tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and breezy dresses, or whatever it is that you prefer to wear in warm weather.

However, since the evenings can be a bit chilly, I recommend throwing in a light jacket or sweatshirt, maybe even a Disney spirit jersey, in case you get cold.

As for shoes, you know your feet best, so pack what will make your tootsies happy. I usually bring 1-2 pairs of sandals, like Birkenstocks, and 2 pair of sneakers, like Nike Air Max, New Balance 530, or Vans classic canvas.

I see lots of folks rocking Crocs at Disney World, as well. Personally I’m not a fan of Crocs, but I have heard from many people that they are very comfortable, even with all the walking done at Disney World.

Last, but not least, Halloween costumes! Be sure to pack something fun, but keep in mind that there are strict rules that cast members will follow.

Per Disney’s rules, kids under age 14 can wear costumes to the parks, as long as they follow general guidelines, such as nothing dragging on the ground and no face coverings (except, of course, health masks).

Guests over the age of 14 are not allowed to dress in costumes on regular park visits.

However, guests over the age of 14 can wear costumes when attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in my MNSSHP Guide.

In addition to the usual dress code rules, if an adult is wearing a costume at one of these events, they cannot pose for photographs or sign autographs.

October Events & holidays

October has become one of the busiest times of the year at Walt Disney World, with Halloween growing in popularity, resorts offering more discounts, and longer school breaks contributing to a higher number of guests choosing October as the vacation month. 

Along with the benefits the fall season brings (like ideal weather and lower crowds), fall offers unique experiences you cannot find any other time of the year at Disney World.

Halloween is well underway throughout the month of October, which is one of our favorite times of year to attend special events at Walt Disney World, such as the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, both of which continue through the end of the month.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

If you’re looking to go to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on or near Halloween, buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale (usually around July) as these dates sell out SUPER quick!

Also keep in mind that the Halloween party only runs on select nights, not every night, as it requires the Magic Kingdom to close early when it runs.

Columbus Day Weekend

In 2025, Columbus Day weekend is October 10-13, ending on Columbus Day, aka Indigenous Peoples Day.

Many schools in the US have school breaks during this time due to the long weekend, resulting in larger crowd levels.

Halloween

Lastly, in 2025 Halloween falls on Friday, October 31.

If you’re not able to visit WDW on Halloween, check out my post about the best Halloween movies and shows on Disney+, such as Hocus Pocus, for some at-home Disney fun.

As soon as Halloween passes, Christmas time is quickly ushered in at Walt Disney World resort, with many of the resorts and theme parks decorating as soon as the first week of November.

In fact, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party often starts just a few days after Halloween!

What’s closed at Walt Disney World in October?

There should be minimal closures at Disney in October. Keep reading to see what’s closed this month at each park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

It’s Tough to Be a Bug! is permanently closed as of March 17, 2025 to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether.

TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures closed permanently in January 2025.

DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Donald’s Dino-Bash meet-n-greet, and Restaurantosaurus will close permanently some time in 2026, so make it a point to experience them while you still can before the rest of DinoLand USA goes extinct forever.

Epcot

• As of February 28, 2025, there aren’t any closures announced for Epcot, but there might be as we get closer to this month.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is permanently closed as of May 10, 2025. Muppet Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo are permanently closed as of June 7, 2025.

These closures are happening in order to make way for a Monsters Inc land, complete with a flying door roller coaster.

Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment until early 2026.

Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Belle, and Rivers of America in Frontierland will close for good to make way for new attractions. Disney has not yet said when these attractions will close and it’s possible it could happen before the end of the year.

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon

In recent years, only one of the two water parks is open at a time. Around this time of year, Typhoon Lagoon is open and Blizzard Beach is closed.

However, this is speculation and Disney has not made any announcements this far in advance.

Will you visit Walt Disney World in October?

Visiting Disney in October can be a great time for fewer crowds and a variety of Halloween and Fall activities.

Many of the parks are less crowded than they are during the Summer, although beware of surges near Columbus Day weekend and Halloween.

We hope this Disney World in October planning guide has helped you make the most of your time at Walt Disney World. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below!

For more monthly planning guides, check out the following posts:

1. WDW in January
2. WDW in February
3. WDW in March
4. WDW in April
5. WDW in May
6. WDW in June
7. WDW in July
8. WDW in August
9. WDW in September
10. WDW in October – you are here!
11. WDW in November
12. WDW in December

This post was originally published January 13, 2023. It was last updated February 28, 2025.