Disney World in September 2026 (Weather, Crowd Expectations, and Details)
September is a super hot month that takes everyone by surprise. While most people are ready to break out their boots, watch college football, or order their favorite pumpkin brew, those visiting Disney World with the hopes of “low crowds” are realizing that they come with a price: heat exhaustion.
It wasn’t so long ago that I was riding the Skyliner with a family on their first visit. They mentioned that they couldn’t believe the record heat. They were under the impression that it would be cooler and were surprised when I told them that both August and September were the worst months. If you’ve read this website, even semi-regularly, you know that I’ve seen numerous guests pass out from dehydration in the parks over the years. Most of which have happened in September.
I don’t ever mention that to scare anyone, but if it helps one person remember to stay hydrated and take proper breaks, then it’s worth it. It’s sure not the kind of memory you want to laugh about around the kitchen table in the future, all the while thinking it wasn’t funny at the time. Let’s save those memories for Mickey ice cream bars that melt so fast they make an incredible mess all over your child’s matching Disney t-shirts. (Don’t forget to take a picture!)
As for September, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is in full swing, it’s hurricane season, and you will likely experience lower crowds than usual in the parks. If you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom, you’ll get to see the beautiful autumn decorations, and there will be food booths galore at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
This guide has been updated for 2026 pending news and announcements. We’ll provide those updates as they are announced. Halloween details are generally released about halfway to Halloween. We anticipate knowing more after Easter and before mid-May.
The Weather in September
As we’ve already discussed, September is hot. It can be miserable. September is also prime hurricane season, so you’ll want to remain weather aware. If you’re investing a decent amount of money in your trip (regardless of when you visit), you might want to consider purchasing trip insurance. To be fully transparent, as regular visitors, this is not something we do often for Disney World. But it is something that adds an extra layer of protection when we cruise or plan once-in-a-lifetime trips to other destinations. An authorized Disney travel planner can help you better discern if you have any questions.
Crowds in September
September is one of the slowest months of the year at Disney World. But, again, the tradeoff is the heat. For most, it’s simply not worth it. If you do decide to visit in September, you’ll want to remain aware of evenings when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held at Magic Kingdom.
On these evenings, Magic Kingdom closes at 6:00 p.m. There are advantages and disadvantages when visiting the Magic Kingdom on a party date. As far as negatives, the park closes early. So if this is your only day at Magic Kingdom, we recommend choosing a non-party date. It would be a shame not to see the fireworks or explore the park after sunset. We have listed the party dates in our September timeline below to help you plan.
That said, if you have more than one day to spend at Magic Kingdom or have the park-hopper ticket, you might prefer to take advantage of lower crowds on a party date. While there are no guarantees, the party dates tend to be significantly slower at Magic Kingdom because not everyone is willing to burn their ticket on a day when the park closes early.
Other Reminders
Magical Dining usually lasts throughout September. This is a charity event (not affiliated with Disney) that includes a few restaurants at Disney World. It’s a wonderful promotion that allows guests to try special menus at more-than-reasonable prices. If you have any interest in dining at these locations, you’ll likely want to participate. (2026 Dates and participating locations to be determined.)
A new scene on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run debuted in May. You might want to check it out if you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
A new destination called Soarin’ Across America debuted on Soarin’ at Epcot in May. Make sure to check it out.
Complimentary Water Park Perk Benefit: Guests visiting an eligible Disney Resort Hotel between May 26th and September 8th can enjoy water park admission on their check-in day, included with their stay. Additionally, guests will be able to choose which water park they want to visit because both Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will be open simultaneously during these dates. (See the complete 2026 water park perk announcement for hotels, eligibility, and dates.)
Cool Kid Summer is in full swing this month at all four parks and the resorts. This special Disney promotion allows for more surprise character pop-ups and activities in the parks and resorts geared toward children. If you’re visiting anytime this summer, see our guide: 5 Ways to Celebrate Cool Kid Summer at Disney World. (Ends September 8th)
Extended Evening Hours
We’ll list the dates for extended evening hours for September as they are posted:
- TBD
Extended Evening Hours are offered twice weekly for deluxe and deluxe villa resort guests. If you would like to learn more about this benefit, see our guide to Extended Evening Hours at Disney World.
Disney After Hours Dates in September
Disney After Hours will be held on the following evenings in September 2026. They will not affect park hours, but you might see more crowds at the park between 7:00 p.m. and regular park closing times as guests begin to arrive for the event:
- Magic Kingdom: The last event for Magic Kingdom in 2026 was held in July.
- Epcot: September 16th and 24th
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: September 2nd and 12th
If you would like to learn more, see our guide to Disney After Hours in 2026.
Mickey’s Halloween Party Dates
Mickey’s Halloween Party will be held on select evenings throughout the entire month of September. We will list the dates below when they are announced. Unlike Disney After Hours, these dates could affect your touring strategy. Make sure you read over the section about crowds in September above for planning details.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates in September 2026: TBD
Ride Closures:
Magic Kingdom Temporary Ride Closures: TBD
Epcot Ride Closures: TBD
Hollywood Studios: TBD
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: TBD
Significant park construction continues throughout 2026 at Magic Kingdom (Villains Land and new Cars area), Hollywood Studios (Monsters, Inc.-themed land), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Tropical Americas-themed land).
For all scheduled refurbishments for the year, see our list of Disney World Ride Refurbishments. For ongoing and upcoming refurbishments at the various resorts, see our list of Disney Hotel Refurbishments.
Final Thoughts
We will update this calendar as more announcements are made. As always, we hope that these timelines will serve not only as a current reference but also as a future one. If you’re thinking about visiting in September of next year, the majority of the information we’ve discussed outside of refurbishments and slight date changes will be similar, especially regarding weather and crowds.
If your dates are flexible, our guide to The Best and Worst Months to Visit Disney World compares crowd levels, seasons, and major events throughout the year. It is a helpful starting point when deciding when to visit, or you can browse each month’s individual guide:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Make sure to check back with Resorts Gal soon for the latest Disney news, planning, and reviews. You might also enjoy joining our newsletter list.
In the Comments
Did you find this September planning guide helpful? Will you be visiting in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
