What Will Disney Be Like in September 2024
Walt Disney World stopped having a true offseason many years ago.
No matter when you visit, you’ll discover many other tourists swarming the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Still, a couple of months each year are, by nature, slower travel seasons than the rest.
What will Walt Disney World be like in September 2024? In a word, calmer. Let’s discuss why.
Visiting Disney in September
Here’s the first thing you need to know about visiting Disney World this September.
The parks technically won’t empty out until after Labor Day.
Even though the calendar technically says otherwise, the reality is that tourists view the “summer season” as Memorial Day through Labor Day.
So, until Labor Day occurs, the parks often remain a bit crowded. Thankfully, the holiday falls on September 2nd in 2024, though.
Ergo, four weeks of the month will occur after attendance has dropped to early fall levels. And early fall levels are what you want!
I speak from experience here, as I happen to love September Disney vacations.
Nine of the ten most popular birthdays occur in September, and those of us who have one in that range can wear our Disney birthday buttons!
While we’re at the parks, we know that the lines are rarely long, and the crowds are typically a bit older.
I say that because parents of school-aged children cannot visit Disney World as easily in September.
After all, the school year just started, and parents don’t want their children falling behind on their homework.
That reality turns September into a haven for single adults and couples at Disney.
September is the primary month where families aren’t driving attendance…at least not as much as usual at Disney parks.
Let’s Talk about September Weather in Central Florida
Of course, crowd sizes represent only one part of a Disney theme park visit.
Another essential element is the weather, which is potentially the most mercurial of Disney Villains.
Most of September is technically summer, and even the dates after September 22nd are probably gonna be hot.
According to WeatherSpark, the average daily high temperature is 86 degrees in September.
That’s a decline of three degrees from August, but it’s still probably hotter than where you live in September.
As you might expect, the average high temperature declines later in the month as the realities of the fall season set in.
Meanwhile, the average daily low temperature is 72 degrees and rarely drops under 67 degrees.
Realistically, you should expect temperatures to hover between the low 70s and upper 80s during your visit.
Cloudy and rainy weather will keep the climate cooler at times.
Data suggests that it’ll be cloudy roughly half the time you’re at Disney World, which will protect you from blistering heat.
Conversely, your odds of rainfall depend on when you visit in September.
Toward the start of the month, the odds are as high as 58 percent, but they drop to 40 percent by the end.
Overall, I think it’s fair to say that there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll need an umbrella or rain slicker during a park visit.
What Will You Find at Disney World in September?
You’ll find festival dates most of the time at EPCOT nowadays.
Still, one of them is what I’d describe as the most iconic of them all, and that’s the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
This festival should run throughout September, which provides you with two benefits.
One is that the events at the Food & Wine Festival like the Eat to the Beat concert series will keep you entertained during your trip.
The other is that the Global Marketplaces provide you with optimal dining options.
While I rave about the various restaurants, lounges, and bars at Disney World, Global Marketplaces will suit your budget better.
Most of the menu items available cost $10 or less, yet they’re often more than enough food to fill your belly.
Disney has weaponized artistic design to turn these culinary delights into Insta-worthy photo ops as well.
So, you won’t just eat and drink like royalty. You’ll also be the envy of your friends while you post trip highlights on your socials.
Remarkably, that’s not the only Disney highlight during September, either.
Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) events on several nights in September.
Stating the obvious, you should go. I’ll die on the hill that MNSSHP is Disney’s best ticketed event.
We go every year, so I vote with my wallet on this one.
At the party, you can wear an outfit/costume celebrating your favorite Disney character.
You can also meet several of them, as this after-hours event offers several rare character greetings.
What Else Can You Do in Orlando in September?
Speaking of Halloween, you probably know about the competition in the area.
While you’re staying in Orlando, you can spend a night (or longer) at Universal Orlando Resort as well.
For adults, their Halloween Horror Nights event has become an iconic celebration of the creepiest aspects of slasher films.
I quite like the dichotomy between the genteel nature of MNSSHP and the extreme violence of Halloween Horror Nights.
Last year’s Houses featured stories involving The Last of Us and Stranger Things, so it’s not just murder stories.
Then again, another 2023 House was called Chucky: ULTIMATE KILL COUNT, so…
Also, in the area, the University of Central Florida college football season will have begun.
So, you can check out home games here. Also, if you don’t mind a bit of travel, you can hop on the Brightline train system to watch an NFL game.
Realistically, you’ll never lack for entertainment options in Orlando, but there’s also no need to leave the Disney Bubble.
The only reason why I suspect you might is HHN, which is every bit as good as you’ve heard. But it’s still not as good as MNSSHP!
Final Thoughts
I’m an evangelist regarding September Disney World vacations.
As a firm believer in maximizing the vacation budget, I highlight how much more tourists can accomplish at this time of year.
You’re visiting the world’s most popular theme park at a time when it’s less crowded.
So, you can ride more, enjoy longer character interactions, stand in shorter lines, and just generally relish the atmosphere more.
You should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to schedule a September trip, as it’s the optimal time to enjoy the most magical vacation!
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Feature Photo: Disney