If You’re Going to Disney This Week

Updated September 13, 2026

Planning a Walt Disney World Trip This Week?

Expect hot afternoons, passing thunderstorms, low-to-moderate crowds, Halloween parties and plenty of EPCOT festival food. Here’s what your family should know for September 13–22, 2026—without turning your vacation into a competition.

🎥 This Week's Reel

Watch this week’s Reel for a quick rundown before your family heads to Walt Disney World.

⭐ What's New This Week

The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Hollywood Studios on September 14.
Cheers to Cheese! and The Wedge marketplace debut at EPCOT on September 18.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is scheduled for September 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22.
Magic Kingdom closes to regular guests at 6:00 PM on Halloween party nights.
Fitz and the Tantrums, MercyMe and Grupo Manía are among this week’s Eat to the Beat performers.
EPCOT Extended Evening Hours are offered September 14 and 21.
Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours are offered September 16.
Typhoon Lagoon remains closed; Blizzard Beach is operating.

☀ Weather

What to Expect

Highs around 90–93°F.
Overnight lows near 76°F.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are likely.
Rain chances are approximately 50–70% through September 16.
The heat index may exceed 100°F early in the week.

What to Pack

Lightweight, breathable clothing
Ponchos or compact rain jackets
Refillable water bottles
Cooling towels or portable fans
Extra socks and comfortable shoes
Sunscreen and hats

FitDisneyDad Tip

Handle outdoor attractions early, slow down during the hottest part of the afternoon and save indoor shows or meals for stormy periods. Check the forecast each morning because conditions can change quickly.

👥 Crowd Forecast

Overall Crowds

Most days should feel low to moderately busy by Walt Disney World standards.

September 13: Approximately 4/10
September 14–17: Approximately 2–3/10
September 18–20: Approximately 4/10
September 21–22: Approximately 2–3/10

Busiest Parks

EPCOT may feel busier during Food & Wine Festival evenings, Eat to the Beat concerts and Extended Evening Hours. Magic Kingdom entrances may also become crowded after 4:00 PM on Halloween party dates.

Least Busy Parks

Magic Kingdom may have lighter daytime crowds on party dates because regular admission ends at 6:00 PM. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom do not have major scheduled ride refurbishments this week.

My Advice

Use the quieter mornings for priority attractions. On Magic Kingdom party days, visit only if your family is comfortable with the early closing—or has a separate party ticket.

Crowd Forecast Sources

🎢 Ride Closures & Refurbishments

Location	Status	Expected Return
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress	Closed for a major update	Expected in 2027
Walt Disney World Railroad	Shortened service between Main Street, U.S.A. and Fantasyland	Full route not available this week
Frontierland Railroad Station	Closed	Not announced
Typhoon Lagoon	Closed for seasonal refurbishment	Not announced
Slush Gusher at Blizzard Beach	Closed	Not announced

What this means for families

🎆 Entertainment & Seasonal Events

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: September 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22.
The party runs from 7:00 PM to midnight, with entry beginning at 4:00 PM for ticket holders.
Magic Kingdom closes to regular guests at 6:00 PM on party nights.
Party entertainment includes Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.
Happily Ever After and Disney Starlight are not presented on party nights.

EPCOT

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival continues throughout the week.
Luminous: The Symphony of Us is generally scheduled nightly at 9:00 PM.
September 13–14: Fitz and the Tantrums
September 15–17: Latin Ambition
September 18–19: MercyMe
September 20–21: Grupo Manía
September 22: Metro Latino Band
Cheers to Cheese! and The Wedge marketplace open September 18.

Hollywood Studios

The Magic of Disney Animation opens September 14 with drawing activities, interactive galleries, characters and the Once Upon a Studio theater.
Fantasmic! is scheduled nightly, with two performances on select dates.

Animal Kingdom

No unusual entertainment changes were identified for this week.

🌙 Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours

Early Entry

Eligible Disney Resort and participating-hotel guests receive 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry at all four parks every day.

Extended Evening Hours

September 14: EPCOT, 9:00–11:00 PM
September 16: Hollywood Studios, 9:00–11:00 PM
September 21: EPCOT, 9:00–11:00 PM

Extended Evening Hours require an eligible Deluxe Resort, Deluxe Villa or participating-hotel stay.

A separate-ticket EPCOT After Hours event is also scheduled for September 16 from 9:30 PM–12:30 AM, with admission beginning at 7:00 PM.

Is It Worth It?

Early Entry is usually worth the earlier alarm if your family can arrive before it begins. Extended Evening Hours can help eligible families enjoy cooler temperatures and additional attraction time, but don’t force a late night if it will make the next day miserable.

🍽 Food Spotlight

Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese

This seasonal dish arrives at The Wedge in EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall on September 18. It features smoked cheddar sauce, bacon, crab seasoning, roasted corn, herbed panko and jalapeños.

It also counts toward Emile’s Fromage Montage during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

👨‍👧 FitDisneyDad Tip of the Week

Halloween party days can be a smart time to visit Magic Kingdom in the morning because some families avoid the early closing. Arrive for Early Entry if eligible, prioritize your must-do attractions and leave before the party crowd builds. Just remember: regular guests must exit at 6:00 PM, so choose another day if fireworks and a full evening are important to your family.

💙 Dad's Take

This is a good week to leave breathing room in the schedule. The crowds should be manageable, but heat, storms and late-night events can drain everyone faster than expected. Pick a few priorities, take an afternoon break and don’t measure your vacation by the number of rides completed. Disney is not a competition. A rested family enjoying five attractions beats an exhausted family arguing through fifteen.

📚 Related FitDisneyDad Articles

How to Survive the Heat at Walt Disney World
Early Entry at Disney World: A Simple Family Strategy
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Planning Guide
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival With Kids
How to Plan a Disney Rest Day Without Feeling Guilty

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How crowded will Walt Disney World be this week?

Crowds are forecast to remain low to moderate, generally around 2–4 out of 10.

Which nights does Magic Kingdom close early?

Magic Kingdom closes to regular guests at 6:00 PM on September 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party included with park admission?

No. It is a separate-ticket event. Party-ticket holders may enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4:00 PM.

Which Disney water park is open?

Blizzard Beach is operating. Typhoon Lagoon is closed for seasonal refurbishment, and Slush Gusher at Blizzard Beach is unavailable.

What is opening at Disney World this week?

The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Hollywood Studios on September 14. Cheers to Cheese! and The Wedge marketplace open at EPCOT on September 18.

Disney Is Not a Competition

More calm, practical Disney advice — without the hustle.