Hi Joyce,
Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you've answered fall's call to
The Most Magical Celebration on Earth. Autumn is my absolute favorite season to visit Walt Disney World Resort.
EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival should be in full swing (dates should officially be announced this spring), the temperatures are typically mild, and the harvest of
Fab 50 character statues will be plentiful as Walt Disney World continues its 50th birthday celebration.
Walt Disney World Resort
theme park hours are currently available through April 11. I expect hours for September and October to be released this summer. This past September, Disney's Animal Kingdom park opened first each day at 8:00 a.m., followed by Magic Kingdom park and Disney's Hollywood Studios at 9:00 a.m., and finally EPCOT at 11:00 a.m. Disney's Animal Kingdom closed first at 7:00 p.m. and all others closed at 9:00 p.m. Magic Kingdom park did close early on select nights due to specially ticketed events such as Disney After Hours Boo Bash.
Overall, October 2021 saw a lengthening of park hours across the
four theme parks. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios opened earlier while EPCOT and Animal Kingdom were open later most nights. Even Magic Kingdom stayed open until 10:00 p.m. some nights.
A valid
theme park ticket and
Park Pass reservation are required to enter the theme parks. When making your Park Pass reservation, consider the
Theme Park Reservation Availability Calendar as well as the park hours. In my experience, EPCOT tends to fill up on weekends due to the increase in locals coming to visit the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, which is also something to consider.
Additionally,
Early Theme Park Entry allows Guests of
Disney Resorts Collection hotels to enter each of the four theme parks 30 minutes early every day. My family uses this gift of time to experience popular attractions without having to make an
Individual Lightning Lane purchase.
As the seasons change, planDisney is here for all of your trip-planning questions. Before you know it you'll be exclaiming, "It's fall, y'all!"
Choose magic,
Jennifer