What Will Disney Be Like in September 2025?

Whenever friends ask me about the best time to visit Walt Disney World, I’m blunt.

While there’s never a bad time to travel to the Most Magical Place on Earth, one month is better than the rest.

All other things being equal, you should visit Disney in September, preferably after Labor Day.

I realize that this isn’t a popular opinion, but I feel strongly that it’s the best month for tourists.

So, what will Disney be like in September 2025? In a word, it’ll be empty.

Visiting Disney in September

Photo: Disney

Every August, school begins throughout North America, which causes ripple effects at Walt Disney World.

Fewer families can visit once school is in session, and that’s especially true in September.

Image Credit: ESPN

At this time of year, all the colleges are back as well, and college football is distracting all the sports fans.

Not coincidentally, theme park attendance plummets to its lowest levels of the year.

While Disney no longer has an offseason per se, September now qualifies as the closest thing to it.

When you visit the parks in September, you’ll discover the lowest crowds of the year.

Even better, the weather has cooled from the sometimes scalding temperatures in July and August.

I’ll discuss specifics in a minute, but that’s one of the benefits of choosing September over those months. The weather is better.

2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Also, Disney World hosts the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, the signature exhibition at the park.

Food & Wine is neither the oldest nor the newest festival; it’s simply the most iconic of them all.

Photo: Disney

So, during September, you can visit this event, relishing the food, beverages, and limited-time exclusive merchandise.

Since the parks aren’t crowded, you’ll feel less rushed to sample the goods as well.

September is an ideal time for theme park exploration. You’re just there for the vibes.

Let’s Talk about the Weather

As I mentioned, Central Florida cools off a bit in September, with the average daily high temperature falling by three degrees.

In August, the average high is 89 degrees, which isn’t that bad, really. But the 86-degree average in September is better.

Photo: Disney

Generally, the high temperature during this month ranges from 81 to 93 degrees, and believe me, 81 degrees is better.

Even lifelong southerners can tell the difference in 90+ degree weather. Weather in the low 80s is downright comfortable.

Photo: Freepik

As for the low temperature, September rarely drops below 68 degrees, with the average at 72 degrees.

Do you know what people call temperatures in the low 70s? Dreamy vacation weather.

I will acknowledge that the temperature has trended upward a bit over the past few years, which leads me to a separate point.

September grows cooler as the month advances toward Fall. So, when you visit later in September, the weather is better.

Photo: Disney

Also, the only time during September when you’ll experience crowds is during Labor Day Week.

That’s why I’d advise skipping those days, even though I realize it’s easier to travel during an official government holiday.

(Photo credit GREGG NEWTON/AFP/Getty Images)

As for the rain and clouds, you don’t need to worry about the latter during mid- to late-September.

Central Florida clouds become less of a factor as the month advances. About half the days are cloudy in late September.

Photo: Disney

Not coincidentally, the earlier part of September is when you’re most likely to experience rainfall.

On average, it happens three out of five days in early September as opposed to two out of five days in late September.

Use that information as you will. I happen to enjoy rainy days at Disney, but I’m weird.

What’s Fun at Disney in September?

2024 Food & Wine Festival

The best part about recommending a September trip to Disney World is that I don’t have to hedge.

For once, park officials haven’t been straightforward about the opening of several popular events.

I previously mentioned the Food & Wine Festival. While we don’t know when it will start, it WILL be going on during September.

Similarly, Disney hasn’t confirmed the opening date for Test Track 3.0 at the time of publication.

Photo: Disney

However, park officials have flatly stated it’ll debut late this summer. In Disney terms, that should mean by early August.

Well, when you visit in September, you don’t need to sweat the specifics.

Photo: Disney

By that point, the new version of the EPCOT thrill ride will have been up and running for several weeks.

You can enjoy all the joys of shorter lines for it because A) Disney will have met initial demand and B) the parks are less crowded.

Photo: Disney

Those aren’t the only new offerings, either. Remember that Disney’s Hollywood Studios will add two new shows this summer.

One of them is The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, while the other is Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.

Photo: Disney

So, that’s the film that started Disney’s Renaissance period of animation, and another show starring Disney Villains.

You will want to watch both of those, which you can do in between snacks at the Food & Wine Festival.

What Else Can You Do in Central Florida?

Photo: Universal

Hey, did you hear about this new theme park coming to Central Florida?

Yeah, apparently, Universal Orlando Resort is opening a new place called Universal Epic Universe.

Photo: Universal

I can understand why you missed the news; it’s been a pretty low-key event.

Universal has barely even snagged millions of headlines about this unheralded new park. And yes, I’m joking.

Photo: Universal

There are lost tribes around the world who are centuries away from getting internet, and even THEY know about Epic Universe.

Obviously, you’ll want to visit this park at some point. September is as good a time as any.

Photo: Universal

In fact, I’d argue it’s the best time in calendar 2025, as Epic Universe will have been open for four months by then.

So, like Test Track 3.0, the early rush will have died down, but the September crowds won’t change much from previous years.

Photo: Universal

This will be the closest you’ll come to an uncrowded Epic Universe visit for the next calendar year.

That’s not all you can do in the area, either. You can hop on the Brightline to watch NFL football in Jacksonville or Miami.

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Alternatively, you can catch some college football at places like the University of Central Florida.

So, for those folks willing to leave the comfort of the Disney Bubble, you’ll be rewarded with a new theme park and plentiful live sports options.

Final Thoughts

Spaceship Earth

At the end of the day, what matters most about your Disney vacation is that you get to do everything you want.

When you visit during more crowded times of the year, you lower your odds of doing that.

Credit: Disney

Conversely, when you show up in September, you’ll experience Disney in a way that’s borderline impossible at any other time.

You can check everything off your list while enjoying delicious Food & Wine offerings along the way.

Halloween in Disney World

That’s why September has become the ideal time to visit Walt Disney World.

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